How Thai holiday haven Koh Tao became known as ‘Death Island’ following the bizarre deaths of at least SIX tourists in just three years
It is thought around 750,000 people visit the backpackers' paradise every year
WITH crystal clear water and stunning greenery, the island of Koh Tao is seen as a backpackers' paradise.
However the Thai island has been dubbed "Death Island" on social media after six tourists died there in the space of three years.
It is thought around 750,000 people visit the island every year, being drawn to its idyllic setting.
Koh Tao is believed to be much safer than neighbours Koh Samui and Koh Phangan — home to the raucous Full Moon all-night beach party — with crime limited to petty theft and the odd fight.
As word spread of its stunning scenery, spectacular diving and €5-a-night huts, the surge in popularity saw it voted Asia's No1 island on TripAdvisor for two years.
But the illusion of a safe haven has since shattered following the deaths of a number of tourists.
reported the island has been dubbed "Death Island" amid wild speculation.
The latest death was bricklayer Luke Miller, from Newport, Isle of Wight, who was found at the bottom of a swimming pool at the Sunset Bar at Sairee Beach on the island on January 8 2016.
Since his death his family have accused Thai police of trying to cover it up.
A coroner ruled earlier this month that there is "no evidence" to suggest Luke was murdered.
The hearing was told that a post-mortem examination in Thailand showed that Mr Miller had a number of small bruises on his face and legs and gave a cause of death of head injuries and drowning.
Isle of Wight Coroner Caroline Sumeray said there was no evidence of murder and added: "It has been suggested this was a cover-up by the Thai authorities but there has been a very thorough police report."
She also said: "I can only record a conclusion based on the evidence before me, I cannot speculate about what may have happened. This is a court of law not a court of speculation."
Luke’s mother Sara Cotton wept after the verdict and vowed to continue the search for the truth.
She said: ''We are as satisfied as we could be with the verdict on the basis of the evidence the coroner had before her.
''But there are far too many inconsistencies in the police reports.We know what happened and we will continue to fight for justice. Luke was unlawfully killed.’'
In a statement following the hearing, James Gissing, who was in Thailand with Luke, said he felt "police were covering up as it was the death of another foreigner on Koh Tao".
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Mr Gissing's comments referred to Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk and David Miller, 24, of Jersey, who were killed on the island in 2014.
David was not related to Luke.
The pair were bludgeoned to death with a wooden hoe as they walked back to their hotel rooms late at night on a beach in Koh Tao.
Hannah was raped during the horror in September 2014.
Hannah's family said: "She was selfless, caring and made each and every day that little bit more wonderful. Our family are utterly devastated and shocked by what has happened to our beautiful Hannah.
";To lose her in the way that we have is beyond comprehension. We are heartbroken and no words can possibly describe how we feel."
David's family said: "He was hard working, bright and conscientious, with everything to look forward to."
Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, from Myanmar, were convicted of their murder after they initially confessed to the killings but later retracted their statement.
The three judges who handed down the guilty verdicts and death penalties concluded the prosecution proved its case with forensic evidence that met “international standards” linking the two men to the murders.
But Lin and Phyo launched an appeal against the death sentences disputing DNA evidence used to convict them.
A court in Koh Samui however upheld the sentences given to the migrant workers.
Judges said evidence presented at the trial in December 2015 was adequate and reliable.
On New Year's Day 2014, 25-year-old Nick Pearson, from Derby, was found floating in an island bay, at the foot of a 50ft drop. Despite claims of a fall, he had no broken bones. While police ruled out foul play, Nick's family, who say officers did not investigate a single witness, believe he was murdered.
Speaking at the time, mum Tracy said: "I want to warn parents to do anything in their power to stop their children going to Koh Tao because it is too dangerous.”
Frenchman Dimitri Povse, 29, was found hanged in a bungalow on the island on New Year's Day 2015.
His death was ruled as suicide but police could not explain why his hands were tied behind his back.
Later that month, graduate Christina Annesley, 23, from Orpington, South East London, died of natural causes after mixing antibiotics she was taking for a chest infection with alcohol. However, no toxicology report was conducted.
Her dad Boyne said: "We don't know how or why she died. She had medication for a chest infection and was drinking, but the Thai police failed to investigate if the combination was sufficient to kill her.
"There was no toxicology report. The lack of investigation astounds me."
In March it was reported Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao in mid-February - sparking a police search.
She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16 – but failed to do so.
A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind.
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