Tributes to "loving son" as Thai murder trial opens

Wednesday 08 July 2015

The heartbroken family of Jerseyman David Miller have paid tribute to their “loving son and brother” as they arrived in Thailand for the beginning of the trial of the two men accused of his murder.

Mr Miller (24) and Hannah Witheridge (23) were brutally murdered in the diving resort island of Koh Tao in September.

The defendants accused of their murder – young Burmese migrant workers Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo – could face the death penalty if convicted.

Mr Miller’s family have released a statement ahead of the start of the proceedings, in which they said that he had called them just hours before his murder talking about how much he loved the place in which he was staying.

They said: “We have travelled to Koh Samui for the start of the trial into the horrific murder of our loving son and brother David Miller, and Hannah Witheridge.

“The act which ended David's life devastated our family and his friends. Just hours before he died David was talking to us with his usual enthusiasm, describing the beauty of Koh Tao and the friendliness of the Thai people. Over the coming weeks we hope to gain a better understanding as to how such a wonderful young man lost his life in such idyllic surroundings in such a horrible way.

“This pain will remain a part of us for the rest of our lives. We have borne our thoughts in silence as we have not wanted to influence any court proceedings, but simply want to see justice done fairly and openly. We ask the media to afford David and Hannah dignity in the reporting of this trial and also that we are given privacy and respect while we battle with our emotions during the difficult weeks ahead.

“Finally we would like to thank all David's friends and our family for the unwavering support they have provided following the senseless act that took David from us.”

The first witnesses as the prosecution lays out its case have been reported to be police investigators, a beach cleaner and staff from a restaurant near to where the bodies were found.

David was in Thailand on holiday after completing his degree in Civil and Structural Engineering at Leeds University – he was en route to a six-week work placement with a mining company in Australia, and was due to return to his studies for a Masters course.