The curse of 'Death Island': How Thai holiday paradise of Koh Tao became a nightmarish hub of murder, suspicious deaths and rape

 Once a sunny Thai paradise island, Koh Tao quickly became a nightmarish hub of murder and rape after two Brit backpackers were bludgeoned to death almost a decade ago.

Over the past 10 years, Koh Tao has taken a more sinister reputation among some foreigners, with at least 11 Western tourists having died or disappeared there under mysterious circumstances since 2014.

Following the spate of horrific incidents, the tropical holiday hotspot was given the nicknames 'Death Island' or 'Murder Island'.

Local authorities have consistently explained the deaths as unfortunate accidents or suicides, however, many cases appear suspicious to family members of the deceased and missing, and are often left insufficiently investigated.

It has long had a reputation as a haven for organised crime and corruption, where a 'corrupt' police force prioritises protecting local interests.

But beneath the palm tree paradise lies a grubby underbelly where fears over the safety of the island continue to rise.  

As recently as December last year, a 24-year-old German backpacker was raped by a tour guide on a deserted beach and warned 'it isn't safe for women to travel alone in that country'.

Following the spate of suspicious crimes, many have been left wondering just what is at play on the island and how visitors keep winding up in horrific - and often deadly - situations.

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller - September 2014

In what is considered the most high-profile murder case on Koh Tao, and in the case that gave the island its notorious nickname, two Brits were brutally murdered while backpacking.

The semi-naked bodies of David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were discovered between 5am and 6am on Sairee Beach in Koh Tao on September 15, 2014.

Miller was a Jersey based civil engineer and structural engineering graduate, while Witheridge was a student from the University of Essex.