Brit Family Still Seeking Answers After Phuket Death

On 6/8/2026 at 5:38 AM, Georgealbert said:

The sister of a British tourist found dead in Thailand is continuing her campaign for answers more than a year after his death, saying families of Britons who die overseas receive too little support and face significant obstacles obtaining information.

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Regan Kelly, 28, from Selsdon, South London, was found dead in the sea in Phuket, Thailand, in January 2025. Thai police concluded that he drowned, but his family remain concerned that there may have been foul play involved.

Regan disappeared in the early hours of 3 January 2025, just days after arriving in Phuket with a friend. The last known CCTV footage showed him running after leaving the bar at the Mad Monkey Hotel, where he was staying.

His body was discovered at about 10am by a watersports instructor. According to Regan’s sister, Laurie Blackall, the man who found him said he was naked except for one sock, a detail she believes raises further questions about the circumstances of his death.

Laurie said she has struggled to obtain official documents and information since her brother’s death. She described feeling as though she had become “the investigator” while also coping with grief.

She said families of people who die abroad do not receive the same level of support that is often provided following deaths in the UK, such as access to family liaison officers. Laurie also described communication difficulties while seeking information from authorities, including unanswered emails and being referred between departments.

In response to her experience, Laurie launched a petition calling for reforms to the way the UK handles deaths of British nationals overseas. Her proposals include improved transparency, dedicated liaison support officers, guaranteed access to information relating to deceased relatives, and an independent review process.

The campaign has gained support from other families who have experienced similar challenges after losing relatives abroad. Laurie said many people who contacted her reported poor communication, lack of updates and difficulties accessing information.

She also highlighted similarities between her brother’s case and the death of former reality television personality Jordan Wright, 33. Wright was last seen on CCTV running in Phuket before being found dead in a drainage canal on 14 March. His family are awaiting an inquest later this year in the hope of learning more about the circumstances surrounding his death.

East Surrey MP Claire Coutinho said bereaved families deserve clear communication and a compassionate approach when dealing with the death of a relative overseas. She described reports of inadequate support as concerning.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it had provided support to Regan’s family and remained in contact with both them and local authorities. The department stated that embassies seek to tailor assistance to British nationals and their families around the world.

The Sun reported that Laurie’s petition has attracted more than 1,500 signatures and she intends to continue campaigning for changes to support services for bereaved families seeking answers after deaths abroad.

Pictures courtesy of The Sun

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Adapted by ASEAN Now The-Sun 8 June 2026

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Coming (drunk) out of a bar and went swimming.

Seems very clear

32 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Coming (drunk) out of a bar and went swimming.

Seems very clear

Not so.

He was staying at the hotel where the bar is, runs about 300 meters to the beach where later his body is found at 10am? CCTV footage may show whether he was drunk in his run. Any CCTV on the beach frontages?

They won't get any further answers at this stage of the game, out of the question.

15 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Not so.

He was staying at the hotel where the bar is, runs about 300 meters to the beach where later his body is found at 10am? CCTV footage may show whether he was drunk in his run. Any CCTV on the beach frontages?

Well, I'm not Holmes or Watson, but checking the tide chart at that time might be helpful.

With ebbtide off the beach and appr 6-8 hrs later back to shore.

Unless he was on a moon walk he went voluntarily swimming, probably (no evidence here) intoxicated (are you going swimming at THAT time?)

Likely an episode of psychosis linked to drugs, possibly sleeping pills, and/or alcohol. Very common here among foreign nationals, but not spoken about enough. https://www.thethailandlife.com/psychosis-thailand

10 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Coming (drunk) out of a bar and went swimming.

Seems very clear

And you know this how? Where you there?

Maybe...was drunk, possibly more and decided to go skinny dipping. Night time and under the influence is a bad recipe for anyone, even more for some dude that grow up and has never lived at the beach.

RIP, hope the family can find some closure.

From the still it doesn't look like he was stumbling drunk, but who knows.........

With all due respect and condolences to family and friends, can they attest to how good of a swimmer he was? There is a type of drowning which occurs when you inhale water into the lungs (wet drowning/aspiration), so if you are buzzed, think you are playing ironman training, run real hard, strip down start swimming real hard there is a chance of this type of drowning. Especially if not an experienced swimmer. Inhaled water.

RIP lad, gone too soon.

15 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Not so.

He was staying at the hotel where the bar is, runs about 300 meters to the beach where later his body is found at 10am? CCTV footage may show whether he was drunk in his run. Any CCTV on the beach frontages?

It is more than likely that he went for a swim drunk and drowned.

Any other theories ? Drug deal gone bad or what ?