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Executed Inmate Summary – Jaturun Siripongs

WARNING: The following crime summaries contain graphic descriptions of one or more murders and may not be suitable for all audiences.

jaturun siripong mugshot

Name: Jaturun Siripongs
CDC#
Sex: M

  • Alias: None
  • Race: Other
  • Date Received: 05/02/1983
  • Education: NA
  • Location: San Quentin State Prison
  • Married: NA

Sentence:

  • County of Trial: Orange
  • Sentence Date: 04/22/1983
  • County of Residence: Unknown
  • County of Offense: Orange
  • Offense Date: 12/15/1981
  • Court Action: Affirmed
  • Court Date: 06/06/1988
  • Case #: NA

Victims: Packovan (“Pat”) Wattanaporn (female), Quach Nguyen (male)

Co-Defendant: None

Summary:

Jaturun Siripongs was convicted of robbery, burglary and two counts of first-degree murder in the December 15, 1981 deaths of Packovan “Pat” Wattanaporn and Quach Nguyen. An Orange County jury sentenced Siripongs to death on April 22, 1983.

The bodies of Wattanaporn and Nguyen were found in a storeroom of the Wattanaporn’s small retail store, Pantai Market, in Garden Grove, California. Mrs. Wattanaporn had been strangled to death. Nguyen, a store employee, suffered multiple stab wounds to his head, neck, and defensive wounds on his hands and right arm. Police also found a cord tied around his right arm. The time of death for both victims was estimated to be 12:30 p.m. Police found bloodstains throughout the store. The following day, police searched a dumpster and found bloodstained clothing and a bloody cord like the one tied on Nguyen’s arm.

Siripongs was arrested December 17 when he tried to make purchases using credit cards belonging to the Wattanaporns. A subsequent analysis of Siripongs’ blood revealed that several bloodstains found at the murder scene, the bloodstained clothes and the bloody cord were consistent with his blood type. He had numerous cuts on his fingers. Siripongs occasionally worked at the Pantai Market.

A police search of Siripongs’ car and home revealed a knife set similar to the weapon used to kill Nguyen, several pieces of Mrs. Wattanaporn’s jewelry, and department store receipts for purchases bearing Mrs. Wattanaporn’s name dated after her murder. Police also found dried blood in Siripongs’ car.