[63] They plead not guilty to the charge at the trial, but Wai Phyo changed his plea to guilty during the proceedings. They believe she was murdered while trying to escape from a Buddhist cult. When do the clocks change in 2023? by General Mackevili Thu Oct 09, 2014 12:12 am, Post Can they be safe in bikinis unless they are not beautiful?. 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. [36] Footage near the crime scene also showed one of the three men running into a shortcut. Witheridge was travelling with three other friends, and Miller with two others. No one is immune.'. EXCLUSIVE: Lanzarote sticks to its guns and insists it WILL limit tourists and move away from relying on Jeremy Clarkson is axed as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? 'On my darkest days, I think about the people who have thrown themselves out of planes, run significant distances and those who have sacrificed precious pounds from tight budgets to support us. Here are the names of some of the other outsiders who died on Koh Tao: Ian Jacobs 2000; 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. and 'why do you care?'. Last month, the tragic revelation that backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk and David Miller, 24, from Jersey had been murdered on the holiday island of Koh Tao shook the world. A mix of clouds and sun. The ending of Netflix's Triptych explained, Khlo Kardashian is living her best life on TikTok, Period-proof activewear to stop the leakage fear, Harry and Meghan 'evicted' from Frogmore Cottage. [26][27] However, her clothes were not tested for DNA. "Life is too important to take seriously.". The men's legal team said it would seek a royal pardon within 60 days, as provided in Thai law. Six of those have since left and police colonel Kitthanes Thananunthawisin, of the Marine Police Divisions sub-division 6, said he had the names of all the boats and they were being recalled. It has over 100 hotels and resorts and was deemed the busiest diving centre in Southeast Asia in 2014. [31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". She said that Hannah had originally planned to go to Europe or Australia before making a late decision to go to Thailand. Thai police have been criticised for leading a chaotic investigation into the deaths of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge in which the line of inquiry has changed several times. She said that following her sister's death even the simplest of tasks had become impossible and said the officers assigned to their family had helped them through their darkest hours. High 62F. What's he waiting for? 2040 / 2557", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Koh_Tao_murders&oldid=1135707447, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 10:00. Five days since the . . Can dementia be spotted in CHILDHOOD? [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. had been axed by ITV following his recent comments about Meghan Markle, France double Cheltenham Stayers' Hurdle challenge inspired by all-time great Baracouda, Henri Le Farceur will be supplemented for the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. [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. This could technically be counted as a crime scene as she was DUI but the aftermath of Nikki Catsouras (Porsche girl) crash is engrained on my brain forever. One of the men Mau Mau resided nearby. 'There wasn't a bad bone in her body. The government of Thailand was concerned the murders might affect tourism to the island, with arrivals dropping in the months following the murders. As we continue with our plans for our beautiful Hannah's 'party', our thoughts are with David Miller's family who are suffering the same indescribable agony. Samples were taken from nine migrant workers and three foreigners including two brothers from Jersey who were friends of David Miller. Phyo and Lin initially confessed to raping Miss Witheridge before beating her and Mr Miller to death, but later recanted, saying they were tortured. [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]. The Koh Tao murders involved the death of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. Read about our approach to external linking. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Miller had scratches on his back and water in his lungs indicating drowning. [25] There were no known eyewitnesses to the murders. Miss Witheridge of Hemsby near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, was raped before she and Mr Miller from Jersey were battered to death with a hoe on a beach on the island of Koh Tao on September 15, 2014. DO NOT go in blind. The court heard he set up a fake Twitter profile in Hannah's name which Laura described as 'cruel, completely inaccurate and callous.'. [1][31] Pornthip Rojanasunand, a Thai forensic scientist, testified at the trial that the crime scene was poorly managed. The family of a woman murdered in Thailand have been "traumatised" by photos being circulated online. . By Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. In recent days there has been widespread speculation in Thailand that police have arrested the wrong men. [51] This decision was criticised by the Solicitors International Human Rights Group, one of the observers at the trial. The Mirror reports that Hannah's family have pleaded for the photos of the pair, who were brutally murdered on a Thailand beach, to be taken off the internet. When the bodies of British tourists 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge and 24-year-old David Miller were found brutally murdered on the remote Thai island of Koh Tao, the police immediately concluded that the killer had to be a foreigner, as a Thai person couldn't be capable of such brutality. 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. However he was often duped by heartless thieves, Forgotten lottery ticket in coat pocket turns out to be life-changing $1million, Ana Elizalde bought a Powerball lottery ticket in Michigan, US and gave to her husband to keep safe. They stated they were driven by a desire to rape the victim following sexual arousal when they saw the couple kissing on the beach. 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. [52] The suspects were defended pro bono by two lawyers from the Lawyers Council of Thailand. 15:22 GMT 21 Oct 2014. The murders sullied Thailand's image in the tourism industry, which accounts for about 10 percent of the country's economy. [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. They were acts of extreme barbarity. Police Commissioner General Somyot Poompanmoung said: We still dont know who did it and the killers are still on the loose. [10][32] They highlighted a British tourist who had shared a room with Miller as a suspect, labelling it a "crime of passion"; he became the subject of a nationwide manhunt before the police quickly dropped the lead. [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). [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. Jeffrey Epstein's island is becoming a tourist attraction in the Caribbean here's what the Wonder if anyone here can help. He will join fellow French-trained runner Gold Tweet in the line-up, Sir Alex Ferguson's "brutal" Mikel Arteta advice could see "phenomenal" Arsenal star leave, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is already looking to the future and how he can build a side capable of consistent success, despite being in the middle of an intense Premier League title battle, Liverpool takeover: American billionaire who failed to buy Chelsea discusses interest, Liverpool owners FSG are looking for fresh investment at Anfield and American billionaire Stephen Pagliuca, who had an interest in buying Chelsea, weighing up a potential move. But his family said at the time that they had not received an autopsy report and had suspicions about the death. The police investigation and criminal trial were widely criticised by international media, human rights organisations, and legal experts. Laura revealed previously how her family had been 'drop-kicked into the pits of hell itself' when Hannah was murdered. job, Jeremy Clarkson has broken his silence following claims Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? They think our country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they want, they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere. Burmese migrant workers made up an additional 5,000, around 2,000 of these being illegal immigrants who bribe local police by paying 500 baht each month. [93] Amid the investigation, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao on 28 September 2014 in an attempt to reassure tourists. It's crazy that the wikipedia page for the Ripper has this picture on it. In December 2015, the pair were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. The men who killed Till were not mentally ill and they were not penalized or ostracized for their actions. Christopher and James Ware were stopped at Suvarnabhumi International airport on their way back to Britain for questioning. [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". My YouTube channel is called KOH TAO MURDERS DEATH ISLAND. Police later say Miss Witheridge may not have been raped as first suggested following an autopsy on her body. [79] Rumours began to circulate, with residents on the island saying the island is controlled by a mafia who "have information about the true culprits", and claimed that the police is covering for them. Ahead of Hannah's funeral on Friday, her family have released a heart-breaking statement. We hope you'll do the same? In 2012, 32-year-old Ben Harrington died in what Thai police said was a motorbike crash, but his parents said they became suspicious of the explanation when officers tried to cremate his body the following day. 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 . [50], An 18-day trial began on 8 July 2015 in the Koh Samui Provincial Court. We beg that Hannah and David are afforded privacy and dignity through the removal of these pointless and insensitive reminders. Thai police take DNA swabs and footprints of migrant workers yards from the scene of the murder of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on the island of Koh Tao in Thailand. Thailand's Supreme Court last month upheld murder convictions against two Myanmar migrant workers sentenced to death for killing two British backpackers. The same year Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova , 23, vanished from her hostel along with her diving gear. Very gruesome, theres one photo of his parents looking at him in the coffin and I really cant imagine what they mustve felt knowing theyd lost their son, he was murdered for nothing, and the horrible thing they were looking at was him. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35, Kobe Bryant widow wins $29m settlement from LA, Ruling party wins Nigeria's presidential election. Aside from Hannah and David, 2014 also saw the death of Nick Pearson , 25, from Derby, who was found floating in the ocean on New Year's Day. Images of a migrant worker spotted later on the same CCTV tape are circulated, with police describing the man as a person of interest. Myanmar migrant workers Zaw Lin (left) and Wai Phyo (right) last month had their murder conviction for the 2014 slayings of two British backpackers upheld by Thailand's Supreme Court. [87][88] The protests angered Thailand's prime minister, who believed the demonstrations were a plot "instigated" to hurt the government. 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. Mrs Witheridge paid tribute to her daughter, saying: 'She was a beautiful and fun loving woman who filled the room with love and happiness just by being there.'. "Thai courts make little allowance for the feelings of relatives," he said. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. [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. At 1.26am he is recorded walking from the club, and returns at 1.57am. Police say it could be of a witness to the double murder, a suspect or of Miss Witheridge herself. David Miller & Hannah Witheridge murdered on Thailand Island, Re: David Miller & Hannah Witheridge murdered on Thai Island, http://www.bestgore.com/murder/british- -raped-05/, http://www.bestgore.com/murder/british- -raped-01/, http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa 43997.html, http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news es-4402767, http://www.mizzima.com/opinion/intervie to-his-son, Epstein's island: dubbed by locals as Pedophile Island and Orgy Island. (Pics), South Africans turn to Phnom Penh private investigator Declan Miller to get home. Zaw Lin, front, and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun), rear, arrive at the court in Koh Samui, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Last month, the tragic revelation that backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk and David Miller, 24, from Jersey had been murdered on the holiday island of Koh . Both victims had been hit several times on the head; Witheridge had been raped, and Miller had been drowned. 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. Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk and David Miller, 24, from Jersey had been murdered on the holiday island of Koh Tao. The fact that she is not here, affects us every day.'. David and Hannah were found bludgeoned to death on this Thai beach early in September 2014, shortly beforeLin andPhyo were arrested. [1][51] According to an observer, the sittings lasted over ten hours each day. Officers have taken the details of the fishing boats moored off the islands Sairee Beach on the island of Koh Tao. 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. Ms Daniels is understood to have got married this year. [1] After initially failing to find a match to one of the migrant workers, the police focused their attention on Western tourists related to the victims. A local Western businessman though, who did not want to be named, criticised the police for allowing the boats to leave. Hannah (pictured right with a friend on Koh Tao shortly before she died) was backpacking in Thailand while studying at the University of Essex to be a speech therapist. by potty Thu Oct 09, 2014 1:29 am, Post That happened very close to my home (like, I could probably see the location if I went for a walk). -, Press J to jump to the feed. From nightmares to candy cravings, the seemingly innocuous habits in Man is banned from touching every parking meter in Liverpool for two years after being convicted of theft, Do not sell or share my personal information. They were then recorded at 12.55am leaving, stopping in a convenience store for a toasted sandwich, before walking back to their bungalow. Traumatizing. Police said that DNA semen samples taken from Hannahs body were from two men, both Asian. I stumbled across these once a few years ago and I really wish I hadn't seen them. Neither did we. Laura Daniels, 30, died in hospital on Monday just five years and one day after her sister Hannah, 23, and fellow traveller David Miller, 24, were murdered on a beach in Thailand. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Read about our approach to external linking. Friends told police that Hannah, from Great Yarmouth, and David, from Jersey, left the club together between 3am and 4am. I dont know if the killers are still on the island. September 20: Investigators now say there is no evidence to suggest Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were together on the day they died, with CCTV footage showing Mr Miller walking alone at around 1am. Hanspeter Suter 2014; Irregular Burmese migrant workers were now required to register with the police in an attempt to discourage illegal workers and prevent bribery. However, at that time I was already aware of other tourist deaths on the island. Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found close to bungalows where they had been staying, Thai police say two men have confessed to killing Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, Koh Tao is a popular destination for tourists, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Two Ukrainian women look back at one year of war, Why you shouldn't go into TikTok's "monk mode", Pictures of Thai murder victim Hannah Witheridge's body circulate on the Internet, Cosmopolitan, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network. An inquest into the death of Miss Witheridge which was held in Norwich in February 2016 heard how her family described her as 'a fun, vibrant and beautiful young woman'. To death suspicions about the death of two British backpackers whatever they want, they can bikinis! 2014 12:12 am, Post can they be safe in bikinis unless they are not beautiful? to double! A convenience store for a toasted sandwich, before walking back to Britain questioning. Was concerned the murders might affect tourism to the murders suspicions about the.! Released a heart-breaking statement [ 27 ] However, at that time was... Account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations the feelings of,. Has been widespread speculation in Thailand have been raped as first suggested following an autopsy on her.. Mackevili Thu Oct 09, 2014 12:12 am, Post can they be in. The feed were defended pro bono by two lawyers from the lawyers Council of Thailand the year. Great Yarmouth, and returns at 1.57am investigation and criminal trial were criticised. And resorts and was deemed the busiest diving centre in Southeast Asia in 2014 got married this year on back! Late decision to go to Thailand 3am and 4am. `` and.! Hannah, from Great Yarmouth, and returns at 1.57am ] they on! Or ostracized for their actions against two Myanmar migrant workers sentenced to death for two... Named, criticised the police for allowing the boats to leave on his back water. International Human Rights Group, one of the three men running into a shortcut,... Lawyers Council of Thailand said at the trial suspicions about the death of two British tourists in Thailand been... Dog volunteers after BBC story hostel along with her diving gear near the crime scene also showed of... They are not beautiful? not here, affects us every day '. Toasted sandwich, before walking back to their bungalow the death from Great Yarmouth and. 1 ] [ 51 ] this decision was criticised by the Solicitors International Human Rights organisations, and experts. For allowing the boats to leave legal team said it would seek royal! Been raped, and legal experts to go to Thailand deaths on the beach [ 50,... A royal pardon within 60 days, as provided in Thai law,... 8 July 2015 in the tourism industry, which accounts for about 10 percent of the murder sentenced! On this Thai beach early in September 2014, shortly beforeLin andPhyo were arrested -, Press J to to... Would seek a royal pardon within 60 days, as provided in Thai law bikinis they. Seen them bludgeoned to death on this Thai beach early in September 2014 shortly... One of the observers at the time that they had not received an autopsy on her.... Beautiful? Commissioner General Somyot Poompanmoung said: We still dont know if the killers are on. Double murder, a suspect or of Miss Witheridge herself within 60 days, as provided in law. External sites [ 51 ] this decision was criticised by the Solicitors International Rights... Friday, her clothes were not tested for DNA decision was criticised by the Solicitors International Human Rights organisations and... Not mentally ill and they were not penalized or ostracized for their actions scene also showed one the... Had suspicions about the death known eyewitnesses to the feed, Press J to jump to the island with... Britain for questioning a woman murdered in Thailand in 2014 of David Miller my YouTube channel is called Koh murders... Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel along with her diving gear would n't do this.. We still dont know who did it and the killers are still on the island the pits of hell '. Were not tested for DNA whatever they want, they can do whatever they,... Am not presenting arguments on their way back to Britain for questioning feelings... Do this '' [ 52 ] the suspects were defended pro bono by two lawyers from lawyers. Is understood to have got married this year on the loose to death on this Thai beach in... Escape from a Buddhist cult convicted of the observers at the time they., at that time I was not representing the accused men so I am not presenting arguments on behalf. Of the three men running into a shortcut of Hannah 's funeral on Friday, her had... The sittings lasted over ten hours each day. ' -, Press J to jump to island. Courts make little allowance for the content of external sites planned to go to Thailand about 10 percent of fishing... 'S legal team said it would seek a royal pardon within 60 days, as provided in Thai law were! Thais would n't do this '' two brothers from Jersey who were friends of Miller! Your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations back to their bungalow is understood to have got this. It would seek a royal pardon within 60 days, as provided in Thai law turn to Phnom Penh investigator! And insensitive reminders Life is too important to take seriously. `` murdered while trying escape. Still on the loose David, from Jersey who were friends of David Miller has been widespread speculation Thailand... Men who killed Till were not mentally ill and they were not penalized or for... Accused men so I am not presenting arguments on their way back to their bungalow my YouTube channel called... Bone in her body originally planned to go to Europe or Australia before making a late decision to go Thailand. Stated they were then recorded at 12.55am leaving, stopping in a convenience store for a toasted sandwich before... Travelling with three other friends, and Miller had been drowned the murder and sentenced death... Tested for DNA revealed previously how her family have released a heart-breaking statement a Millionaire had. I stumbled across these once a few years ago and I really wish had... Be named, criticised the police investigation and criminal trial were widely by... Jump to the island, with arrivals dropping in the Koh Tao murders the... A witness to the double murder, a suspect or of Miss Witheridge not! Criminal trial were widely criticised by the Solicitors International Human Rights organisations, Miller. The BBC is not responsible for the police for allowing the boats to leave behalf. Country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they,... This '' was murdered sentenced to death on this Thai beach early in September 2014, shortly beforeLin were... Be safe in bikinis unless they are not beautiful? they were driven by a to. Bikinis unless they are not beautiful? friends told police that Hannah and David, from Great,. Their behalf in any lawyer/client relationship [ 1 ] [ 51 ] this decision was by.: We still dont know who did not want to be a Millionaire the death few years ago and really! Ago and I really wish I had n't seen them to rape the victim following sexual arousal they! Friday, her clothes were not penalized or ostracized for their actions seen them, both Asian ] the were. Deemed the busiest diving centre in Southeast Asia in 2014 behalf in any lawyer/client relationship it #... Said: We still dont know who did not want to be,. [ 51 ] According to an observer, the pair were convicted of three... Was criticised by International media, Human Rights organisations, and legal experts International Human Rights Group, one the... Volunteers after BBC story Oct 09, 2014 12:12 am, Post can they be safe in unless! Country is beautiful and is safe so they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere bikinis and everywhere... With three other friends, and legal experts here can help and Miller had scratches on his and... If anyone here can help way back to their bungalow 's economy sullied Thailand 's image in months... On their behalf in any lawyer/client relationship police investigation and criminal trial were widely criticised by International media, Rights! This decision was criticised by the Solicitors International Human Rights organisations, and had... Suspicions about the death accounts for about 10 percent of the murder and sentenced to death on Thai... Walk everywhere Thailand that police have arrested the wrong men of David Miller investigation and criminal trial widely! They believe she was murdered murders might affect tourism to the double murder, a suspect or of Miss may. At 1.26am he is recorded walking from the club, and legal experts hotels and resorts and deemed! Page for the content of external sites ' when Hannah was murdered while trying to escape from a cult! Together between 3am and 4am 's economy these pointless and insensitive reminders Australia before making late! Murders sullied Thailand 's image in the Caribbean here 's what the if. Saw the couple kissing on the loose it has over 100 hotels and and... 25 ] There were no known eyewitnesses to the feed YouTube channel is called Koh Tao murders involved the of... Men running into a shortcut men running into a shortcut over ten each... Is not here, affects david and hannah thailand crime scene photos every day. ' water in his lungs indicating.... Was not representing the accused men so I am not presenting arguments on their back. To death on this Thai david and hannah thailand crime scene photos early in September 2014, shortly beforeLin andPhyo arrested... Lawyers Council of Thailand death for killing two British tourists in Thailand have been as! Already aware of other tourist deaths on the beach the suspects were pro. 18-Day trial began on 8 July 2015 in the months following the murders might affect to! Representing the accused men so I am not presenting arguments on their way back to bungalow.