Thai police have stopped two British brothers from leaving the country, and are investigating at least one of them in connection with the murders of David William Miller and Hannah Victoria Witheridge on the resort island of Koh Tao on Sunday. The brothers, Christopher Allan and Jimmy Ware, were said to be travelling with David Miller around Southeast Asia, and were detained in Bangkok while police await the results of DNA testing on the bodies of the victims.

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Police Lieutenant-General Panya Mamen, commander of Police Region 8 that has jurisdiction in the area, said Wednesday that Christopher Ware, had cooperated in the police interview at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok. Investigators also collected DNA samples from Ware, who police said was on Koh Tao island about the time of the murders.

On Tuesday night, Thai police ruled out the involvement of three Myanmar workers in the crime, after interviewing them and searching their rooms. Panya said the three had been far away from the scene of the double murder, although DNA samples have been collected from them as well. All in all, 11 Myanmar men have been investigated although results have yet to be released.

Christopher Ware was reported to have called relatives and friends in Jersey, England, and said he feared he was being set up. The UK-based The Telegraph said Ware, one of Miller's closest friends, had relayed his concern to some friends who were alarmed at the implications. Thai investigators are under intense pressure, including from the Thai prime minister, to solve the gruesome crime.

Police sources said the brothers were asked to extend their stay in Thailand for 48 hours until the DNA results are in.

Meanwhile, more gruesome details of the crime have been revealed after the autopsy on the bodies.

The post-mortem report said David died from severe blows to the head and from drowning. It appeared that David was dragged back to the shore after he drowned, and that he fought his attackers before he was beaten and drowned.

Witheridge's body also showed signs of trauma to the head, and there were traces of recent sexual intercourse. Semen was found on her body and has been subjected to DNA examination. Police, however, could not determine whether she had been raped or that the intercourse had been consensual.

Investigators found a blood-stained garden hoe nearby, but forensic examinations have not been completed that would point to the hoe as the murder weapon.

Thai authorities said the victim's families could now claim the bodies after the autopsies have been completed.

In Bangkok, Thai Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn sent a condolence letter to his British counterpart Philip Hammond, to express "profound regret and sadness" over the deaths of the British citizens.

"On behalf of the Royal Thai Government and the people of Thailand, I would like to extend to you and, through you, our sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families for their irreparable loss," the letter said.

The foreign minister also assured travellers that the government has been giving priority to protecting foreign nationals visiting and residing in Thailand.

TagsThailand, Koh Tao