A UK inquest has heard that British tourist Joshua Kershaw, 21, had high levels of heroin and cocaine in his system when he died in a Bangkok hotel room, according to preliminary toxicology results. The findings were presented at Wakefield Coroner’s Court on Friday, March 27, as investigations into his death continue in both the UK and Thailand.
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The inquest into Joshua James Kershaw, also known as Sadler, was opened after his body was repatriated to the UK. The court was told he was born in Grimsby, was single and unemployed, and had been living in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. He was pronounced dead on Tuesday, January 13, in Room 303 at Maxim’s Inn Hotel in Bangkok and was formally identified by his passport.
Coroner Oliver Longstaff heard that Kershaw was found unresponsive in his hotel room and pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology tests carried out in the UK revealed high levels of heroin and cocaine in his system, with the quantities said to be sufficient to cause death.
The coroner adjourned the hearing, stating that the “suggestion” from the toxicology findings was that drugs had played a part in the death and that it was not from natural causes. Further investigations are now required before a final conclusion can be reached.
The update comes as Thai police continue to state that murder has not been ruled out, with officers awaiting official autopsy results and continuing to gather evidence. Investigators in Bangkok have previously said no single line of inquiry has been dismissed, including overdose or foul play.
Kershaw’s family have said the case is now being treated as “murder/manslaughter”, citing earlier toxicology findings that indicated “a combination of seven different substances in his system at extremely high levels”. His mother, Jenny, said the family had been informed the case in Thailand had been reopened and was being investigated as a murder case, though they are still awaiting official confirmation from the UK coroner.
Earlier this week, the family also shared a photo of a woman they wish to speak to in connection with Kershaw’s final hours. Police in Bangkok have previously confirmed that a woman seen drinking with him on the night he collapsed has been identified and questioned, with no evidence so far linking her to wrongdoing.
Kershaw, a young landscaper originally from Grimsby, had travelled to Thailand for a week-long holiday and had reportedly been in the country for around 10 hours before his death. His body was returned to the UK last month, and a funeral has since been held at Wakefield Crematorium.
Authorities in both countries are continuing their investigations, with further inquest hearings expected as additional evidence, including final toxicology and post-mortem results, becomes available.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Examinerlive 28 Mar 2026
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