A veterinarian murdered a top zoo official in Songkhla, southern Thailand, and then committed suicide, as the investigation of a rare, rare animal was underway.

Last week, Thailand's Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa ordered an investigation into the disappearance of the albino bream named Snow, after rejecting Songkhla Zoo's explanation that a python had eaten it.

Suriya Sangpong, 58, the leader of the Thailand Zoological Park Organization, traveled from Bangkok to Songkhla Zoo to meet with staff there.

The culprit, Phuvadol Suwanna, the veterinarian at the zoo, was under stress from being ordered to move to another position while the investigation of the finch was underway.

"The gunman is a longtime friend of the victim, both from the southern provinces," said Jatuporn Buruspat, permanent secretary of Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Snow is a rare birch born in December of last year, related to a basket donated to Thai Empress Sirikit, the mother of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.