Thai Police Search For Backpacker Over Double Murder

16 September 2014, 06:04 | Updated: 16 September 2014, 06:12

Police in Thailand are continuing to search for a backpacker linked to the brutal murders of a British man and woman on one its idyllic islands, according to reports.

The manhunt began after the bodies of David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, aged 23, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, were discovered semi-naked on a beach in the divers' paradise of Koh Tao yesterday.

A bloodstained hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, was found nearby.

The British authorities were aware of reports about the suspect and a source said they were ``looking into them urgently''.

Locals were reported to have blockaded Koh Tao's only pier to prevent the killer escaping.

It was not thought the victims were a couple, but had met recently on the island.

Their bodies were found on a rocky section of the shore around 100 yards from the scene of a beach party.

Investigators were checking CCTV from local bars and restaurants at the usually-peaceful destination.

The Foreign Office have released a statement saying:

"We are aware of the death of two British nationals on 15 September on the island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. The Embassy are urgently seeking information from the local authorities and Consular staff stand ready to provide assistance to friends and family at this tragic time.
 
"The Consul from Bangkok is travelling to Koh Tao as soon as possible."