GUILTY Thailand - David Miller, 24, & Hannah Witheridge, 23, Koh Tao, 15 Sep 2014

[Hiandmighty]

I found the photos by googling "British tourists crime scene photos" but a giant warning-- the web site I was led to had disgustingly offensive gifs running next to the photos-- I had to use my hand to shield it.

But if you stay on the google images page (with all images) you can get an idea what everyone is talking about.

I agree with what has been said so far-- she clearly was the target. He barely looks injured and looks to be almost sleeping. (Though in the end, he is as dead as she is).

She was desecrated. Obliterated. Left in an un dignified way.

 

[Hiandmighty]

Apparently he had a large neck wound on the back, which I didn't see in the photos. He may have been more attacked than I originally thought.

 

[Lulu14]

Ok, I saw the pictures. Hannah looks to have no other injuries outside the head ones, I find that odd. I would not be surprised if they wanted to rape her, but were unable, which would explain their rage.

 

[ellie b]

This is pure rumour, but IMO is a very likely scenario -

It is being said that Hannah was receiving some unwanted attention that night in the bar from a local man. The local man apparently is the son of an influential island (Kho Tao) family. David intervenened and there was an altercation in the bar. It is said that the Thai man left and gathered a/some friends together to wait for Hannah and/or David along the beach. A few of the bar staff left promptly, apparently, because they were working there illegally.

There are a few reasons why I believe that this scenario is highly possible, in fact, probable. Having spent quite a lot of time in Thailand, I have come accross this "law unto themselves" concept before, particularly on small islands, where there are small corrupt police forces who get paid off by rich local landowners. Also, most murders in Thailand are a result of arguments or "losing face", which would be the case in the above scenario. Locals would be too scared to say what they saw for fear of retribution. The police, certainly the local ones, would be under the thumb of the local land owning families (of which there are apparently 3 in Kho Tao). It seems that presently no Thai's are suspects, I am afraid to say that I expect that this awful case will never be officially solved.
MOO MOO

 

[dotr]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/18/thailand-murders-dna-link

"Relatives of one of the victims, Hannah Witheridge, 23, paid tribute to her as they flew in to the country to meet investigators.

In a statement, they said: "She was selfless and caring and made each and every day that little bit more wonderful. Our family are utterly devastated and shocked by what has happened to our beautiful Hannah. To lose her in the way that we have is beyond comprehension."


<<<<snip>>>


"Miller's family said: "David was an artist by temperament, so talented. He had a creative eye that he carried with him through life and in his degree. He was hardworking, bright and conscientious, with everything to look forward to. David was very giving to his family and friends and we all adored him. He will be sorely, sorely missed."

 

[Hiandmighty]

This is pure rumour, but IMO is a very likely scenario -

It is being said that Hannah was receiving some unwanted attention that night in the bar from a local man. The local man apparently is the son of an influential island (Kho Tao) family. David intervenened and there was an altercation in the bar. It is said that the Thai man left and gathered a/some friends together to wait for Hannah and/or David along the beach. A few of the bar staff left promptly, apparently, because they were working there illegally.

There are a few reasons why I believe that this scenario is highly possible, in fact, probable. Having spent quite a lot of time in Thailand, I have come accross this "law unto themselves" concept before, particularly on small islands, where there are small corrupt police forces who get paid off by rich local landowners. Also, most murders in Thailand are a result of arguments or "losing face", which would be the case in the above scenario. Locals would be too scared to say what they saw for fear of retribution. The police, certainly the local ones, would be under the thumb of the local land owning families (of which there are apparently 3 in Kho Tao). It seems that presently no Thai's are suspects, I am afraid to say that I expect that this awful case will never be officially solved.
MOO MOO

This theory makes a lot of sense. I've also read a lot of speculation about meth on the island. Maybe combine the two..... Violent murder.

 

[Lulu14]

I hope they do find and punish whomever did that, despite the corruption.

I can't even imagine how the parents feel.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Jesus. Just seen the pics and wish I hadn't. I sincerely hope their parents (especially Hannahs) never see them, sickening....

 

[Forensics]

It appears that there were two perpetrators to Hannah's rape...

Police found the DNA of two people in semen taken from Witheridge's body, the chief of Thailand's forensic police, Pornchai Suteerakune, told Reuters on Thursday. The DNA does not match Miller's, nor any of the samples taken from those questioned over the murders.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/thai-pm...h-tourists-20140919-10j2ln.html#ixzz3DiNU5aPx

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Surely they can tell the nationality of the perps from the samples taken? I am sure DNA holds a link to it but perhaps it's not a standard/easy thing to check.

I wish the British police could investigate this, seems like there is a lot of evidence but I fear the Thais will want to cover up wrongdoing by one of their own....

 

[dotr]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29277280


"BBC south-east Asia correspondent Jonathan Head said the Thai police investigation had been a "sometimes farcical performance".

He said they had initially ruled out native suspects, saying no Thai person would commit such a crime, and had also failed to seal off the crime scene or prevent people leaving Koh Tao after the killings.

The victims' bodies were found close to the beach-side bungalows where they had been staying, and a garden hoe believed to have been used in the attack was found nearby."

 

[dotr]

Were two men sharing one cigarette?..

"A cast-aside butt from a cheap cigarette has provided police with a vital clue in their search for the killers of British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

DNA from two men has been found on the cigarette - and the DNA from at least one of them has been found in semen taken from the body of 23-year-old Miss Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth.

Two senior police officers suggested last night that the cheap cigarette suggested the killers were either Thais, Burmese immigrants - or expatriates who have lived on Koh Samui island for a long time and have started smoking the LM brand".

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ple-weapons-used-kill-pair.html#ixzz3Dm7k015a
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

[LarkBunting]

It's a small island, correct? They can identify racial makeup from the DNA, correct?

Well, do that, then if the DNA samples can be identified as belonging to Thai men, test every Thai male on the island & all those visiting the island at the time. If the samples can be ID'ed as belonging to men that are not Thai, test every non-Thai male on the island & all non-Thai males who were visiting the island. It may just be easiest to test every male on the island & all those who were visiting, eliminating racial identification entirely (not sure how long it takes to determine that from DNA or how it would work in a case of a man with mixed racial heritage, etc.).

I know this could get hairy. Could they legally test teenage boys under 18 (with parental consent?), as we know crimes are committed by those under & over 18? And, it would obviously be pointless to test elderly, infirm males in a nursing home, for example, as they wouldn't have the physical capacity or strength to commit a crime such as this.

I'm sure some would be angered at the request for a DNA sample, but I like to think if I were asked in a situation such as this, knowing I was innocent, I would provide a sample for the good of the investigation (& not worry so much about government tracking or something).

This crime upsets me so much. Anyone who can rape a woman & pulverize two people with a garden hoe does not deserve to breathe the same air as the rest of us.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Police now possibly looking for a female attacker??

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...tourists-flock-spot-British-duo-murdered.html

 

[sar2them1984]

Unfortunately I feel they are just clutching at straws now

 

[LarkBunting]

Unfortunately I feel they are just clutching at straws now

I've certainly never heard of a female who could leave DNA evidence in the form of semen. WHAT IS GOING ON?

I think the Brits need to investigate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dotr]

I've certainly never heard of a female who could leave DNA evidence in the form of semen. WHAT IS GOING ON?

I think the Brits need to investigate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Perhaps a female born as a male and not quite yet finished " transformation', or a male simply dressed in " female" attire..

 

[dotr]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-seek-help-from-FBI-on-DNA-30243708.html


"He simulated what might have happened including focusing on the distance between the location where the bodies were found and a hoe believed to be the murder weapon.

Witnesses near the crime scene told police they saw three men near in the area on the night of the murders.

A tourism police commander, Maj-General Atichai Ti-amart, said police were also looking for a foreign woman captured on CCTV running near the crime scene.

Police investigators continued to gather more evidence yesterday, focusing on trying to identify an Asian man seen in CCTV footage at the time of the murder."

 

[gia2]

I'm sure some would be angered at the request for a DNA sample, but I like to think if I were asked in a situation such as this, knowing I was innocent, I would provide a sample for the good of the investigation (& not worry so much about government tracking or something).

Respectfully snipped. I agree that the police should begin testing anyone who could possibly be a suspect based on the DNA found, I wonder what laws are in place regarding taking samples from people who aren't suspects. It would certainly help to identify the race of the perps.

If I were an innocent man being asked for a DNA sample on that island though, I would certainly object. I would only give my DNA if I were able to do so at the facility where it would be analysed. Just by reading about the way the police handled the crime scene I'd have no confidence at all that my sample would not be mixed up with someone elses.

I've been away for a couple of days and just bringing myself up to date on the case. I didn't think I could be any more upset and disgusted about a crime. Turns out I was wrong. I felt physically sick reading that semen traces of two men were found, and that neither was David's. I hope this will be a bit of comfort to David's girlfriend, but it somehow made this crime seem all the more horrific. I feel so upset reading about Hannah's injuries and that David clearly fought hard to save them. I just can't believe people exist in this world who can do this to people, especially to people such as Hannah and David who do sound genuinely like wonderful, kind and caring people.

 

[gia2]

I've certainly never heard of a female who could leave DNA evidence in the form of semen. WHAT IS GOING ON?

They're not suggesting a female attacker left semen, they've stated they believe 3 people took part in the attack (two male rapists and a female).
The police suspected two or more people were involved from very early on, reports now state police believe there were at least 3 attackers. I wonder if that is based on anything more than small footprints being found at the scene (remember the scene wasn't secured properly) and the CCTV which police believe shows a female in the area around the time of the attack. I hope they have more evidence than that!