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Thai police expand DNA tests to find tourists' killers | Thai police expand DNA tests to find tourists' killers |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Thai police are expanding DNA testing on the island where two British tourists were murdered last week. | Thai police are expanding DNA testing on the island where two British tourists were murdered last week. |
Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found dead on Koh Tao on 15 September. | Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found dead on Koh Tao on 15 September. |
Police say they want to test every male on Koh Tao, including fishermen and boat drivers who may have visited the island at the time of the killings. | Police say they want to test every male on Koh Tao, including fishermen and boat drivers who may have visited the island at the time of the killings. |
Initial tests show DNA samples found on the bodies almost certainly came from two Asian men. | Initial tests show DNA samples found on the bodies almost certainly came from two Asian men. |
However, police believe at least three people were involved in the attack. | However, police believe at least three people were involved in the attack. |
Rewards offered | Rewards offered |
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok said the police have been stung by criticism of their performance and are now throwing resources at the investigation. | The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok said the police have been stung by criticism of their performance and are now throwing resources at the investigation. |
Marine police have been sent to check fishing boats operating around Koh Tao and officers are checking reports the British pair had been arguing with some local men in a bar shortly before they were killed, he said. | Marine police have been sent to check fishing boats operating around Koh Tao and officers are checking reports the British pair had been arguing with some local men in a bar shortly before they were killed, he said. |
He added that residents on the island had raised about £15,000 as a reward for information leading to a conviction. | He added that residents on the island had raised about £15,000 as a reward for information leading to a conviction. |
Thai police are also offering a reward of about £4,000 for information leading to arrests, and some 150 officers have been deployed on the island. | Thai police are also offering a reward of about £4,000 for information leading to arrests, and some 150 officers have been deployed on the island. |
There are usually five police officers on the small island of Koh Tao, which has a population of about 2,100. However, it is visited by between 400,000 and 500,000 travellers every year. | |
According to post-mortem examinations, Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, died from head wounds while Mr Miller, from Jersey, was killed by severe blows to the head and drowning. | According to post-mortem examinations, Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, died from head wounds while Mr Miller, from Jersey, was killed by severe blows to the head and drowning. |
A bloodstained garden hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, was found nearby. | A bloodstained garden hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, was found nearby. |
The body of Ms Witheridge has been brought back to the UK. Her family released a statement, saying they were "broken" by her death. | The body of Ms Witheridge has been brought back to the UK. Her family released a statement, saying they were "broken" by her death. |
"As a family we feel enormous relief to have Hannah back at home where she belongs," they said. | "As a family we feel enormous relief to have Hannah back at home where she belongs," they said. |
"We continue to work closely with officers to assist in the investigation and bring those responsible to justice. | "We continue to work closely with officers to assist in the investigation and bring those responsible to justice. |
"Our family is broken and require time to grieve in private - as do Hannah's many friends." | "Our family is broken and require time to grieve in private - as do Hannah's many friends." |
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