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Thailand beach murders: Burmese man confesses to murder of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, police say Thailand beach murders: Two Burmese workers confess to murder of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, police say
(about 2 hours later)
A Burmese man has confessed to the murder of British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in Thailand, police have said. Two Burmese workers have confessed to killing British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on a Thai holiday island, police have said.
Ms Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found near to where they were staying on the island of Koh Tao, on September 15.Ms Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found near to where they were staying on the island of Koh Tao, on September 15.
Police said three Burmese workers had been detained and one had admitted to killing the tourists, during the investigation. Major General Kiattipong Khawsamang said two of three Burmese workers questioned by police had admitted murdering the couple. He said the other man denied involvement.
Police have previously said they believe three people were involved in the attacks.
The island has a large community of migrants workers from nearby Burma, also known as Myanmar.The island has a large community of migrants workers from nearby Burma, also known as Myanmar.
Deputy national police chief General Jaktip Chaijinda told Reuters: "The investigation has advanced considerably." "Three Burmese workers were detained and we took their DNA for testing. During the investigation one of them admitted to killing the two foreigners," he said.
Police have been under pressure from the government to solve the case as Thai authorities warned the killings would damage the country's tourist industry.Police have been under pressure from the government to solve the case as Thai authorities warned the killings would damage the country's tourist industry.
Jaktip said the man who had confessed was being detained but had not been arrested.
"We still have to wait for DNA tests results which we expect to have in 14 hours from now in order to confirm this," he said.
Earlier this week police said the female victim was raped by two men while another watched before she was murdered.Earlier this week police said the female victim was raped by two men while another watched before she was murdered.
Speaking to the Bangkok Post, Lieutenant General Panya Mamen, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said: "Two of the suspects raped and killed Witheridge while another one witnessed the murder."
Officers have collected 200 DNA samples from people on the island after tests carried out on Ms Witheridge’s body revealed traces of semen from two different men.
Lieutenant General Jaktip Chaijinda said police will wait for the results of DNA tests from the suspects to see if they match the samples.
Police chiefs look at a beach near the spot where bodies of two killed British tourists were found on the island of Koh TaoPolice chiefs look at a beach near the spot where bodies of two killed British tourists were found on the island of Koh Tao
Lieutenant General Panya Mamen, police commissioner for the island of Koh Tao, told the Bangkok Post: "Two of the suspects raped and killed Witheridge while another one witnessed the murder. Mr Miller's father Ian has said he believes his son stepped in to help Miss Witheridge.
"We're confident we have a very high chance of finding the suspects."
Post-mortem examinations revealed that 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.Post-mortem examinations revealed that 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.
Around 150 police officers have been posted to Koh Tao as part of the murder investigation.