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| Thailand murders: British man questioned after new forensic evidence | Thailand murders: British man questioned after new forensic evidence |
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| A British man has been questioned by police in relation to the murders of two Britons found dead in Thailand. | A British man has been questioned by police in relation to the murders of two Britons found dead in Thailand. |
| The man, a backpacker who was questioned earlier in the investigation before being cleared, has also been subjected to a DNA test and been told to remain on the island of Koh Tao until the results come back. | The man, a backpacker who was questioned earlier in the investigation before being cleared, has also been subjected to a DNA test and been told to remain on the island of Koh Tao until the results come back. |
| The semi-naked bodies of David Miller, 24, and 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge were discovered on a beach on the island early on Monday, prompting a large investigation that has involved more than 70 Thai police so far. | |
| Autopsies on the pair, who were found close to the beachside bungalows where they had been staying, were carried out on Wednesday and indicated that Witheridge died from head wounds, while Miller had suffered severe blows to the head and drowned in the surf. Police have said that a bloodstained garden hoe found near to the scene of the murders was believed to be the murder weapon. | |
| The British man who has been questioned spent time with the victims in the days before they died, with some reports suggesting he had shared a room with Miller. Police Colonel Kissana, deputy Thai police spokesman, said the man had not been arrested but was questioned early on Wednesday and asked to remain on Koh Tao while police await the results of the tests. | |
| "Once we receive the physical examination report, including a DNA test, we will be able to determine if he was involved in the incident," he said. | |
| Kissana added that six Burmese nationals arrested over the incident after raids on their accommodation on Tuesday remained in police custody and had also undergone DNA testing. | |
| The BBC reported that the British man and his brother were stopped at Bangkok International airport as they prepared to leave the country, having become the focus of investigation again as a result of new forensic evidence. | |
| Panya Mamen, police commander of the Thai region encompassing Koh Tao, told Phuketwan, the Phuket news website: "David Miller's luggage contains a pair of bloodstained pants, which adds to the mystery." | Panya Mamen, police commander of the Thai region encompassing Koh Tao, told Phuketwan, the Phuket news website: "David Miller's luggage contains a pair of bloodstained pants, which adds to the mystery." |
| In another development, police released CCTV footage on Tuesday night of a man of Asian appearance seen walking near the scene of the murders, who they suspect of involvement. The Thai police have concentrated the investigation on migrant workers and tourists, visiting hotels, bars, homes and businesses as they search for the killer. | In another development, police released CCTV footage on Tuesday night of a man of Asian appearance seen walking near the scene of the murders, who they suspect of involvement. The Thai police have concentrated the investigation on migrant workers and tourists, visiting hotels, bars, homes and businesses as they search for the killer. |
| A spokesman for the British embassy in Bangkok, which released a statement on Tuesday saying they had no information to suggest any British national was a suspect in the investigation, said that this was still the case. "The investigation is a matter for the Thai authorities," he said. | |
| Witheridge, from Jersey, has been described by her family as "a beautiful, intelligent, loving young woman who poured joy into the lives of all who knew her". The family of Miller, from Hemsby, in Norfolk, said he was "hard-working, bright and conscientious, with everything to look forward to". | Witheridge, from Jersey, has been described by her family as "a beautiful, intelligent, loving young woman who poured joy into the lives of all who knew her". The family of Miller, from Hemsby, in Norfolk, said he was "hard-working, bright and conscientious, with everything to look forward to". |