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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. Koh tao murder hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. 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. My YouTube channel is called KOH TAO MURDERS DEATH ISLAND. 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. It would be impossible, some of the boulders are so big they would have stopped him but he didnt have a single broken bone. [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. Their findings were never made public, but were shared with the families of the victims. Unfortunately, the Thai defence lawyers did not call Ms Taupin to give evidence even though she was available. [29][30] The police initially speculated about who the culprit might be, alleging various individuals of perpetrating the crime without clear evidence. Allegations about police brutality rocked the countrys economy that almost solely relies on tourism. 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. The family has contested the police version of events. Create an account. We beg that Hannah and David are afforded privacy and dignity through the removal of these pointless and insensitive reminders. [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. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. They said Wai Phyo found the mobile phone dropped on the beach, and so he kept it. Koh tao murders hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy [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". THE BEST Grozny Game & Entertainment Centers (with Photos) British woman, Christina Annesley, 23, was found in a room at the In Touch Resort on Jan 21, 2015. While his death was ruled as suicide cops could not explain why his hands are tied behind his back. Bangkok to Koh Tao - Bus, Train, Ferry & Flight Options - ASocialNomad 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. Regional Surat Thani governor Chatpong Chatphum said the Koh Tao murders had dealt a serious blow to tourism. Our kids all died on Koh Tao 'death island' - cops claim they were To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Hannah Witheridge 2014; 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". [1][4][24] Witheridge's body indicated she had been raped. German Bernd Grotsch's body was found at his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. The hearing was told that a post-mortem examination in Thailand showed that Mr Miller had a number of small bruises on his face and legs and gave a cause of death of head injuries and drowning. The Mirror reports that Hannahs family have pleaded for the photos of the pair, who were brutally murdered on a Thailand beach, to be taken off the internet. Part of the reason for coming out, was to go to Koh Tao. DNA was collected from these three areas and sent to a police forensics lab for analysis. Zaw Lin was said to have entered between 2011 and 2012, and Wai Phyo in 2012. [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. They also found a suicide note at the scene. Defence lawyers had asked for the samples to be independently verified but have now been told there is nothing left of them to re-test. Although Koh Tao is one of the . Yearly, many professional photographers visit this lodge to capture herds of elephants crossing the dry lake in search of water . Thai beach murders: Death sentence upheld by Supreme Court The families dont believe a word of the Thai police investigation. In January 2014, 25-year-old Nick Pearson was found dead in the sea below a cliff while visiting the island. "Thai courts make little allowance for the feelings of relatives," he said. Koh Tao Murders - Forensic Tales 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. 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 more I was getting involved, the more I was reporting, the more upset the Thais would get," she added. The following month Russian Valentina Novozhyonova, 23,vanished from her hostel sparking a police search. [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]. 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. We are here for David because of his tragic death. In September 2014, two European backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found murdered on Sairee Beach on Thailands island of Koh Tao. [1][51] According to an observer, the sittings lasted over ten hours each day. The second man, Wai Phyo,[a] was believed to have left the island by boat the previous night. A UK autopsy later revealedBen died of a transected aorta a rupture of the bodys largest artery rather than a broken neck. Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, it has always been shrouded by a dark mystery. In 2014, Koh Tao was the site of the brutal double murders of two British backpackers, but theirs weren't the only suspicious backpacker deaths. [1][47] The national police chief, Somyot Poompanmoung, denied that torture was involved in the confessions. 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. "Another one of my sons was there with him, he was absolutely distraught looking at the police just laughing at him. A 28-year-old British guy. [88][89] Hacker group Anonymous published a video on 3 January 2016 criticising the verdict. [63] They plead not guilty to the charge at the trial, but Wai Phyo changed his plea to guilty during the proceedings. 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. Exclusive location in the Kitirua Conservancy. [28], Due to concerns the murders might affect foreign tourism into Thailand, the national authorities sought to expedite the investigation into the murders. Corpse photos of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on internet [2] In 2014, the island had a population of around 5,000 locals. [87][88] The protests angered Thailand's prime minister, who believed the demonstrations were a plot "instigated" to hurt the government. The coroner concluded there was not enough evidence to say where or how he met his death. [48], The guilty verdict resulted in widespread protests in Myanmar. They are said to have confessed to the crime but later retracted their statements. 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.. But they were skeptical and he was fit and healthy at the time of his death. Thai beach murders: First pictures of British tourists battered to death on island The victims of the attack in Koh Tao have been named as 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge from Great Yarmouth. While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered. 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. Hannah was raped before she was killed. [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. Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thai. 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. It has long had a reputation as a home for organized crime, corruption and as a place where the police protected local interests. 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. British Bricklayer Luke Miller, 26, was found at the bottom of a swimming pool at the Sunset Bar at Sairee Beach on January 6, 2016. From: kohtao. ", The dad added that some of the witnesses they spoke to were "too frightened" to come forward which shows "how the culture is.". [14][22] The police moved the bodies to prevent them being swept up in the rising tide. There have been suspicious reports of hand-sized bruises found on Lukes shoulders. [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. Yoshie Sazawa (Sharlyn) 2004; Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 2015. They weren't looked down upon or treated poorly at all. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The relevant standard in this case was ISO 17025. They had no prior criminal records. 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. The families of the young Brits who mysteriously lost their lives in Koh Tao have vowed to find out the truth and say something dodgy is going on., The grieving families have formed a support group following the death of their children on the Thai island, dubbed death island.. 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. He was found hiding on the boat later on 2 October. Available for both RF and RM licensing. 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". [93] Amid the investigation, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao on 28 September 2014 in an attempt to reassure tourists. They still maintain their innocence, as they did throughout the trial. Miller had scratches on his back and water in his lungs indicating drowning. [21][25] There was tearing present at the vulva, bruising on the perineum, and a bite mark on her right nipple. Post-mortems found that Hannah had died from head wounds, while engineering student Mr Miller suffered severe blows to his head and drowned. Our kids all died on Koh Tao 'death island' - cops claim they were [25] There were no known eyewitnesses to the murders. [6] Miller had just completed his undergraduate degree in civil and structural engineering at the University of Leeds and was starting a masters degree. [1], A defence team from Bangkok, composed of nearly 20 lawyers, were only permitted half an hour to meet the men; a request by the defence to delay the hearing and allow more time to prepare was denied by a judge at the Koh Samui Provincial Court. That is awful. 2023 BBC. The murders on Koh Tao, a laid-back haven for divers, sullied Thailand's image in the tourism industry, which accounts for about 10 per cent of the country's economy. [64], Several CCTV cameras near the crime scene were reported to be nonfunctional, and cameras near the pier were not checked by the 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. 8.4K views 2 years ago Dedication to 20 foreigners who died on Koh Tao. 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. Both entered through the Ranong Province, allegedly without presenting themselves at a port of entry and without possessing a passport. 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. Both were found dead on the bottom of a swimming pool at a seaside resort on Koh Tao in Surat Thani. Buchanan who left Thailand in 2016 after receiving death threats for her reporting, reached out to the victims' families and formed a support group. The defendants have repeatedly stated their innocence over the murders, with the defence alleging they were framed. While collecting forensic evidence, tourists and locals were allowed to walk on the beach. I shall post a link to your podcast on my Facebook page. Hannah was a fun, vibrant and beautiful young woman who will be sorely missed by all who knew her. The bricklayer from Newport, Isle of Wight, was found at the bottom of the pool at the Sunset Bar at Sairee Beach in January 2016. 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. 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.. [11][19] Several other suspects were also named, amid pressure to produce results, a new one every other day. Cart. The head of the country's Central Institute of Forensic Science found that the DNA on the hoe did not match the defendants. UPDATE: Attempted murder by Thai - Koh Tao Death Island | Facebook Death sentences in Koh Tao killings commuted. We are furious that we have not been able to have an approved independent forensic examination.". It is believed they were tortured, then burned, before being chopped . WARNING CONTAINS SOME DISTURBING IMAGES OF DEATH. [31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". [94] She suggested using identification wristbands for tourists to improve safety, but the idea was quickly scrapped. They believed he had accidentally drowned and he was thought to have been dead for around 12 hours when his body was retrieved. [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. On Koh Tao it meant a man living their life as a woman. 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. Luke Miller 2016; Zaw Lin was not convicted of this charge because he held a work permit for the two years preceding the murders. Since then the Samui Times has been inundated with . 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. 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. Buy images; Sell images; Lightboxes; [92], Thailand's government became concerned the murders may affect tourism to the country. The police investigation and criminal trial were widely criticised by international media, human rights organisations, and legal experts. Tony Witheridge bowed his head as bloody images of his daughter's body were shown on the third day of the trial of Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo. Our kids all died on Koh Tao 'death island' - cops claim they were accidents but we think they were MURDERED Aliki Kraterou Published: 13:58, 19 Mar 2022 Updated: 15:34, 19 Mar 2022 The. The mum of Ben Harrington Pat was never convinced by the local police's explanation that her 32-year-old son broke his neck when he crashed into an electricity pylon on a night-time moped ride in August 2012. 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 discovery of the bodies last September sparked a major police investigation and intense local and international pressure to find those responsible. A coroner ruled in 2017 said that there is "no evidence" to suggest Luke was murdered.