By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Bereaved family members of actor Ahn Jae-hwan, who is believed to have committed suicide using briquette gas, requested an autopsy Tuesday.

Police have yet to figure out the exact time of his death as well as how and why he died. Ahn reportedly called up his wife of 10 months, comedian Jung Sun-hee on Aug. 21.

What was said between them is yet to be revealed because Jung is suffering from shock, but police believe it to be the last call Ahn made.

It is said that Jung reported to the police her husband was missing around the end of August, but requested the investigation be kept secret over concerns the media might chase them.

The actor, famous for his roles as elite but jolly characters, was found in his sport utility vehicle parked in Hagye, northern Seoul, Monday. His dead body was severely decayed and police assumed the actor killed himself using toxic fumes several days ago.

Some speculated that a recent string of business failures mounting up to 4 billion won in private debt had driven him to the drastic choice.

However, police cannot rule out the possibility of murder in the absence of a witness for his death.

Ahn's body is expected to be cremated Friday, if the autopsy is finished in time.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr