Thai police asked to probe Kirsty Jones murder claim

Kirsty Jones was three months into a two-year around-the-world trip when she was killed

Thai Police have been asked to investigate a man named on a YouTube video as a possible suspect in a Welsh backpacker's murder 11 years ago.

Kirsty Jones, 23, from Tredomen, near Brecon, Powys, was raped and strangled at a guesthouse on 10 August, 2000.

Her murder is unsolved but a video has been posted on the internet naming a man allegedly seen near the guesthouse.

Dyfed-Powys Police said it and the Foreign Office had asked Thai authorities to investigate the claim.

Despite a number of arrests, no charges have ever been brought over Ms Jones' death.

Ms Jones, a Liverpool University graduate, was found dead in a room at the Aree guest house in Chiang Mai, which is north of Bangkok.

She was three months into a two-year around-the-world trip.

Kirsty's mother Sue Jones said the family still miss her terribly

Memories

Her mother Sue Jones said: "It's something we have been aware of for quite a while now... we are still awaiting the Thais to DNA [him].

"Obviously if it is him that will be a good thing. If it isn't, it eliminates him from the investigation."

The family want a representative from the British authorities to be present at the DNA test "so that we could be absolutely sure it is done properly," she said.

Mrs Jones added that "the memories of Kirsty will always be there".

"It's painful. We still miss her, always will miss her terribly," she said.

Dyfed-Powys Police have assisted the Thai Police with the investigation in the past.

Det Ch Supt Steve Wilkins said the force was aware of allegations made in the video.

He said: "This allegation, and its source, has been subject of discussions between Dyfed-Powys Police and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for some time, with a request to the Thai authorities to thoroughly investigate.

"The information has been passed to the Thai authorities as they retain primacy in the investigation.

"We are continuing to liaise with them, via Interpol and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in relation to this information and other lines of inquiry."