[49] Wai Phyo was also charged with stealing Miller's phone. A judge found the workers guilty and sentenced them to death despite questions about DNA evidence and the police handling of the case. Shocked cries in Ko Tao billionaire's death - Thai Examiner 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Elewana Tortilis camp is situated in the Western part of the Amboseli ecosystem, in the 30.0000-acre Kitirua Conservancy, bordering the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. [15] Some migrants who were questioned complained that officers scalded them with boiling water during interrogations, allegations which were denied by the police. I was good friends with a few and they were all restaurant/bar owners. Thailand's dark side: why you really shouldn't visit Koh Tao The autopsy stated he had drowned. Mr Miller's body was discovered with severe head injuries several metres away, he said. Thailand: Koh Tao Murder Trial Exposed. Ugly Truth of 'Land of Smiles There were no signs of a struggle or rape or other human DNA. The police investigation and criminal trial were widely criticised by international media, human rights organisations, and legal experts. THAILAND VS INDONESIA LIVE STREAMING - latestly.com 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. 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. Thailand backpackers murder trial: Hannah Witheridge's father weeps in Outcry from the international community over the death penalties upheld Find the perfect agent pastime stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Both were found dead on the bottom of a swimming pool at a seaside resort on Koh Tao in Surat Thani. Hannah was also raped in the attack. A Thai/Indian couple circa June 2021. Heightened vigilance has been urged for all countries after two new deadly virus cases were detected in humans in China. 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. Koh Tao Murders: No DNA match with Warot in first test results [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. "Then I started thinking what's going on here?". Hell in Paradise: of Margaritas and Murders - UNRESERVED Koh Tao Mayor Chaiyan Thurasakul said the website is accused of damaging Koh Taos reputation by calling it Death Island. A millionaire hotel tycoon and his wife have been found dead in a luxury resort on Koh Tao, colloquially known as Death Island. Download videos of River diver on Depositphotos Millions of high-quality, royalty-free stock videos, footage and clips at affordable prices. 10 July 2015. Koh Tao Murders, Suspicious Deaths, Fatal Accidents Tribute to 20 What really happened there? [25] There were no known eyewitnesses to the murders. [38] Both men were 22-year-old illegal migrant workers from Rakhine, Myanmar, who worked in the hospitality industry. In December 2015, the pair were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. 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. How to go BANGKOK to KOH TAO? Tickets | 2023 - Northern Vietnam 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.. The government of Thailand was concerned the murders might affect tourism to the island, with arrivals dropping in the months following the murders. 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. The Backpacker Murders Of Koh Tao. What Really Happened There? In accepting the 2nd retrial plea, sought by the family of Hiromu Sakahara, who died of illness aged 75 while serving his term in 2011, the Osaka High Court said . They had no prior criminal records. koh tao murders crime scene photos. [10], Witheridge and Miller travelled and arrived on the island separately on 25 August. 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. 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 Pearson 2014; There were no witnesses. Direct quotations from the trial are unavailable, as the judges did not permit the public to take notes. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/03/world/asia/thailand-koh-tao-death-island.html#:~:text=But%20among%20some%20foreigners%2C%20Koh,began%20calling%20it%20Death%20Island.&text=She%20accused%20the%20police%20of,up%20crime%20on%20the%20island. THE BEST Kurunegala Forests (with Photos) - Tripadvisor A woman Povse had been interested in said he had called her twice on the phone that night but she had not picked up because she had been asleep. 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. An inquest had been held in 2014 as his death was being treated as suspicious. Measuring 21 square kilometres (8sqmi) in area, it is the smallest of three popular tourist islands in the Gulf of 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. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. 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. Koh tao murder hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Yearly, many professional photographers visit this lodge to capture herds of elephants crossing the dry lake in search of water . 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. Witheridge was travelling with three other friends, and Miller with two others. [52] The suspects were defended pro bono by two lawyers from the Lawyers Council of Thailand. 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. 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). 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 . [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. All times AEDT (GMT +11). How are they ever going to get closure and justice if they dont know what happened? [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. What the Murder of Two Young British Tourists Tells Us About Thailand [53], The prosecution's case focused on findings of the police and medical examiner, with an emphasis on the DNA evidence. Post-mortems found that Hannah had died from head wounds, while engineering student Mr Miller suffered severe blows to his head and drowned. It has long had a reputation as a home for organized crime, corruption and as a place where the police protected local interests. For other inquiries, Contact Us. There were no signs of fighting or a struggle, nor were foreign objects or substances that could cause loss of consciousness found in the 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. Their bodies were found on a beach on the island of Koh Tao last September. Ben Harrington 2012; The two are charged with the murder of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, on . 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. 2023 BBC. A backpacker from Belgium, Elise Dallemagne, 30, was found hanged in the hillson the island on April 28, 2017. GermanBernd Grotsch, 47, was found deadat his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 2015. The suspects were initially denied access to legal counsel, and alleged that police used torture and threats to secure a confession. Both victims had been hit several times on the head; Witheridge had been raped, and Miller had been drowned. 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. 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". Date: July 24, 2022. 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. 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. 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. However, no toxicology report was conducted. He told the Sun Online: "We want justice. Koh Tao's dark side: dangers of island where Britons were murdered Andy was assisting the defence lawyers. From: kohtao. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? [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. koh tao murders crime scene photos - Sozyaz.com Best Contents 2023 - 2022 We are here for David because of his tragic death. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, The families are not satisfied with the investigation by the Thai authorities, Christina Annesley was found dead on the beach in January 2015, Thai authorities said Ben Harrington,32, died when he crashed during a moped ride, The families have not been satisfied with the investigation of the Thai authorities, Luke Miller was found dead at the bottom of a pool, Elise Dallemange was found dead in the jungle in Koh Tao, The Curse of the turtle was released earlier this month, Bernd Grotsch from Germany was found dead at his house in Koh Tao, Valentina Novozhyonova vanished from her hostel, Suzanne Buchanan is determined to find out the truth about Koh Tao, Our kids all died on Koh Tao death island cops claim they were accidents but we think they were MURDERED, Headteacher sacked 'after sending parents a list of striking teachers' as school launches probe, Isle of Innisfree ferry: Blaze breaks out on boat carrying 183 people in English Channel as lifeboats scramble to scene. HARROWING photos of the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. They still maintain their innocence, as they did throughout the trial. [74], The investigation was met with criticism by international media, human rights groups, and legal experts. Due to the nature of her passing, our beautiful girl has had little privacy. [72] The Supreme Court of Thailand upheld the sentence in August 2019, stating that the police handled the case correctly and the forensic evidence was "clear, credible, and detailed". Anthony Cardullo 2013 (USA); Our family have been further traumatised by reports that there are numerous unnecessary and senseless photographs circulating across the internet. 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. [70] Wai Phyo was also convicted of theft for allegedly stealing a phone and sunglasses from Miller's body. Some were murdered, some died in suspicious circumstances and some died in avoidable accidents. Floods trap up to 15,000 tourists in Thailand - NZ Herald Thai beach murders: First pictures of British tourists killed Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thai. 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. Father weeps at Thai murder photos. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? 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. Again when Christina Annesley died police didnt interview the last person she was seen with while she was alive. "We asked for a copy of the CCTV footage and they said it was destroyed. Only if they are not beautiful. He later apologized, saying that he meant only that foreign visitors should be careful. June 6, 2021. [33][34] Over 200 individuals on the island, many of them migrant workers, were tested in mass DNA testing. 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. Exclusive location in the Kitirua Conservancy. The following morning the family raised the alarm when Nick failed to answer the door. Nick Pearson, 25, was found floating in an island bay, at the foot of a 50ft drop on New Years Day 2014. Our daughter died on 'Death Island' - was it tragic accident or murder I have created a Facebook page and a YouTube channel dedicated to looking into tourist deaths on Koh Tao. [38] Police entered the home the next day; only one of the men, Zaw Lin, was present. The island of Koh Tao, off the coast of Thailand, is often described as a paradise. 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 . [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). The evidence in the form of this Unendorsed Report would have been ruled as inadmissible in US courts and other Western courts. He had recently returned to the island after building up a motorbike rental business. 24, after their battered bodies were found on a beach on the southern resort island of . Last modified on Wed 29 Nov 2017 23.45 EST. 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. The head of the country's Central Institute of Forensic Science found that the DNA on the hoe did not match the defendants. [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. Read about our approach to external linking. [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". 2040 / 2557, Regional Court of Appeal VIII No. The items were still there are 3 am and he called the police. Most mainstream media provide only superficial accounts of what has been happening on the island and their published information is often inaccurate and understated the seriousness of the situation. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [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. News back pack murders in koh tao 2014 koh tao koh tao island mystery news in Thailand Thaiger news thailand thailand crime Thailand News thailand tourist thailand tourist . The past three weeks have been unimaginably difficult and there are no words that can adequately describe the heartache and despair that our family is experiencing. [88][89] Hacker group Anonymous published a video on 3 January 2016 criticising the verdict. 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. Koh Tao Murders - Forensic Tales In January 2014, 25-year-old Nick Pearson was found dead in the sea below a cliff while visiting the island. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller koh tao, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo koh tao, dimitri povse koh tao, christina annesley koh tao, Valentina Novozhyonova koh tao, luke miller koh tao, Elise Dallemagne koh tao, Bernd grotsch koh tao, Alexandr Bucspun koh tao, The frightening case of the Trailside Killer David Carpenter, The Yosemite National Park Sightseer Murders and the two faces of evil, The mysterious Koh Tao - Death Island in Paradise, Exclusive members-only articles on StrangeOutdoors.com, The coroner concluded there was not enough evidence to say where or how he met his death. Police concluded she wanted to break a deep-diving record at more than 24 meters. [1][47] The national police chief, Somyot Poompanmoung, denied that torture was involved in the confessions. Hiroshi 2002; Two of the victims were dismembered and disposed of in plastic bags. 92 Visitor. GRAPHIC crime scene photos showing the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. [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". 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. Its just really shoddy investigation work- I personally think theres something going on on that island. 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. 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. Chrissie's heartbroken dad Boyne Annesley started investigating more deaths in Koh Tao. Shared On: 28th Dec, 2022. Thai murders: Backpacker killers face execution | Herald Sun Koh tao murders hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Suter had been a regular snorkeler and his death was totally unexplained. [42] In the trial, the prosecution said the phone was found smashed at the home of a friend of Zaw Lin's. It would be impossible, some of the boulders are so big they would have stopped him but he didnt have a single broken bone. Forensic report into British murders in Thailand leaked to local media "We'll go with the flow as much as we can. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. [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. It has a population of around 1,500 people and the main settlement is Ban Mae Hat. Koh Tao, Thailand: Photo of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge Murder The families of Miss Witheridge and Mr Miller are now returning to the UK. The two men were convicted and sentenced in 2015 and the verdict was upheld by an appeals court in 2017 and the Supreme Court in August 2019. Koh Tao murders: Thai court upholds death penalty for two men convicted UPDATE: Attempted murder by Thai - Koh Tao Death Island | Facebook UPDATE: Billionaire couple found dead at bottom of Koh Tao - Thaiger 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. We've all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. A 28-year-old British guy. [83] A 2016 study said the case, which it described as a litmus test of Thailand's justice system, "seriously damaged the image of Thailand and of its forces of law and order on the global level". We beg that Hannah and David are afforded privacy and dignity through the removal of these pointless and insensitive reminders. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. And the same goes for Luke Millers mum Sara Cotton. The Backpacker Murders of Koh Tao. What really happened there? 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. My YouTube channel is called KOH TAO MURDERS DEATH ISLAND. In September 2014, two European backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found murdered on Sairee Beach on Thailands island of Koh Tao. [1][31] Pornthip Rojanasunand, a Thai forensic scientist, testified at the trial that the crime scene was poorly managed. [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.