Body of ASOS co-founder is brought to the UK for his funeral after fatal fall from 17th-floor Thai apartment

The body of the millionaire Asos co-founder, who died after falling from an apartment in Thailand, was brought to the UK for his funeral.

Quentin Griffiths, 58, who was born in London and co-founded the online retail giant, was living abroad when he fell from his 17th-floor balcony on February 9.

The retail typhoon was being investigated by Thai police over alleged £500,000 fraud at the company he runs with ex-wife Ploy Kringsinthanakun, 43.

Mr Griffiths was found guilty of fraud last October and sentenced to 18 months in prison, but allegedly appealed to be released under Thai law, The Sun reported.

He was supposed to have a meeting with his ex-wife’s lawyers last month to stay out of prison, but just two days ago he fell to his death in Pattaya, a coastal city south of Bangkok.

The 58-year-old man’s body has since been returned to Dorset, where his family is believed to be.

The inquest into his death, launched today in Bournemouth, stated that the cause of Mr Griffiths’ death was multiple injuries.

He fell from the balcony of his apartment in Elysium Residences in the Nong Prue district of Pattaya, Thailand.

Mr Griffiths pictured with ex-wife Ploy Kringsinthanakun and their two children

Mr Griffiths was reportedly arrested at Bangkok airport after a flight from London on January 15 last year, the Sun reported.

He was accused of falsifying documents to fraudulently dismiss his ex-wife, who was a director of a firm that held the freehold of a family home.

The coroner’s court in Bournemouth heard Mr Griffiths was born in London but was a divorced entrepreneur living in Thailand at the time of his death.

Police and emergency services were called to the block of flats after he was identified as an unresponsive male and Mr Griffiths was compared to his passport photo.

Police said Mr Griffiths was alone, his room was locked from the inside and there was no evidence of forced entry at the time of his death.

Senior coroner Rachael Griffin said an autopsy was carried out in Thailand and Dr. He said another autopsy was performed by Robert Blahut.

An investigation by Thai authorities found there were no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement in his death, and Ms Griffin said there was no reason not to release his body so that a funeral could take place.

He postponed the investigation, with a pre-inquest review hearing scheduled for September, and said they would have to wait for documents from Thai authorities and that his office would liaise with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

They will also seek statements from Mr Griffiths’ family to assist the investigation.

Coroner Nicola Muller said: ‘On 9 February police and emergency services were called to attend to an unresponsive male at Elysium residences in the Nong Prue district of Pattaya.

‘Mr Griffiths was identified by comparison with his passport.’

Ms Griffin said: ‘After being repatriated to this country a post-mortem examination was carried out at Holly Tree Mortuary in Dorset on 2 March. Dr. Blahut stated that the cause of death was multiple injuries. No samples were preserved.

‘An autopsy was also performed in Thailand and we are waiting for these documents to help.

‘I understand that an investigation is taking place in Thailand and, to the best of our knowledge, there is no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement in his death.

‘I see no reason not to release his body at this time so I am returning his body to his family for burial.’

Emergency services are said to have found the millionaire’s body on the ground beneath his balcony. (Image: The building where Mr Griffiths lived)

It was stated that the police evaluated the person’s death as suicide.

On Friday, Ms Kringsinthanakun announced she was fighting to regain custody of her two children, aged 12 and 11, who were handed over to paternal relatives following Mr Griffiths’ death.

Their lawyers said Ms Kringsinthanakun and Mr Griffiths shared court-ordered joint custody of the children, which was in direct contravention of the order.

‘Our client is deeply concerned about the safety, emotional health and stability of her children during this extremely difficult time,’ they said.

‘He is the children’s legal custodial parent and seeks the immediate and safe return of the children in accordance with the current court order.’

In a statement released by her lawyer, Ms Kringsinthanakun said: ‘My children have already suffered the devastating loss of their father. I was prevented from being with their mother at a time when they needed their mother’s comfort, love and stability the most.

‘I beg those who are my children now; ‘Please do the right thing and return them to me immediately so we can begin to heal as a family.’

Ms Kringsinthanakun said he had no part in his death, which occurred just days before their next court appearance.

Ms Kringsinthanakun also said she and her ex-husband did not communicate for four years and eight months after she discovered his infidelity.

Mr Griffiths co-founded Asos in 2000 and remained a significant shareholder after leaving the company five years later.

In a statement, Asos said: ‘We are sorry to hear of the passing of one of our co-founders, Quentin.

‘He played a key role in the early days of Asos and we are forever grateful for his contribution. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.’

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