Police have not ruled out murder in the death of British tourist Joshua Kershaw, 21, who was found dead at a hotel in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit 7/1 alley on January 13, just hours after arriving in Thailand. Investigators say the case remains open pending final official autopsy results and further evidence, despite growing pressure from his family.
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Lieutenant Colonel Pairat Khamlee, Deputy Superintendent of Lumpini Police Station, said: “Police have not yet received the official autopsy results from the hospital and are still following up. From the beginning, we have not ruled out any possibilities, whether it is murder, a drug overdose, or anything else.”
Picture courtesy of Yorkshire Post
Kershaw had travelled to Bangkok and went directly to his hotel before heading out to nearby bars, where he was seen drinking with a black woman described by witnesses as an African sex worker. Police said the woman was observed on CCTV sitting and drinking with him and has since been identified and questioned.
At around 2:20am, Kershaw collapsed on the floor of a venue while the woman stood nearby. Witnesses stated she did not attempt to interfere and police say statements so far do not suggest she administered substances or was involved in any altercation.
He was taken to hospital but discharged himself roughly an hour later. He later returned to the same street for more drinks before going back to his hotel at approximately 5:30am, where he was found dead in his room the following afternoon by a maid. Police confirmed they have interviewed multiple witnesses, including hotel staff and bar employees, and reviewed CCTV footage.
Kershaw’s family have said the case is now being treated as “murder/manslaughter”, citing preliminary toxicology findings of “a combination of seven different substances in his system at extremely high levels”. In a statement, his mother Jenny said: “Our family is devastated and searching for answers. We believe Joshua deserves a full and proper investigation. No family should have to fight this hard just to understand how their loved one died.”
The 21-year-old landscaper, originally from Grimsby, had travelled to Thailand for a week-long holiday and had been in the country only hours before his death. His body was repatriated last month and a service was held at Wakefield Crematorium.
Further concerns have also been raised over the initial police response, with claims that the first officer at the scene did not inform the British Embassy and initially treated the case as a routine drug-related death. Authorities have not confirmed those claims but say the investigation is ongoing and under review.
Officials say conclusions will depend on final autopsy and toxicology reports, while the family continue to seek answers and await confirmation ruling from a UK coroner.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now West-Yorkshire-news 27 Mar 2026
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