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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive