Daniel Sancho, son of renowned Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, has been sentenced to life in prison by a Thai court for the murder of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta Arteaga. The crime took place last year on Koh Phangan, a popular tourist island in southern Thailand.
Details of the crime
Sancho, a 30-year-old chef known for his YouTube videos, confessed to killing Arrieta after a heated argument in a hotel room. Following the murder, he dismembered the body and disposed of the parts in various locations around the island, according to the court. Initially facing the death penalty, Sancho’s sentence was reduced to life imprisonment due to his cooperation during the investigation and trial.
Court proceedings and evidence
During the trial, the court found Sancho guilty on multiple charges, including:
- Premeditated murder
- Concealment of a body
- Hiding another person’s documents
Sancho claimed that the killing was not premeditated, insisting he acted out of “extreme anger” and in self-defense. However, evidence presented during the trial suggested otherwise.
Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, revealed that Sancho had purchased several items, including a knife, gloves, plastic bags, and a saw, before the murder. This premeditated preparation led the court to conclude that the killing was planned.
Family reactions and legal options
Sancho’s parents, Silvia Bronchalo and Rodolfo Sancho, both actors, were present in the courtroom during the sentencing. Sancho showed acceptance of his fate and did not object after the verdict was announced. However, his lawyer, Marcos Garcia-Montes, stated that they plan to appeal the sentence. Under Thai law, Sancho has the right to appeal to a higher court.
Background and reaction
Daniel Sancho was arrested shortly after the murder in August of the previous year. The victim, Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, was a plastic surgeon from Montería, Colombia. The case has drawn significant media attention, partly due to Daniel Sancho’s family background, as his father, Rodolfo Sancho, is a well-known Spanish actor.
Sancho’s lawyer and family now face the challenge of navigating the Thai legal system in their efforts to appeal the life sentence.