Asos co-founder dies after Thailand balcony fall

A co-founder of online fashion giant asos has died after falling from a high-rise apartment block in the eastern Thai city of Pattaya on 9 February, Thai police said. The discovery and the details shared by investigators have prompted a local inquiry and prompted contact from the British Foreign Office for family support.

Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths dies

Thai police named the man as Quentin Griffiths, a British passport holder who was found dead on the ground outside a luxury hotel in Pattaya. He had been staying as a long-term resident in a suite on the 17th floor. Police said his room was locked from the inside and there was no trace of any break-ins when he was found.

Police findings and autopsy results

Investigators conducted an autopsy that did not reveal any evidence of foul play, police said. Officials have noted the locked room and the absence of signs of forced entry as part of their account of the scene. It remains unclear at this time whether investigators have closed their inquiries or whether additional forensic or administrative steps will follow.

Legal disputes and company response

Police also said Griffiths had been involved in two ongoing court cases that might have caused him stress. He was separated from his second wife, a Thai national, and was reportedly engaged in a legal dispute with her over a business they ran together. Griffiths co-founded the company in 2000 and left five years later but remained a significant shareholder after his departure.

An Asos spokesperson expressed sadness at Griffiths's passing and said the company was grateful for his contribution in the firm's earliest days. A Foreign Office spokesperson said British officials are supporting the family and are in contact with local authorities as inquiries continue.

What this means going forward

The immediate indicators available are the autopsy finding of no evidence of foul play, the locked suite and the mention of ongoing legal cases. If those disputes remain unresolved, they could continue to be a source of stress for people involved. Officials' contact with the family and the statement from the company set expectations that both legal and diplomatic channels are engaged while local investigations proceed; the timeline and potential next steps have not been made public.

Key takeaways

• Quentin Griffiths, a co-founder of asos, was found dead outside a 17th-floor suite in Pattaya on 9 February.
• Police said the room was locked from the inside and an autopsy showed no evidence of foul play.
• Griffiths had been involved in ongoing legal disputes; the Foreign Office is supporting the family.