Daniel Sancho Bronchalo Sentenced to Life for Murder in Thailand
Daniel Sancho Bronchalo sentenced to life imprisonment by a Thailand court for the premeditated murder of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga has drawn international attention. The Koh Samui Provincial Court initially handed down a death sentence, but this was commuted to life imprisonment due to Sancho’s cooperation during the trial. The 30-year-old chef and YouTuber, son of famous Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, was convicted of murdering Arrieta while they were both on holiday at Koh Pha-ngan, a popular Thai island known for its “Full Moon” parties.
Sancho’s case has gripped the Spanish media due to its shocking details, celebrity connections, and the violent nature of the crime. Beyond the life sentence, the court also ordered him to pay over 4.2 million baht (£125,000) in compensation to the victim’s family, though the amount was far less than the 30 million baht (£882,000) initially sought by the family’s lawyers. HBO has even produced a documentary on the events leading up to the trial, underscoring the global interest in this premeditated murder case in Thailand.
Sancho’s defence argued that the incident began as a fight after Arrieta allegedly attempted to assault him sexually. He claimed that Arrieta fell, hit his head on a bathtub, and died. Despite his not guilty plea for premeditated murder, Sancho admitted to dismembering Arrieta’s body and disposing of it at multiple locations. For this, he received a reduced two-month sentence for concealing the body and a separate two-year term for destroying Arrieta’s passport.
The case took a disturbing turn when Thai authorities found body parts at a local garbage dump. Surveillance footage further implicated Sancho, showing him purchasing a knife, gloves, and cleaning supplies shortly before Arrieta’s death. This evidence played a crucial role in solidifying the court’s verdict in Thailand.
Daniel Sancho expressed regret during his closing statement, acknowledging the loss of life and the pain caused to the victim’s family. His father, Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, pledged to continue fighting for his son’s future, despite the court’s decision. Under an agreement between Thailand and Spain, there is a possibility for Sancho to be repatriated after serving several years in Thailand.
This case is reminiscent of another Spaniard, Artur Segarra Princep, who was also convicted of a similar crime in Thailand and had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment in 2020.
Under a treaty between Thailand and Spain, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo may apply for repatriation after serving several years of his life sentence in Thailand, as reported by BBC News.
