Kirsty Jones's killer got away with it!

**William** · 17-08-2006, 09:36 AM

It would certainly appear that someone, somewhere, is looking out for the killer of Kirsty Jones...

Hunt for murderer of backpacker held up by Thai red tape
By Stephanie Condron

(Filed: 16/08/2006)

Red tape is preventing British police from questioning witnesses to the murder six years ago of a backpacker in Thailand, officers said yesterday.
This year, Thai police relaunched the hunt for the killer of Kirsty Jones, the daughter of a Welsh farmer, who was raped and strangled, after the original investigation was declared incompetent.

Kirsty Jones

But eight months after saying that witnesses would be re-interviewed, the Thai authorities have yet to release the paperwork which would allow British officers to question witnesses in this country.
Miss Jones, 24, from Brecon, Powys, had just graduated from Liverpool University and was on a world tour when she was murdered on Aug 10, 2000, at the Aree guesthouse in Chiang Mai.
A string of suspects were charged or arrested, and subsequently cleared and released.
Dyfed-Powys Police, who helped the Thai authorities to secure the killer's DNA, say they now have the "key" to the crime and it is vital that they be allowed to speak with witnesses to get the killer's name.
According to the genetic profile, the killer is a local Thai man. Any of the British witnesses who were in Thailand at the time of Miss Jones's death might hold clues to his identity.
Chief Insp Steve Hughson, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "There are witnesses back in the UK and we feel, and the Thais feel, there might be some merit in speaking to them now. In order to do that, on the Thais' behalf, we need a letter of request, an official document."
Royal Thai Police are understood to have written to the Thai attorney-general months ago asking that British police be allowed to question witnesses, but permission has yet to be granted. Police want to question "two or three" Britons. But Mr Hughson said that, without official permission from the Thai authorities to question them, any evidence might not be deemed valid in a court case.
Miss Jones's mother, Sue, said: "It is extremely frustrating."

source: Telegraph | News | Hunt for murderer of backpacker held up by Thai red tape

**Begbie** · 17-08-2006, 12:35 PM

Police the world over look after their own.

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2006, 02:32 AM

Red tape is preventing UK police from questioning witnesses to the murder six years ago of a backpacker in Thailand, officers were reported as telling London's Daily Telegraph yesterday.

This year, Thai police relaunched the hunt for the killer of Kirsty Jones, the daughter of a Welsh farmer, who was raped and strangled in a Chiang Mai guesthouse, after the original investigation was declared incompetent.

But eight months after saying that witnesses would be re-interviewed, authorities have yet to release the paperwork which would allow British officers to question witnesses in the UK.

Jones, 24, from Brecon, Powys, had just graduated from Liverpool University and was on a world tour when she was murdered on August 10, 2000, at the Aree guesthouse in Chiang Mai.

A string of suspects were charged or arrested, and subsequently cleared and released.

Dyfed-Powys Police, who helped the Thai authorities to secure the killer's DNA, say they now have the "key" to the crime and it is vital that they be allowed to speak with witnesses to get the killer's name. According to the genetic profile, the killer is a Thai man. Any of the British witnesses who were in Thailand at the time of Jones' death might hold clues to his identity.

Chief Inspector Steve Hughson, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "There are witnesses back in the UK and we feel, and the Thais feel, there might be some merit in speaking to them now. In order to do that, on the Thais' behalf, we need a letter of request, an official document."
Royal Thai Police are understood to have written to the Thai attorney-general months ago asking that British police be allowed to question "two or three" witnesses, but permission has yet to be granted.

the nation

**Gerbil** · 19-08-2006, 02:56 AM

Hang on....

WTF would the Thai Attorney General have to give permission for UK police to interview british witnesses on UK soil? Or is this just another piss poor piece of Nation reporting?

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2006, 03:18 AM

The original case if memory serves me correct was that some farang wanked off some thai guy and then spread his sperm over her naked body, obviously this really wasn't believable to the UK police so they believed it actually was a Thai Rapist and killer, But the Thai police weren't having any of that and believed it was a devious plot to give Thai killer rapists a bad name, thats when they came up with the story of some farang wanking off a Thai guy and spreading the Thai guys sperm all over her.

**Gerbil** · 19-08-2006, 03:22 AM

well yeah, makes perfect sense in Chiangmai I suppose....

But, *WHY* do the UK police need permission from the Thais to interview people in the UK about it?

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2006, 03:31 AM

The Uk police dont need permission to question anybody in the UK, they may not answer or tell them to fok off but they can question anybody on a voluntary basis, it is just more Thai bullshite, like are you really gonna wank off some Thai guy before you kill and rape a farang girl?

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2006, 03:35 AM

Family to visit Thai murder scene

Kirsty Jones was on a round-the-world backpacking trip

The family of murdered backpacker Kirsty Jones is preparing to fly out to Bangkok as authorities announce they are to hold a full review of the case.
The 23-year-old from Tredomen, near Brecon, was raped and strangled at a Thai guest house on 10 August, 2000.
She was on a two-year trip round the world at the time of her death.
Five years on from the murder, Kirsty's killer remains at large following an investigation by Thai police which has been heavily criticised.
'Major breakthrough'
Kirsty's mother Sue and brother Gareth will be accompanied by two officers from Dyfed-Powys Police in talks with Thai officials. They fly out of Sunday.
Initially they will meet the Royal Thai Police and staff from the British Embassy in Bangkok, before visiting the Aree guest house in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, where Kirsty was murdered.
It will be the first time that Kirsty's family has visited the country in South East Asia.
Kirsty was three months into a two-year trip around the world when was raped and murdered at the £1-a-night guest house.
The police investigation has been dogged by incompetence with Thai officers criticised after the murder scene was contaminated and vital forensic evidence destroyed.

Kirsty Jones' mother Sue is due to travel to Thailand

Speaking before making her first visit to the scene of her daughter's murder, Sue Jones said: "We're going to Thailand because it's the fifth anniversary (of the killing) and because the Thai police have agreed to review the case.
"This is a major breakthrough and one of the reasons why we're going".
She added: "We're going to Chiang Mai to visit the guesthouse for personal reasons - we're going where Kirsty was."
It is hoped the visit will spark new evidence which five years on could lead to the killer.
"We are very grateful they (the Thai police) have agreed to do this", Mrs Jones added.
She added that the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office had been "very supportive".
Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and a family friend, said: "I believe there's a change in Thailand at the moment.
"The direction given to the Royal Thai Police is to get on and be aware that the murderer could be either a Thai national or a foreign visitor - not to leave any stone unturned and certainly not to draw any conclusions without the proper evidence being provided."
During the investigation into Kirsty's murder, a number of men have been arrested but released without charge. Dyfed-Powys Police became involved in the investigation in September 2001 after Kirsty's family became frustrated at the way Thai police were handling the hunt for the killer. Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins said the meetings with Thai officials would provide "an opportunity to discuss the case and how the review will proceed."

**Whiteshiva** · 19-08-2006, 06:24 PM

Wasn't there a rumour sometime back that a well-known policeman nicknamed "Tony" was the perpetrator?

**Begbie** · 19-08-2006, 06:28 PM

It was a rumour about a week after the event.

**daveboy** · 20-08-2006, 01:52 AM

This must be a nightmare for the family involved you really got to feel for them.

**magpie** · 20-08-2006, 02:46 AM

Seems pretty clear. Thai man with connections rapes & kills girl.

**dirtydog** · 20-08-2006, 02:56 AM

Old newspaper file.

Thai police officer 'may have killed backpacker'
By Richard Savill

(Filed: 15/01/2002)

EVERY policeman in Thailand's northern capital of Chiang Mai may undergo DNA testing in the hunt for the killer of the backpacker Kirsty Jones, the head of the Thai tourist police said last night.

Kirsty JonesMaj Gen Sanit Meephan's comment follows new information that a Thai policeman may have killed Miss Jones, 23, a graduate from Tredomen, near Brecon, who was raped and strangled with her sarong. Her partly-clothed body was found in a guest house in Chiang Mai 17 months ago.
Mr Meephan said: "If necessary all the police officers in Chiang Mai will be made to undergo DNA testing. But it is better to narrow down a list of suspects first.
"I believe that within 15 days we will be able to find out who was involved in the murder of Kirsty Jones."
The new investigation is looking at four Thai tourist policemen and one Thai army officer with a reputation for prowling for Western women in bars near the night market in Chiang Mai.

More links here. Telegraph | News | Thai police officer 'may have killed backpacker'

**Marmite the Dog** · 21-08-2006, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

"I believe that within 15 days we will be able to find out who was involved in the murder of Kirsty Jones."

How long is a Thai day?

**Mid** · 05-08-2012, 07:54 PM

Mother of murdered backpacker leaves for Thailand
Sun 5 Aug 2012

Kirsty Jones
Credit: ITV News Wales

The mother of murdered backpacker Kirsty Jones is flying to Thailand tonight to offer a reward to help catch the killer.

Kirsty was strangled in a guest house in Chiang Mai in 2000, but her family has never given hope of getting justice.

Now Dyfed Powys Police has put up a substantial cash reward and officers from the force will be accompanying Sue Jones in Thailand as she renews her appeal for witnesses.

itv.com

**setaputra** · 05-08-2012, 08:49 PM

I'd like to see justice done and maybe there is a sea change in treating this seriously even 12 years on. Tony Blair as PM got involved at one stage but that resulted in nothing. Let's hope things have changed.

**Chairman Mao** · 05-08-2012, 08:54 PM

Suppose it's a bit far for the 'Burmese fishermen' to have done it.

Probably some Hilltribers.

Surprised some patsy hasn't been put up for it considering the people who were mentioned/heavily rumoured to be involved at the time.

**setaputra** · 07-08-2012, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Suppose it's a bit far for the 'Burmese fishermen' to have done it.

Probably some Hilltribers.

Surprised some patsy hasn't been put up for it considering the people who were mentioned/heavily rumoured to be involved at the time.

The Thais have to be careful how they tread, Chairman Mao

You realise, do you not, how many times the UK police have been over here and the former PM's involvement. The option seemed to be to do nothing and hope it will go away. But to stitch the wrong person up would be dangerous given that the Thais probably know what the UK police have got. Maybe it can be quietly settled but there sure won't be a public display of justice which would result in loss of face. Sad but true. I take off my hat to the Jones family and the UK police. Boy, do the Thais have some growing up to do and accept the truth for a change

**dobella** · 05-08-2012, 09:01 PM

Solving a cold case in the civilised world is tough enough but in Thailand i would think not likely unless serious money changes hands.
The sperm found should give the perp. DNA but i guess that was 'lost' at the lab.
Feel sorry for the Jones family, a murder next door is bad but thousands of miles away.....wish them good for a resolution.

**yortyiam** · 07-08-2012, 05:36 PM

I certainly hope Sue Jones makes some substantial progress in her quest for justice for Kirsty. It's sickening that without doubt , a number of people have info on the perpetrator and are keeping quiet.
It would be awful to hear that Mrs Jones comes away feeling that she's been given the run around by the Thai authorities. Good luck with everything Sue.

**setaputra** · 07-08-2012, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by yortyiam

I certainly hope Sue Jones makes some substantial progress in her quest for justice for Kirsty. It's sickening that without doubt , a number of people have info on the perpetrator and are keeping quiet.
It would be awful to hear that Mrs Jones comes away feeling that she's been given the run around by the Thai authorities. Good luck with everything Sue.

Yes good luck Sue. Many people want to see this resolved. The UK (from Blair down to the Dyfed police) have never given up on this. It's a pity there has to be such diplomacy. The Brits have not been keeping quiet but I suppose are hampered by the fact that Thailand is a sovereign country and they have no jurisdiction. They can only try to persuade or advise and hope the authorities will now act. They may if face can be saved

**StrontiumDog** · 09-08-2012, 10:06 PM

BBC News - Kirsty Jones: Mother's £10,000 reward to catch killer

9 August 2012 Last updated at 13:08 GMT

Kirsty Jones: Mother's £10,000 reward to catch killer

A poster has been produced offering a reward for information about Kirsty Jones' murder

Related Stories

The mother of a woman murdered 12 years ago while travelling around Thailand has offered a £10,000 reward for leads to capture her daughter's killer.

Kirsty Jones, 23, from Tredomen, near Brecon, was raped and strangled at a guesthouse in Chiang Mai in 2000.

The Liverpool University graduate was three months into a two-year around the world trip when she was killed.

Her mother, Sue Jones, told the media in Chiang Mai, Kirsty's death had left her with "a great sense of loss".

"It still feels like yesterday when we heard what had happened to our daughter," Mrs Jones said.

Mrs Jones travelled to Chiang Mai with officers from Dyfed Powys police

"Twelve years on we still feel a great sense of loss without Kirsty in our lives.

"With the passing of time people's loyalties change and relationships end which may remove any previous reluctance to come forward.

"Something small which may seem irrelevant at the time could now be significant and add new pieces to the jigsaw that the police already have."

Appealing directly to the people of Chiang Mai she added: "Not a day goes by when I don't think of what she would look like, what she would be doing, where would she be."

The reward of half a million Baht was announced in a press conference at Thailand's Department of Special Investigation where Mrs Jones was joined by officers from Dyfed-Powys Police and British Embassy representatives.

Over the course of the investigation, 22 people including residents at the guest house where Kirsty had been staying, suspects and relatives have had their DNA tested, but so far there has been no match to a sample discovered at the crime scene.

The Welsh police officers and Mrs Jones are due to hold another press conference in the country's capital Bangkok on Friday - the 12th anniversary of Kirsty's death.

Farmer's daughter Ms Jones was found dead in a room at the Aree guest house in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, 435 miles (700km) north of Bangkok.

Her mother has pledged never to give up the fight to see her daughter's murderer caught.

The Thai authorities told Dyfed-Powys Police officers they were continuing to investigate the circumstances of Ms Jones's death, with the focus on the inquiry in Chiang Mai.

Kirsty Jones was found dead in Chiang Mai in August 2000

Det Supt Andy John, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said that since the last visit, regular contact had been maintained with the police team working on the case.

He added that officers in Wales had been encouraged by the work carried out in Thailand in the past six months.

Despite a number of arrests, no charges have ever been brought over the murder, and the lengthy slow-paced investigation has frustrated the Jones family.

Sue Jones and her son Gareth visited Thailand with officers from Dyfed-Powys Police on the fifth anniversary of Ms Jones death in 2005.

**Albert Shagnastier** · 09-08-2012, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by magpie

Seems pretty clear. Thai man with connections rapes & kills girl.

If you read between the lines, sadly so.

**setaputra** · 10-08-2012, 06:35 AM

The 'stategy' being adopted now by the Dyfed police is spot on. Their diplomatic choice of language in the press conferences is exactly the right way to move this case

**Latindancer** · 10-08-2012, 07:02 AM

Not to mention the money. This is Thailand.

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