Suyu-dong Serial Murder Suspect in Her 20s Aware of Lethal Drug Risk... Police: "Implied Intent Recognized"

Police Refer Suspect for Detention on Murder and Narcotics Charges

Crimes Committed for Financial Gain; Motel Stay Was Also Her Suggestion

Psychopathy Assessment Results Sent to Prosecutors

According to the police investigation, Kim, a woman in her twenties and the suspect in the so-called 'Suyu-dong Serial Murders,' committed the crimes using drugs while being aware of the possibility that her victims could die as a result.

On March 4, investigative authorities concluded that Kim was at least indirectly aware that the drug she used could pose a serious threat to life, far beyond simply inducing sleep. The police stated, "She appears to have recognized that the drug in question could serve as a tool for murder."

Yonhap News

Previously, the Gangbuk Police Station in Seoul had referred Kim for detention and prosecution on charges of murder, aggravated assault, and violation of the Narcotics Control Act. Kim is accused of handing a beverage mixed with a psychotropic drug to a man in his twenties with whom she was in a relationship on December 14 last year, causing him to lose consciousness. She is also accused of causing the deaths of two other men in their twenties by having them drink hangover remedies laced with the same drug at a motel in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, on January 28 and February 9 this year.

The police believe that Kim committed the crimes in situations where she was asked to provide compensation after receiving economic benefits such as expensive meals or accommodation. The investigation revealed that it was Kim who first suggested staying at the motel. The police explained, "It appears that she targeted the victims as a means to satisfy her desires for visits to upscale restaurants or hotels amid financial difficulties."

It has been determined that since August of last year, Kim had been receiving prescriptions for psychotropic sleeping pills at a psychiatric clinic, citing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She reportedly prepared the drugs in powder form and mixed them with hangover remedies before meeting the victims.

The police particularly believe that Kim was fully aware of the risk of death if sleeping pills are taken together with alcohol or in excessive amounts over a short period. This is because she had previously caused a man to lose consciousness by administering drugs at a cafe in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, in December last year, and also searched ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool, for information on the dangers of the drugs prior to the murders.

Meanwhile, the Gangbuk Police Station in Seoul announced that Kim was found to meet the criteria for psychopathy in a Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) assessment that was conducted. The results of this assessment have been forwarded to the prosecution.

It was also found that the term "hangover" appeared repeatedly in text messages exchanged between Kim and the second victim before the crime. The police believe that Kim carried out preparatory actions to induce the victim to consume the hangover remedy, which was the tool used in the crime, in a natural manner.

Separately, further investigations are underway into suspicions that Kim administered drugs to two other men in October last year and January this year. The Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office has decided to convene a review committee to determine whether to disclose Kim's personal information to the public.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.