YouTube chef Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, who is the son of prominent Spanish actors, was handed a life sentence on Thursday for the brutal murder of a Colombian plastic surgeon.
The Koh Samui Provincial Court in Thailand initially sentenced Bronchalo to death, but his punishment was commuted to life behind bars due to his cooperation throughout the legal proceedings, according to Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the Surat Thani Provincial Police, who attended the hearing.
Earlier this month, Sancho was found guilty of murdering and dismembering Edwin Arrieta Arteaga while they were on vacation. The pair, rumored to be lovers, traveled to the Thai island of Koh Phangan last year for its famous monthly full moon party, an all-night rave that attracts travelers from around the world.
During his trial on the island of Samui, Sancho said that he got into a fight with Arrieta, who he claimed attempted to sexually assault him. Arrieta fell during their scuffle, he alleged, and hit his head on the bathtub, which ultimately killed him. He did, however, admit to chopping up the surgeon’s body and then disposing of the parts on land and at sea.
Sancho, who pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder charges, then attended the party with two women he met at his hotel.
Police previously said he confessed to the murder, telling press that he had planned it because Arrieta threatened to disgrace him and his family by revealing their alleged sexual relationship. They also later obtained surveillance video showing Sancho allegedly purchasing a knife, rubber gloves, garbage bags and cleaning solutions at a convenience store before Arrieta’s death, which prosecutors said proved the killing was planned.
Trash collectors found what the Bangkok Post newspaper described as a sawed-off pelvis and intestines, sparking the investigation. Sancho later led police to seven sites where he allegedly disposed of the victim’s dismembered body in plastic bags, BBC News reported.
Son of Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, a prominent Spanish actor, and Silvia Bronchalo, who has also been in acting, Bronchalo also has a YouTube channel, “Puro Disfrute” or “Pure Enjoyment.” Both his parents attended the trial, as did scores of reporters from Spain. HBO also produced a Spanish-language documentary on the events.
Through his father’s lawyers, Sancho denied having a relationship with the victim and pushed back on the police narrative.
Sancho was also ordered to pay more than 4.2 million baht — $125,000 — in compensation to the victim’s family. When he pays the full amount, he will be eligible to