The 26-year-old Dutchman died under unclear circumstances in Phuket in 2013. The foundation is offering a €100,000 reward (about B3.5 million) for the golden tip that leads to the conviction of those responsible.
The Peter R. de Vries Foundation was established in memory of Peter R. de Vries, a renowned Dutch crime journalist and advocate for justice. The foundation supports families who have long awaited answers in cases of unsolved murders and disappearances.
Through campaigns like ’Case not Closed’, the organisation seeks to raise awareness, encourage witnesses to come forward and provide recognition to the victims’ families.
The foundation emphasises that justice knows no borders, and every case deserves serious attention, regardless of where it took place.
On Jan 13, 2013, Stephan Buczynski was found dead in the water about 500 metres offshore from Patong Beach. He had been traveling with his friend Sylvano, but their trip had not gone smoothly. A confrontation with another tourist escalated tensions, and Stephan spent a week in the hospital as a result. The night after his discharge, he was found dead.
Thai police concluded that Stephan had committed suicide, but his family disputes this claim.
According to the Peter R. de Vries Foundation website, Stephan was on holiday in Thailand with his business partner, Sylvano. The holiday did not go smoothly.
In the early days, Stephan accidentally got into a fight with an Australian tourist. As a result, the Australian hit Stephan in the face with a bottle of whiskey. Sylvano helped his friend and attacked the Australian.
Stephan was then taken to the hospital, where he spent a week. The incident caused a lot of stress. The night after Stephan was released from the hospital, he was found dead.
The Thai investigation found that his blood alcohol level was very high and he had a deep wound on his head, possibly from a boat propeller. The medical examination results are still unclear, namely the cause of death was asphyxiation or drowning.
The Thai police concluded that it was a suicide. The family did not believe it and after his body arrived in the Netherlands, the Dutch investigation conducted a second autopsy and found more injuries than previously reported, such as a fractured skull and a broken ankle, confirming to the family that it was not a suicide
In 2015, Stephan’s family traveled to Phuket with John van den Heuvel on the show ‘Murder in Foreign Countries ‘to search for answers. They spoke to several people, including the Thai police, who were not very helpful, saying that the case file had been lost due to flooding and that no further assistance was available.
The beach guard who retrieved Stephan’s body said that there were no boats at night, so Stephan’s head wound was unlikely to have been caused by that.
A pathologist said Stephan’s blood alcohol level was zero, contrary to the autopsy report. CCTV footage from several cameras showed Stephan walking with Sylvano for a while before walking alone and busy talking on the phone.
In Thailand, Van den Heuvel received a phone call from an anonymous source, stating that Stephan had been the victim of police brutality.
Although after that trip to Phuket, no answers were found for the case, the family gained more clarity. Further investigation in the Netherlands revealed new facts, including:
- Injuries inconsistent with suicide, such as a fractured skull and a broken ankle.
- CCTV footage showing Stephan alive and in conversation shortly before his death.
The Buczynski family believes Stephan may have been the victim of violence.
Now, almost 12 years later, the Peter R. de Vries Foundation is appealing to witnesses in Thailand to provide new information.
“The loss of Stephan is a tragedy that continues to haunt his family. We hope there are people who know something and are willing to help bring the answers this family has been waiting for. Even the smallest tip can make a difference,” said Kelly de Vries, director of the foundation.
To raise awareness about this case, the foundation is sharing a special appeal via social media in Thailand this week. Stephan’s mother and sister have recorded emotional video messages urging witnesses to come forward. These videos are subtitled in Thai and can be viewed here: Video 1; Video 2.
“Every tip matters. Together, we can help bring Stephan’s family the answers they have waited 12 years for,” the foundation notes.
The Peter R. de Vries Foundation is offering a €100,000 reward for the tip that leads to the conviction of those responsible. Witnesses can contact the foundation anonymously.
Any persons with any information about Stephan Buczynski’s case are urged to share their information via tip@peterrdevries.nl
More information about the case and the reward can be found at www.peterrdevries.nl/stephan-buczynski-th