A YouTube chef has been charged with murdering and dismembering a Colombian surgeon on a Thai island.
Daniel Sancho Bronchalo has been charged with premeditated murder, which carries a possible death penalty, and with concealment of a body to cover up the death, said Surat Thani provincial police commander Saranyu Chamnanrat.
The 29-year-old was taken from the tourist island of Koh Phangan, where the remains of Edwin Arrieta Artaega were found, to the island of Samui where he is being held, Mr Saranyu added.
Last week Thai media reported plastic bags containing the body parts of a man, later identified by police as Mr Arrieta, 44, were found at a landfill on Koh Phangan, an island famous for its monthly “full moon” parties.
Police said Mr Sancho, who is the son of Spanish film stars Rodolfo Sancho and Silvia Bronchalo, came in to report a missing person after the body parts were found and was subsequently detained.
He later confessed to killing and dismembering Mr Arrieta and then dumping the body parts in the landfill and sea, though he denied it was premeditated, the police said.
Mr Saranyu declined to elaborate when asked about the motive, but said it was likely because of a personal relationship between the suspect and victim.
Security camera footage broadcast by Thai media reportedly taken a day before the body parts were found showed Mr Sancho and Mr Arrieta on a motorbike together.
Regional police chief Surapong Thanomchit told public broadcaster Thai PBS Mr Sancho was seen buying a knife, rubbish bags and cleaning solutions before Mr Arrieta’s death.
Colombia providing assistance to victim’s family
The Spanish embassy in Bangkok said it was aware of a crime involving a Spanish man but declined to give further information because of data protection legislation.
Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement on its website on Sunday thanking the Thai police for their investigation. It said it was providing assistance to the family of the victim.
