Spanish Chef Sentenced to Life for Dismemberment Murder in Thailand

Thai court convicts Spanish chef Daniel Sancho Bronchalo of premeditated murder, sentencing him to life imprisonment for dismembering plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta. Sancho's sentence was reduced from death due to cooperation. The case's lurid details and celebrity ties garnered significant media attention in Spain, leading to an HBO documentary.

A Thai court on Thursday convicted Spanish chef Daniel Sancho Bronchalo of premeditated murder, sentencing him to life imprisonment for the killing and dismemberment of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta. The decision reduced the initial death sentence due to Sancho's cooperation during the trial, according to Police Col. Paisan Sangthep.

Sancho, a 30-year-old chef with a YouTube channel, was on vacation with Arrieta on Koh Pha-ngan, a popular Thai holiday island. Authorities discovered the crime after trash collectors found dismembered body parts, leading to Sancho's arrest. The convicted man is the son of prominent Spanish actors Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre and Silvia Bronchalo.

The case captivated Spanish media, influenced by the lurid details and Sancho's celebrity connections. Lawyers for the victim's family sought significant compensation, and Sancho's father vowed to continue fighting the verdict. Surveillance footage and Sancho's admissions played key roles in the conviction, highlighting a narrative of violence and betrayal.

(With inputs from agencies.)