Photographs of the bodies have been circulating on the internet. Alexandr Bucspun, 33, from Moldova, was found dead in the sea off Had Sai Ree on Koh Tao on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. The last known video footage of the Russian woman showed her walking to Chaloke Hin Kao bay and never coming back. "There was no compassion at all- he had to go down to identify the body which he couldn't do and while he was sitting there the police were just laughing. Regional Surat Thani governor Chatpong Chatphum said the Koh Tao murders had dealt a serious blow to tourism. There were apparently no signs of robbery or attack in the room at the hotel where Alexandr had been staying. News back pack murders in koh tao 2014 koh tao koh tao island mystery news in Thailand Thaiger news thailand thailand crime Thailand News thailand tourist thailand tourist . Their explanations as to why these kids have died just dont add up- you dont have to be a pathologist or a doctor to know what weve been told is nonsensical.. https://time.com/3955081/thailand-koh-tao-murder-david-miller-hannah-witheridge-zaw-lin-wai-phyo-burma-myanmar/, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/dark-side-koh-tao-seven-10708561, https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/true-crime-in-the-outdoors/tag/Cases+on+the+Death+Island+of+Koh+Tao, https://www.nist.gov/feature-stories/dna-mixtures-forensic-science-explainer. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. 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 body had to be identified using dental records and previous X-rays. 92 Visitor. The images shown to the court were graphic, reports Jonah Fisher in Thailand. If you are interested, I have further information on my social media accounts. "I only had my suspicions, his body came back to me without a wallet or anything on him. On Tuesday, new details emerged as police investigated the death of a wealthy billionaire industrialist and his wife on Ko Tao last Friday. [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. [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 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". We won't comment on the trial process. 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. 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 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 . The following month Russian Valentina Novozhyonova, 23,vanished from her hostel sparking a police search. Nick Pearson 2014; Hannah was raped before she was killed. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. Read about our approach to external linking. Last modified on Wed 29 Nov 2017 23.45 EST. 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. "[56] Attempts to appeal the sentence to the High Court in 2017 were unsuccessful. A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. 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. (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 . From the beginning, the Thai police had difficulty securing the crime scene. [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". They think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like, the prime minister said. Attempts to appeal the sentence failed, but a royal decree was issued by King Vajiralongkorn in 2020 commuting the death sentences to life imprisonment. 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. The convictions were mired in controversy, with supporters of the two men arguing they had been framed because their initial confessions were made under duress. The government of Thailand was concerned the murders might affect tourism to the island, with arrivals dropping in the months following the murders. [90][91], The 2014 murders, along with other deaths and disappearances of tourists, led to British tabloids labelling Koh Tao as "Death Island". [10], Witheridge and Miller travelled and arrived on the island separately on 25 August. [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. His family accused the Thai police of a cover-up. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: joanromans.com, +49803921568627, +34972573012, +34643318517 Focs i Estufes Romans - Joan Romans [1] Police revealed that the samples from Witheridge's body were used up,[62][27] but were able to provide DNA samples from the murder weapon. There were no signs of a struggle or rape or other human DNA. [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". 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. Koh tao murders Stock Photos and Images (50) See koh tao murders stock video clips RM 2D0FFR6 - A police searches for clues near the spot where bodies of two killed British tourists were found, on the island of Koh Tao September 19, 2014. World put on alert as deadly virus spreads, Hundreds dead in horror cough syrup tragedy. They still maintain their innocence, as they did throughout the trial. Death sentences in Koh Tao killings commuted. Exclusive location in the Kitirua Conservancy. The two men were convicted and sentenced in 2015 and the verdict was upheld by an appeals court in 2017 and the Supreme Court in August 2019. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope 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. [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". 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? David Miller 2014; Hotel owner Rakeshwar Sachathamakul has been found dead along with his wife in a luxury resort on Koh Tao. The defendants have repeatedly stated their innocence over the murders, with the defence alleging they were framed. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. A woman Povse had been interested in said he had called her twice on the phone that night but she had not picked up because she had been asleep. DESPITE its flawless beaches and crystal seas, Thailand has earned a deadly reputation after 60 Brits died there between 2014 and 2016 alone. Doubts lingered over the conviction of two migrant Burmese workers for the rape and murders, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun). Bernd had also recently separated from his wife, Oey, a Koh Tao native, with whom he had a seven-year-old daughter, Bene, who had been living for the last two years with his sister, Monica, in Germany. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. 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. We are here for David because of his tragic death. Thailand's paradise island murder mystery continues to baffle police, BBC's south-east Asia correspondent reports from Koh Tao. 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? 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. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. 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". Available for both RF and RM licensing. They suggested that she mixed antibiotics with alcohol- as much as that would make the antibiotics less efficient or make you feel bad, its not going to kill you. Zaw Lin was said to have entered between 2011 and 2012, and Wai Phyo in 2012. Anthony Cardullo 2013 (USA); 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. GermanBernd Grotsch, 47, was found deadat his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. 10 July 2015. The items were still there are 3 am and he called the police. [61], On July 10, the court ordered the DNA to be retested. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Four months later, eight bodies were found after a cartel murder spree. Police on the resort island of Koh Tao are investigation the drowning death of a wealth business man and his wife. Deaths have been explained away by the authorities as unfortunate accidents or suicides. Elise's mother Michele van Egten says she does not believe the Thai police's version of events amid fears authorities are working to suppress speculation about the many murders on the island. It has a population of around 1,500 people and the main settlement is Ban Mae Hat. Silje Mathisen 2014; The police quickly closed the inquiry, stating that he had drowned whilst swimming. Upon arriving at the scene, police officers and rescue workers discovered the bodies of Mr Rakeshwar . [33][34] Over 200 individuals on the island, many of them migrant workers, were tested in mass DNA testing. BBC correspondent Jonah Fisher said Miss Witheridge's father and brother sat with their heads bowed as the evidence was presented in court but continued listening. 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. Only if they are not beautiful. He later apologized, saying that he meant only that foreign visitors should be careful. [31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". [87][88] The protests angered Thailand's prime minister, who believed the demonstrations were a plot "instigated" to hurt the government. CTN News. [11], An autopsy revealed that both victims were hit by a hard object resulting in head and face wounds. [1][51] According to an observer, the sittings lasted over ten hours each day. 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.. We have done our own investigation and we are sure she was murdered. Some were murdered, some died in suspicious circumstances and some died in avoidable accidents. Date: July 24, 2022. 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 . Unfortunately, the Thai defence lawyers did not call Ms Taupin to give evidence even though she was available. WARNING CONTAINS SOME DISTURBING IMAGES OF DEATH. But "Turtle Island" has its dark side. 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. None of the families believe that the way the police said they died is actually how they died and they are all very unhappy with the investigation. 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. 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. Thailands prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, questioned the attire and behavior of foreign female tourists shortly after the killing of two British backpackers, David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on the island in 2014. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong had some stern words for China over any role it might play in the war in Ukraine. Elise went 1.5 miles (2.5km) through the jungle to Tanote Bay and took a room at the Poseidon Resort where she booked another ticket for Bangkok leaving on April 24. [21][25] There was tearing present at the vulva, bruising on the perineum, and a bite mark on her right nipple. [15] Experts have considered the forensic investigation to have been incompetent, and to have possibly framed the suspects. The island is small and gifted with loads of hidden gems and completely deserted bays. It was said the pair went swimming on the same beach earlier that night, and when they got out of the water they found their clothes had disappeared. How are they ever going to get closure and justice if they dont know what happened? [15] Public prosecutors initially rejected the report, asking for "certain flaws" to be fixed, more information to be supplied, and for the report to be made "more succinct". Police concluded she wanted to break a deep-diving record at more than 24 meters. Ms Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, from Jersey, were murdered on the popular holiday island on September 15. Photograph: Alamy. The following morning the family raised the alarm when Nick failed to answer the door. Read about our approach to external linking. [51][21] The trial was attended by external observers, including representatives from Amnesty International and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 2015. HARROWING photos of the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. Bernd Grotsch 2017; Their bodies were found on a beach on the island of Koh Tao last September. Koh Tao ''Turtle Island'' or Ko Tao is an island in Thailand and is part of the Chumphon Archipelago on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. ", Mrs Miller said: "It's been hard, very hard. [36] Footage near the crime scene also showed one of the three men running into a shortcut. They also raised concerns with the absence of legal counsel prior to the confession, as well as difficulties with translation and interpretation. Speaking at the court, Mr Miller's father Ian said he and his wife Sue had come "with an open mind", adding that it had been an emotional time for the family. [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. He told the Sun Online: "We want justice. 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.. 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. Dimitri Povse 2015; After searching, All rights reserved. She added: "They didn't do any investigation at all. Koh Tao murders: Thai court upholds death penalty for two men convicted of killing British backpackers . Hannah was also raped in the attack. He started another business in neighboring island Koh Phayam before returning in March 2018 to "tie up loose ends". [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. He announced that he had "ordered all security-related agencies to track down those who are behind the Myanmar demonstrations". 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. The family has contested the police version of events. [85][15][86] Prayut said that British and Burmese government representatives were "limited to observation" and had to "respect our processes". [72] The Supreme Court of Thailand upheld the sentence in August 2019, stating that the police handled the case correctly and the forensic evidence was "clear, credible, and detailed". "I got him home and they had a proper postmortem - most of his bones were broken but the one bone that wasn't broken was his neck and there was no evidence of his face looking towards his back. 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. On September 20, 1988, Tara Calico left her home in New Mexico to go on a bike ride she took, In November 1981, actress Natalie Wood mysteriously drowned off the coast of Southern California during a boating trip with her, In July 2014, 52 year old Lynn Messer mysteriously disappeared from her familys 260-acre farm in Bloomsdale, Missouri. Pathologist Dr. Michael Biggs told the hearing that there were many injuries on Nick's body, including to the head, limbs, and face. 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. We are furious that we have not been able to have an approved independent forensic examination.". We've all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. Are there serial killers operating on the island, with their crimes apparently insufficiently investigated so that the tourist industry remains protected?