Thai update: police say a man has confessed to the murders

Thursday 02 October 2014

A man has apparently confessed to the murder of Jerseyman David Miller and a young woman from the UK in Thailand.

Police in Thailand have reported that a Burmese man has admitted murdering David (24) and 25-year-old Hannah Witheridge on a beach on the diving resort island of Koh Tao two-and-a-half weeks ago.

They said that the man was one of three detained for DNA testing.

A story carried by ITV and Sky News has quoted a senior Thai police officer, Lieutenant General Jaktip Chaijinda, saying that the investigation had taken a big step forward.

He said: “Three Burmese workers were detained and we took their DNA for testing. During the investigation one of them admitted to killing the two foreigners.

“We still have to wait for DNA tests results which we expect to have in 14 hours from now in order to confirm this.”

A Memorial Service for David Miller takes place in Trinity tomorrow.

In a statement earlier this week, David’s family paid tribute to him and said that he “brightened up the world”.

In the statement issued through the States of Jersey Police, they said: “We urge anyone who can help these investigations to please assist the Royal Thai Police in solving these murders and bringing the culprits to justice.

“We are confident that these people will be caught now or later.

“Now we would like to concentrate all our thoughts on our lovely David. Taken from us before his time and before he could blossom to his full potential.

He was our David. He was very special. He brightened up the world and we miss him terribly.”

The memorial service will be held at 3 pm at Holy Trinity Church and is for David’s friends and family – the Millers have asked the media not to approach the congregation.