Thai casino financier found dead

Money problems drove a 61-year-old Thai casino financier to shoot herself in the head yesterday morning outside a Chinese temple in Barangay Horseshoe, Quezon City, the police said.

The body of Luprawat Yupin Lao, a casino financier, and a resident of 128 Mariposa St., Barangay Horseshoe, was found slumped on her back near her car.

A barangay official found her lying on her back at about 4:30 a.m. at a sidewalk along Mariposa Street fronting a Chinese temple. She had a bullet wound in the head.

Police sources said Lao allegedly shot herself after praying at the temple. Investigators theorized that the victim was having money problems after they found promissory notes and a bank book inside her vehicle.

Operatives of the Central Police District also found a caliber .38 revolver beside her body. Investigators have ruled out robbery in the case as none of the victim’s valuables were missing.

"This is an apparent suicide, but we are following up the case to make sure that no foul play was involved. Because she is a casino financier, she might have enemies," a policeman said.

Investigators added that she was last seen alive inside the temple.

A barangay official later found her body and immediately called the police.