An unexplained fire that evening burned down three bamboo huts, including the one Elise had been staying in. A British man was found dead on Thailand 's notorious Koh Tao - also known as Death Island - on Wednesday. [21][73], The death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment on 14 August 2020 following a royal decree to commemorate King Vajiralongkorn's birthday and "illustrate the king's clemency". [28], Due to concerns the murders might affect foreign tourism into Thailand, the national authorities sought to expedite the investigation into the murders. Christina, from Orpington, South East London, died shortly after arriving on Koh Tao. [88][89] Hacker group Anonymous published a video on 3 January 2016 criticising the verdict. "There has been lots of chit-chat on the internet. An English human rights activist by the name of Andy Hall asked me to put him in touch with the Melbourne forensic expert, Jane Taupin which I did. The 25-year-old's mum Tracey told a documentary about the island she would warn parents not to allow their children to travel to the island. We won't comment on the trial process. The following morning the family raised the alarm when Nick failed to answer the door. [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. Elise had been traveling around Asia for two years, and before her death had been living at a yoga and tantra retreat on Koh Phangan. There have been suspicious reports of hand-sized bruises found on Lukes shoulders. They stated they were driven by a desire to rape the victim following sexual arousal when they saw the couple kissing on the beach. Defense lawyers for the two men later alleged that police had rushed the investigation to . [62] They were both also charged with entering the country illegally, to which Wai Phyo had already confessed. Aug 10, 2017. 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. Yoshie Sazawa (Sharlyn) 2004; He was travelling Southeast Asia with a friend after completing a six-week work placement in Australia with a mining company,[6][8][9] and arrived in Thailand in August. [21][25] There was tearing present at the vulva, bruising on the perineum, and a bite mark on her right nipple. The young backpacker had been living at a yoga and tantra retreat, which neighboured the party island of Koh Phangan, in between travelling round Asia, for two years. (415 ratings) Regular Price: 38.99 USD. The suspects were initially denied access to legal counsel, and alleged that police used torture and threats to secure a confession. 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. It's dangerous. On tiny Koh Tao, there are some 2,000 expats alongside the 2,500 registered Thais, according to Mayor Chaiyan Turasakul. 2023 BBC. See the latest list of Exclusive members-only articles on StrangeOutdoors.com, https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30320196. While collecting forensic evidence, tourists and locals were allowed to walk on the beach. She was said to have died of natural causes after mixing antibiotics she was taking for a chest infection with alcohol. In January 2014, 25-year-old Nick Pearson was found dead in the sea below a cliff while visiting the island. By Thomas Fuller. [34][35], According to the prosecution in the subsequent case, CCTV footage analysed by the police showed three individuals riding a motorcycle to 7-Eleven, where they bought beer and cigarettes, before going towards Sairee Beach. [93] Amid the investigation, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao on 28 September 2014 in an attempt to reassure tourists. They said Wai Phyo found the mobile phone dropped on the beach, and so he kept it. [90][91], The 2014 murders, along with other deaths and disappearances of tourists, led to British tabloids labelling Koh Tao as "Death Island". One of the men Mau Mau resided nearby. Koh Tao was plunged into the spotlight when the semi-naked bodies of backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found on a beach. 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. Also, he noted that the several pieces of rope which were used in the suspected suicide appeared to be different which might suggest that the death was not caused by suicide. My name is Suzanne Buchanan. https://time.com/3955081/thailand-koh-tao-murder-david-miller-hannah-witheridge-zaw-lin-wai-phyo-burma-myanmar/, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/dark-side-koh-tao-seven-10708561, https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/true-crime-in-the-outdoors/tag/Cases+on+the+Death+Island+of+Koh+Tao, https://www.nist.gov/feature-stories/dna-mixtures-forensic-science-explainer. koh tao murders crime scene photos. Our family have been further traumatised by reports that there are numerous unnecessary and senseless photographs circulating across the internet. Their parents must be going through hell just like we are and we have been for the last almost two years. We beg that Hannah and David are afforded privacy and dignity through the removal of these pointless and insensitive reminders. The Death Of Lana Clarkson. Direct quotations from the trial are unavailable, as the judges did not permit the public to take notes. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. The men, apprehended soon after the pair's bodies were found, initially confessed to the crime only to retract their statements amid claims they were extracted by torture. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. She was later identified by dental records and previous x-rays. [48][35] A 900-page police report was produced to guide the prosecution's case, but the defence were not allowed to see the report until the trial began. Rockefeller Audio 2022. The Koh Tao murders involved the death of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. senseless" photos of the crime scene, they say, which show her body . Prosecutors alleged that the double murder of Paul and Maggie was part of an effort by Murdaugh to gain sympathy and distract others from his significant financial crimes. Hannah Witheridge (left) with a friend was brutally murdered in Thailand. Grace Beahm Alford/The Post and Courier/Pool Grace Beahm Alford/The Post and Courier/Pool Diagram of crime scene. Hannah was a University of Essex student from Hemsby in Norfolk, UK, and David was a civil and structural engineering graduate, from Jersey. [37] Two weeks after the bodies were found, on 1 October 2014, police interrogated Mau Mau, who said he took the motorcycle and separated from the other two men before the murders occurred, and found them both home asleep by the time he had returned. 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. [50], An 18-day trial began on 8 July 2015 in the Koh Samui Provincial Court. A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. My YouTube channel is called KOH TAO MURDERS DEATH ISLAND. [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. On Thursday, the New York District Attorney released crime scene photos showing blood spatter and the knife allegedly used by nanny Yoselyn Ortega to kill two young children in her care. If you are interested, I have further information on my social media accounts. But although David's family called the verdict 'justice', the trial of the two Burmese migrant workers was plagued by accusations of human rights abuses. Police chief Apichart Boonsrirote said he assigned teams to check all surveillance cameras around the hostel and on the island to find out where she was last seen, The Phuket News reported. [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. [1] After initially failing to find a match to one of the migrant workers, the police focused their attention on Western tourists related to the victims. A Thai/Indian couple circa June 2021. Elise's heartbroken mother, Michele van Egten, has now proclaimed she does not believe police account of events. The robbery took place on Koh Tao island's Sairee beach at the same spot where islanders found the disfigured bodies of David Miller, a 24-year-old from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, a. 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. "[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". A court in Thailand has convicted a pair of Burmese men of the murder of two young British tourists on the holiday island of Koh Tao, a verdict described as just by one victim's family but. Guardian. 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 Davidson County Sheriff's Office has released photos of the Corbett home taken the night Jason Corbett was bludgeoned to death in his bedroom. [47] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission attempted to investigate the allegations, but police representatives did not appear at four scheduled meetings. 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. But, his sister Maria and the family told the BBC they would not rely on what Thai police said as there was still speculation over the circumstances surrounding the death - and that they had received 'different versions' of what might have happened. [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. [11], An autopsy revealed that both victims were hit by a hard object resulting in head and face wounds. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The coroner concluded there was not enough evidence to say where or how he met his death. [42][43] The police said the suspects' DNA matched a sample of semen taken from Witheridge's body, and to the hoe and cigarette butts found near the body. [4], The victims of the murders were Hannah Witheridge, a 23-year-old from Hemsby, England, and David Miller, a 24-year-old from Jersey, a Crown Dependency. The Thaiger 116K subscribers Join Subscribe 712 Share 29K views 10 months ago #thailand #kohtao #thailandtourist We've all heard. [15], Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo retracted their statements following a visit from a consular lawyer for Myanmar and said they had made their statements under duress, after they had allegedly been beaten, left naked in a freezing room, and threatened with electrocution and an extrajudicial killing. Thai authorities claimed he was drunk and fell, but his family believes he was murdered.. But many cases appear very suspicious according to family members and insufficiently investigated. Ms Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, from Jersey, were murdered on the popular holiday island on September 15. [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". Police concluded she wanted to break a deep-diving record at more than 24 meters. Bernd Grotsch 2017; I am the former owner and editor of the Samui Times, a news publication on Koh Samui, and covered the stories of the so-called "backpacker murders" and other suspicious . The investigation of the Witheridge and Miller slayings was widely criticized as the crime scene was not properly secured, and questions were also raised about subsequent DNA testing. Ms Taupin did note however that the document that the prosecution relied upon was an Unendorsed Report in that it had no seal or stamp certifying that it had been produced by an accredited laboratory and in accordance with international standards. Try for $0.00. 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. [54] They argued that the defendants intended to kill Miller, using a hoe to hit him multiple times on the head. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. koh tao murders crime scene photos Koh Tao - Thai Police - Their scapegoats, Tourist Trade Exposed by Anonymous Greetings world, We are Anonymous. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. There were apparently no signs of robbery or attack in the room at the hotel where Alexandr had been staying. But her parents slammed Thai authorities for failing to investigate the death. Alexandr Bucspun, 33, from Moldova, was found dead in the sea off Had Sai Ree on Koh Tao on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. [66], On 24 December 2015, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were found guilty of murdering Witheridge and Miller by the three judges, and were sentenced to death. Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao in March and has still not been found. The last known video footage of the Russian woman showed her walking to Chaloke Hin Kao bay and never coming back. Photo from Sept 15 showing a police officer questioning Christopher Alan Ware, who has re-emerged as a leading suspect in the murder of a young British man and woman on Koh Tao on Monday in. Unfortunately more tragic news from the so called Death Island of Koh Tao occurred recently when on June 4th 2021 the 2 lifeless bodies of a Thai/Indian billionaire couple were found dead in the Jamahkhiri Resort & Spa hotel pool. [49] Wai Phyo was also charged with stealing Miller's phone. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Christina Annesley, 23, was one of the many young Brits who sadly died in Koh Tao. They had been brutally beaten to death just a few feet away from their hotel rooms. "We'll go with the flow as much as we can. There were no signs he was suicidal. The court has now been told that vital DNA evidence cannot be retested. This led to dozens of charges accusing Alex Murdaugh of stealing nearly $5million in settlement money from lawyers who sued him over the death.. She was dedicated, ambitious and would have made an amazing difference to the lives of many families through her chosen career as a Speech and Language Therapist. I am a legal practitioner in Perth, Western Australia who has been following events on Koh Tao very closely since the time of the murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on 15 September 2014. Some sources also refer to Wai Phyo as Win Zaw Htun. Zaw Lin was said to have entered between 2011 and 2012, and Wai Phyo in 2012. It covers an area of about 21 km2. [1][4][24] Witheridge's body indicated she had been raped. [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. Elise's death is the latest in a string of seven fatalities in three years on the island. Miller had scratches on his back and water in his lungs indicating drowning. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. He had entered the country on September 26, 2018, before traveling to the island, where stayed at the Monsoon Gym and Fight Club. [30] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission said "the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the two Myanmar workers were dubious, leading to impressions the suspects were not aware of their rights and that justice had not been done". He later apologised for the comment after it was met with public backlash. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller's bodies were found on a beach in Koh Tao in September 2014 Two Burmese migrants convicted over the killings had their death sentences reduced to life. [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. He had been dead about 10 days and had left to go snorkeling alone on November 8. She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16 but failed to do so. [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. Bitter divisions over Ukraine dominate G20 talks, Greek trains halted as anger over crash grows, Messages reveal battle over UK Covid policy, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. [23] Local residents blocked the pier to prevent the unidentified killers from leaving the island. 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". [59] The defence struggled to find members of the public willing to testify at the trial, as many feared retribution,[1][60] hence their alibi was not considered convincing by the court. 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. It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. Nick Pearson, 25, was found floating in an island bay, at the foot of a 50ft drop by scuba divers in the sea after he disappeared following a night out with his family on New Year's Eve. 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. They followed the animal and discovered that it had been feeding on Elise's remains, which were found among rocks behind the Tanote Family Bay Resort. The images shown to the court were graphic, reports Jonah Fisher in Thailand. Hundreds dead in horror cough syrup tragedy, Hero Aussie soldier suddenly dies aged 33. But no suicide note or message were recovered and Michele is desperate for information surrounding the mysterious death. His parents believe he was murdered - despite police claims he fell 50ft and drowned. [42] In the trial, the prosecution said the phone was found smashed at the home of a friend of Zaw Lin's. Koh Tao Mayor Chaiyan Thurasakul said the website is accused of damaging Koh Taos reputation by calling it Death Island. Nicola Gissing, who was also on holiday with Luke when he died, has claimed her friends death was no accident. [5][6] Both were students who were backpacking in Thailand. The autopsy stated he had drowned. Eight days later when locals living near the island's idyllic Tanote Bay became suspicious of a monitor lizard going back and fourth into the jungle they discovered Elise's half-eaten body on May 27 among rocks behind the Tanote Family Bay Resort. Their bodies were found on a beach on the island of Koh Tao last September. [31] Media reports speculated that was because the defence was wary of calling on foreign experts fearing it could appear as undermining the Thai justice system, and could bias the judges against their case. Friends and family remain suspicious of the police investigation and the insistence that Dimitri committed suicide, especially as his hands were tied behind his back. 0. Anthony Cardullo 2013 (USA); Zaw Lin was not convicted of this charge because he held a work permit for the two years preceding the murders. [14][22] The police moved the bodies to prevent them being swept up in the rising tide. David Miller 2014; Thai police arrest men accused of murdering Brits on Koh Tao Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were sentenced to death for the killings. [94] She suggested using identification wristbands for tourists to improve safety, but the idea was quickly scrapped. Since then the Samui Times has been inundated with . These illegal workers often reside with friends on the island, making it difficult to identify them. 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. However, at that time I was already aware of other tourist deaths on the island. Part of the reason for coming out, was to go to Koh Tao. Rocio Gomez; She was also part of the Sathya Sai Baba cult and lived with a self-proclaimed 'guru'. Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin during a police "re-enactment" of the crime on Koh Tao. [64], Several CCTV cameras near the crime scene were reported to be nonfunctional, and cameras near the pier were not checked by the police. Posted on June 2, 2022 by - pudingov kol kamily maglovejpudingov kol kamily maglovej While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered.

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