Family of victim now seeking death penalty against Spanish actor's son who murdered him in Thailand

bangkok - The family of the victim is now requesting a review of the sentence imposed on the Spanish actor's son who murdered him in Thailand and are seeking the death penalty.

The family, initially satisfied with the previous verdict, has now submitted documents through their Thai lawyer requesting a review of the sentence, advocating that the death penalty is the appropriate punishment according to Thai law for premeditated murder. The family is basing their request on 'the strength of evidence gathered by the police' and 'the lack of remorse shown by Sancho'.

In the ruling on August 29, the Thai judges took into account Sancho's cooperation with the authorities during his initial confession. As a result, he was not sentenced to death but received life imprisonment.

Sancho murdered Arrieta in the bungalow they shared on the Thai island of Koh Phangan in the summer of 2023. He stabbed Arrieta in the chest and then struck the surgeon's head against the sink in the hotel room. Sancho proceeded to dismember the body and dispose of it in the water, allegedly stealing his victim's passport as well. Sancho admitted to only cutting up and hiding the body. The case drew significant attention in Spain as Daniel is the son of renowned actor Rodolfo Sancho, and due to the threat of the death penalty and the brutality of the murder.

Sancho and Arrieta met during the pandemic on social media and reportedly engaged in a 'sexual relationship'. Daniel wanted to end the relationship in early 2023 but they agreed to attend the Full Moon party together on Koh Phangan. Sancho, arriving on the island on July 30, 2023, purchased a knife, rubber gloves, plastic bags, detergent, and other tools a day after his arrival. Three days later, Edwin Arrieta arrived. His remains were discovered a day later after Sancho reported his friend missing to the Thai police.

Sancho was arrested the same day and initially confessed but later retracted his statement, claiming Arrieta's death was an 'accident'. He alleged that he killed the Colombian surgeon in self-defence during a hotel room altercation where Arrieta supposedly attempted to assault him.

The Thai lawyer criticized the defendant for never reaching out to offer compensation or apologize, indicating a lack of remorse. The family is also seeking an increase in compensation to around 120,000 euros, initially asking for eight hundred thousand euros, with the court settling on 105,000 euros.

The Spanish lawyer representing Arrieta's family refutes claims that they are seeking the death penalty, stating that the family wishes to maintain the life sentence.

Ramón Chippirrás, from Sancho's legal team in Spain, condemned the actions of Arrieta's family, questioning the request for the death penalty for a Spanish citizen abroad, highlighting Spain's historic effort to abolish the death penalty.

The defense team for Sancho has fifteen days to respond.