29-8-2024 (BANGKOK) Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, the son of a prominent Spanish actor, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Thai court for the brutal murder of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga on the picturesque island of Koh Phangan.
The 30-year-old chef was found guilty of premeditated murder in a trial that drew significant media attention, particularly from Spain, due to the defendant’s familial connection to the Spanish entertainment industry. Sancho’s father, Rodolfo Sancho, is a well-known actor in Spain, which led to an influx of Spanish journalists covering the proceedings.
The verdict, delivered on Thursday at the court on the nearby island of Koh Samui, has brought a measure of closure to a case that has been described as both shocking and tragic. Bussakorn Kaewleeled, representing the victim’s family, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “The plaintiff is satisfied with the sentence because he will be put in prison for life and they receive some financial compensation.”
The gruesome details of the crime emerged during the trial, with evidence suggesting that Sancho had dismembered Arrieta’s body and dispersed the remains across Koh Phangan in plastic bags. Despite Sancho’s claims of self-defence and denial of destroying Arrieta’s passport, the court found him guilty of premeditated murder.
While Thailand retains capital punishment for certain crimes, including premeditated murder, executions are rare, with the last one carried out in 2018. The victim’s family had expressed a preference for a life sentence prior to the verdict.
The case has raised questions about the nature of the relationship between Sancho and Arrieta, who had initially connected online before agreeing to meet in person. Sancho’s defence team argued that he acted in self-defence after Arrieta allegedly attempted to force him into sexual activity. However, the prosecution presented evidence that Sancho had purchased knives, plastic bags, and cleaning supplies before the crime, suggesting premeditation.
The victim’s sister, Darling Arrieta, spoke poignantly about the impact of the crime on their family in an HBO documentary, saying, “He not only dismembered my brother, he dismembered a family.”
As the verdict was announced, Sancho was described as appearing “sad” by the family’s lawyer. Both parties have the right to appeal the decision under Thai law.
