David Miller (left) and Hannah Witheridge
David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were found dead in Thailand

The family of British backpacker Hannah Witheridge, who was murdered in Thailand, have paid tribute to their "beautiful Hannah," as they brought her body back home to the UK.

Hannah Witheridge, 23, and fellow Brit David Miller, 24, were murdered on a beach in Koh Tao, a week ago.

The bodies of the pair were found by Burmese workers at about 6.30am on Monday (15 September) after attending a beach party the night before.

Ms Witheridge's family have issued their first statement since the deaths.

"We can confirm that we have now returned to the UK with our beautiful Hannah. Our family is broken and require time to grieve in private - as do Hannah's many friends.
- Witheridge family statement

"The main purpose of our trip was to bring our beloved Hannah home and to obtain information on the investigation," they said.

"We can confirm that we have now returned to the UK with our beautiful Hannah. As a family we feel enormous relief to have Hannah back at home where she belongs.

"We continue to work closely with officers to assist in the investigation and bring those responsible to justice. Our family is broken and require time to grieve in private - as do Hannah's many friends."

According to the post-mortem examinations results Witheridge, who is from Great Yarmouth, suffered severe head wounds and Miller died from blows to the head and drowning.

A garden hoe, thought to be the murder weapon, was found with Witheridge's blood on it nearby. Investigators are searching for a separate blunt metal object used to kill Miller.

New evidence suggests British backpacker David Miller may have been coming to the aid of Hannah Witheridge as she was being attacked when the pair were brutally murdered.

It has been reported that Thai police have matched DNA found on Witheridge's body to that of two Asian men.

Police hunting the killer have said "sexual jealousy" may have been the motive for the killings.

Police Colonel Kissana Phathanacharoen said: "We have asked the Met Police to go back and ask their friends if they can help with any further information."

"We still believe sexual jealously is at the heart of this crime. We are aware of reports they may have been involved in a row in a bar with a Thai man and we are currently investigating."

Officers also said they do not know if the killer is still on Koh Tao.

Thailand murders
The mother and sister (C) of murdered British tourist Hannah Witheridge hug ahead of a police briefing at the Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok Getty

Meanwhile, two British brothers who were questioned by police, were told they were free to return home to Jersey.

Christopher and James Ware, who were childhood friends of Mr Miller, were interviewed by officers but were not named as suspects.

They have been allowed to leave Thailand after it was found that their DNA was not a match to the murdered tourists.

A group of Burmese migrants who were interviewed by police after bloodstains were found on their clothes have also been eliminated from police inquiries.

A cash reward of £4,000 is being offered for any information that might help the investigation.