On 15 September, the bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found on Sairee Beach on the island of Koh Tao, between 4 and 5am, a few hours after their deaths. However, the event did not materially affect tourism to the island over the following years. Some 200 children have died in one nation after taking toxic cough syrups. Koh tao murders hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Thailands prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, questioned the attire and behavior of foreign female tourists shortly after the killing of two British backpackers, David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on the island in 2014. [42][43] Early police reports said Miller's mobile phone was also found in Zaw Lin's home,[44][45] although the media had previously reported the phone was handed to police by a friend of the victim. All times AEDT (GMT +11). The past three weeks have been unimaginably difficult and there are no words that can adequately describe the heartache and despair that our family is experiencing. Thai murders: Backpacker killers face execution | Herald Sun A judge found the workers guilty and sentenced them to death despite questions about DNA evidence and the police handling of the case. A millionaire hotel tycoon and his wife have been found dead in a luxury resort on Koh Tao, colloquially known as Death Island. Father weeps at Thai murder photos. What the Murder of Two Young British Tourists Tells Us About Thailand [1][4][24] Witheridge's body indicated she had been raped. Elise went 1.5 miles (2.5km) through the jungle to Tanote Bay and took a room at the Poseidon Resort where she booked another ticket for Bangkok leaving on April 24. [61], On July 10, the court ordered the DNA to be retested. Lightboxes. Two weeks later, two illegal Burmese migrant workers were blamed for the deaths, primarily on the basis of DNA evidence, and confessed following an hours-long interrogation. June 6, 2021. Some of these workers said they can earn more money in Thailand compared to Myanmar. The Backpacker Murders Of Koh Tao. What Really Happened There? Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Police and court systems were hacked or taken offline in the following days, and a stash of personal information obtained from the court's servers was posted publicly. Murder of two backpackers on the island of Koh Tao SAIREE BEACH, KOH TAO, THAILAND - SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 British tourists Hannah Witheridge (23 years old) and David Miller (24 years old) enjoyed their holiday in Thailand on the famous island of Koh Tao. It will take a bit of time to find loopholes to appeal. When Nick Pearson died the police didnt go to his room, they didnt interview anybody. [92], Thailand's government became concerned the murders may affect tourism to the country. Koh Tao: Millionaire couple found dead on Thailand's Death Island [51] This decision was criticised by the Solicitors International Human Rights Group, one of the observers at the trial. Here are the names of some of the other outsiders who died on Koh Tao: Ian Jacobs 2000; While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered. Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, it has always been shrouded by a dark mystery. He had been dead about 10 days and had left to go snorkeling alone on November 8. [53], The prosecution's case focused on findings of the police and medical examiner, with an emphasis on the DNA evidence. "I got him home and they had a proper postmortem - most of his bones were broken but the one bone that wasn't broken was his neck and there was no evidence of his face looking towards his back. 2040 / 2557, Regional Court of Appeal VIII No. While police claimed that she hanged herself, mystery surrounded her death, as it was revealed she used a fake name at the hostel she was staying. The island off the Surat Thani province coast has gained notoriety after a string of suspicious and sensationalised deaths over the years. However, at that time I was already aware of other tourist deaths on the island. [5][40] The commutation was welcomed by Miller's family. It is believed they were tortured, then burned, before being chopped . [64], Several CCTV cameras near the crime scene were reported to be nonfunctional, and cameras near the pier were not checked by the police. [46] The police then forced the suspects to re-enact the murder in front of media,[34] a move condemned by legal experts as prejudicing a fair hearing. She added: The families of all the victims are not happy with the police reports, autopsy reports in Thailand dont match autopsy reports in the UK. "At first, we accepted what the Thai authorities had said because we knew no different. DNA was collected from these three areas and sent to a police forensics lab for analysis. Available for both RF and RM licensing. We are like one big family, weve been through this journey for the past seven years together. Witnesses said items belonging to the Moldovan were seen in the early hours of Tuesday morning and police were alerted. [36] Footage near the crime scene also showed one of the three men running into a shortcut. From the beginning, the Thai police had difficulty securing the crime scene. [1] Police revealed that the samples from Witheridge's body were used up,[62][27] but were able to provide DNA samples from the murder weapon. The university graduate, who was two weeks into a four-month backpacking trip round South East Asia, was found dead on her bungalow in January 2015. Creepy There is a big chance you will fall in love with this little paradise. I was good friends with a few and they were all restaurant/bar owners. GermanBernd Grotsch, 47, was found deadat his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. "So for an hour the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller looked and listened as crime scene pictures were shown in court.". Unfortunately, the Thai defence lawyers did not call Ms Taupin to give evidence even though she was available. Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. Yoshie Sazawa (Sharlyn) 2004; The island of Koh Tao, off the coast of Thailand, is often described as a paradise. The autopsy stated he had drowned. "They won't come forward because they know something is going to happen to them," he added. [15] Public prosecutors initially rejected the report, asking for "certain flaws" to be fixed, more information to be supplied, and for the report to be made "more succinct". [42][48] Amnesty International stated that Thailand "must initiate an independent, effective and transparent investigation into mounting allegations of torture and other ill-treatment by police". As we continue with our plans for our beautiful Hannahs party, our thoughts are with David Millers family who are suffering the same indescribable agony. It has long had a reputation as a home for organized crime, corruption and as a place where the police protected local interests. UPDATE: Billionaire couple found dead at bottom of Koh Tao - Thaiger [11], An autopsy revealed that both victims were hit by a hard object resulting in head and face wounds. [67] Protesters called for the release of the two suspects, who they believed were innocent and scapegoated for the crime. THE BEST Kurunegala Forests (with Photos) - Tripadvisor They still maintain their innocence, as they did throughout the trial. Despite claims of a fall, he had no broken bones. 10 July 2015. Koh Tao is a small and beautiful island in Southern Thailand, approximately 21 km, 30 km north of Koh Phan Gan and about 70 km from the Chumphon town. Cart. The reporter was forced to leave the country she lived in for 20 years after Thai authorities issued an arrest warrant accusing her of publishing false information and violating the computer crime law.. Regional Surat Thani governor Chatpong Chatphum said the Koh Tao murders had dealt a serious blow to tourism. [50], An 18-day trial began on 8 July 2015 in the Koh Samui Provincial Court. "[56] Attempts to appeal the sentence to the High Court in 2017 were unsuccessful. It is always challenging to bring ACCURATE & RELIABLE information about violent crime on Koh Tao because too many people are frightened to speak out publicly and still others try to SHOOT THE MESSENGERS . Koh Tao Murders: Is Koh Tao Safe in 2023? - Traveltomtom.net "We identified a person who was with her last and they didn't follow up with them- then we asked for a blood sample and they delayed. [49] Wai Phyo was also charged with stealing Miller's phone. We are here for David because of his tragic death. That is awful. 851 River diver Videos, Royalty-free Stock River diver Footage The defendants have repeatedly stated their innocence over the murders, with the defence alleging they were framed. These included backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, who were found murdered on the . Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk and David Miller, 24, of Jersey were bludgeoned to death with a wooden hoe as they walked back to their hotel room late at night on September 15, 2014, on the popular Sairee Beah. [11][19] Several other suspects were also named, amid pressure to produce results, a new one every other day. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. Belgian backpacker Elise Dallemagne, 30, was found hanging from a tree on April 27, 2017. The Koh Samui Provincial Court has set 24 December as the date to deliver its judgement on two Myanmar men, Zaw Lin and Zaw Ein Htun (aka Wai Phyo), who are accused of murdering two British tourists on Thailand's Koh Tao Island on September 15 last year. With crystal-clear waters, perfect sandy beaches, palm trees and great nightlife. The governor of the island said he had instructed the district chief to file criminal charges against the local online news outlet Samui Times in 2017 after it ran an article that questioned the police account of deaths and referred to Koh Tao as Death Island. [11] The two met in Koh Tao while staying at the same hotel. Two Burmese migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaq Htun, both 21, have been accused of murdering the two backpackers and of raping Hannah. [58] Ostensibly, Wai Phyo changed jobs at the end of September and was travelling by boat to Surat Thani for his new job on the day he was arrested. He originally moved to the island in the late 1990s but left in 2016 after becoming frustrated with the corruption and hostility towards foreign business owners. Bernd Grotsch 2017; September 23, 2014 5:57 AM EDT T he brutal murder of British tourists Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, on the Thai resort island of Koh Tao, has reverberated around the world.. How to go BANGKOK to KOH TAO? Tickets | 2023 - Northern Vietnam I should add that I was not representing the accused men so I am not presenting arguments on their behalf in any lawyer/client relationship. Shocked cries in Ko Tao billionaire's death - Thai Examiner Two migrant workers from Myanmar on death row for the 2014 murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao have had their sentences commuted to life in . [74], The investigation was met with criticism by international media, human rights groups, and legal experts. Miller had scratches on his back and water in his lungs indicating drowning. Koh Tao, Thailand: Photo of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge Murder At the end of the trial's third day, the judge said police had informed him all the samples taken on the island were "finished" - meaning they could not be analysed again. The island of Koh Tao is located in Southern Thailand. Andy was assisting the defence lawyers. A member of staff told police he heard four to five cries of someone in shock approximately 10 minutes . Koh tao murders Stock Photos and Images (50) See koh tao murders stock video clips RM 2D0FFR6 - A police searches for clues near the spot where bodies of two killed British tourists were found, on the island of Koh Tao September 19, 2014. [93] Amid the investigation, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao on 28 September 2014 in an attempt to reassure tourists. Police: Burmese men confess to killing British tourists | CNN There were apparently no signs of robbery or attack in the room at the hotel where Alexandr had been staying. "They said they were going to cremate him the next day - I had to call the Home Office to stop the cremation. [7] Witheridge had completed undergraduate studies in education at the University of East Anglia and had started post-graduate studies in speech and language therapy at the University of Essex. Hotels near The Heart of Chechnya Hotels near State Gallery named after A. Mr Zaw and Mr Wai (also known as Win Zaw Htun), both 22 and migrants from Myanmar, also known as Burma, were arrested several weeks later. We've all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. Date: July 24, 2022. British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found dead Monday, September 15, on a beach in Koh Tao, a popular resort island in Thailand. She was also part of the Sathya Sai Baba cult and lived with a self-proclaimed 'guru'. Thailand's paradise island murder mystery continues to baffle police, BBC's south-east Asia correspondent reports from Koh Tao. A police officer told the trial of the severe injuries Miss Witheridge suffered and evidence she had been raped. Thai beach murders: First pictures of British tourists battered to death on island The victims of the attack in Koh Tao have been named as 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge from Great Yarmouth. Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 2015. Shelley Bot 2017; Amnesty International has demanded the Thai authorities investigate the torture allegations after one suspect reportedly said he was beaten and threatened with electrocution. "We asked for a copy of the CCTV footage and they said it was destroyed. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter', Why half of India's urban women stay at home. The father of murdered British backpacker Hannah Witheridge has wept as graphic photos of her body lying on a Thai beach were shown in court. [79] Rumours began to circulate, with residents on the island saying the island is controlled by a mafia who "have information about the true culprits", and claimed that the police is covering for them. [15] Some migrants who were questioned complained that officers scalded them with boiling water during interrogations, allegations which were denied by the police. Read about our approach to external linking. [76], The International Commission of Jurists said "the defense must be afforded adequate time and facilities to explore whether the alleged destruction of evidence in this case was appropriate and unavoidable, and to test the prosecution case overall."

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