Family seeks justice in Thailand murder

CHARLESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - When Rhode Islander Jon LaChappelle was gunned down 8,000 miles away in Thailand three years ago, it was a shocking murder that devastated a local family and left them drowning in international red tape. Now, this homicide investigation includes a surprising twist. A twist that may lead all the way back to New England.

The family believes this was a murder-for-hire. They supplied Target 12 with emails from the government and embassy in Thailand, as well as international press accounts at the time of the murder.

The Murder

Three years ago, American businessman Jon LaChappelle answered the front door to his Thailand home. On the other side was a man wielding a shotgun. The first blast hit LaChappelle in the stomach. The second hit his lower back; an indication he may have been trying to get away.

Twenty-four hours later and 8,500 miles away, the phone rang at his sister's house in Rhode Island.

"At first I just could not register that he could possibly be gone. And the way she told me it was so... cold," said Cheryl Rebello, LaChappelle's sister.

Delivering the news on the other end of the phone was LaChappelle's fiancé, Dara Panasy, who was living in Connecticut.

"I was just screaming, 'Please don't be telling me this,'" Rebello said.

The Red Tape

Rebello and her father Jon LaChappelle, Sr. said they have been struggling with the tragedy and struggling to get answers since the murder.

Six years ago, LaChappelle started an import-export business in Thailand, moving products like tique and coffee and turning a serious profit.

"He loved it there," Rebello said.

"Always making money. And that's what took him out," said LaChappelle, Sr.

Jon LaChappelle was a colorful character. He had a pet monkey and while growing up in Charlestown, Rhode Island, he was no boy scout. He had brushes with the law and press accounts at the time of his murder claim he was being sued in Thailand over a money dispute. But the investigation led elsewhere. Three months after he was gunned down, Thai police made an arrest.

"I felt really good. I felt justice has been served," his father said.

The accused were LaChappelle's assistant who went by "James," and the man authorities say James hired to pull the trigger. Then, a shocking twist. According to press accounts in Thailand, James confessed it was LaChappelle's fiancé, Dara Panasy, who ordered the hit.

"Three days before my son was murdered, she wired $8,500 to James," LaChappelle, Sr. said.

The motive, according to James; Panasy wanted to claim LaChappelle's estate.

"I estimate about three to four million dollars in assets and cash," LaChappelle's father said.

"She just looked at me and she says 'I have the will, it's in my name, and this morning I'm going to my lawyer.," Rebello said of her would-have-been sister-in-law.

Panasy, according to the family, eventually gained control of LaChappelle's assets. In 2007, the media overseas reported Thai authorities were seeking to extradite Panasy. The LaChappelle family said the FBI has told them there is a warrant for her arrest in Thailand. However, the FBI won't comment to Target 12, saying it's an active investigation.

But still, the family says there has been no movement, no extradition, and no justice.

Target 12 has learned U.S. Senator Jack Reed's office is now involved.

"The LaChappelle family has suffered a grievous loss and they simply want justice to be done," said Sen. Jack Reed, (D) Rhode Island.

He sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Department of Justice urging the Thai government to take action.

"The hold up is not from our State Department, it's from the government of Thailand requesting extradition of this individual who is in the United States," Reed said.

Back in Thailand, the two men accused were locked up. But, in a stunner to the family, they were released from prison while awaiting trial.

"Until somebody signs a piece of paper to say here's the extradition paper then the FBI can't pick her up," said LaChappelle, Sr. "Until that happens, nothing happens."

Target 12 made repeated efforts to contact Dara Panasy, who was last known to live in Connecticut. We spoke to the Rhode Island attorney who handled the estate. He said he would pass along our message to her. We have yet to get a call back.