Thai police confirmed on Friday (February 20) that Quentin Griffiths, co-founder of the UK fast-fashion e-commerce giant ASOS, died after falling from a building in early February, with preliminary investigations pointing to suicide.
According to local authorities, the 58-year-old Griffiths fell from the 17th floor of an apartment building in the seaside resort town of Pattaya on February 9. Upon arrival at the scene, the police found the body of a British citizen on the ground below the balcony and confirmed the identity of the deceased.
The police stated that preliminary investigations suggest suicide with no signs of foul play. Surveillance footage showed that no one entered Griffiths’ apartment where he lived alone. The body has been sent for autopsy.
Quoting a Thai friend of the deceased, the police mentioned that Griffiths had been concerned about legal issues involving his Thai ex-wife before his death.
Thai authorities disclosed that relevant lawsuit documents were found in Griffiths’ apartment room.
ASOS, founded in 2000, had Griffiths as one of its co-founders. Even after his departure in 2004, he remained a major shareholder of ASOS.
In recent years, due to rising costs and intense competition from cheap Chinese rivals, the profitability of this UK online retailer has been disappointing.
The stock price of ASOS has plummeted by about 96% from its peak.
When asked about Griffiths, the UK Foreign Office stated that they were providing support to the “family of a British citizen who passed away in Thailand” and had been in contact with the local government.
Initially, Griffiths’ case did not attract attention from the Thai media as Pattaya is home to a large number of foreign residents. It was not until Thursday (the 19th) when British media began reporting on the incident.
This tragic incident has shed light on the personal struggles of a prominent figure in the fashion industry, leading to discussions on mental health and the challenges faced by successful individuals. The circumstances surrounding Griffiths’ death have raised questions and caused sorrow among those who knew him and the wider community. May this serve as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support for those in need.