Spanish Chef Sentenced to Life in Thailand for Premeditated Murder and Dismemberment
Koh Samui, Thailand — In a high-profile case that has captured international attention, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a member of a renowned Spanish acting family, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday by a Thai court. Sancho was found guilty of the premeditated murder and dismemberment of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga during a vacation on the Thai island of Koh Pha-ngan last year.
The Koh Samui Provincial Court initially sentenced Sancho to death, but the sentence was reduced to life imprisonment due to his cooperation throughout the trial. This information was confirmed by Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, who attended the hearing.
Sancho, a 30-year-old chef with a YouTube channel, was accused of murdering 44-year-old Arrieta while they were both on holiday. The incident occurred in August last year on Koh Pha-ngan, a destination famous for its “Full Moon” beach parties, which draw travelers from around the globe.
A Grisly Discovery
The case came to light after local trash collectors found a dismembered body at a garbage dump, sparking an investigation that quickly led to Sancho. The Bangkok Post reported that a sawed-off pelvis and intestines, weighing around 11 pounds, were discovered in a fertilizer sack, leading to Sancho’s arrest.
Sancho initially reported Arrieta as missing but soon became the primary suspect after police gathered evidence, including surveillance footage showing him purchasing items such as a knife, rubber gloves, garbage bags, and cleaning solutions. Prosecutors argued that these purchases were part of a deliberate plan to murder Arrieta.
Sancho’s Defense
During the trial, Sancho claimed that he and Arrieta got into a fight after Arrieta allegedly attempted to sexually assault him. According to Sancho, Arrieta fell during the scuffle, hit his head on a bathtub, and lost consciousness, eventually leading to his death. Despite pleading not guilty to the charge of premeditated murder, Sancho admitted to dismembering the body and disposing of the remains both on land and at sea.
Sancho also faced additional charges, including concealing or damaging a body, for which he received a reduced sentence of two months in prison, and destroying Arrieta’s passport, resulting in a two-year prison term.
International Media Frenzy
The case has drawn significant media attention, especially in Spain, due to the involvement of Sancho’s parents, Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre and Silvia Bronchalo, who are prominent figures in the Spanish entertainment industry. The gruesome details of the crime, coupled with the family’s celebrity status, have kept the public and press riveted. The case even inspired a Spanish-language documentary produced by HBO, further fueling public interest.
A Regretful Plea
In his closing statement, as reported by the Spanish newspaper El País, Sancho expressed deep remorse for his actions. “I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son,” Sancho said. “I am sorry that his family was not able to bury him properly. I’m sorry for what I did after the death.”
The court’s decision marks the end of a sensational trial that has captivated audiences around the world, leaving a lasting impact on all those involved.