POLICE believe a British student may have been raped before being killed on the Thai island of Koh Tao.

The bodies of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and her boyfriend, David Miller, 24, were discovered on a beach on the tiny island on September 15.

A bloodstained garden hoe, believed to be the murder weapon, was found nearby.

Police investigators said they believe three people were involved in the attacks.

Speaking to the Bangkok Post, Lieutenant General Panya Mamen, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said: "Two of the suspects raped and killed Witheridge while another one witnessed the murder.

"We are confident we have a very high chance of finding the suspects."

Officers have collected 200 DNA samples from people on Koh Tao and the results are expected this week.

Two different DNA samples collected from Ms Witheridge's body are the basis for the analysis, the force told the paper.

A group of Thai footballers are the latest people to be questioned by police amid fears that the hunt for the killers has stalled.

A spokesman for the Royal Thai Police confirmed that DNA samples were taken from "more than eight" footballers, who reportedly threw a late-night party at the nightclub where the victims spent their final hours, and officers were awaiting the results.

Last week police colonel Kissana Phathanacharoen said a reward of 700,000 baht - roughly £13,300 - was now being offered for information which leads to the arrests of the culprits.

Post-mortem ­examinations revealed Ms Witheridge, from Norfolk, died from head wounds, while Mr Miller, from Jersey, was killed by severe blows to the head and drowning.

Mr Miller's father, Ian, earlier said that he believes his son stepped in to help Ms Witheridge during an altercation.

He said: "It has become clearer and clearer that it is quite likely David was stepping in to help a girl who was in trouble."