I Koh Tao Mayor Chaiyan Thurasakul said the website is accused of damaging Koh Taos reputation by calling it Death Island. His family accused the Thai police of a cover-up. She was also part of the Sathya Sai Baba cult and lived with a self-proclaimed 'guru'. The . A British man was found dead on Thailand 's notorious Koh Tao - also known as Death Island - on Wednesday. Coincidentally, pictures of Bernd with a snake were to be found online. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. The court has now been told that vital DNA evidence cannot be retested. Photo: CSI LA. [39] Following an interrogation, during which police say Zaw Lin admitted he had entered the country illegally, Zaw Lin was arrested and his clothes and motorcycle were seized as evidence. Post-mortem examinations showed that the young backpackers, who had met on the island while staying at the same hotel, both suffered head wounds and that Hannah had been raped. HARROWING photos of the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16, but failed to do so. Valentina Novozhenova 2017; After searching, All rights reserved. I just listened to your full podcast about Koh Tao with considerable interest. In a statement following his hearing, James Gissing, who was in Thailand with Luke, said he felt police were covering up as it was the death of another foreigner on Koh Tao, referring to the Witheridge and Miller murders. The Samui Times believes that it is in the best interests of any visitor to the island to be aware of the numerous tourist deaths and the fact that many families of those who died on the island are not satisfied with police investigations.. 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. She had medication for a chest infection and was drinking, but the Thai police failed to investigate if the combination was sufficient to kill her.". Thai authorities claimed he was drunk and fell, but his family believes he was murdered.. The authorities said he had died after striking the diving board from which he was jumping. Due to the nature of her passing, our beautiful girl has had little privacy. To narrow down the search and display some truly rare crime scene photographs, all images on this list have been taken by the photographer Weegee the Famous, who rose to prominence in the 1930s and 40s. The relevant standard in this case was ISO 17025. "There has been lots of chit-chat on the internet. Try for $0.00. 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. A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. Direct quotations from the trial are unavailable, as the judges did not permit the public to take notes. SUPAPONG CHAOLAN DNA tests have failed to provide a match. 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. He announced that he had "ordered all security-related agencies to track down those who are behind the Myanmar demonstrations". 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. The defendants have repeatedly stated their innocence over the murders, with the defence alleging they were framed. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [64], Several CCTV cameras near the crime scene were reported to be nonfunctional, and cameras near the pier were not checked by the police. The families of Miss Witheridge and Mr Miller are now returning to the UK. [1][4][24] Witheridge's body indicated she had been raped. 2040 / 2557, Regional Court of Appeal VIII No. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. "[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". These are the first pictures of the British tourists murdered on a paradise beach in Thailand. After weeks of investigations, Thai Police have arrested three Burmese man in relation to the murder of two British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on the holiday island of Koh Tao.The Burmese migrant worker community is on high alert and fears a firm respond to the killings on migrant workers inside Thailand by the Thai officials. Bernd Grotsch 2017; As we continue with our plans for our beautiful Hannahs party, our thoughts are with David Millers family who are suffering the same indescribable agony. [21][25] There was tearing present at the vulva, bruising on the perineum, and a bite mark on her right nipple. Frenchman Dimitri Povse, 29, was found hanged in a bungalow on the island on New Year's Day 2015 and his death was ruled as suicide despite his hands being tied behind his back. [1][31] Pornthip Rojanasunand, a Thai forensic scientist, testified at the trial that the crime scene was poorly managed. Her dad Boyne said a toxicology report was not carried out. Unfortunately, the Thai defence lawyers did not call Ms Taupin to give evidence even though she was available. Administratively it is a subdistrict (tambon) of Ko Pha-ngan District (amphoe) of Surat Thani Province. [6] Miller had just completed his undergraduate degree in civil and structural engineering at the University of Leeds and was starting a masters degree. Hannah was a fun, vibrant and beautiful young woman who will be sorely missed by all who knew her. The island became world news when two British backpackers, David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were brutally murdered on the island in 2014. While collecting forensic evidence, tourists and locals were allowed to walk on the beach. Both victims had been hit several times on the head; Witheridge had been raped, and Miller had been drowned. 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? Graphic images showing the bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on a beach in Koh Tao have been circulating online. Photographs appear to show the mobile phone of Hannah Witheridge submitted to police by her friends, despite police claims it was found in one of their suspect's possession. From the beginning, the Thai police had difficulty securing the crime scene. Amnesty International has demanded the Thai authorities investigate the torture allegations after one suspect reportedly said he was beaten and threatened with electrocution. In December 2015, the pair were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. They had no prior criminal records. The discovery of the bodies last September sparked a major police investigation and intense local and international pressure to find those responsible. He had entered the country on September 26, 2018, before traveling to the island, where stayed at the Monsoon Gym and Fight Club. [74], The investigation was met with criticism by international media, human rights groups, and legal experts. Thai police claim Elise hung herself - but her devastated mother does not believe them, and thinks somebody else was involved. . Their findings were never made public, but were shared with the families of the victims. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6729031/thailand-koh-tao-island-dad-dead-mystery/, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-30546787, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/17/sister-murdered-backpacker-hannah-witheridge-dies-falling-gravely/, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-53797951, https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1282946/police-clarify-koh-tao-death-cases, https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1047575-death-island-riddle%C2%A0-koh-tao-mystery-deepens-as-%E2%80%98healthy%E2%80%99-dad-becomes-tenth-westerner-to-die-in-suspicious-circumstances/, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4680394/Haunting-final-image-Koh-Tao-backpacker-Thai-hang-suicide.html, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/thailands-death-island-tourist-33-13399601, https://www.chiangraitimes.com/crime-chiang-rai-thailand/body-of-moldavian-tourist-found-dead-in-sea-off-the-island-koh-tao-sent-to-bangkok-for-thorough-autopsy/, https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/443983/suter-hanspeter-body-found-on-beach-in-chumphon-thailand, Koh Tao Murders, Suspicious Deaths, Fatal Accidents Tribute to 20 Foreigners Tony Lotus & 1Survivor, Tagged: Koh Tao - Death Island in Paradise, Cases on the Death Island of Koh Tao, nick pearson koh tao death, The coroner concluded there was not enough evidence to say where or how he met his death. The Backpacker Murders of Koh Tao. [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. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 2015. Regional Surat Thani governor Chatpong Chatphum said the Koh Tao murders had dealt a serious blow to tourism. "Thai courts make little allowance for the feelings of relatives," he said. They are said to have confessed to the crime but later retracted their statements. Blood on the floor of the feedroom where Paul Murdaugh was shot dead. ISBN: 9780062802910. 'A perfect job' Authorities remain steadfast in their conviction they've found those responsible. ", Mrs Miller said: "It's been hard, very hard. [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. Dimitri Povse 2015; With crystal-clear waters, perfect sandy beaches, palm trees and great nightlife. Something went wrong, please try again later. Ortega, 55, is charged . Then came a stumbling police investigation, speculation about a cover-up to protect a prominent local family, the alleged framing and torture of two young Burmese migrant workers, questions about the handling of key forensic evidence and the controversial observer role of Metropolitan Police officers alongside Thai investigators. It was revealed yesterday that on April 28 Elise became the latest tourist found dead on the island of Koh Tao. He was found hiding on the boat later on 2 October. 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. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. He had recently returned to the island after building up a motorbike rental business. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [51] The defence provided a separate explanation for the events on the night. 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. Samui Times defended its reporting in an online post. Taupin was ultimately not allowed to testify by the defence, and these issues were not raised by the defence until their closing statement. Hannah Witheridge 2014; The mother told Der Farang magazine that she had been promised an autopsy report - but has still not been delivered. [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. Many raised concerns that contamination cast doubt upon the forensic evidence: officials, journalists and tourists were seen walking around the crime scene, and Thai police did not use trained or independent specialists to collect forensic evidence. [85][15][86] Prayut said that British and Burmese government representatives were "limited to observation" and had to "respect our processes". The following morning the family raised the alarm when Nick failed to answer the door. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. KOH TAO, Thailand Promoters call the Thai island of Koh Tao a paradise. German Bernd Grotsch's body was found at his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. Christina Annesley, 23, was one of the many young Brits who sadly died in Koh Tao. [15] Experts have considered the forensic investigation to have been incompetent, and to have possibly framed the suspects. [11] The two met in Koh Tao while staying at the same hotel. [5][40] The commutation was welcomed by Miller's family. Silje Mathisen 2014; The family has contested the police version of events. Dive resorts boast of its crystal-clear waters, and Western tourists flock to its lively beach bars. 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. 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[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. Im asking if they wear bikinis in Thailand, will they be safe? A Thai/Indian couple circa June 2021. [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]. Measuring 21 square kilometres (8sqmi) in area, it is the smallest of three popular tourist islands in the Gulf of Thailand. 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 . The university graduate, who was two weeks. 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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. On Thursday the 29 th of August 2019, the Supreme Court of Thailand handed down its decision to uphold the death penalties for Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, the Burmese migrant workers found guilty of the rape and murder of British holidaymaker Hannah Witheridge and the murder of fellow countryman David Miller in September 2014 on Koh Tao in Thailand. 8 Christina is one of the many young Brits to have died on the island Credit: Handout 8 [48], The guilty verdict resulted in widespread protests in Myanmar. 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. 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