Life sentence for YouTuber Daniel Sancho in grisly murder case
A little over a year ago, news broke about a murder committed by Daniel Sancho, a YouTuber, chef, and son of a famous Spanish actor. According to the latest reports, the court sentenced the 30-year-old to life imprisonment for killing a 44-year-old man and dismembering the body.
Daniel Sancho, son of the famous Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho and former actress Sylvia Bronchalo, was arrested in August 2023 on Phangan Island in Thailand on charges of murder. The victim was his acquaintance, 44-year-old Colombian Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, whose remains were found at a local landfill.
Son of a Spanish actor murdered his acquaintance
The 30-year-old admitted to the murder a year ago but claimed he did not act with premeditation. According to his version of events, Edwin Arrieta Arteaga's death was the result of accidentally hitting his head against the bathtub during an argument. The cause of the altercation was reportedly an alleged attempt by the Colombian to sexually assault Sancho.
I am guilty, but I was a hostage of Edwin. He held me hostage (...) He made me destroy my relationship; I was forced to do things I would never do. Every time I tried to escape from him, he threatened me. He deceived me, made me believe he wanted to start a business with me, to invest money in a company of which I am a shareholder. He said we would do something together, go to Mexico, Chile, and Colombia to open restaurants there, but it was all a lie. All he wanted was for me to become his boyfriend, Sancho told the EFE news agency.
Paisan Sangthep, deputy chief of police in Surat Thani province, told CNN that there is evidence indicating Sancho prepared for the crime in advance.
Before committing the murder, Sancho bought gloves, plastic bags, garbage bags, a sponge for cleaning, a knife, a cleaver, and a saw, noted Paisan Sangthep.
The court's decision: Daniel Sancho will spend the rest of his life in prison
A little over a year after the tragic events, the 30-year-old Spaniard was found guilty of premeditated murder, improper handling of a corpse, and destroying his victim's identity documents. According to "El Pais," the Thai court sentenced Daniel Sancho to life imprisonment. Initially, the court ruled in favor of the death penalty, but the decision was altered due to Sancho's cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
The court also decided that Sancho must pay compensation to the victim's family amounting to 4 million baht, which is equivalent to approximately $110,000. Edwin Arrieta Arteaga's family, according to a lawyer quoted by "The Guardian," is satisfied with the verdict. "El Pais" emphasizes that Daniel Sancho has the possibility to appeal the court's decision.
The time to keep fighting, conveyed the 30-year-old's father, Rodolfo Sancho, to the Spanish newspaper.
