03/01/2006

Murder investigation launched into Briton’s death in Thailand

Police have launched a murder investigation, following the discovery of the body of a British student in Thailand.

The body of Katherine Horton, 21, was found in the sea of the island of Koh Samui yesterday morning.

She had last been seen on Sunday night, walking along the beach, reportedly talking to her family on her mobile phone.

Dr Pattana Kitkailart, who conducted the post-mortem examination, said that Miss Horton had wounds on her head from being hit with a blunt object and that there were also signs, on her body and arms, that she had been dragged.

Dr Kitkailart said that it was not yet known if Miss Horton had been raped and said that further tests would be carried out.

Major Thanongsak Aksornsom, chief investigator on Samui island, said that Miss Horton had been dead for less than 12 hours, before her body was discovered by a jet-skier around 10am local time on Monday.

Miss Horton’s parents and two older brothers have issued a statement through police. It said: “We will miss her warmth, her vivacity and her passion for life. She brought us so much happiness and words cannot express the emptiness we feel at our loss.”

(KMcA)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 January 2006
Funeral held for Katherine Horton
A family funeral service has been held today for Katherine Horton, the backpacking student who was murdered in Thailand on New Year's Day. Around 200 mourners attended the service at St Isan's Church in Llanishen, including Miss Horton's parents and her two brothers. Following the service the coffin was taken to Thornhill Crematorium.
11 January 2006
Thailand murder - accused appear in court
Two Thai men accused of the rape and murder of British tourist Katherine Horton have appeared in court. Bualoy Kotsith, 23 and Vichai Suankhaoyai, 24, were arrested on Monday in connection with the 21-year-old Cardiff student's death.
06 January 2006
DNA tests conducted in Thai murder inquiry
Police in Thailand have been collecting DNA samples from a number of men as the search for the killer of British student Katherine Horton. The body of Miss Horton, 21, from Cardiff, was found off the island of Koh Samui on Monday. An autopsy revealed that she had been beaten before being dragged into the sea.
13 January 2006
Pair face sentencing for Thailand murder
Two Thai fishermen are awaiting sentence for the rape and murder of British tourist Katherine Horton. Bualoi Posit, 23 and Wichai Somkhaoyai, 24, pleaded guilty to the charges against them at the court in Surat Thani in southern Thailand. The case has now been adjourned until Wednesday, when the men will face sentencing.
12 January 2006
Trial begins in Thai murder case
The trial of two fishermen accused of the rape and murder of British student Katherine Horton has begun in Thailand. The trial of Bualoi Posit, 23, and Wichai Somkhaoyai, 24, had been brought forward due to pressure from Thailand's government over the case.