The Arkansas Medical Examiner’s Office confirms a 50-year-old Fort Smith woman who was found dead in her home on Jan. 24 was strangled.
Sakouswk Vilayhong’s husband found her lying on the living room floor of her home in the 2100 block of Kelley Highway when he came home from work that afternoon, according to police.
Police are now waiting for the medical examiner in Little Rock to determine if there was the presence of DNA evidence on Vilayhong’s body. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.
Vilayhong spent the majority of that day at a local casino. She arrived at the Choctaw Casino in Pocola, Okla., at about 8:30 a.m. and left at about 1:50 p.m., police said. Police have looked at surveillance video from the casino.
“Was anyone around with her at the casino, was anyone suspicious watching her, leaving with her, following her? So far, we have not found that anyone was,” Sgt. Daniel Grubbs said.
Sgt. Grubbs also said the tapes do not show anyone following the Vilayhong in the parking lot. Investigators have also subpoenaed Vilayhong’s bank and cell phone records.
“We’ve interviewed the family, according to them, there is no known enemies, no tensions, or issues at this point that would stand out that would be a clear cut offender,” said Sgt. Grubbs.
Emergency crews noticed suspicious injuries on her body and she pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to call the River Valley Crime Stoppers tip line at (479) 78-CRIME.
