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 . The items were still there are 3 am and he called the police. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Top Kurunegala Forests: See reviews and photos of Forests in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka on Tripadvisor. Witnesses said items belonging to the Moldovan were seen in the early hours of Tuesday morning and police were alerted. It would be impossible, some of the boulders are so big they would have stopped him but he didnt have a single broken bone. [93] Amid the investigation, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao on 28 September 2014 in an attempt to reassure tourists. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, "This Septic Isle: Backpackers, Bloodshed and the Secretive World of Koh Tao", "Links revealed between police and migrants on Koh Tao", "Police: Still no suspect in killings of Britons on idyllic Thai island", "Thai king commutes death sentence of UK pair's killers", "Thailand: Hannah Witheridge 'raped by two men before being killed', "Thailand backpacker murders: David Miller and Hannah Witheridge - two lives cut short", "Thailand murders: Victims' families talk of senseless killings", "Hannah Witheridge's family pay tribute to "beautiful, intelligent, loving young woman", "British backpackers murdered in Thailand named as Hannah Witheridge and David Miller", "Thailand murders: Amnesty International call for police torture probe", Koh Samui Provincial Court No. Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, it has always been shrouded by a dark mystery. It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. After searching, All rights reserved. The Koh Tao murders involved the death of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. The police quickly closed the inquiry, stating that he had drowned whilst swimming. Deaths have been explained away by the authorities as unfortunate accidents or suicides. Despite claims of a fall, he had no broken bones. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? 2023 BBC. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. They also raised concerns with the absence of legal counsel prior to the confession, as well as difficulties with translation and interpretation. GermanBernd Grotsch, 47, was found deadat his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. A. Kadyrov Hotels near Museum of the Chechen Republic Hotels near The Flower Park Hotels near Visit Chechnya Hotels near Grozny City Observation Deck Hotels near Church of Archangel Michael Hotels near Makhmud Esambayev Avenue Hotels near Museum of Akhmat Khadzhy Kadyrov Hotels near Monument to the Fighters of the . This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Witheridge was travelling with three other friends, and Miller with two others. Resting in the Gulf of Thailand, a two-hour ferry ride north of Koh Samui, Koh Tao is best known for its incredible marine life, which over the years has attracted a small but buoyant expat. Pathologists and legal experts criticised the police for mishandling the evidence, allowing contamination of the crime scene and failing to use experts to collect forensic evidence. They believed he had accidentally drowned and he was thought to have been dead for around 12 hours when his body was retrieved. With crystal-clear waters, perfect sandy beaches, palm trees and great nightlife. "[78] Another commentary in the paper stated that the "overwhelming public skepticism stems from the police's longstanding notoriety for arresting poor and powerless scapegoats to save rich criminals who can afford to buy their innocence". The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 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. [15] Experts have considered the forensic investigation to have been incompetent, and to have possibly framed the suspects. These illegal workers often reside with friends on the island, making it difficult to identify them. "Thai courts make little allowance for the feelings of relatives," he said. [95] The mayor of the island, Chaiyan Turasakul, announced a new police station and staffed it with 40 full-time officers, compared to five previously. [92], Thailand's government became concerned the murders may affect tourism to the country. Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 2015. Zaw Lin, front, and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun), rear, arrive at the court in Koh Samui, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Mother who killed her five children euthanised, Bakhmut attacks still being repelled, says Ukraine, Zoom boss Greg Tomb fired without cause, Alex Murdaugh jailed for life for double murder, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus. Koh Tao--a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by pristine beaches, swathed in sunshine, and a mecca for tourists, divers and backpackers. He had recently returned to the island after building up a motorbike rental business. Although Koh Tao is one of the . 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All times AEDT (GMT +11). A UK autopsy later revealedBen died of a transected aorta a rupture of the bodys largest artery rather than a broken neck. [1][15][21], During an hours-long interrogation, during which the police used Burmese food vendors as interpreters[35] because the pair could not speak Thai,[41] the suspects confessed to the murders. Also on the list of unexplained tourist deaths are French Dimitri Povse, 29, who was found hanged in a bungalow on New Year's Day 2015. We are here for David because of his tragic death. 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. Now their families are demanding answers. Read about our approach to external linking. Bernds family in Ingolstadt, Germany, said that the authorities told them he had died of heart failure or had been bitten by a snake. Mr Miller's body was discovered with severe head injuries several metres away, he said. Nick's mother Tracy Pearson, told Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner's Court in the U.K., she had "a gut feeling there was foul play". It has a population of around 1,500 people and the main settlement is Ban Mae Hat. Police investigators have released photographs and clearer video footage of an unidentified man they believe could be a key to resolving the Koh Tao double-murder case and are asking the. [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". He announced that he had "ordered all security-related agencies to track down those who are behind the Myanmar demonstrations". Photograph: Alamy. [20] Both bodies were found semi-naked;[21] a pile of clothes was found nearby. 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. The following morning the family raised the alarm when Nick failed to answer the door. Anthony Cardullo 2013 (USA); 1. "I only had my suspicions, his body came back to me without a wallet or anything on him. A member of staff told police he heard four to five cries of someone in shock approximately 10 minutes . Koh Tao is in the Chumphon Archipelago. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. Koh Tao murders: 'Asian man' seen on CCTV sought for q uestioning Probe into murder of two Britons on Koh Tao Manhunt on Koh Tao after tourists found brutally murdere d on beach British tourists murdered, stripped on Koh Tao beach Topics: Bangkok, Features Join the Coconuts conversation with a comment. Coincidentally, pictures of Bernd with a snake were to be found online. On Tuesday, new details emerged as police investigated the death of a wealthy billionaire industrialist and his wife on Ko Tao last Friday. The pictures, which News Corp Australia will not reproduce, were taken on the beach at Koh Tao, where the pair was hacked to death with a garden hoe, allegedly by two Burmese men who confessed to the bloody crime then withdrew their confessions. The bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found on a beach on Koh Tao in September 2014. . CTN News. In fact, during one 36-hour spell in April last year, nine people were murdered there. Lightboxes. [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. "There has been lots of chit-chat on the internet. Upon arriving at the scene, police officers and rescue workers discovered the bodies of Mr Rakeshwar . Despite claims of a fall, he had no broken bones. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: joanromans.com, +49803921568627, +34972573012, +34643318517 Focs i Estufes Romans - Joan Romans Ten days after he went missing from Sairee Beach on Koh Tao, the body of Swiss tourist Hans Peter Suter, 44, was washed ashore at Talay Ngam beach in Lang Suan district of Chumphon province on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. HARROWING photos of the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. [55], The defence claimed that the investigation was flawed due to mishandling of forensic evidence, lack of legal representation during interrogations, use of threats and intimidation to secure a confession, and intimidation of witnesses. He said more security cameras would be installed on beaches. [74], The investigation was met with criticism by international media, human rights groups, and legal experts. The families dont believe a word of the Thai police investigation. At least eleven European tourists have died or disappeared there since 2014 and it is now described as Death Island or Murder Island. My Facebook page is called KOH TAO DEATH ISLAND. [38] Both men were 22-year-old illegal migrant workers from Rakhine, Myanmar, who worked in the hospitality industry. Sun 23 Nov 2014 10.54 EST. Some 200 children have died in one nation after taking toxic cough syrups. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope I was good friends with a few and they were all restaurant/bar owners. 24, after their battered bodies were found on a beach on the southern resort island of . Measuring 21 square kilometres (8sqmi) in area, it is the smallest of three popular tourist islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 2015. 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. [77], An opinion piece in Bangkok Post wrote that "practically no one believes [Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo] really brutally murdered English tourists", adding "in Thai media of all kinds, the consensus is that Win and Zaw Lin are scapegoats. "Another one of my sons was there with him, he was absolutely distraught looking at the police just laughing at him. [47] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission attempted to investigate the allegations, but police representatives did not appear at four scheduled meetings. Hotels near The Heart of Chechnya Hotels near State Gallery named after A. Hannah was also raped in the attack. However, a lawyer for Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo told the BBC that the pair had not admitted their guilt when their death sentences were commuted. Police on the resort island of Koh Tao are investigation the drowning death of a wealth business man and his wife. Hiroshi 2002; The bungalow is 50ft above the ocean, theres nothing but massive granite boulders between his bungalow and the ocean so how did he managed to tumble all the way down there? Owner of Martin Totland Freelance LLC, specializing in event photography, freelance journalism, and Norwegian . 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. The convictions were mired in controversy, with supporters of the two men arguing they had been framed because their initial confessions were made under duress. On February 16, 2015, Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao. Elise's mother Michele van Egten says she does not believe the Thai police's version of events amid fears authorities are working to suppress speculation about the many murders on the island. I was told on more than one occasion that I needed to take down this stuff from the paper. [90][91], The 2014 murders, along with other deaths and disappearances of tourists, led to British tabloids labelling Koh Tao as "Death Island". [44] In December 2014, the suspects were each indicted on five charges: premeditated murder, killing to conceal a criminal offence, rape, illegal entry into Thailand, and staying in the country without permission. Virat Asavachin (Mr Ban) 2002; [1][47] The national police chief, Somyot Poompanmoung, denied that torture was involved in the confessions. 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. Two Burmese migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaq Htun, both 21, have been accused of murdering the two backpackers and of raping Hannah. He later apologised for the comment after it was met with public backlash. The coroner concluded there was not enough evidence to say where or how he met his death. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. [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. Pol Maj Gen Pornchai Sutheerakhun, director of the Institute of Forensic Science at Police General Hospital in Bangkok, said There were wounds around the neck due to the hanging and some non-fatal bruises in the head, and no drugs were found in the body. Tony Witheridge bowed his head as bloody images of his daughter's body were shown on the third day of the trial of Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo. There is an alternative bus and ferry service run by Songserm, which is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao. In September 2014, two European backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found murdered on Sairee Beach on Thailands island of Koh Tao. 10 July 2015. 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. Creepy There is a big chance you will fall in love with this little paradise. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope Mr Sachathamakul's wife, Anshoo. Create an account. "At first, we accepted what the Thai authorities had said because we knew no different. Buy images; Sell images; Lightboxes; A 28-year-old British guy. His body was found at the beach at the Hillside Resort on Koh Tao, on January 1, 2014. Allegations about police brutality rocked the countrys economy that almost solely relies on tourism. Luke Miller 2016; [70] Wai Phyo was also convicted of theft for allegedly stealing a phone and sunglasses from Miller's body. Christina Annesley 2015; Their bodies were found on a beach on the island of Koh Tao last September. Silje Mathisen 2014; We beg that Hannah and David are afforded privacy and dignity through the removal of these pointless and insensitive reminders. They suggested that she mixed antibiotics with alcohol- as much as that would make the antibiotics less efficient or make you feel bad, its not going to kill you. Aug 2014 - Dec 20217 years 5 months. The government of Thailand was concerned the murders might affect tourism to the island, with arrivals dropping in the months following the murders. Book Koh Tao Cabana, Koh Tao on Tripadvisor: See 884 traveller reviews, 2,154 candid photos, and great deals for Koh Tao Cabana, ranked #14 of 194 hotels in Koh Tao and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor. The owner of a 5 star hotel in Phuket and his wife were found dead at the bottom of their hotel swimming pool on the island of Koh Tao on Friday afternoon. Constance Marten seen leaving court after appearing before magistrates charged with manslaughter of baby, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon blow each other a kiss in dock before court hears dead baby was found in bag in shed, Mum identified after dead baby is found on Canford Heath, Thai police covered up what really happened, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Heightened vigilance has been urged for all countries after two new deadly virus cases were detected in humans in China. [11][19] Several other suspects were also named, amid pressure to produce results, a new one every other day. A royal commutation does not require an admission of guilt. [42] In the trial, the prosecution said the phone was found smashed at the home of a friend of Zaw Lin's. 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. In 2018 in Cancn alone, there were 540 murders. While his death was ruled as suicide cops could not explain why his hands are tied behind his back. 2040 / 2557, Regional Court of Appeal VIII No. [1], A defence team from Bangkok, composed of nearly 20 lawyers, were only permitted half an hour to meet the men; a request by the defence to delay the hearing and allow more time to prepare was denied by a judge at the Koh Samui Provincial Court. Only if they are not beautiful." Dark side of Koh Tao: The seven tourists found dead on Thailand's 'murder island' after backpacker 'eaten by lizards' Koh Tao was plunged into the spotlight when the semi-naked bodies of. It has over 100 hotels and resorts and was deemed the busiest diving centre in Southeast Asia in 2014. The family claimed the circumstances surrounding his death and the local police's refusal to co-operate with them have led them to believe the death is "suspicious". 0 0. Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thai. "So for an hour the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller looked and listened as crime scene pictures were shown in court.". Derby coroner Louise Pinder said there was not enough evidence to say how he died and recorded an open verdict. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? There were no witnesses. They said Wai Phyo found the mobile phone dropped on the beach, and so he kept it. Andy was assisting the defence lawyers. Doubts lingered over the conviction of two migrant Burmese workers for the rape and murders, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun). [25] There were no known eyewitnesses to the murders. Photographs of the bodies have been circulating on the internet. Verdicts in the case are not expected until October. In 2014, Koh Tao was the site of the brutal double murders of two British backpackers, but theirs weren't the only suspicious backpacker deaths. "They did a visual post-mortem - just by looking at him they said he died of a broken neck and that his face was looking towards his back. [51][56][57] They argued that the defendants, since they were vulnerable as illegal migrant workers, were scapegoated by the police for the crime. ", The dad added that some of the witnesses they spoke to were "too frightened" to come forward which shows "how the culture is.". We admit that in the past, there was a mafia there that took advantage of tourists. A police officer told the trial of the severe injuries Miss Witheridge suffered and evidence she had been raped. The body of his 55-year-old mother was only found later when rescue services arrived at the scene. Two of the victims were dismembered and disposed of in plastic bags. Posts on social media said Dallemagne had booked a ticket to Chumphon province, on the mainland, and that her luggage arrived after her death, raising questions of her intentions to take her own life. Their explanations as to why these kids have died just dont add up- you dont have to be a pathologist or a doctor to know what weve been told is nonsensical.. Police recovered the body and took it to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan. We are like one big family, weve been through this journey for the past seven years together. 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. Some sources also refer to Wai Phyo as Win Zaw Htun. Bergen Area, Norway. Both were found dead on the bottom of a swimming pool at a seaside resort on Koh Tao in Surat Thani. In December 2015, the pair were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered. [35][84] Despite not initially being permitted to assist with the investigation,[33] British police observers including homicide detectives from the Metropolitan Police and a forensics expert were eventually permitted into Thailand to observe the investigation. Thailand's paradise island murder mystery continues to baffle police, BBC's south-east Asia correspondent reports from Koh Tao. As the Witheridge family prepares for Hannahs funeral, her parents, Sue and Tony Witheridge, released this statement: Time makes the pain of this horrendous tragedy no easier to bear. Im asking if they wear bikinis in Thailand, will they be safe? It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. Suter had been a regular snorkeler and his death was totally unexplained. The island is small and gifted with loads of hidden gems and completely deserted bays. Some were murdered, some died in suspicious circumstances and some died in avoidable accidents. [1][96], Although tourist arrivals to Koh Tao dropped in the months immediately following the murders, there was little lasting effect on tourism to the island.[92]. [15] Some migrants who were questioned complained that officers scalded them with boiling water during interrogations, allegations which were denied by the police. She added: "They didn't do any investigation at all. The suspects were initially denied access to legal counsel, and alleged that police used torture and threats to secure a confession. The families of Miss Witheridge and Mr Miller are now returning to the UK. Chrissie's heartbroken dad Boyne Annesley started investigating more deaths in Koh Tao. One of the men Mau Mau resided nearby. "We'll go with the flow as much as we can. Koh Tao, Thailand, Serial killers, Unexplained murders WARNING CONTAINS SOME DISTURBING IMAGES OF DEATH The island of Koh Tao, off the coast of Thailand, is often described as a paradise. Hannah was raped before she was killed. It was said the pair went swimming on the same beach earlier that night, and when they got out of the water they found their clothes had disappeared. They think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like, the prime minister said. A Thai/Indian couple circa June 2021. While collecting forensic evidence, tourists and locals were allowed to walk on the beach. I shall post a link to your podcast on my Facebook page. Read about our approach to external linking. But, he said that most of these would have been present prior to his death, although he could not completely rule out the possibility that Nick had been attacked. She was also part of the Sathya Sai Baba cult and lived with a self-proclaimed 'guru'. Koh Tao Murder - Thai Police, their scapegoats and tourist trade - Exposed by AnonymousThis video goes into the deep facts of the recent Koh Tao Island murder of David Miller and Hannah. Date: July 24, 2022. The discovery of the bodies last September sparked a major police investigation and intense local and international pressure to find those responsible. 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. Taupin was ultimately not allowed to testify by the defence, and these issues were not raised by the defence until their closing statement. Controversially, Surat Thani governor Auaychai Innak dismissed as untrue some foreign news reports which claimed reptiles had eaten half of Dallemagne's body. The families of the young Brits who mysteriously lost their lives in Koh Tao have vowed to find out the truth and say something dodgy is going on., The grieving families have formed a support group following the death of their children on the Thai island, dubbed death island.. Attempts to appeal the sentence failed, but a royal decree was issued by King Vajiralongkorn in 2020 commuting the death sentences to life imprisonment. [82][83] The UK government expressed concerns with the investigation, and summoned a Thai diplomat in London to discuss them. A judge found the workers guilty and sentenced them to death despite questions about DNA evidence and the police handling of the case. Her mother, Michele claimed that Elise used a fake name of 'Elise Dubuis' to check into the Triple B Bungalows next to Mae Head Pier on Koh Tao. Nick's father, Graham, had been the last person to see him when he walked with his son back to where the family was staying. UK reporter Suzanne Buchanan has thoroughly investigated the cases alongside the deaths of Belgian Elise Dellemange, Swiss Hans Peter Suter and French Dimitri Povse -who also were also found dead under mysterious circumstances. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. [21][25] There was tearing present at the vulva, bruising on the perineum, and a bite mark on her right nipple. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. [38] Police entered the home the next day; only one of the men, Zaw Lin, was present. [23] Local residents blocked the pier to prevent the unidentified killers from leaving the island. Investigators had no theory to explain her unexpected stopover on Koh Tao on her way back to the mainland and the capital Bangkok. The economy of the island is almost exclusively centered on tourism, especially scuba diving. Or is Koh Tao just unlucky for visitors or is there something more sinister happening on the beautiful Thai island and haven for Scuba divers? New Zealand's Minisrty of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) says 185 Kiwis are registered as being in the flood affected areas of Koh Samui and Koh Tao and parts of southern Thailand, including . [63] They plead not guilty to the charge at the trial, but Wai Phyo changed his plea to guilty during the proceedings. Aran Klaewklong, a security guard from Big Blue Diving shop, told police he found a mobile phone, clothes, a hotel key, shoes and an ID on the beach at 1.30 am during a beach patrol.
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