The island is small and gifted with loads of hidden gems and completely deserted bays. 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. [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. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun). Both entered through the Ranong Province, allegedly without presenting themselves at a port of entry and without possessing a passport. The bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found on a beach on Koh Tao in September 2014. . An unexplained fire that evening burned down three bamboo huts, including the one Elise had been staying in. I have created a Facebook page and a YouTube channel dedicated to looking into tourist deaths on Koh Tao. 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 . Pol Maj Gen Pornchai Sutheerakhun, director of the Institute of Forensic Science at Police General Hospital in Bangkok, said There were wounds around the neck due to the hanging and some non-fatal bruises in the head, and no drugs were found in the body. [88][89] Hacker group Anonymous published a video on 3 January 2016 criticising the verdict. "Then I started thinking what's going on here?". [10], Witheridge and Miller travelled and arrived on the island separately on 25 August. The body had to be identified using dental records and previous X-rays. Our family have been further traumatised by reports that there are numerous unnecessary and senseless photographs circulating across the internet. Sun 23 Nov 2014 10.54 EST. We admit that in the past, there was a mafia there that took advantage of tourists. But they were skeptical and he was fit and healthy at the time of his death. [29][30] The police initially speculated about who the culprit might be, alleging various individuals of perpetrating the crime without clear evidence. 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. Measuring 21 square kilometres (8sqmi) in area, it is the smallest of three popular tourist islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. [93] Amid the investigation, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao on 28 September 2014 in an attempt to reassure tourists. The trial provided an obvious example of Scientific Fraud being used to convict two scapegoats. 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. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? [48], The guilty verdict resulted in widespread protests in Myanmar. Zaw Lin was said to have entered between 2011 and 2012, and Wai Phyo in 2012. Four months later, eight bodies were found after a cartel murder spree. 8.4K views 2 years ago Dedication to 20 foreigners who died on Koh Tao. [53], The prosecution's case focused on findings of the police and medical examiner, with an emphasis on the DNA evidence. A judge found the workers guilty and sentenced them to death despite questions about DNA evidence and the police handling of the case. Anthony Cardullo 2013 (USA); [54] They argued that the defendants intended to kill Miller, using a hoe to hit him multiple times on the head. [5][40] The commutation was welcomed by Miller's family. Thai police say the man on the left matches the one seen acting suspiciously on CCTV A Scottish man is being kept in protective custody in Thailand after a photo he took could identify the murderer. 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. Rocio Gomez; What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Buchanan who left Thailand in 2016 after receiving death threats for her reporting, reached out to the victims' families and formed a support group. Suter had been a regular snorkeler and his death was totally unexplained. They stated they were driven by a desire to rape the victim following sexual arousal when they saw the couple kissing on the beach. It doesn't necessarily mean they are transgender, or that they are doing drag, they just live as women. [21][25] There was tearing present at the vulva, bruising on the perineum, and a bite mark on her right nipple. koh tao murders crime scene photos. It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. How long have Keir Starmer and Sue Gray been secretly cooking up their plot? [42] In the trial, the prosecution said the phone was found smashed at the home of a friend of Zaw Lin's. [31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". Koh Tao Mayor Chaiyan Thurasakul said the website is accused of damaging Koh Taos reputation by calling it Death Island. [52] The suspects were defended pro bono by two lawyers from the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Virat Asavachin (Mr Ban) 2002; Im asking if they wear bikinis in Thailand, will they be safe? Since then the Samui Times has been inundated with . We beg that Hannah and David are afforded privacy and dignity through the removal of these pointless and insensitive reminders. They had been brutally beaten to death just a few feet away from their hotel rooms. There were apparently no signs of robbery or attack in the room at the hotel where Alexandr had been staying. Frenchman, Dimitri Povse, 29, was found hanging from the beam of a rented house on January 1, 2015. While collecting forensic evidence, tourists and locals were allowed to walk on the beach. A millionaire hotel tycoon and his wife have been found dead in a luxury resort on Koh Tao, colloquially known as Death Island. 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. 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.". The university graduate, who was two weeks into a four-month backpacking trip round South East Asia, was found dead on her bungalow in January 2015. 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. 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? It is believed they were tortured, then burned, before being chopped . We are like one big family, weve been through this journey for the past seven years together. Dimitri Povse 2015; That is awful. Koh Tao--a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by pristine beaches, swathed in sunshine, and a mecca for tourists, divers and backpackers. Island authorities sued the online news site for violating the Computer Crime Act, which outlaws uploading false information online. Police have, however, agreed to hand over the garden hoe which was the murder weapon, along with a shoe and a plastic bag. The island of Koh Tao is located in Southern Thailand. [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). 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. From: kohtao. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. I just listened to your full podcast about Koh Tao with considerable interest. They also raised concerns with the absence of legal counsel prior to the confession, as well as difficulties with translation and interpretation. [38] Both men were 22-year-old illegal migrant workers from Rakhine, Myanmar, who worked in the hospitality industry. 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. The island of Koh Tao, off the coast of Thailand, is often described as a paradise. 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 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? Police recovered the body and took it to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan. Ms Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, from Jersey, were murdered on the popular holiday island on September 15. [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. These included backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, who were found murdered on the . "They said they were going to cremate him the next day - I had to call the Home Office to stop the cremation. 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. [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. Hannah was a fun, vibrant and beautiful young woman who will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Although Koh Tao is one of the . She added: The families of all the victims are not happy with the police reports, autopsy reports in Thailand dont match autopsy reports in the UK. [47][75][12] Human Rights Watch said the case was "profoundly disturbing" and called for the verdict to be reviewed in a "transparent and fair appeal process". Tony Witheridge bowed his head as bloody images of. But "Turtle Island" has its dark side. If you are interested, I have further information on my social media accounts. 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. Chrissie's heartbroken dad Boyne Annesley started investigating more deaths in Koh Tao. They think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like, the prime minister said. Some sources also refer to Wai Phyo as Win Zaw Htun. Police on the resort island of Koh Tao are investigation the drowning death of a wealth business man and his wife. Only if they are not beautiful. He later apologized, saying that he meant only that foreign visitors should be careful. Despite claims of a fall, he had no broken bones. Hannah Witheridge 2014; ", Mrs Miller said: "It's been hard, very hard. We are here for David because of his tragic death. [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. Khao San Lomprayah - 2100 arrives Koh Tao 0845 > check prices for Bangkok to Koha Tao night bus and ferry and book now. She added: "They didn't do any investigation at all. GRAPHIC crime scene photos showing the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. Koh Tao Murder - Thai Police, their scapegoats and tourist trade - Exposed by AnonymousThis video goes into the deep facts of the recent Koh Tao Island murder of David Miller and Hannah. [31][65] Jane Taupin, an Australian forensic scientist brought in by the defence, claimed that the timeline of DNA extraction was dubious; a rapid analysis of DNA samples had happened in less than 12 hours,[34] which she said was unusual because "extracting DNA from mixed samples was difficult and time-consuming". Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. Regional Surat Thani governor Chatpong Chatphum said the Koh Tao murders had dealt a serious blow to tourism. 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. Amnesty International has demanded the Thai authorities investigate the torture allegations after one suspect reportedly said he was beaten and threatened with electrocution. Upon arriving at the scene, police officers and rescue workers discovered the bodies of Mr Rakeshwar . Koh Tao murders: Thai court upholds death penalty for two men convicted of killing British backpackers . [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". Koh Tao is in the Chumphon Archipelago. Bergen Area, Norway. 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. [90][91], The 2014 murders, along with other deaths and disappearances of tourists, led to British tabloids labelling Koh Tao as "Death Island". 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. [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. "Another one of my sons was there with him, he was absolutely distraught looking at the police just laughing at him. While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered. Read about our approach to external linking. Shelley Bot 2017; But many cases appear very suspicious according to family members and insufficiently investigated. 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. Part of the reason for coming out, was to go to Koh Tao. Lightboxes. Hotel owner Rakeshwar Sachathamakul has been found dead along with his wife in a luxury resort on Koh Tao. Yoshie Sazawa (Sharlyn) 2004; He had recently returned to the island after building up a motorbike rental business. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. In December 2015, the pair were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Read about our approach to external linking. When Nick Pearson died the police didnt go to his room, they didnt interview anybody. Get latest News Information, Articles on Thailand Vs Indonesia Live Streaming Updated on December 27, 2018 19:20 with exclusive Pictures, photos & videos on Thailand Vs Indonesia Live Streaming at Latestly.com - Page 18 Hotels near The Heart of Chechnya Hotels near State Gallery named after A. 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. [51][21] The trial was attended by external observers, including representatives from Amnesty International and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. [49] Wai Phyo was also charged with stealing Miller's phone. "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. Thailand's paradise island murder mystery continues to baffle police, BBC's south-east Asia correspondent reports from Koh Tao. [82][83] The UK government expressed concerns with the investigation, and summoned a Thai diplomat in London to discuss them. 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. The body of his 55-year-old mother was only found later when rescue services arrived at the scene. Phone records showed that Elise called her mother on Skype on April 17, 2017, before leaving Koh Phangan on a Ferry on April 19. 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. 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. 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. The second man, Wai Phyo,[a] was believed to have left the island by boat the previous night. 2040 / 2557, Regional Court of Appeal VIII No. We'll be dignified for David. [26][27] However, her clothes were not tested for DNA. David Miller 2014; 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. 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. A. Kadyrov Hotels near Museum of the Chechen Republic Hotels near The Flower Park Hotels near Visit Chechnya Hotels near Grozny City Observation Deck Hotels near Church of Archangel Michael Hotels near Makhmud Esambayev Avenue Hotels near Museum of Akhmat Khadzhy Kadyrov Hotels near Monument to the Fighters of the . [51][56][57] They argued that the defendants, since they were vulnerable as illegal migrant workers, were scapegoated by the police for the crime. Rockefeller Audio 2022. I'm asking if they wear bikinis in Thailand, will they be safe? The Koh Tao murders had a big impact on the island, it left a very deep impression! Direct quotations from the trial are unavailable, as the judges did not permit the public to take notes. 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 . The police were under pressure to produce results quickly, which affected how they conducted their investigation. 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". Death sentences in Koh Tao killings commuted. [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. 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! [31] A British defence lawyer, Felicity Gerry QC, said the trial was "far too rushed and unfair to the defense". Staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. We had one day on Koh Tao, it was really hard.". Dark side of Koh Tao: The seven tourists found dead on Thailand's 'murder island' after backpacker 'eaten by lizards' Koh Tao was plunged into the spotlight when the semi-naked bodies of. Both victims had been hit several times on the head; Witheridge had been raped, and Miller had been drowned. Available for both RF and RM licensing. After searching, All rights reserved. A coroner ruled in 2017 said that there is "no evidence" to suggest Luke was murdered. A backpacker from Belgium, Elise Dallemagne, 30, was found hanged in the hillson the island on April 28, 2017. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. The evidence in the form of this Unendorsed Report would have been ruled as inadmissible in US courts and other Western courts.