Mystery as Russian woman, 23, disappears leaving passport and belongings in her hostel room on Thai resort dubbed ‘death island’ where two Brits were brutally slaughtered
Valentina Novozhyonova vanished while visiting Koh Tao - the same island where Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were murdered in 2014
MYSTERY surrounds the disappearance of a Russian tourist on an idyllic Thai island where two Brits were brutally murdered.
Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, vanished from her hostel on Koh Tao in mid-February, sparking a police search.
She had checked into the hostel on February 11 and was due to check out on February 16 - but failed to do so.
A few days later, staff checked her room to discover her mobile phone, passport and camera had all been left behind.
Koh Tao is located in the Gulf of Thailand near the party islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, and was the scene of the brutal double-killing of Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.
reports the island has been dubbed 'Death Island' amid wild speculation regarding the cause of recent deaths among locals.
Meanwhile, the family of David Miller have appealed for leniency for his killers facing a death sentence.
The 24-year-old was bludgeoned to death with pal Hannah, 23, on Koh Tao in 2014.
Burmese migrants Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin initially confessed to the killings but then retracted their statements saying they were tortured.
They launched an appeal against the death sentences, but the verdict was upheld in Koh Samui this week.
That was rejected this week and David’s family are satisfied the right men have been convicted.
They said in a statement: "The evidence is overwhelming and we feel justice has been done.
"We remain confident that this is the correct decision. We hope that the Thai authorities will show leniency in relation to the death sentence."
David, from Jersey, and Hannah, of Norwich, were battered with a hoe as they walked to a hotel. Hannah was also raped.
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