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. His family accused the Thai police of a cover-up. The police quickly closed the inquiry, stating that he had drowned whilst swimming. The Backpacker Murders of Koh Tao. What really happened there? The police investigation and criminal trial were widely criticised by international media, human rights organisations, and legal experts. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope Chrissie's heartbroken dad Boyne Annesley started investigating more deaths in Koh Tao. Our family have been further traumatised by reports that there are numerous unnecessary and senseless photographs circulating across the internet. The body had to be identified using dental records and previous X-rays. Koh Tao: Millionaire couple found dead on Thailand's Death Island Find the perfect agent pastime stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Our daughter died on 'Death Island' - was it tragic accident or murder Pol Lt Gen Thanate Pinmuangngam, acting chief of Police Region 8, said In the Dallemagne case, the cause of death was suffocation. [1][31] Pornthip Rojanasunand, a Thai forensic scientist, testified at the trial that the crime scene was poorly managed. We've all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. The island is small and gifted with loads of hidden gems and completely deserted bays. koh tao murders crime scene photos - Sozyaz.com Best Contents 2023 - 2022 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 . [31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". ", Mrs Miller said: "It's been hard, very hard. Valentina Novozhenova 2017; It has long had a reputation as a home for organized crime, corruption and as a place where the police protected local interests. 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. Bangkok Post - Topic 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. They claim they did not receive an autopsy report and say his body was sent against their wishes to the same Bangkok hospital that carried out botched reports on the bodies of two Brits murdered on the same island in 2014. [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. However, no toxicology report was conducted. [14][22] The police moved the bodies to prevent them being swept up in the rising tide. But they were skeptical and he was fit and healthy at the time of his death. September 23, 2014 5:57 AM EDT T he brutal murder of British tourists Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, on the Thai resort island of Koh Tao, has reverberated around the world.. 92 Visitor. Some 200 children have died in one nation after taking toxic cough syrups. [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. [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". [85][15][86] Prayut said that British and Burmese government representatives were "limited to observation" and had to "respect our processes". The head of the country's Central Institute of Forensic Science found that the DNA on the hoe did not match the defendants. Despite claims of a fall, he had no broken bones. They said Wai Phyo found the mobile phone dropped on the beach, and so he kept it. Koh Tao murders: "Person of interest" (updated Tuesday) Police received the initial report at 4.45pm on Friday. Koh tao murders hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy "So for an hour the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller looked and listened as crime scene pictures were shown in court.". Ten days after he went missing from Sairee Beach on Koh Tao, the body of Swiss tourist Hans Peter Suter, 44, was washed ashore at Talay Ngam beach in Lang Suan district of Chumphon province on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. The mysterious Koh Tao - Death Island in Paradise [76], The International Commission of Jurists said "the defense must be afforded adequate time and facilities to explore whether the alleged destruction of evidence in this case was appropriate and unavoidable, and to test the prosecution case overall." [48], The guilty verdict resulted in widespread protests in Myanmar. German Bernd Grotsch's body was found at his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. Thaiger Video Monday, March 7, 2022 Less than a minute We've all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. But "Turtle Island" has its dark side. How to go BANGKOK to KOH TAO? Tickets | 2023 - Northern Vietnam Hiroshi 2002; 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. Post-mortems found that Hannah had died from head wounds, while engineering student Mr Miller suffered severe blows to his head and drowned. They had been brutally beaten to death just a few feet away from their hotel rooms. [47] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission attempted to investigate the allegations, but police representatives did not appear at four scheduled meetings. Administratively it is a subdistrict (tambon) of Ko Pha-ngan District (amphoe) of Surat Thani Province. [33][34] Over 200 individuals on the island, many of them migrant workers, were tested in mass DNA testing. THE BEST Grozny Game & Entertainment Centers (with Photos) How are they ever going to get closure and justice if they dont know what happened? Hi there! Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 2015. A police officer told the trial of the severe injuries Miss Witheridge suffered and evidence she had been raped. [36] Footage near the crime scene also showed one of the three men running into a shortcut. The police were under pressure to produce results quickly, which affected how they conducted their investigation. The economy of the island is almost exclusively centered on tourism, especially scuba diving. Witheridge was travelling with three other friends, and Miller with two others. [38] Police entered the home the next day; only one of the men, Zaw Lin, was present. [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. 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. Its just really shoddy investigation work- I personally think theres something going on on that island. [5][6] Both were students who were backpacking in Thailand. Rocio Gomez; [70] Wai Phyo was also convicted of theft for allegedly stealing a phone and sunglasses from Miller's body. They stated they were driven by a desire to rape the victim following sexual arousal when they saw the couple kissing on the beach. Dimitri Povse 2015; At least eleven European tourists have died or disappeared there since 2014 and it is now described as Death Island or Murder Island. Only if they are not beautiful. He later apologized, saying that he meant only that foreign visitors should be careful. Available for both RF and RM licensing. [49] Wai Phyo was also charged with stealing Miller's phone. THAILAND VS INDONESIA LIVE STREAMING - latestly.com Virat Asavachin (Mr Ban) 2002; Measuring 21 square kilometres (8sqmi) in area, it is the smallest of three popular tourist islands in the Gulf of Thailand. The DNA analysis in the case, which was not subject to independent oversight or verification, was provided to the court as a one-page summary with four supporting pages, some of it handwritten with amendments. Staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. Bernd's cousin Christina said: ''We cannot accept what the Thai authorities on the island are telling us. [11][19] Several other suspects were also named, amid pressure to produce results, a new one every other day. 0 0. A mistake that many forensic experts say jeopardized the entire investigation.Throughout the investigation and criminal trial, the Thai government and police were heavily criticized by human rights organizations, legal experts, and the media. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. It leaves Khao San Songserm at either 1800 or 1900. We admit that in the past, there was a mafia there that took advantage of tourists. 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. An unexplained fire that evening burned down three bamboo huts, including the one Elise had been staying in. Heightened vigilance has been urged for all countries after two new deadly virus cases were detected in humans in China. Frenchman, Dimitri Povse, 29, was found hanging from the beam of a rented house on January 1, 2015. [20] Both bodies were found semi-naked;[21] a pile of clothes was found nearby. 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! [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. View our online Press Pack. He told the Sun Online: "We want justice. 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. 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 +17 View gallery The 23-year-old. (Washington D.C., February 27, 2023) - The Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) in Riyadh, used to prosecute "terrorism" cases in Saudi Arabia, has charged six former prominent SCC judges and four former judges of the High Court, the country's supreme court, with "high treason" - a crime punishable by death in Saudi Arabia - in its first secret hearing of the case on February 16, 2023, said . [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". 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. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. There were no signs of a struggle or rape or other human DNA. 10 July 2015. [21][25] There was tearing present at the vulva, bruising on the perineum, and a bite mark on her right nipple. 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. [51], The prosecution also claimed the defendants entered the country in violation of the Immigration Act of 1979. Koh tao murder hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy 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. 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. Lightboxes. Two Burmese migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaq Htun, both 21, have been accused of murdering the two backpackers and of raping Hannah. A royal commutation does not require an admission of guilt. [50], An 18-day trial began on 8 July 2015 in the Koh Samui Provincial Court. [1][15][21], During an hours-long interrogation, during which the police used Burmese food vendors as interpreters[35] because the pair could not speak Thai,[41] the suspects confessed to the murders. Police recovered the body and took it to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan. By. An English human rights activist by the name of Andy Hall asked me to put him in touch with the Melbourne forensic expert, Jane Taupin which I did. Thailand's dark side: why you really shouldn't visit Koh Tao Bernds family in Ingolstadt, Germany, said that the authorities told them he had died of heart failure or had been bitten by a snake. GRAPHIC crime scene photos showing the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. Rockefeller Audio 2022. 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. Both were found dead on the bottom of a swimming pool at a seaside resort on Koh Tao in Surat Thani. Yearly, many professional photographers visit this lodge to capture herds of elephants crossing the dry lake in search of water . The suspects however have withdrawn their confessions to the murders and claimed Thai police forced the admissions through torture. Khao San Lomprayah - 2100 arrives Koh Tao 0845 > check prices for Bangkok to Koha Tao night bus and ferry and book now. Thailand: Koh Tao Murder Trial Exposed. Ugly Truth of 'Land of Smiles He said more security cameras would be installed on beaches. [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. 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. The suspects were initially denied access to legal counsel, and alleged that police used torture and threats to secure a confession. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. What really happened there? 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. Bernd Grotsch 2017; In January 2014, 25-year-old Nick Pearson was found dead in the sea below a cliff while visiting the island. They also raised concerns with the absence of legal counsel prior to the confession, as well as difficulties with translation and interpretation. [4], The victims of the murders were Hannah Witheridge, a 23-year-old from Hemsby, England, and David Miller, a 24-year-old from Jersey, a Crown Dependency. [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. 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. 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. The Backpacker Murders Of Koh Tao. What Really Happened There? British backpacker murders: Anonymous hacks Thai police websites in Zaw Lin was said to have entered between 2011 and 2012, and Wai Phyo in 2012. A great number of Western backpackers have died under unexplained circumstances on this tiny tropical island in the past years. 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". 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? Their findings were never made public, but were shared with the families of the victims. Miller had scratches on his back and water in his lungs indicating drowning. With crystal-clear waters, perfect sandy beaches, palm trees and great nightlife. [54] They argued that the defendants intended to kill Miller, using a hoe to hit him multiple times on the head. "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. Some of these workers said they can earn more money in Thailand compared to Myanmar. Verdicts in the case are not expected until October. "I only had my suspicions, his body came back to me without a wallet or anything on him. Available for both RF and RM licensing. [82][83] The UK government expressed concerns with the investigation, and summoned a Thai diplomat in London to discuss them. These included backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, who were found murdered on the . He had entered the country on September 26, 2018, before traveling to the island, where stayed at the Monsoon Gym and Fight Club. Our kids all died on Koh Tao 'death island' - cops claim they were At the time rumours of secret CCTV footage, inconclusive blood samples and a mysterious Swedish man, made Christinas dad suspicious. 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. I was good friends with a few and they were all restaurant/bar owners. Both entered through the Ranong Province, allegedly without presenting themselves at a port of entry and without possessing a passport. 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. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. [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. Island authorities sued the online news site for violating the Computer Crime Act, which outlaws uploading false information online. They think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like, the prime minister said. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope Mr Sachathamakul's wife, Anshoo. 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. [23] Local residents blocked the pier to prevent the unidentified killers from leaving the island. "They won't come forward because they know something is going to happen to them," he added. We beg that Hannah and David are afforded privacy and dignity through the removal of these pointless and insensitive reminders. 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.. Coincidentally, pictures of Bernd with a snake were to be found online. 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.