Spanish Chef Sentenced to Life in Thai Prison for Dismemberment Murder
Koh Samui, Thailand — In a high-profile case that has captured international attention, Spanish YouTube chef Daniel Sancho Bronchalo has been sentenced to life imprisonment in Thailand for the murder and dismemberment of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga.
On Thursday, the Koh Samui Provincial Court delivered the verdict, finding Sancho, 30, guilty of killing Arrieta, 44, in August 2023 on Koh Phangan island. The trial revealed that Sancho, who had traveled to the island with Arrieta after meeting online, brutally murdered and then dismembered the surgeon’s body.
Sancho’s gruesome actions were uncovered when local garbage collectors discovered human remains, including a pelvis and intestines, in a fertiliser sack. This led to Sancho’s arrest after he initially reported Arrieta missing. Surveillance footage showing Sancho buying a knife, rubber gloves, and other cleaning supplies before Arrieta’s death further implicated him in the premeditated murder.
Although Sancho admitted to dismembering the body, he contended that he acted in self-defense after Arrieta allegedly tried to sexually assault him. His defense argued that Arrieta’s death resulted from a fall during a struggle. However, the prosecution’s evidence contradicted this claim, leading to Sancho’s conviction.
Initially sentenced to death, Sancho’s punishment was commuted to life imprisonment due to the circumstances presented during the trial. He was also ordered to pay 4.4 million baht (around $130,000) in compensation to Arrieta’s family. Sancho expressed remorse in his closing statement, saying, "I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son."
The case has drawn significant interest in Spain, partly due to Sancho’s father, Rodolfo Sancho, a well-known actor. Spanish media closely followed the trial, reflecting the case’s high profile. The victim's family expressed satisfaction with the life sentence and compensation, while Sancho’s legal team indicated respect for the court’s decision.
Under a treaty between Thailand and Spain, Sancho may apply for repatriation to serve the remainder of his sentence in Spain after several years in Thai prison.