Japanese scuba instructor dies in suspicious circumstances on Koh Tao. Yoshie "Sharlyn" Sazawa
Channel: KOH TAO MURDERS DEATH ISLAND
Date: 2021-11-12

This video is about ONE of the TWO Japanese nationals who died on Koh Tao, whose deaths I know of.

I have known about both Japanese casualties for some time now but have found it challenging to gather many details.

One thing I can tell you is that although the demise of each of these victims was known within the small Koh Tao community, there appears to be almost no coverage in the mainstream media save for one reference in the PHUKET GAZETTE (16 April 2005 page 16).  That article refers to SHARLYN SAWASA (sic) and mentions her recent passing.  The article was about the Koh Tao Dive Operators Club (KT-DOC), which Sharlyn was actively involved in.  

Sharlyn was a Japanese diving instructor and translator with a sound command of English.  She worked for several diving schools on Koh Tao and, in particular, she ran the BIG BLUE CHABA diving classes aimed at Japanese tourists.  It seems those classes operated under the umbrella of the very well established diving school called Big Blue Diving Koh Tao.

Within 48 hours of publishing this video, some viewers performed a little detective work and discovered that her Japanese name was Yoshie Sazawa and that she sometimes used the name Sharlyn Sazawa but normally just used her nickname, "Sharlyn." 

I encourage viewers to read the comments below this video and my other videos because often additional gems of information can be found there.

The story goes that Sharlyn vanished and after a few days her body was found.

I received conflicting accounts of how her body was found.  According to one account, Sharlyn’s body was found on the ground in the jungle.  By another account, her body was found hanging from a tree with a wound to her chest.

I understand that Sharlyn left no suicide note but that the Koh Tao police dismissed Sharlyn’s death as a suicide, which is the standard operating procedure for mysterious and suspicious deaths on the island along with the alternative explanation of “accident.”

I further understand that most locals believed that Sharlyn was murdered.  However, many locals maintained that if she was murdered THEN it must have been by one of the Burmese migrant workers.  The Burmese are the favourite scapegoats there.

What motives could anyone have to murder her?  Sharlyn had made herself unpopular with many people on and around Koh Tao for several reasons.

Firstly, she was involved with the Koh Tao Dive Operators Club (KT-DOC), which was actively interfering with activities of the fishing industry around Koh Tao.

Secondly, she was attempting to stop some dive sites being used.

Thirdly, she had levelled an allegation against another diving instructor and had been scathing in her criticism of him and of the diving school he worked for.  It is not necessary nor helpful to reveal that allegation nor name the targets of her criticism but plenty of long term residents on the island would be aware of Sharlene’s allegation and criticism.

Sharlyn’s death certainly appears suspicious but I do not know whether she was murdered.  I do not know the identity of the perpetrator if she was murdered.

Sharyln died in around 2004 or perhaps as later as early 2005.   Perhaps someone can leave a comment below with more precise information, or they might prefer to forward the information to me in a private email at my address in the description below.

I found this comment within a tribute page to Sharlyn, which is self-explanatory:
"I'm so sorry for your loss. Yoshie lived with my family our senior year in high school (1982-1983). I am only know finding out about her death, as I was searching for her after the horrible events that have occurred recently in Japan. I can't tell you how bereft I feel. She definitely brought joy into any room she entered."

Based on that comment, one could estimate Sharlyn's age at the time of her death as somewhere in her late 30's.

Email: IanDYarwood@gmail.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KohTaoDeathIsland

Tribute to 20 foreign victims of Koh Tao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8gesYV1t6A

Californian bar owner threatened by Koh Tao mafia then found dead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAkpqCtNXRo

Honest Koh Tao Travel Guide (with satire):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfcAcScqkfo

1sr video on murder of Mr Ban:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPMHKY67APA
2nd video on murder of Mr Ban:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga7TBVpNuMY
Ist video about unprovoked glass attack of Pat "Santi" Khokpool upon a Scottish tourist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVdUWHgwULM
Profile of Santi Khokpool and mafia on Koh Tao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd-2_6wGJfM
Getting away with crime on Koh Tao courtesy of friends in high places: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SkogJ4EAuc
PADI expels Santi Khokpool following vicious glass attack upon Scottish tourist:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXiYb_j7kag
3rd video about assassination of Mr Ban:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbQMdEin6q4