Dutch tourist charged with killing British holidaymaker
A Dutch tourist has allegedly confessed to killing a British holidaymaker on a houseboat in Kashmir.
Richard De Wit, 43, from Holland, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday after he reportedly fled the New Beauty houseboat where 24-year-old fitness instructor Sarah Groves from Guernsey was found stabbed the death.
He appeared before a magistrate in Srinagar yesterday and was formally accused of her murder.
Miss Groves had been staying on the boat for two months after beginning a relationship with the owner’s son Samir Shoda while on holiday in Goa, the Telegraph reported.
She was found dead by two of the owner’s other sons after their mother heard noises in the lake at around 2.30am on Saturday and spotted the accused allegedly rowing away from the boat.
Kashmir’s deputy inspector general of police Aftal ul Mujtada told the newspaper that Mr De Wit had confessed to killing Miss Groves to Samir, who they had asked to act as an interpreter.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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