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Thai police question brothers over beach murders

Thai police are questioning two brothers following the murder of two British backpackers in Thail...
Newstalk
Newstalk

14.45 17 Sep 2014


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Thai police question brothers...

Thai police question brothers over beach murders

Newstalk
Newstalk

14.45 17 Sep 2014


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Thai police are questioning two brothers following the murder of two British backpackers in Thailand. Chris Ware, a friend of one of the victims and his brother James have been told not to leave the country, but haven't been arrested.

The brothers who have not been arrested, were questioned as forensic experts revealed that David Miller died from drowning and a blow to the head.

Hannah Witheridge died from a blow to the head. 

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Pornchai Sutheerakune, head of the Thai Institute of Forensic Medicine, said Mr Miller also had wounds on his hand, indicating a struggle had taken place.

Sky's Jonathan Samuels, on Koh Tao, where the murders happened, said Chris Ware has been spoken to by police after he booked into a hotel at Bangkok airport.

It is the second time he has been questioned by officers. He was initially questioned in the hours after the murders by officers who were concerned about an injury to his arm.

Police were satisfied with Mr Ware's explanation and he was told he was free to go, but officers later caught up with him in Bangkok to speak to him again. 

"Once we receive the physical examination report, including a DNA test, we will be able to determine if he was involved in the incident," a police officer said.

Samuels said James Ware had also spoken to police.

The semi-naked bodies of Mr Miller, 24, and 23-year-old Miss Witheridge were discovered on a beach early on Monday. Police said the pair sustained horrific injuries, with both suffering deep wounds to the head and face.

A bloodstained garden hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, was found near to the bodies.

Samuels said it was understood Chris Ware was a friend of Mr Miller's.

Police are also focused on tracing a suspect - an Asian man - captured on grainy CCTV footage, shortly after the murders.

It shows what appears to be a topless man who officers say was acting suspiciously as he left a beach party near the murder scene.

He is captured running past the security camera at 3.44am and is seen again an hour later walking down the same street.

More than 70 Thai police have been questioning migrant workers and tourists on the island, visiting hotels, bars, homes and businesses.

 


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