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. A Thai/Indian couple circa June 2021. 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. The discovery of the bodies last September sparked a major police investigation and intense local and international pressure to find those responsible. I'm asking if they wear bikinis in Thailand, will they be safe? 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. 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. 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. 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. A great number of Western backpackers have died under unexplained circumstances on this tiny tropical island in the past years. These illegal workers often reside with friends on the island, making it difficult to identify them. [80][81], The Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, said "[foreign female tourists] think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like. [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. [26][27] However, her clothes were not tested for DNA. It is not known who released the photos from the crime scene. [30] Thailand's National Human Rights Commission said "the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the two Myanmar workers were dubious, leading to impressions the suspects were not aware of their rights and that justice had not been done". They still maintain their innocence, as they did throughout the trial. 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? I just listened to your full podcast about Koh Tao with considerable interest. An inquest had been held in 2014 as his death was being treated as suspicious. The hearing was told that a post-mortem examination in Thailand showed that Mr Miller had a number of small bruises on his face and legs and gave a cause of death of head injuries and drowning. Koh Tao, where Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered, is steeped in paradoxes. It leaves Khao San Songserm at either 1800 or 1900. Some sources also refer to Wai Phyo as Win Zaw Htun. 2040 / 2557, Regional Court of Appeal VIII No. The body had to be identified using dental records and previous X-rays. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. [25] There were no known eyewitnesses to the murders. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Koh Tao's dark side: dangers of island where Britons were murdered There were no signs of a struggle or rape or other human DNA. "There has been lots of chit-chat on the internet. [1][31] Pornthip Rojanasunand, a Thai forensic scientist, testified at the trial that the crime scene was poorly managed. The governor of the island said he had instructed the district chief to file criminal charges against the local online news outlet Samui Times in 2017 after it ran an article that questioned the police account of deaths and referred to Koh Tao as Death Island. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Creepy There is a big chance you will fall in love with this little paradise. "So for an hour the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller looked and listened as crime scene pictures were shown in court.". 851 River diver Videos, Royalty-free Stock River diver Footage 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. Download videos of River diver on Depositphotos Millions of high-quality, royalty-free stock videos, footage and clips at affordable prices. Read about our approach to external linking. Thailand Vs Indonesia Odi Live Streaming Autopsy points to sex, struggle in Koh Tao murders - Bangkok Post Koh Tao Mayor Chaiyan Thurasakul said the website is accused of damaging Koh Taos reputation by calling it Death Island. Post-mortems found that Hannah had died from head wounds, while engineering student Mr Miller suffered severe blows to his head and drowned. However, the event did not materially affect tourism to the island over the following years. View our online Press Pack. Thai beach murders: First pictures of British tourists killed Koh tao murders hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy 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. 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. Unfortunately, the Thai defence lawyers did not call Ms Taupin to give evidence even though she was available. He said more security cameras would be installed on beaches. Derby coroner Louise Pinder said there was not enough evidence to say how he died and recorded an open verdict. "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. 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. "What we're after are some answers- whether we are going to get them or not I don't know. 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). Both were found dead on the bottom of a swimming pool at a seaside resort on Koh Tao in Surat Thani. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. He started another business in neighboring island Koh Phayam before returning in March 2018 to "tie up loose ends". Koh Tao Murders March 28, 2022 courtneyjfretwell Uncategorized 1 Comment In September 2014, two European backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found murdered on Sairee Beach on Thailand's island of Koh Tao. Khao San Lomprayah - 2100 arrives Koh Tao 0845 > check prices for Bangkok to Koha Tao night bus and ferry and book now. A police officer told the trial of the severe injuries Miss Witheridge suffered and evidence she had been raped. 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. Picture: Viral Press/Australscope [85][15][86] Prayut said that British and Burmese government representatives were "limited to observation" and had to "respect our processes". Nick Pearson, 25, was found floating in an island bay, at the foot of a 50ft drop on New Years Day 2014. The families dont believe a word of the Thai police investigation. Verdicts in the case are not expected until October. 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. But among some foreigners, Koh Tao has taken on a more sinister reputation. 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[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. Thai beach murders: Death sentence upheld by Supreme Court The government of Thailand was concerned the murders might affect tourism to the island, with arrivals dropping in the months following the murders. Yoshie Sazawa (Sharlyn) 2004; Police concluded she wanted to break a deep-diving record at more than 24 meters. The Koh Samui Provincial Court has set 24 December as the date to deliver its judgement on two Myanmar men, Zaw Lin and Zaw Ein Htun (aka Wai Phyo), who are accused of murdering two British tourists on Thailand's Koh Tao Island on September 15 last year. Samyak Choudhary; and [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. Ms Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, and Mr Miller, from Jersey, were murdered on the popular holiday island on September 15. [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. [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". They stated they were driven by a desire to rape the victim following sexual arousal when they saw the couple kissing on the beach. We won't comment on the trial process. Death sentences in Koh Tao killings commuted. With crystal-clear waters, perfect sandy beaches, palm trees and great nightlife. They are said to have confessed to the crime but later retracted their statements. Both entered through the Ranong Province, allegedly without presenting themselves at a port of entry and without possessing a passport. And at least six young Brits have all died in suspicious circumstances on the small island of Koh Tao, leading their loved ones to label it "Death Island". A royal commutation does not require an admission of guilt. [1][4][24] Witheridge's body indicated she had been raped. [1][51] According to an observer, the sittings lasted over ten hours each day. Suter had been a regular snorkeler and his death was totally unexplained. Two weeks later, two illegal Burmese migrant workers were blamed for the deaths, primarily on the basis of DNA evidence, and confessed following an hours-long interrogation. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Shared On: 28th Dec, 2022. HARROWING photos of the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. Enterprise. 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. 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. WARNING CONTAINS SOME DISTURBING IMAGES OF DEATH. The police were under pressure to produce results quickly, which affected how they conducted their investigation. 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. [7] Witheridge had completed undergraduate studies in education at the University of East Anglia and had started post-graduate studies in speech and language therapy at the University of Essex. Thailand's dark side: why you really shouldn't visit Koh Tao Date set for judgement on Koh Tao murder suspect case Elise Dallemagne 2017; Eight days later locals living near Tanote Bay found Elise's body after becoming suspicious of a monitor lizard going back and forth into the jungle. 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". [51] The defence provided a separate explanation for the events on the night. The family has contested the police version of events. The authorities said he had died after striking the diving board from which he was jumping. Today, we have gotten rid of them.. Shocked cries in Ko Tao billionaire's death - Thai Examiner 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. By. [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". Witnesses said items belonging to the Moldovan were seen in the early hours of Tuesday morning and police were alerted. We admit that in the past, there was a mafia there that took advantage of tourists. Thai police are investigating their deaths as . [31] They focused on foreign nationals, with a spokesperson for the police claiming "Thais wouldn't do this". It covers an area of about 21 km2. Silje Mathisen 2014; Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. [5][6] Both were students who were backpacking in Thailand. 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. 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. Sun 23 Nov 2014 10.54 EST. He told the Sun Online: "We want justice. [23] Local residents blocked the pier to prevent the unidentified killers from leaving the island. 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 "At first, we accepted what the Thai authorities had said because we knew no different. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun). [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. "They won't come forward because they know something is going to happen to them," he added. The reporter was forced to leave the country she lived in for 20 years after Thai authorities issued an arrest warrant accusing her of publishing false information and violating the computer crime law.. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Koh Tao, Thailand: Photo of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge Murder He announced that he had "ordered all security-related agencies to track down those who are behind the Myanmar demonstrations". German Bernd Grotsch's body was found at his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. "I have no proof that Ben was murdered. The two men deny murdering Miss Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey. Martin Totland - Wedding Photographer - Ivory Grove | LinkedIn But many cases appear very suspicious according to family members and insufficiently investigated. Bergen Area, Norway. Koh Tao Murders: Is Koh Tao Safe in 2023? - Traveltomtom.net [11][19] Several other suspects were also named, amid pressure to produce results, a new one every other day. 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? The island off the Surat Thani province coast has gained notoriety after a string of suspicious and sensationalised deaths over the years. 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. The two are charged with the murder of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, on . The items were still there are 3 am and he called the police. I was good friends with a few and they were all restaurant/bar owners. [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. Koh tao murder hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy GRAPHIC crime scene photos showing the corpses of English backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have surfaced online, traumatising their families. The evidence in the form of this Unendorsed Report would have been ruled as inadmissible in US courts and other Western courts. Belgian backpacker Elise Dallemagne, 30, was found hanging from a tree on April 27, 2017. Top Kurunegala Forests: See reviews and photos of Forests in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka on Tripadvisor. Zaw Lin, front, and Wai Phyo (also known as Win Zaw Htun), rear, arrive at the court in Koh Samui, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Mother who killed her five children euthanised, Bakhmut attacks still being repelled, says Ukraine, Zoom boss Greg Tomb fired without cause, Alex Murdaugh jailed for life for double murder, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus. 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.. In September 2014, two European backpackers, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found murdered on Sairee Beach on Thailands island of Koh Tao. Koh Tao murders: "Person of interest" (updated Tuesday) Outcry from the international community over the death penalties upheld [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). In 2018 in Cancn alone, there were 540 murders. 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. [11], An autopsy revealed that both victims were hit by a hard object resulting in head and face wounds. "So my suspicions are that it was a mugging that went wrong. Some 200 children have died in one nation after taking toxic cough syrups. [90][91], The 2014 murders, along with other deaths and disappearances of tourists, led to British tabloids labelling Koh Tao as "Death Island". To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. THE BEST Grozny Game & Entertainment Centers (with Photos) [87][88] The protests angered Thailand's prime minister, who believed the demonstrations were a plot "instigated" to hurt the government. Murder of two backpackers on the island of Koh Tao SAIREE BEACH, KOH TAO, THAILAND - SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 British tourists Hannah Witheridge (23 years old) and David Miller (24 years old) enjoyed their holiday in Thailand on the famous island of Koh Tao. We've all heard about the 2014 backpacker murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao, Thailand. How to go BANGKOK to KOH TAO? Tickets | 2023 - Northern Vietnam However, no toxicology report was conducted. Shelley Bot 2017; "We'll go with the flow as much as we can. 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. A backpacker from Belgium, Elise Dallemagne, 30, was found hanged in the hillson the island on April 28, 2017. 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. [61], On July 10, the court ordered the DNA to be retested. ", Mrs Miller said: "It's been hard, very hard. 2023 BBC. The suspects however have withdrawn their confessions to the murders and claimed Thai police forced the admissions through torture. My Facebook page is called KOH TAO DEATH ISLAND. Dark side of Koh Tao: The seven tourists found dead on Thailand's Deaths have been explained away by the authorities as unfortunate accidents or suicides. Since then the Samui Times has been inundated with . 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". Both victims had been hit several times on the head; Witheridge had been raped, and Miller had been drowned. [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. The Koh Tao murders had a big impact on the island, it left a very deep impression! 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. Again when Christina Annesley died police didnt interview the last person she was seen with while she was alive. [51][56][57] They argued that the defendants, since they were vulnerable as illegal migrant workers, were scapegoated by the police for the crime. 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. Rocio Gomez; [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. Zaw Lin was not convicted of this charge because he held a work permit for the two years preceding the murders. 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 . David Miller 2014; Virat Asavachin (Mr Ban) 2002; The police investigation and criminal trial were widely criticised by international media, human rights organisations, and legal experts. Thai murders: Backpacker killers face execution | Herald Sun 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. GermanBernd Grotsch, 47, was found deadat his home deep in the jungle in the Mae Haad part of Koh Tao. He later apologised for the comment after it was met with public backlash. Top Rotherham Self-Guided Tours & Rentals: See reviews and photos of Self-Guided Tours & Rentals in Rotherham, England on Tripadvisor. The Samui Times believes that it is in the best interests of any visitor to the island to be aware of the numerous tourist deaths and the fact that many families of those who died on the island are not satisfied with police investigations.. [74], The investigation was met with criticism by international media, human rights groups, and legal experts. She was dedicated, ambitious and would have made an amazing difference to the lives of many families through her chosen career as a Speech and Language Therapist. (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 . 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. The real story of the 2014 Koh Tao Murders : r/myfavoritemurder - Reddit But, he said that most of these would have been present prior to his death, although he could not completely rule out the possibility that Nick had been attacked. Aug 2014 - Dec 20217 years 5 months. Koh Tao murders - Wikipedia While his death was ruled as suicide cops could not explain why his hands are tied behind his back. Luke Miller 2016; Resting in the Gulf of Thailand, a two-hour ferry ride north of Koh Samui, Koh Tao is best known for its incredible marine life, which over the years has attracted a small but buoyant expat. 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. A coroner ruled in 2017 said that there is "no evidence" to suggest Luke was murdered. A judge found the workers guilty and sentenced them to death despite questions about DNA evidence and the police handling of the case. The autopsy stated he had drowned. Although Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, it has always been shrouded by a dark mystery.