Police in Thailand blocked boats from leaving the island of Koh Tao, a popular tourist destination, after the bodies of two British visitors were found murdered on a beach near the bungalow where they’d been staying.  Investigators are questioning tourists and locals, as well as hotel and bar owners.

“The man was chopped in the back and on the side of his head, while the woman was chopped in her face.  It’s very gruesome,” Police Colonel Prachum Ruangthong was quoted as saying.

Both the victims – 24-year old David Miller of Jersey, and 23-year old Hannah Witheridge – had suffered serious hacking injuries, and investigators found a garden hoe believed to have been used in the attack.  Cops are reviewing any and all footage from nearby security cameras.

Both Miller and Witheridge apparently arrived in Thailand last month, and it appears they met there as well.  Their bodies were found about 100 meters from the location of a party attended by foreign tourists.  It could be that the attackers were waiting for the two as they walked off at the end of the party, according to investigators.