The island of Koh Tao, off the coast of Thailand, is often described as a paradise. [4][11][14] Their bodies were discovered on Sairee Beach a few hours later, between 4 and 5am, by a mute Burmese beach cleaner. HARROWING photos of the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. The head of the country's Central Institute of Forensic Science found that the DNA on the hoe did not match the defendants. 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.. It is always challenging to bring ACCURATE & RELIABLE information about violent crime on Koh Tao because too many people are frightened to speak out publicly and still others try to SHOOT THE MESSENGERS . Now their families are demanding answers. On Koh Tao it meant a man living their life as a woman. View our online Press Pack. Suter had been a regular snorkeler and his death was totally unexplained. GermanBernd Grotsch, 47, was found deadat his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. For other inquiries, Contact Us. [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. Our family have been further traumatised by reports that there are numerous unnecessary and senseless photographs circulating across the internet. 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 had been brutally beaten to death just a few feet away from their hotel rooms. [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. His body was found at the beach at the Hillside Resort on Koh Tao, on January 1, 2014. Read about our approach to external linking. [15] Experts have considered the forensic investigation to have been incompetent, and to have possibly framed the suspects. She was said to have died of natural causes after mixing antibiotics she was taking for a chest infection with alcohol. 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. "We'll go with the flow as much as we can. Thai authorities claimed he was drunk and fell, but his family believes he was murdered.. These illegal workers often reside with friends on the island, making it difficult to identify them. Both entered through the Ranong Province, allegedly without presenting themselves at a port of entry and without possessing a passport. [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]. Lightboxes. 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. She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16, but failed to do so. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Create an account. [42][43] Early police reports said Miller's mobile phone was also found in Zaw Lin's home,[44][45] although the media had previously reported the phone was handed to police by a friend of the victim. Theres a disproportionate amount of suspicious deaths on that island- and the link is that none of the families believe the police investigation or the information theyve been given. 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. On Tuesday, new details emerged as police investigated the death of a wealthy billionaire industrialist and his wife on Ko Tao last Friday. 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. A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind. 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. Samui Times defended its reporting in an online post. [1] Receiving half a million visitors each year,[1] Koh Tao is especially popular with backpackers and known for its marine life and scuba diving. Despite claims of a fall, he had no broken bones. Thai beach deaths DNA evidence . They also found a suicide note at the scene. Investigators had no theory to explain her unexpected stopover on Koh Tao on her way back to the mainland and the capital Bangkok. [5][6] Both were students who were backpacking in Thailand. Six weeks on . It has over 100 hotels and resorts and was deemed the busiest diving centre in Southeast Asia in 2014. [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". [5][40] The commutation was welcomed by Miller's family. 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. Hotels near The Heart of Chechnya Hotels near State Gallery named after A. Koh Tao is in the Chumphon Archipelago. Witheridge was travelling with three other friends, and Miller with two others. [52] The suspects were defended pro bono by two lawyers from the Lawyers Council of Thailand. [87][88] The protests angered Thailand's prime minister, who believed the demonstrations were a plot "instigated" to hurt the government. 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. After searching, All rights reserved. "Then I started thinking what's going on here?". Hannah was a fun, vibrant and beautiful young woman who will be sorely missed by all who knew her. The two men deny murdering Miss Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey. Unfortunately, the Thai defence lawyers did not call Ms Taupin to give evidence even though she was available. Andy was assisting the defence lawyers. Taupin was ultimately not allowed to testify by the defence, and these issues were not raised by the defence until their closing statement. 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. He started another business in neighboring island Koh Phayam before returning in March 2018 to "tie up loose ends". 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. [31] A British defence lawyer, Felicity Gerry QC, said the trial was "far too rushed and unfair to the defense". [47] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission attempted to investigate the allegations, but police representatives did not appear at four scheduled meetings. The items were still there are 3 am and he called the police. Here are the names of some of the other outsiders who died on Koh Tao: Ian Jacobs 2000; [33][34] Over 200 individuals on the island, many of them migrant workers, were tested in mass DNA testing. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun). There were no witnesses. Police on the resort island of Koh Tao are investigation the drowning death of a wealth business man and his wife. But "Turtle Island" has its dark side. 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. 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. [1][31] Pornthip Rojanasunand, a Thai forensic scientist, testified at the trial that the crime scene was poorly managed. 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". To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Constance Marten seen leaving court after appearing before magistrates charged with manslaughter of baby, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon blow each other a kiss in dock before court hears dead baby was found in bag in shed, Mum identified after dead baby is found on Canford Heath, Thai police covered up what really happened, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). The Koh Tao murders had a big impact on the island, it left a very deep impression! [93] Amid the investigation, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul visited Koh Tao on 28 September 2014 in an attempt to reassure tourists. It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. Despite claims of a fall, he had no broken bones. Allegations about police brutality rocked the countrys economy that almost solely relies on tourism. 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? Part of the reason for coming out, was to go to Koh Tao. When Nick Pearson died the police didnt go to his room, they didnt interview anybody. There were no signs of a struggle or rape or other human DNA. 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. The body had to be identified using dental records and previous X-rays. 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". 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 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. The authorities said he had died after striking the diving board from which he was jumping. [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. For example, she discovered that one of the DNA labs that conducted tests at the time only had accreditation to do paternity tests and not criminal profiling in a capital murder case. Koh Tao Murders: No DNA match with Warot in first test results By Coconuts Bangkok Oct 31, 2014 | 5:40pm Bangkok time Preliminary results today found no link between Warot Tuwichian and DNA police say was collected from the scene of two murders on Koh Tao last month. 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. koh tao murders crime scene photos. [31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". 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. [26][27] However, her clothes were not tested for DNA. Again when Christina Annesley died police didnt interview the last person she was seen with while she was alive. Many raised concerns that contamination cast doubt upon the forensic evidence: officials, journalists and tourists were seen walking around the crime scene, and Thai police did not use trained or independent specialists to collect forensic evidence. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Koh Tao murders: 'Asian man' seen on CCTV sought for q uestioning Probe into murder of two Britons on Koh Tao Manhunt on Koh Tao after tourists found brutally murdere d on beach British tourists murdered, stripped on Koh Tao beach Topics: Bangkok, Features Join the Coconuts conversation with a comment. They stated they were driven by a desire to rape the victim following sexual arousal when they saw the couple kissing on the beach. The island of Koh Tao is located in Southern Thailand. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope 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.. The families have opened up in Sky's new documentary, Death On The Beach, saying they believe Thai police covered up what really happened to their loved ones. [28], Due to concerns the murders might affect foreign tourism into Thailand, the national authorities sought to expedite the investigation into the murders. [50], An 18-day trial began on 8 July 2015 in the Koh Samui Provincial Court. Bernd's cousin Christina said: ''We cannot accept what the Thai authorities on the island are telling us. 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. They believed he had accidentally drowned and he was thought to have been dead for around 12 hours when his body was retrieved. 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. Samyak Choudhary; and We admit that in the past, there was a mafia there that took advantage of tourists. [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". 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. I just listened to your full podcast about Koh Tao with considerable interest. Nick Pearson, 25, was found floating in an island bay, at the foot of a 50ft drop by scuba divers in the sea after he disappeared following a night out with his family on New Year's Eve. Direct quotations from the trial are unavailable, as the judges did not permit the public to take notes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, The families are not satisfied with the investigation by the Thai authorities, Christina Annesley was found dead on the beach in January 2015, Thai authorities said Ben Harrington,32, died when he crashed during a moped ride, The families have not been satisfied with the investigation of the Thai authorities, Luke Miller was found dead at the bottom of a pool, Elise Dallemange was found dead in the jungle in Koh Tao, The Curse of the turtle was released earlier this month, Bernd Grotsch from Germany was found dead at his house in Koh Tao, Valentina Novozhyonova vanished from her hostel, Suzanne Buchanan is determined to find out the truth about Koh Tao, Our kids all died on Koh Tao death island cops claim they were accidents but we think they were MURDERED, Headteacher sacked 'after sending parents a list of striking teachers' as school launches probe, Isle of Innisfree ferry: Blaze breaks out on boat carrying 183 people in English Channel as lifeboats scramble to scene. [20] Both bodies were found semi-naked;[21] a pile of clothes was found nearby. Tony Witheridge bowed his head as bloody images of. 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. I have created a Facebook page and a YouTube channel dedicated to looking into tourist deaths on Koh Tao. [1][4][24] Witheridge's body indicated she had been raped. Hiroshi 2002; The autopsy stated he had drowned. And the same goes for Luke Millers mum Sara Cotton. Christina Annesley 2015; Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong had some stern words for China over any role it might play in the war in Ukraine. My Facebook page is called KOH TAO DEATH ISLAND. [36] Footage near the crime scene also showed one of the three men running into a shortcut. He was found hiding on the boat later on 2 October. In pictures: Thailand beach murders Show all 12 It has also been claimed that vital DNA evidence linking the two suspects to the death of Miss Witheridge no longer exists - so cannot be retested.. Some of these workers said they can earn more money in Thailand compared to Myanmar. 2023 BBC. 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. [82][83] The UK government expressed concerns with the investigation, and summoned a Thai diplomat in London to discuss them. [61], On July 10, the court ordered the DNA to be retested. Koh Tao murders: Thai court upholds death penalty for two men convicted of killing British backpackers . 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. [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. Island authorities sued the online news site for violating the Computer Crime Act, which outlaws uploading false information online. Top Rotherham Self-Guided Tours & Rentals: See reviews and photos of Self-Guided Tours & Rentals in Rotherham, England on Tripadvisor. Boyne Annesley believes his 23-year-old daughter Christina Annesley, of Orpington, southeast London, was murdered on Koh Tao Island in January 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. [88][89] Hacker group Anonymous published a video on 3 January 2016 criticising the verdict. We won't comment on the trial process. The suspects were initially denied access to legal counsel, and alleged that police used torture and threats to secure a confession. [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. 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 . [51] The defence provided a separate explanation for the events on the night. 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. Death sentences in Koh Tao killings commuted. 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.. "They said they were going to cremate him the next day - I had to call the Home Office to stop the cremation. Pathologist Dr. Michael Biggs told the hearing that there were many injuries on Nick's body, including to the head, limbs, and face. 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. The following month Russian Valentina Novozhyonova, 23,vanished from her hostel sparking a police search. [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". The owner of a 5 star hotel in Phuket and his wife were found dead at the bottom of their hotel swimming pool on the island of Koh Tao on Friday afternoon. From: kohtao. In 2018 in Cancn alone, there were 540 murders. In fact, during one 36-hour spell in April last year, nine people were murdered there. 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. The more I was getting involved, the more I was reporting, the more upset the Thais would get," she added.