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Thailand beach murders: Killer still at large as DNA tests show 'no match' with British backpackers questioned over killing of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge Thailand beach murders: Killer still at large as DNA tests show 'no match' with British backpackers questioned over killing of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge
(4 days later)
The killer of two British tourists is still at large today after police said forensic tests had revealed DNA taken from the bodies of the two victims did not match samples taken from 12 potential suspects - including two other British backpackers.The killer of two British tourists is still at large today after police said forensic tests had revealed DNA taken from the bodies of the two victims did not match samples taken from 12 potential suspects - including two other British backpackers.
Police in Thailand had earlier said they were questioning two British men - believed to be brothers - who had shared a room with the murdered British man, and had taken DNA samples from them. Now, they have announced the tests have come up with no match.Police in Thailand had earlier said they were questioning two British men - believed to be brothers - who had shared a room with the murdered British man, and had taken DNA samples from them. Now, they have announced the tests have come up with no match.
The announcement, late on Wednesday, would suggest police are now having to rethink who was involved in the killings.The announcement, late on Wednesday, would suggest police are now having to rethink who was involved in the killings.
The post-mortem tests carried out on 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge and 24-year David Miller showed the young woman died from severe head wounds while the man had suffered head injuries and then drowned in the ocean - perhaps after trying to fight off his attacker.The post-mortem tests carried out on 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge and 24-year David Miller showed the young woman died from severe head wounds while the man had suffered head injuries and then drowned in the ocean - perhaps after trying to fight off his attacker.
Maj Gen Pornchai Suteerakune, Thailand’s forensics police chief, said tests carried out on Ms Witheridge’s body revealed traces of semen from two different men.Maj Gen Pornchai Suteerakune, Thailand’s forensics police chief, said tests carried out on Ms Witheridge’s body revealed traces of semen from two different men.
Neither sample matched with DNA from Mr Miller, the two brothers or nine migrant Burmese workers who were also initially questioned and asked to provide a DNA sample.Neither sample matched with DNA from Mr Miller, the two brothers or nine migrant Burmese workers who were also initially questioned and asked to provide a DNA sample.
Mr Pornchai said Mr Miller had wounds on his hand, indicating a struggle had likely taken place with whoever attacked him, according to the Associated Press.Mr Pornchai said Mr Miller had wounds on his hand, indicating a struggle had likely taken place with whoever attacked him, according to the Associated Press.
The partly naked bodies of the two tourists were found in the early hours of Monday on Koh Tao, an island in the Gulf of Thailand that is known as a popular diving resort.The partly naked bodies of the two tourists were found in the early hours of Monday on Koh Tao, an island in the Gulf of Thailand that is known as a popular diving resort.
They were found less than 100 metres from the location of where a beach party had been held on Sunday night. Police said a blood-stained hoe was found near the bodies and officers suspect it was the murder weapon.They were found less than 100 metres from the location of where a beach party had been held on Sunday night. Police said a blood-stained hoe was found near the bodies and officers suspect it was the murder weapon.
Mr Miller, from Jersey, and Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, had travelled to the island separately. Ms Witheridge, who was doing post-graduate work at the the University of Essex in Colchester, was travelling with three female friends and had only arrived on Koh Tao, or Turtle Island, three days before the incident. Both she and Mr Miller were staying at the Ocean View Bungalows. Mr Miller, from Jersey, and Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, had travelled to the island separately. Ms Witheridge, who was doing post-graduate work at the the University of Essex in Colchester, was travelling with three female friends and had only arrived on Koh Tao, or Turtle Island, three days before the incident. Both she and Mr Miller were staying at the Ocean View Bungalows. The bodies of British tourists Hannah Victoria Witheridge and David Miller arrive at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the Police General Hospital in Bangkok
Since the discovery of the bodies, police have made a series of shifting statements. Initially they said they suspected British tourists may have been behind the murders, before moving their focus to Burmese migrant workers, who often face discrimination in Thailand.Since the discovery of the bodies, police have made a series of shifting statements. Initially they said they suspected British tourists may have been behind the murders, before moving their focus to Burmese migrant workers, who often face discrimination in Thailand.
They then released CCTV footage that appeared to show an Asian man they wanted to question, before announcing on Wednesday that the focus of the investigation had shifted again back to the British backpackers.They then released CCTV footage that appeared to show an Asian man they wanted to question, before announcing on Wednesday that the focus of the investigation had shifted again back to the British backpackers.
The Thai general who seized power in a coup earlier this year, said he was concerned the crime could affect the country’s image. Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha sparked an outcry by appearing to question how tourists believed they could be safe in Thailand if they chose to wear bikinis.The Thai general who seized power in a coup earlier this year, said he was concerned the crime could affect the country’s image. Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha sparked an outcry by appearing to question how tourists believed they could be safe in Thailand if they chose to wear bikinis.
“There are always problems with tourist safety. They think our country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they want, they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere,” he told officials.  “Can they be safe in bikinis?”“There are always problems with tourist safety. They think our country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they want, they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere,” he told officials.  “Can they be safe in bikinis?”