- Homicide in the Vacation Utopia - Tragedy for the Film Star's Heir
Emotional Exit from Koh Samui Court
Leaving the Koh Samui Regional Court with evident emotions, Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho spoke solely to Spanish journalists: "Now it's all about continuing the battle, always continuing the battle." Moments prior, his 30-year-old son was handed a life sentence for the murder of a Colombian plastic surgeon in this tropical paradise. Reporters and camera crews from Spain, Colombia, and various other nations were present for the verdict.
Condemned Social Media Influencer
Daniel Sancho, the 30-year-old cook and influential social media personality with long, dark blonde hair, was found guilty after a year of the 44-year-old Colombian's death, as reported by RTVE and other media outlets, along with Sancho's legal team. He is additionally required to pay the family of the victim 4 million baht (approximately 105,000 euros) in compensation.
An appeal may be lodged against the verdict with the Court of Appeals and ultimately the Supreme Court of Thailand. Sancho's legal team has stated their intention to appeal the decision. "We will appeal. We did not anticipate such a severe verdict," stated lawyer Carmen Balgafon to journalists. Nonetheless, Sancho could have been given a death sentence. Rodolfo Sancho, with a distinguished acting career spanning 20 years, including the thriller "The Man From Rome - The Vatican Code," remained silent on the verdict.
German Entrepreneur's Killing Prior to Incident
The violent act drew outrage in Thailand a year back, including due to it occurring just a month after the discovery of a German businessman's body in the Pattaya resort town.
On Koh Phangan, popular among partygoers and a neighboring island to Koh Samui, the dismembered remains of the Colombian plastic surgeon were discovered at the beginning of August 2023. Among other things, the skull was found in garbage bags, and other body parts were recovered from the sea. Shortly after reporting his Colombian friend as missing, Daniel Sancho was apprehended as a suspect.
Sancho was found guilty of premeditated murder, dismemberment, and concealment of a corpse, as well as the destruction of evidence. His non-death sentence was attributed to his cooperation with Thai authorities, according to RTVE. He had maintained his innocence of premeditated murder, claiming instead the Colombian perished in a fight, but admitted to numerous other accusations.
Murder and Dismemberment on Beach, Post-Party
The act is said to have taken place on August 2nd in a bungalow near the beach, where police found traces of the victim's blood. The following day, the Spaniard was filmed by street cameras riding a motor scooter with a large sports bag, presumably carrying dismembered body parts to the beach.
Before the incident, the Spaniard had purchased saws, butcher's knives, garbage bags, cleaning agents, rubber gloves, and stainless steel wool, reported Spanish media at the time, citing investigators. Surveillance cameras from a supermarket captured him on August 1st. With a rented kayak, Sancho is alleged to have disposed of body parts into the sea. Afterward, he reportedly celebrated a full moon party on the beach with friends, shortly before his arrest.
The 'Court of First Instance' handed down a life sentence to Daniel Sancho for the murder of the Colombian plastic surgeon. In anticipation of an appeal, Sancho's legal team stated, "We will appeal. We did not anticipate such a severe verdict," referring to the judgement made by the 'Court of First Instance'.
