YouTube Chef Faces Life Sentence for Brutal Murder and Dismemberment of Plastic Surgeon in Thailand

YouTube Chef Convicted of Killing and Dismembering Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a YouTube chef from a renowned Spanish acting family, has been found guilty of murdering and dismembering Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, a 44-year-old Colombian plastic surgeon. The crime occurred on the Thai island of Koh Pha-ngan, known for its vibrant nightlife and full moon parties.

The verdict was delivered on Thursday. Sancho, 30, avoided the death penalty but will face a significant prison sentence. The case has drawn intense media attention in Spain, where Sancho’s family is well-known.

Chef’s Claim of Assault Leads to Conviction

Sancho, the son of Spanish actors Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre and Silvia Bronchalo, initially claimed that Arrieta attempted to sexually assault him. He said a struggle ensued, and Arrieta accidentally died after hitting his head on a bathtub.

Despite these claims, Sancho was convicted of premeditated murder. He confessed to dismembering Arrieta’s body and disposing of the parts at various locations on land and at sea. This confession led to a reduction in his sentence for concealing a body from four months to two.

Sancho also received a two-year prison term for destroying Arrieta’s passport, despite pleading not guilty to this charge.

Discovery and Evidence

The case came to light when waste collectors discovered parts of Arrieta’s body, including a pelvis and intestines, in a fertiliser sack at a rubbish dump. Sancho reported Arrieta missing, which led police to gather evidence linking him to the crime.

Surveillance footage showed Sancho buying a knife, rubber gloves, bin bags, and cleaning supplies before Arrieta’s death. Sancho later admitted to planning the murder, claiming Arrieta threatened to expose a supposed sexual relationship.

Sancho, through his father and legal team, has disputed this version of events and denied any sexual relationship with Arrieta.

Case Captivates Spain and Sparks Media Attention

The shocking details of the case have captivated Spain. HBO has produced a Spanish-language documentary exploring the crime and its impact.

In his closing statement, Sancho expressed remorse for his actions. He told the court, “I am sorry that a life has been lost and that parents have lost a son. I’m sorry that his family was not able to bury him properly. I’m sorry for what I did after the death,” according to Spanish newspaper El País.