[31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Rocio Gomez; Some were murdered, some died in suspicious circumstances and some died in avoidable accidents. 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. Through their own investigation, and talking to witnesses Mr. Annesley discovered that the room where his daughter was staying was given to someone else "three hours after her body was taken. Miller had scratches on his back and water in his lungs indicating drowning. [42] In the trial, the prosecution said the phone was found smashed at the home of a friend of Zaw Lin's. "There has been lots of chit-chat on the internet. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong had some stern words for China over any role it might play in the war in Ukraine. 92 Visitor. Lightboxes. They told me 'you need to stop reporting on it if you want to stay here, they are getting fed up with you now, No one put a gun to my head but I was told by multiple sources that if I didnt stop reporting on it thered be trouble- it wasnt safe for me anymore.". Picture: Viral Press/Australscope In 2018 in Cancn alone, there were 540 murders. They had been brutally beaten to death just a few feet away from their hotel rooms. Derby coroner Louise Pinder said there was not enough evidence to say how he died and recorded an open verdict. [90][91], The 2014 murders, along with other deaths and disappearances of tourists, led to British tabloids labelling Koh Tao as "Death Island". [51][56][57] They argued that the defendants, since they were vulnerable as illegal migrant workers, were scapegoated by the police for the crime. We have done our own investigation and we are sure she was murdered. [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. 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. While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered. Download videos of River diver on Depositphotos Millions of high-quality, royalty-free stock videos, footage and clips at affordable prices. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. I just listened to your full podcast about Koh Tao with considerable interest. The body of his 55-year-old mother was only found later when rescue services arrived at the scene. "So my suspicions are that it was a mugging that went wrong. Eight days later locals living near Tanote Bay found Elise's body after becoming suspicious of a monitor lizard going back and forth into the jungle. [4][11][14] Their bodies were discovered on Sairee Beach a few hours later, between 4 and 5am, by a mute Burmese beach cleaner. The body had to be identified using dental records and previous X-rays. Nick Pearson 2014; Cart. I was good friends with a few and they were all restaurant/bar owners. [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. 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. A mistake that many forensic experts say jeopardized the entire investigation.Throughout the investigation and criminal trial, the Thai government and police were heavily criticized by human rights organizations, legal experts, and the media. Bernd's cousin Christina said: ''We cannot accept what the Thai authorities on the island are telling us. It will take a bit of time to find loopholes to appeal. [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. Find the perfect agent pastime stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. She was also part of the Sathya Sai Baba cult and lived with a self-proclaimed 'guru'. We are here for David because of his tragic death. [51] The defence provided a separate explanation for the events on the night. The suspects were initially denied access to legal counsel, and alleged that police used torture and threats to secure a confession. 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. [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. At least eleven European tourists have died or disappeared there since 2014 and it is now described as Death Island or Murder Island. [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. View our online Press Pack. The police investigation and criminal trial were widely criticised by international media, human rights organisations, and legal experts. We've all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. [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". While collecting forensic evidence, tourists and locals were allowed to walk on the beach. A Thai/Indian couple circa June 2021. Pol Lt Gen Thanate Pinmuangngam, acting chief of Police Region 8, said In the Dallemagne case, the cause of death was suffocation. ", Mrs Miller said: "It's been hard, very hard. There is an alternative bus and ferry service run by Songserm, which is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao. [7][12], Miller and Witheridge were last seen at a bar called AC Bar[13] with friends at a party on Sunday night with around 50 people mostly foreign tourists before they left together after 1am. An inquest had been held in 2014 as his death was being treated as suspicious. Find the perfect koh tao murder stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. [1][11][18] A bloody hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, and a wooden club were found near the bodies,[19][4][14] along with three cigarette butts and a used condom. 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. [2] In 2014, the island had a population of around 5,000 locals. Police major general, Surachate Hakparn, said in an interview that the police have cracked down on crime syndicates on Koh Tao since the backpackers double killing. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. The families of Miss Witheridge and Mr Miller are now returning to the UK. [53], The prosecution's case focused on findings of the police and medical examiner, with an emphasis on the DNA evidence. When Nick Pearson died the police didnt go to his room, they didnt interview anybody. DESPITE its flawless beaches and crystal seas, Thailand has earned a deadly reputation after 60 Brits died there between 2014 and 2016 alone. 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? He had recently returned to the island after building up a motorbike rental business. ", The dad added that some of the witnesses they spoke to were "too frightened" to come forward which shows "how the culture is.". It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. "We asked for a copy of the CCTV footage and they said it was destroyed. [1][31] Pornthip Rojanasunand, a Thai forensic scientist, testified at the trial that the crime scene was poorly managed. Due to the nature of her passing, our beautiful girl has had little privacy. 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. 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. The country's prime minister, who had been phoning the national police chief daily for updates on the investigation, said "this should not have happened at all, as it will affect Thailand in the eyes of the international community". 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. It has long had a reputation as a home for organized crime, corruption and as a place where the police protected local interests. Why are the police not thoroughly investigating, why are they changing facts? 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. Last modified on Wed 29 Nov 2017 23.45 EST. In December 2015, the pair were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. Our family have been further traumatised by reports that there are numerous unnecessary and senseless photographs circulating across the internet. Six weeks on . Hannah Witheridge was seen walking through Koh Tao with a group of friends - all of whom are thought to be British - just hours before being brutally murdered +17 View gallery The 23-year-old. The family has contested the police version of events. My Facebook page is called KOH TAO DEATH ISLAND. Anthony Cardullo 2013 (USA); Im asking if they wear bikinis in Thailand, will they be safe? [11], An autopsy revealed that both victims were hit by a hard object resulting in head and face wounds. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: joanromans.com, +49803921568627, +34972573012, +34643318517 Focs i Estufes Romans - Joan Romans Nick Pearson, 25, was found floating in an island bay, at the foot of a 50ft drop on New Years Day 2014. [11] The two met in Koh Tao while staying at the same hotel. [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]. These included backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, who were found murdered on the . The trial provided an obvious example of Scientific Fraud being used to convict two scapegoats. 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. 8.4K views 2 years ago Dedication to 20 foreigners who died on Koh Tao. Valentina Novozhenova 2017; "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. [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. 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. [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. David Miller 2014; 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. It leaves Khao San Songserm at either 1800 or 1900. Attempts to appeal the sentence failed, but a royal decree was issued by King Vajiralongkorn in 2020 commuting the death sentences to life imprisonment. They still maintain their innocence, as they did throughout the trial. 2023 BBC. They said Wai Phyo found the mobile phone dropped on the beach, and so he kept it. And on Koh Tao there are around 5,000 Burmese conspicuous by the golden streaks of thanaka paste, a traditional sunscreen and beauty product, garnishing their cheeks who build hotels, sweep. [71], A lawyer for the men, Nakhon Chomphuchat, said "we will appeal as soon as we can, we have just got a copy of the court's verdict. However, the event did not materially affect tourism to the island over the following years. A great number of Western backpackers have died under unexplained circumstances on this tiny tropical island in the past years. Hiroshi 2002; None of the families believe that the way the police said they died is actually how they died and they are all very unhappy with the investigation. Zaw Lin was not convicted of this charge because he held a work permit for the two years preceding the murders. Buchanan told the Sun Online: They all died in really mysterious circumstances- the Thai version of Christina Annesleys death was that she died of natural causes, she's 23! "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. [74], The investigation was met with criticism by international media, human rights groups, and legal experts. [25] There were no known eyewitnesses to the murders. CTN News. [10], Witheridge and Miller travelled and arrived on the island separately on 25 August. The island is small and gifted with loads of hidden gems and completely deserted bays. Virat Asavachin (Mr Ban) 2002; The father-of-ones family in Ingolstadt, Germany, said at the time they did not believe the authorities' claims that hedied of heart failure or had been bitten by a snake.. Controversially, Surat Thani governor Auaychai Innak dismissed as untrue some foreign news reports which claimed reptiles had eaten half of Dallemagne's body. Photograph: Alamy. Hannah was also raped in the attack. On Koh Tao it meant a man living their life as a woman. 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 5 am, a few hours after their deaths. The relevant standard in this case was ISO 17025. 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. Silje Mathisen 2014; CONFESSION WITHDRAWN: Burmese suspect claims he was beaten, tortured by police. The Koh Tao murders had a big impact on the island, it left a very deep impression! Both entered through the Ranong Province, allegedly without presenting themselves at a port of entry and without possessing a passport. And at least six young Brits have all died in suspicious circumstances on the small island of Koh Tao, leading their loved ones to label it "Death Island". The discovery of the bodies last September sparked a major police investigation and intense local and international pressure to find those responsible. It is believed they were tortured, then burned, before being chopped . While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered. There have been suspicious reports of hand-sized bruises found on Lukes shoulders. Thaiger Video Monday, March 7, 2022 Less than a minute We've all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. The economy of the island is almost exclusively centered on tourism, especially scuba diving. There were no signs of a struggle or rape or other human DNA. Chrissie's heartbroken dad Boyne Annesley started investigating more deaths in Koh Tao. Ben Harrington 2012; Zaw Lin was said to have entered between 2011 and 2012, and Wai Phyo in 2012. 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. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Hannah was raped before she was killed. [50], An 18-day trial began on 8 July 2015 in the Koh Samui Provincial Court. Some 200 children have died in one nation after taking toxic cough syrups. GRAPHIC crime scene photos showing the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. "[56] Attempts to appeal the sentence to the High Court in 2017 were unsuccessful. Police recovered the body and took it to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan. 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. 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. [1][47] The national police chief, Somyot Poompanmoung, denied that torture was involved in the confessions. A coroner ruled in 2017 said that there is "no evidence" to suggest Luke was murdered. There were no witnesses. [1][15][16] Miller's body was found floating in the water, and Witheridge's on the beach;[17] the bodies lay approximately 20 metres apart and 30 metres away from their hotel (Ocean View Bungalows). 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 Japanese high court approved Monday a posthumous retrial for a man who was convicted of murdering a 69-year-old woman in 1984 in western Japan, upholding a lower court's decision. Rockefeller Audio 2022. A backpacker from Belgium, Elise Dallemagne, 30, was found hanged in the hillson the island on April 28, 2017. But "Turtle Island" has its dark side. The defendants have repeatedly stated their innocence over the murders, with the defence alleging they were framed. After unsuccessfully trying to find their possessions, they walked towards Mau Mau's house through the shortcut, which resulted in them being caught on CCTV. He had been dead about 10 days and had left to go snorkeling alone on November 8. [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. [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. Sun 23 Nov 2014 10.54 EST. It followed her reporting on the case of a British girl who was allegedly raped on the same beach. They also found a suicide note at the scene. German Bernd Grotsch's body was found at his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. Yearly, many professional photographers visit this lodge to capture herds of elephants crossing the dry lake in search of water . Yoshie Sazawa (Sharlyn) 2004; Theres a disproportionate amount of suspicious deaths on that island- and the link is that none of the families believe the police investigation or the information theyve been given. Upon arriving at the scene, police officers and rescue workers discovered the bodies of Mr Rakeshwar . Koh Tao (also Ko Tao) - literally Turtle Island in the Chumphon Archipelago. It covers an area of about 21 km2. But many cases appear very suspicious according to family members and insufficiently investigated. He was found hiding on the boat later on 2 October. It has a population of around 1,500 people and the main settlement is Ban Mae Hat. [5][6] Both were students who were backpacking in Thailand. The former founder of the Samui Times suggests in her new book The curse of the Turtle, released earlier this month by WildBlue Press, that something fishy is going on on that island., She challenges the validity of the investigations conducted by the Thai police claiming she has a lot of evidence and speaks of powerful local families running the island without having to comply with any laws. Death sentences in Koh Tao killings commuted. 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.. "I have no proof that Ben was murdered. [15] Experts have considered the forensic investigation to have been incompetent, and to have possibly framed the suspects. 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. The government of Thailand was concerned the murders might affect tourism to the island, with arrivals dropping in the months following the murders. [28], Due to concerns the murders might affect foreign tourism into Thailand, the national authorities sought to expedite the investigation into the murders. What really happened there? Now their families are demanding answers. There were no signs he was suicidal. Burmese migrant workers made up an additional 5,000, around 2,000 of these being illegal immigrants who bribe local police by paying 500 baht each month. "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. [1][51] According to an observer, the sittings lasted over ten hours each day. [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". [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. Island authorities sued the online news site for violating the Computer Crime Act, which outlaws uploading false information online. The police quickly closed the inquiry, stating that he had drowned whilst swimming. The court has now been told that vital DNA evidence cannot be retested. Investigators had no theory to explain her unexpected stopover on Koh Tao on her way back to the mainland and the capital Bangkok. WARNING CONTAINS SOME DISTURBING IMAGES OF DEATH. "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. A royal commutation does not require an admission of guilt. Andy was assisting the defence lawyers. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. Koh Tao Murders March 28, 2022 courtneyjfretwell Uncategorized 1 Comment In September 2014, two European backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found murdered on Sairee Beach on Thailand's island of Koh Tao. Their findings were never made public, but were shared with the families of the victims. Create an account. In January 2014, 25-year-old Nick Pearson was found dead in the sea below a cliff while visiting the island. He said more security cameras would be installed on beaches. [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." 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. The hoe was then used to knock Witheridge unconscious, after which the defendants used force to hold her down and took turns raping her, before killing her with the hoe. [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. They claim they did not receive an autopsy report and say his body was sent against their wishes to the same Bangkok hospital that carried out botched reports on the bodies of two Brits murdered on the same island in 2014. In September 2014, two European backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found murdered on Sairee Beach on Thailands island of Koh Tao. Dimitri Povse 2015; Owner of Martin Totland Freelance LLC, specializing in event photography, freelance journalism, and Norwegian . They believed he had accidentally drowned and he was thought to have been dead for around 12 hours when his body was retrieved.
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