THE sister of an Essex University student who was brutally murdered in Thailand has slammed the country’s authorities for dismissing the family’s grief.

Hannah Witheridge, 23, who had been living in Morant Road, Colchester, was found dead on a beach on the Thai Island of Koh Tao, along with fellow Brit David Miller in September 2014.

She had been raped before she was killed.

Bar workers Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were found guilty of their murders last month but are challenging the verdict.

Hannah’s sister Laura Witheridge has written a lengthy Facebook post following the death of another British tourist – Luke Miller, from the Isle of Wight – on the same island at the weekend.

She said she had received death threats and been sent disturbing pictures from the crime scene.

The post read: “What if I told you that I am now frightened of my own shadow? That I am constantly looking over my shoulder?

“That I am exhausted, but frightened to sleep because of the nightmares?"

Miss Witheridge added that judges and court officials had made a series of hurtful comments to her family throughout the trial process including "Why are you so bothered? Just go home and make another one" in reference to their loss.

She also said the family were told: "Why are you making such a fuss, she will be back in 30 days as something else, she may have better luck next time".

Miss Witherdige said she believed there may have been more suspicious deaths on the island which were not in the public eye.

She added: “What if I told you that since we lost Hannah there have been many more suspicious deaths on Koh Tao.

"You probably haven't heard of them all, as not all were British nationals. The deaths, where possible, are covered up as suicides and accidents.

"This would have happened with Hannah, if it had not been for the hideous brutality of her passing."