Samui Times defended its reporting in an online post. [38] Both men were 22-year-old illegal migrant workers from Rakhine, Myanmar, who worked in the hospitality industry. He was found hiding on the boat later on 2 October. . A millionaire hotel tycoon and his wife have been found dead in a luxury resort on Koh Tao, colloquially known as Death Island. It's dangerous. [26][27] However, her clothes were not tested for DNA. We won't comment on the trial process. Christina Annesley 2015; [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". 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. 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. Passport photos of David William Miller, and Hannah Victoria Witheridge, both 24, were placed on this memorial on Koh Tao on Wednesday. They said Wai Phyo found the mobile phone dropped on the beach, and so he kept it. Dive resorts boast of its crystal-clear waters, and Western tourists flock to its lively beach bars. Here's a timeline of the other suspicious deaths and disappearances on Koh Tao: On New Year's Day, 2014, before the Miller and Witheridge case first brought infamy to Koh Tao, 25-year-old Brit Nick Pearson was found dead in the water not far from the scene of that subsequent double murder. Nicola Gissing, who was also on holiday with Luke when he died, has claimed her friends death was no accident. Dec. 24, 2015. While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered. A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. 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. [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. She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16 but failed to do so. 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. [67] Protesters called for the release of the two suspects, who they believed were innocent and scapegoated for the crime. Attempted murder by Thai diving instructor, Santi Khokpool in the Fishbowl Beach Bar, Koh Tao on 28-year-old British tourist on 15 August 2020. Christina Annesley, 23, was one of the many young Brits who sadly died in Koh Tao. Hannah, 23, from Hemsby, Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, were found dead on the island of Koh Tao on September 15. There were no signs he was suicidal. My YouTube channel is called KOH TAO MURDERS DEATH ISLAND. The official story is they were walking back to their hotel at night and were jumped by 2 Burmese men. [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. Here are the names of some of the other outsiders who died on Koh Tao: Ian Jacobs 2000; Police recovered the body and took it to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan. [67][21][68] The conviction was primarily guided by the DNA evidence,[67][69] and the court said it did not consider their confessions in making the judgement. He said more security cameras would be installed on beaches. He had not been questioned by police - even though officers had his name in their files. Had he hanged himself, the professor pointed out that the bruises should have appeared on the neck than on his wrists. They raped and killed Hannah, and killed David who was attempting to fight them off. [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. And insecure residency tends to breed compliance. I shall post a link to your podcast on my Facebook page. He had recently returned to the island after building up a motorbike rental business. According to the Daily Mail, the District Attorney publicized the gruesome photos a week after they were presented to a jury. Graphic images showing the bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on a beach in Koh Tao have been circulating online. With crystal-clear waters, perfect sandy beaches, palm trees and great nightlife. 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. 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. Nick Pearson 2014; Defense lawyers for the two men later alleged that police had rushed the investigation to . All times AEDT (GMT +11). Blood on the floor of the feedroom where Paul Murdaugh was shot dead. The court has now been told that vital DNA evidence cannot be retested. They also found a suicide note at the scene. Elise Dallemagne 2017; [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. My name is Suzanne Buchanan. 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. Although both of his hands were tied behind the back, the police said he could have done this himself as the rope was tied to one hand and a loop was made so the other hand could be inserted. She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16, but failed to do so. 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 View gallery The 23-year-old is. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. He started another business in neighboring island Koh Phayam before returning in March 2018 to "tie up loose ends". Some 200 children have died in one nation after taking toxic cough syrups. [85][15][86] Prayut said that British and Burmese government representatives were "limited to observation" and had to "respect our processes". They had no prior criminal records. Ms Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, from Jersey, were murdered on the popular holiday island on September 15. 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. Ive never been happier than here, David, a 24-year-old on holiday with friends, told relatives in Jersey in what was to be his last phone call home. They had been brutally beaten to death just a few feet away from their hotel rooms. 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. But although David's family called the verdict 'justice', the trial. The police investigation and criminal trial were widely criticised by international media, human rights organisations, and legal experts. CONFESSION WITHDRAWN: Burmese suspect claims he was beaten, tortured by police. This story was huge at the time in the UK as they were both British. 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. It was revealed yesterday that on April 28 Elise became the latest tourist found dead on the island of Koh Tao. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. Suter had been a regular snorkeler and his death was totally unexplained. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. [51] The defence provided a separate explanation for the events on the night. [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. [1][47] The national police chief, Somyot Poompanmoung, denied that torture was involved in the confessions. Alex was charged with Maggie and Paul's murders days after he was formally disbarred by the South Carolina Supreme Court. 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. Hotel owner Rakeshwar Sachathamakul has been found dead along with his wife in a luxury resort on Koh Tao. 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. Christina, from Orpington, South East London, died shortly after arriving on Koh Tao. [49] Wai Phyo was also charged with stealing Miller's phone. [31] A British defence lawyer, Felicity Gerry QC, said the trial was "far too rushed and unfair to the defense". Miller had scratches on his back and water in his lungs indicating drowning. Associate Professor Charnkanit Krittiya Suriyamanee, a criminologist and lecturer at the faculty of social science and humanities of Mahidol University, said he doubted the suicide theory citing some irrelevant evidences, according to Chiangrai Times. Michelle, who says the death would have gone unnoticed if not for her public appeal for help, said: "I do not believe what the police have told us. [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. Bernd had also recently separated from his wife, Oey, a Koh Tao native, with whom he had a seven-year-old daughter, Bene, who had been living for the last two years with his sister, Monica, in Germany. Thai police have publicly hit back at foreign media allegations that their forensics investigation into the highly-publicised 2014 murder case on Koh Tao did not meet international standards. [93] Amid the investigation, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao on 28 September 2014 in an attempt to reassure tourists. 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. 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. "[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". But . Understanding powerlessness and vulnerability of migrants across Thailand, when combined with widespread criticism of this murder investigation and allegations of powerful actors influencing developments continues to produce deep distrust or suspicion that the real people responsible for . [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. The relevant standard in this case was ISO 17025. The authorities said he had died after striking the diving board from which he was jumping. The discovery of the bodies last September sparked a major police investigation and intense local and international pressure to find those responsible. Ortega, 55, is charged . "We'll go with the flow as much as we can. Pool photo, 0130 exhibit 29 The teen's body was found seven days after the boating accident. [88][89] Hacker group Anonymous published a video on 3 January 2016 criticising the verdict. Hannah was also revelling in her time staying at Sairee Beach with another group of travelling companions. My Facebook page is called KOH TAO DEATH ISLAND. "In view of what's happened to David Miller and Hannah Witheridge and various other people I've read about, it just all leads to the same thing. [1] Receiving half a million visitors each year,[1] Koh Tao is especially popular with backpackers and known for its marine life and scuba diving. One of the most famous Hollywood murders of recent memory was that of Lana Clarkson, the actress and model. It will take a bit of time to find loopholes to appeal. The crime's brutality amid Koh Tao's insular, backpacker charm caused an international sensation and threatened to further weaken a tourist industry already reeling from the military coup of. [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. But no suicide note or message were recovered and Michele is desperate for information surrounding the mysterious death. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to ask that Hannah be allowed a well-deserved day of privacy on Friday whilst we join her many friends in a celebration of her life.. Photographs of the bodies . 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. shark tank hamdog net worth SU,F's Musings from the Interweb. Thailand is one of the worlds most popular tourist destinations with around 35 million visitors each year and promotes itself as the Land of Smiles. The government is sensitive to criticism that could undermine the countrys reputation. Revealed on Thursday, Elise Dallemange, 30, was found dead in the jungle on the island in April, having been half-eaten by lizards, eight days after she said she was leaving to return to her native home in Belgium. "Thai courts make little allowance for the feelings of relatives," he said. The prosecution says a DNA match between samples found on Miss Witheridge's body and the two defendants is central to its case. German Bernd Grotsch's body was found at his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. DNA was collected from these three areas and sent to a police forensics lab for analysis. [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. [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. [61], On July 10, the court ordered the DNA to be retested. 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". The body had to be identified using dental records and previous X-rays. 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. Hannah was raped before she was killed. [70] Wai Phyo was also convicted of theft for allegedly stealing a phone and sunglasses from Miller's body. [6] Miller had just completed his undergraduate degree in civil and structural engineering at the University of Leeds and was starting a masters degree. He also had given no indications before his death, that he had suicidal thoughts. After searching, All rights reserved. Regional Surat Thani governor Chatpong Chatphum said the Koh Tao murders had dealt a serious blow to tourism. [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. [80][81], The Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, said "[foreign female tourists] think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like. 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. 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. They had been brutally beaten to death just a few feet away from their hotel rooms. Picture: Facebook DEATH ISLAND VICTIMS REVEALED He said at the time: "We don't know how or why she died. Fototeka is a large photo digitation service that works in conjunction with the National Film Archive to enhance historically relevant vintage photographs. [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. The university graduate, who was two weeks. The team were only allowed to spend two hours on Koh Tao and did not meet with the suspects or defence. 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. [11][19] Several other suspects were also named, amid pressure to produce results, a new one every other day. 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. Photo: CSI LA. The family of some of the deceased - including three more Brits - have accused local cops of not investigating the deaths of their loved ones. Pol Lt Gen Thanate Pinmuangngam, acting chief of Police Region 8, said In the Dallemagne case, the cause of death was suffocation. "[56] Attempts to appeal the sentence to the High Court in 2017 were unsuccessful. There have been suspicious reports of hand-sized bruises found on Lukes shoulders. Posted on June 2, 2022 by - pudingov kol kamily maglovejpudingov kol kamily maglovej International experts criticized the DNA testing done by the hospital at the time with claims that samples were tampered with in order to falsely incriminate two Burmese workers. 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