Officials announced that the investigation into the murder and dismemberment of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta is now complete. The statement was delivered by Surachate Hakparn, the deputy director of the Thai Police, who confirmed the developments during a briefing on Koh Phangan, the southern island where the crime occurred. A Spaniard named Daniel Sancho has admitted his involvement in the case.
During the press conference, which took place on Koh Phangan, Hakparn referred to Sancho as the person at the center of the case. The announcement followed days of rapid progress, aided in part by cooperation from the Spanish suspect. Authorities indicated that the confession has been handed to prosecutors, who will set a date for trial proceedings. The next steps involve formal filings and preparation for the court, with the prosecutors reviewing all evidence before scheduling a hearing date [Thai police press briefing].
Hakparn noted that prosecutors can still use the remaining time allocated for the investigation to request additional material from police and to ensure all necessary documents are in order before a hearing is convened. The 83-day window that remains will allow for a thorough examination of the case, including any further examination of the evidence presented thus far [official update].
As part of the process, officials disclosed that an autopsy has not yet been performed on the remains linked to Edwin Arrieta. The judicial path will determine whether an autopsy is deemed necessary at a later stage or if alternative forensic analysis will suffice to support the charges. Sancho, who appeared in court earlier in the week, agreed to cooperate with investigators by participating in a reenactment of the events as part of the legal process and in the interest of clarifying the sequence of actions that led to the tragedy [court proceedings].
Details about the two men reveal that Arrieta and Sancho connected through social media, via Instagram, over the past year. Their relationship intensified to the point where they met in Phangan on August 2, the day authorities say the surgeon was killed and his remains were dispersed in several locations, including marine environments and other sites around the island. The progression of the case underscores the high-profile nature of the investigation in Thailand and the emphasis placed on it by national authorities [press coverage].
The involvement of a senior police official in the case has drawn attention to the seriousness with which Thai authorities are treating this matter. Surachate Hakparn, who has historically played a pivotal role in handling major incidents and cases involving unfamiliar or international elements, is underscored in this instance as a leading figure in coordinating the response and communications related to the investigation. The public emphasis on his role signals the government’s intent to pursue a thorough, transparent process as the legal steps unfold [public briefing].