An American diplomat found slain inside an upscale hotel in Myanmar was allegedly attacked by his former wife, who authorities say stabbed him in the head and neck and could face a death sentence if convicted of murder.
Daniel Riva, 43, a New York native whose work focused on combating international organized crime, was discovered dead last month at the Sakura Residence & Hotel, located about a mile from the US Embassy in Yangon, where he was posted.
Local officials said his ex-wife, Pavinee Supasirivisan, was taken into custody shortly afterward on murder allegations.
A conviction could bring a prison term of at least 10 years, with the death penalty also possible under the charge.
Supasirivisan, a Thai citizen, appeared in court Tuesday and was also accused of breaching Myanmar’s immigration law, a provision applied to foreign nationals who commit crimes in the country. She is expected to be tried first on that count, which carries a potential five-year prison sentence, before the murder case proceeds.
Riva, who was from East Norwich on Long Island, married Supasirivisan, a pastry chef, in June 2018, according to the Times of London.
When the couple split was not immediately clear.
Before his assignment at the US Embassy in Yangon, Riva had served in Suriname in South America and later in East Timor in Asia.
Fellow American diplomat Fausto De Guzman said he was honored to have worked with him.
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“Dan lived life to the fullest, often exploring the island on his motorbike and embracing every adventure,” he posted on an online obituary.
“He was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and brought warmth and generosity wherever he went. He will be deeply missed.”
Matt Grant, a childhood friend, described him as a “brother.”
“For 40 years, he was part of every chapter of my life, from my earliest memories to the person I became,” he said.
“We met in nursery school — the only school we ever attended together — and formed a bond that became a brotherhood. He was effortlessly cool, endlessly curious and the most kind, caring, hilarious and thoughtful person I have ever known.”
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is embroiled in fighting between the country’s military-led government, which ousted democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, and a disparate group of militias organized by the country’s ethnic minority groups and pro-democracy forces.
The State Department confirmed a death – but declined to provide further details.
“Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones, we have no further information to provide at this time,” it said.
Thailand’s foreign ministry previously said it had provided assistance to the woman in custody and notified her family.
With Post wires.
