Asos Co-Founder Quentin Griffiths Dies in Mysterious Thailand Balcony Fall
Quentin Griffiths, the 58-year-old co-founder of the popular online fashion retailer Asos, has died under mysterious circumstances after falling from the 17th-floor balcony of an apartment building in Pattaya, Thailand. The incident occurred on February 9 but only came to public attention after a delay of 10 days, adding to the intrigue surrounding his death.
Police Investigation and Initial Findings
A police investigator informed the BBC that Griffiths, who held a British passport, was alone in the room at the time of the incident. The room was locked from the inside, and authorities found no signs of any break-ins or forced entry. An autopsy conducted on Griffiths did not reveal any evidence of foul play, leaving the case shrouded in mystery.
Cops confirmed that Griffiths had been staying in the luxury hotel as a long-term resident. Investigators noted that he was involved in two ongoing court cases, which might have contributed to significant stress in his life.
Legal Disputes and Personal Life
Griffiths was separated from his second wife, a Thai national, and had reportedly been engaged in a bitter legal dispute with her over a business they ran together. His wife accused him of stealing from the company, leading to his arrest last year. She claimed that Griffiths had forged documents to sell land and shares in the firm without her knowledge.
At that time, Griffiths insisted on his innocence and was released after questioning, though the probe was still ongoing. This legal turmoil is believed to have added to the pressures he faced.
Background and Family Reactions
Asos was founded in London in 2000 by Griffiths and Nick Robertson, the great-grandson of the eponymous founder of the suit retailer Austin Reed. The business initially launched under the name As Seen on Screen before adopting the Asos acronym in 2002.
A source close to his family expressed confusion over the events, stating: “It’s a real mystery. The phrase ‘suspicious circumstances’ has been used but we just don’t know yet.” Griffiths moved to Thailand around 2007, divorcing his first wife and later marrying the Thai woman with whom he had a son and a daughter. He also had another child from his first marriage.
Official Response and Ongoing Mystery
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.” The case remains under investigation, with no clear conclusions yet about the circumstances leading to his tragic fall.
