Woman accused in ’91 slaying still at large

BRUNSWICK – Acquaintances of the woman accused of killing her husband’s mistress nine years ago in California are shocked by the allegations.

Susan Navarat, 47, narrowly escaped arrest in Brunswick on Tuesday. Navarat, who has run the Thai Place restaurant for the past five years, is suspected of shooting Opapin Ponvisutrakul, 37, in the chest with a .38-caliber gun in 1991.

Navarat, who disappeared after the shooting, was charged with murder. Police say she has been on the run ever since.

Tuesday, Navarat fled Brunswick before local, state and federal authorities arrived at her Pleasant Street restaurant to arrest her.

Navarat’s roommate, whose name was not released, was taken into custody for allegedly helping her escape, but has since been released. Police also arrested an employee who resembled Navarat, but fingerprints did not match, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Mike Crowley.

He said police learned Navarat was probably at the restaurant in Brunswick when Los Angeles deputies were reviewing old warrants. They said they were able to track Navarat to Portland, where Portland police and the U.S. Marshal’s Service located her.

But she had been tipped off and left by the time authorities arrived, he said.

Meanwhile, Navarat’s acquaintances were shocked to learn she is the subject of a national manhunt.

“She was such a nice woman. I can’t believe she could have done what they said she did. She was very timid,” said Tom Bouthot, owner of Uncle Tom’s Market next door to the restaurant. “She was generous, almost too generous.”

Navarat took over management of the Thai Place in 1995 from its former owners, Tee Boonanant and Viviane Llewellyn. Navarat and her roommate, who helped her run the restaurant, lived in a second-floor apartment above the restaurant.

“They chose not to associate with anyone. They didn’t seem to have a lot of friends,” Bouthot said.

But Vivane Llewellyn, the restaurant’s former owner, said she is not surprised by the murder charge.

“She was a small woman, always very nice, but out to make money,” Llewellyn said.

She said the restaurant is officially owned by Navarat’s cousin in Thailand, and said Navarat wanted her cousin to assume ownership because she was bankrupt and her credit was shot.

Portland police say Navarat has been living in Portland and Brunswick for several years.

Portland police, the U.S. Marshal’s Service in Portland and the FBI are continuing their search.

“We believe there’s a good chance she may still be in southern Maine,” said Chief John Cooper of the Marshal’s Service.

Police describe Navarat as 5 feet tall, weighing 100 pounds, with pockmarked cheeks and a mole on her lower left chin. Police consider her armed and dangerous.