Police in Thailand say two Burmese men have confessed to the murder of two British tourists on a popular resort island last month . The bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were discovered early on September 15 on a beach on Koh Tao , a small southern island in Thailand . They were partially undressed with severe injuries to their heads . A hoe with blood on it was found close by , police said . The pair , both in their early 20s , were last seen at bar on the island hanging out with friends . An autopsy revealed both victims had been hit by a hard object , according to Maj. Gen. Pornchai Suteerakhun , the head of the Police Hospital 's Institute of Forensic Medicine . Miller was hit and had scratches on his back , in addition to having water in his lungs consistent with drowning , an autopsy showed . Witheridge was hit several times on her head and face and her body had evidence of sexual intercourse , according to her autopsy . DNA match . On Friday , Police Commissioner Gen. Somyot Poompanmuang told CNN that DNA in semen taken from Witheridge matched samples taken from the two men . `` The DNA matching result is out already and they matched with DNA found on the female victim , '' he said , adding that the men admitted to raping Witheridge . He said DNA samples taken from cigarette butts found near the bodies also matched those of the two suspects . The men , who have n't been named , have been in custody since October 1 , police said . Somyot said the two men told police that they became aroused after spotting the couple and moved in to attack them . They said they hit Miller on the back of the head , then raped Witheridge before hitting her in the face several times . Somyot said the two Burmese suspects would reenact the incident for police on Koh Tao later Friday . The deaths have shaken residents on the idyllic island , which takes up only 21 square kilometers ( 8 square miles ) amid bright blue waters in the Gulf of Thailand . Authorities said it was the first homicide case on Koh Tao in at least eight years . The island is popular among tourists for its diving locations , white sand beaches and vibrant nightlife .
Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were discovered early on September 15 . They were partially undressed with severe injuries to their heads . Police : Two Burmese men admitted to murders , raping Witheridge . DNA samples taken from the couple match those of two suspects , police say .