Human skull falls from ceiling during Thai home renovation, Cambodian worker ID found

The discovery was made on Jan. 6 at a two-storey detached home in Pathum Thani’s Lam Luk Ka District. A female renovation worker was clearing debris from a hole in second-floor ceiling tiles when a skull suddenly dropped, according to Bangkok Post.

After authorities were alerted, a more thorough search of the ceiling space uncovered a fully clothed skeleton, along with a wire cutter and an identification card belonging to a 29-year-old Cambodian construction worker.

Investigators believe the man may have been electrocuted while attempting to steal electrical wiring from the property, which had been abandoned for several years. Residents in the area told reporters that wire thefts were common at the vacant house, Khaosod reported.

The worker who found the remains said the house had emitted a strong smell since renovation work began last month, but the odor was initially blamed on animal carcasses.

Locals recalled that the missing man’s family had searched extensively for him before eventually returning to Cambodia after failing to locate him.

The remains have been sent to Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science for DNA testing to confirm the identity. Authorities said they are working to contact the man’s family as the investigation continues.