A Thai court will sentence Daniel Sancho Bronchalo on Thursday for the murder and dismemberment of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta, a crime that has garnered global attention. The 30-year-old son of Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho is charged with premeditated murder, hiding a body, and destroying documents after Arrieta’s brutal killing on the tourist island of Koh Pha Ngan in August 2023.
Sancho, a chef and YouTuber, was arrested after Arrieta, 44, was shot in the leg. He later admitted to killing Arrieta, claiming it was an act of self-defense during an altercation. Despite this, Sancho faces serious charges following a police investigation that found Arrieta’s dismembered body scattered across multiple locations on Koh Pha Ngan. Sancho reportedly led authorities to seven sites where he had disposed of Arrieta’s remains in plastic bags.
The case has drawn significant media attention, particularly from Spain, where reporters have flown in for the trial. Sancho denies premeditated murder, but evidence suggests he purchased the weapons and materials used in the crime, including knives, plastic bags, and cleaning supplies. His defense maintains that he acted in self-defense after Arrieta allegedly attempted to sexually assault him.
While the Thai authorities have recommended a harsh sentence, with the possibility of the death penalty, Arrieta’s family has expressed a preference for life in prison, seeking justice without the need for capital punishment. Sancho’s father, Rodolfo Sancho, in a documentary on the case, stated that his son was “a victim of an accident” during a fight with Arrieta, although this account has been challenged by the victim’s family and legal representatives.
The trial has sparked widespread discussion, with key questions emerging about whether Sancho’s actions were premeditated or a result of self-defense. The Thai police’s thorough investigation and the prosecution’s evidence suggest that Sancho’s involvement in the crime was deliberate, raising doubts about the legitimacy of his defense.
This case continues to unfold, and the sentencing on Thursday will mark a significant moment in this high-profile international trial.