After two months of diligent work, authorities completed the investigation into the alleged murder and dismemberment of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta by Spanish national Daniel Sancho. On Monday, the report was handed over to the Prosecutor’s Office of Samui Island in southern Thailand.
The Prosecutor’s Office on Samui confirmed to EFE that it received the document today from the Police Station on Phangan, the neighboring island where the crime is believed to have occurred on August 2.
The Prosecutor’s Office now must prepare its own report and submit it to the Samui district court before October 28. The judge will determine if a hearing will proceed on that date.
Between August 7, when Sancho was brought to Samui for questioning, and today, the police and prosecutors had a total of 84 days to compile the case.
Temporary prison
Following a ruling by the Samui Provincial Court, Sancho remains in temporary custody. A lawsuit has been filed charging premeditated murder and body concealment, charges that the Spaniard has acknowledged in court statements.
It remains unclear whether the final report maintains these charges; during the investigation, officials occasionally released fragments of information with Surachate Hakparn, the police deputy commander, who has been under scrutiny for alleged corruption. His situation appears separate from Sancho’s case.
Multiple sources told EFE that the revelation of such information did not affect the Spanish studies, as Surachate was not directly involved in preparing the report or conducting the investigations.
Approximately 30 people took part in the overall investigation, including detectives, forensic specialists, divers, and investigators, along with around 20 witnesses, according to a preliminary police document.
Admission
Sancho, aged 29, was arrested on Phangan on August 5. He acknowledged involvement in the murder and dismemberment of the Colombian surgeon, whose remains were scattered across the island and surrounding sea in the days leading up to the latest disclosures.
Police explained that the case took longer to close than initially anticipated due to inconclusive results from blood and DNA analyses. Tests were sent to several laboratories after assignments from Phangan.
Reports indicate that the defendant had been living in Thailand without counsel since September 7. Rodolfo Sancho, the defendant’s father, terminated the services of Thai attorney Anan Chuayprabat (Kunh Anan) citing inconsistencies in the defense strategy.
Sancho, who has appeared before the judge electronically during his detention, must appoint a Thai lawyer once the hearing begins. If he fails to secure representation, the judge may assign counsel ex officio in accordance with local procedure.