Advertisement

Sister of murdered backpacker Hannah Witheridge dies after falling 'gravely ill', family reveal

Hannah Witheridge, left, was murdered in Thailand alongside fellow backpacker David Miller, right, five years ago - AFP
Hannah Witheridge, left, was murdered in Thailand alongside fellow backpacker David Miller, right, five years ago - AFP

The family of the murdered backpacker Hannah Witheridge who was killed in Thailand have had their “lives shattered once more” after losing their other daughter to a “grave” illness.

Laura Daniels, 30, died in hospital on Monday just five years and one day after her sister Hannah, 23, and fellow traveller David Miller, 24, were murdered on a beach in Koh Tao, an island off the east coast of Thailand.

Last month it emerged that two Burmese migrants convicted of the murders face execution after appeals against their convictions were thrown out.

The parents of Ms Daniels, who married her partner Lewis Daniels last year, announced their “beautiful” daughter’s death today, but did not disclose how she died.

"Laura had been gravely ill and was being treated in hospital. Our hearts are broken, our lives are shattered once more,” Tony and Susan Witheridge said in a family statement. "The pain of this loss is indescribable and our family very much need time and privacy during this unbearable time."

Laura Daniels, 30, right, pictured with her sister Hannah Witheridge  - Credit: Facebook/East Anglia News Service
Laura Daniels, 30, right, pictured with her sister Hannah Witheridge Credit: Facebook/East Anglia News Service

Miss Witheridge, of Hemsby, Norfolk, was raped before she and Mr Miller from Jersey were battered to death with a hoe on a beach on September 15, 2014.

Burmese migrants Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, both 25, were convicted of the murders and Hannah's rape on December 24 , 2015, and sentenced to death.

Myanmar murder defendants Zaw Lin, left, and Wai Phyo, right, are escorted by Thai police officers last month after they were sentenced to death at a provincial court in Thailand - Credit: RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/REX/REX
Myanmar murder defendants Zaw Lin, left, and Wai Phyo, right, are escorted by Thai police officers last month after they were sentenced to death at a provincial court in Thailand Credit: RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/REX/REX

The pair insisted that they were innocent and claimed that their earlier admissions were as a result of being tortured.

But last month their final appeal against their conviction was dismissed by the Supreme Court in Thailand.