Fresh Details Emerge in Irish Diver’s Mysterious Demise on Death Island

[Denim]

  On 1/14/2025 at 8:10 AM, Liverpool Lou said:

Correct, no point in speculating about his medical history that no one here could possibly ever know anything about, but you go ahead, fill yer boots.

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Thank you. I will.

 

I will be interested to see the autopsy results .  I think a spontaneous heart attack in an apparently fit young man needs further investigation..

 

 

[MikeandDow]

  On 1/14/2025 at 8:32 AM, Denim said:

 

Thank you. I will.

 

I will be interested to see the autopsy results .  I think a spontaneous heart attack in an apparently fit young man needs further investigation..

 

 

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And i wonder How you are going to see the autopsy report !!!, Spontaneous heart attack in an apparently fit young person, is not Uncommon,

Every week in the UK, 12 people apparently fit and healthy people – all aged 35 and under – die from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

They often bear no symptoms and are at the peak of their lives.

but the simple act of walking into a cold shower, hearing the doorbell ring or playing sport can be enough of a shock to the heart to kill them instantly.

[Justanotherone]

1 million baht to bring a dead body back? why not cremate here and spread ashes in the sea...

[Denim]

  On 1/14/2025 at 8:52 AM, MikeandDow said:

And i wonder How you are going to see the autopsy report !!!, Spontaneous heart attack in an apparently fit young person, is not Uncommon,

Every week in the UK, 12 people apparently fit and healthy people – all aged 35 and under – die from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

They often bear no symptoms and are at the peak of their lives.

but the simple act of walking into a cold shower, hearing the doorbell ring or playing sport can be enough of a shock to the heart to kill them instantly.

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Population of the UK = 68,000,000

Population of Koh TAo =  8000 ( approx )

 

In a large population bound to be a few unexplained deaths. Given that the UK population is 8500 times larger than Koh Tao I am less surprised.

 

As for seeing the autopsy results , you are probably correct. The story will probably die and we will hear nothing much more in the press , especially if nobody is interested.

[MikeandDow]

  On 1/14/2025 at 10:13 AM, Denim said:

 

Population of the UK = 68,000,000

Population of Koh TAo =  8000 ( approx )

 

In a large population bound to be a few unexplained deaths. Given that the UK population is 8500 times larger than Koh Tao I am less surprised.

 

As for seeing the autopsy results , you are probably correct. The story will probably die and we will hear nothing much more in the press , especially if nobody is interested.

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even if the story is kept alive the autopsy results are a private matter  !!!

The Fact of young people dying  suddenly are not Uncommon, the police have conducted there investigation, have not said its a suspicious death so far, so end of story. 

[sherlockh]

  On 1/14/2025 at 3:26 AM, webfact said:

 

by Bob Scott

 

Fresh details have emerged about the untimely death of Irish diver Robert “Robby” Kinlan, who was discovered lifeless in his room at the Baan Tao Bungalo Resort on Thailand’s infamous Koh Tao Island, also known for its chilling moniker, Death Island.

 

Local Thai police revealed that the young diver, found around 11am on Thursday, January 9, is believed to have succumbed to acute heart failure.

The 21 year old’s lifeless body was discovered by a friend, in the unsettling presence of his mobile phone, which was still connected to a wall socket.

 

“The death seems to be acute heart failure,” said Lieutenant Colonel Theeraphat Sanjai.

Due to turbulent waves, an autopsy is yet to be conducted, as local officials await safe passage to Surat Thani Hospital for confirmation of the young man’s cause of death.

 

Robby’s long-time friend said he’d known him for around five to six years and was clueless about any pre-existing medical conditions that might have led to this tragedy. The room, locked from the inside and showing no signs of forced entry or foul play, bore only the solemn stillness of an untimely end.

 

“There were no alcoholic beverages found in his room,” Lt. Col. Theeraphat said.

 

“I did not smell alcohol, just a musty odour.”

 

The room’s scene has been reported to the Irish Embassy in Bangkok, while Robby’s stunned family awaits answers and closure.

 

As the haunting legacy of Koh Tao looms large, the island continues to entice visitors with its stunning marine life, enchanting many despite its dark past. Meanwhile, concerned friends and family have rallied to raise over 38,000 euros (1.35 million baht) in a fundraiser to bring Kinlan’s remains back home.

 

From the unsolved murders of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in 2014 to this latest mystery, Koh Tao remains swathed in controversies and secrets waiting to be unravelled.

 

Update: Tragedy on Death Island: Irish diver found dead in hotel room (video)

 

 

Royal Thai Police revealed more news on the death of Irishman Robert “Robby” Kinlan who was on a scuba diving holiday on Thailand’s infamous Death Island. An RTP spokesperson announced the 21 year old from Clare, Ireland, was found dead in a hotel room.

 

Kinlan was discovered on January 9, lying lifeless on his bed in nothing but his boxer shorts. A friend tragically found him and despite urgent efforts, he could not be revived.

 

Police have revealed that the young Irishman was clutching his phone, which was still connected to a wall socket, although the device was locked when authorities arrived.

 

The small police station on Koh Tao, located roughly 250 miles south of Bangkok, now faces the challenge of waiting for turbulent seas to calm before Kinlan’s body can be transported to Surat Thani province on the mainland for a post-mortem examination, reported the Daily Mirror.

As the island, notorious for its mysterious deaths, faces scrutiny once again, Robby’s family mourns the loss of their beloved son who sought adventure and freedom.

 

 

Original story: Heartbroken Irish mum honours ‘special son’ lost in Thailand

 

The mother of a young Irishman paid tribute to her “special son” who died last week while scuba diving in Thailand. The heartbroken mother is now trying to repatriate the body of her beloved 21 year old son from County Clare, whose life was tragically cut short in Koh Tao.

Robert “Robby” Kinlan, died unexpectedly on January 9 while on the tropical paradise island of Koh Tao. Kinlan’s remains currently lie in a serene temple on the island of Ko Tao, nestled on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand.

 

Having recently celebrated the achievement of completing an advanced freediving course, the young Irishman was living out his dreams amidst the azure waves of Ko Tao.

 

In an effort to bring him back to Ireland, Kinlan’s friends from the Dive Academy in Inishmore, where he was a cherished member, have launched a heartfelt GoFundMe campaign. The campaign aims to support his grieving mother, Tracy King, who shared a poignant tribute on social media, accompanied by photos of the tranquil temple where her son rests.

 

“RIP to my precious son Robby. He is resting in this beautiful temple in Koh Tao, Thailand, before his journey back to Ireland. Thanks to all friends and family. Special thanks to the Guziuk family at Dive Academy Inis Mor.”

Kinlan’s friend remains on Ko Tao to ensure he’s “not alone” until his journey home starts. The Guziuk family lovingly described Kinlan as a young man who “lit up every room with his kindness and warmth,” capturing the essence of his generous spirit.

 

“Robby wasn’t just a friend, he was someone who truly brightened every space with his kindness and warmth. He was always the first to help others, prioritising their needs over his own without a moment’s hesitation.

“In Thailand, he was surrounded by many friends and was living his dream, spending his days doing what he loved: freediving and scuba diving in the place that made him happiest.

 

“Now, we seek to honour Robby’s memory in the most meaningful way by supporting his mum and family. We want to offer everyone the chance to say their goodbyes and celebrate the incredible person he was. Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to his family during this unimaginably difficult time.”

 

The community’s generosity has been overwhelming, raising over 30,000 euros (1.07 million baht) to date in the effort to bring Robby’s remains home, reported the Irish Examiner. If you wish to contribute to this heartfelt cause, you can donate via the GoFundMe page.

 

Details surrounding his death have yet to be released by Thai police.

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2025-01-14

 

 

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[sherlockh]

  On 1/14/2025 at 9:29 AM, Justanotherone said:

1 million baht to bring a dead body back? why not cremate here and spread ashes in the sea...

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As much as I have sympathy with the family at their loss I question the cost of repatriation.Homeland International quotes the following on line:Cost between £2000 and £20000 but average is £3000-£6000. Ashes~£1000- £3000. Repatriation of a patient is £200-£300 per mile. There are now a number of families using GoFundMe asking for in excess of £30000.

[Will B Good]

  On 1/14/2025 at 3:26 AM, webfact said:

“The death seems to be acute heart failure,” said Lieutenant Colonel Theeraphat Sanjai.

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Can you imagine a policeman in the “West" making a statement like? He’d be hanged, drawn and quartered by the family and the  press.

 

 

[frank83628]

  On 1/14/2025 at 10:13 AM, Denim said:

 

Population of the UK = 68,000,000

Population of Koh TAo =  8000 ( approx )

 

In a large population bound to be a few unexplained deaths. Given that the UK population is 8500 times larger than Koh Tao I am less surprised.

 

As for seeing the autopsy results , you are probably correct. The story will probably die and we will hear nothing much more in the press , especially if nobody is interested.

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Population 8k, tourist per year 500k, changes the stats considerably 

[geisha]

  On 1/14/2025 at 9:29 AM, Justanotherone said:

1 million baht to bring a dead body back? why not cremate here and spread ashes in the sea...

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Since when do you, or anyone else on this subject, have the right to question  his parents/ families wishes ? 

[Clapped out]

  On 1/14/2025 at 9:29 AM, Justanotherone said:

1 million baht to bring a dead body back? why not cremate here and spread ashes in the sea...

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There is an all Ireland ( i.e. North & South ) charity that repatriates Irish people who have expired while abroad.

(  https://kbrtrust.com/  )

I suspect that this charity will benefit from the over donation.

 

[josephbloggs]

  On 1/14/2025 at 9:29 AM, Justanotherone said:

1 million baht to bring a dead body back? why not cremate here and spread ashes in the sea...

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Because maybe they want to give him a burial at home in their traditional religious way with family. Did you consider that?

Some people are so ignorant and callous it is beyond belief.

[rattlesnake]

Vaxxed?

[lamyai3]

  On 1/14/2025 at 5:13 AM, frank83628 said:

So you're trying to imply he was posioned rather than a 20yrs old divers room might smell of... 20yr old diver, damp salty dive gear, towels etc.

 

 

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Maybe weed as well, some of which could certainly be described as having a "musty odour".

[BritManToo]

  On 1/14/2025 at 5:22 PM, geisha said:

Since when do you, or anyone else on this subject, have the right to question  his parents/ families wishes ? 

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When I were a lad my parents taught me to confine my 'wishes' to my 'finances', rather than try to borrow or beg from others.

[kingstonkid]

  On 1/14/2025 at 4:33 AM, BritManToo said:

They find what their bosses tell then to find, which in this case will be nothing suspicious, then burn the body so nobody else can find different.

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I think the fly in your ointment is that the body is being brought back to the UK for burial.  From what I read, it is not being cremated.

 

The autopsy, I am sure, will also be looked at by the British Embassy at some level.

 

I'm glad that it was not alcohol-related.  As to deaths on the island, I can only ask how many deaths they have had. If the ones we know in the media are it, then it probably is not that bad considering the number of people that go there.  

 

The main thing I am happy abut is that we are still getting reports. Usually, Thai and British/western papers just do the sensational and then leave it

 

[Robin]

How about this scenario.

 

" He was diving to excess, longer that normally advisable, to make the most of his holiday.  He comes back to his hotel room tired and takes a rest before the evening's party activities.  ( he was on holiday, so entitled to enoy himself with his friends.)

Many people sleep in boxer shorts, so nothing suspicious abut that.

To get in the party mood, he takes a handful of chemical simulants.  These on top of excessive exercise diving, are too much for his heart, so he has a cardiac arrest.  It is a well known medical fact that death often follows a heart failure.

The musty smell in his room can easily be explained by wet clothes/towels,  bad drains, and no windows open.

Poisoning is for the conspiracy theorists, could anyone forcibly administer poison to him without a struggle?

 

AN followers should be aware of the Thai tendency to run from or  any trouble, so not surprising that locals take the easy way out.... "Nothing suspicious to see here, just heart failure"  

I am sure that Local Plod remember all the trouble from the two murders a few years ago, so want this to go away as quickly as possible.  Hotel owner similarly does not want any bad publicity, so quickly brush this away."

 

Is there any requirement for a thorough medical before taking  PADI diving course?

Was there any reason why anyone would want him dead?  It is not usual to murder someone for no reason

 

I do not believe that any local thug would have the intelligence or means to administer some difficult to trae poison.  More likely to beat him to death.

[frank83628]

  On 1/15/2025 at 5:09 AM, Robin said:

How about this scenario.

 

" He was diving to excess, longer that normally advisable, to make the most of his holiday.  He comes back to his hotel room tired and takes a rest before the evening's party activities.  ( he was on holiday, so entitled to enoy himself with his friends.)

Many people sleep in boxer shorts, so nothing suspicious abut that.

To get in the party mood, he takes a handful of chemical simulants.  These on top of excessive exercise diving, are too much for his heart, so he has a cardiac arrest.  It is a well known medical fact that death often follows a heart failure.

The musty smell in his room can easily be explained by wet clothes/towels,  bad drains, and no windows open.

Poisoning is for the conspiracy theorists, could anyone forcibly administer poison to him without a struggle?

 

AN followers should be aware of the Thai tendency to run from or  any trouble, so not surprising that locals take the easy way out.... "Nothing suspicious to see here, just heart failure"  

I am sure that Local Plod remember all the trouble from the two murders a few years ago, so want this to go away as quickly as possible.  Hotel owner similarly does not want any bad publicity, so quickly brush this away."

 

Is there any requirement for a thorough medical before taking  PADI diving course?

Was there any reason why anyone would want him dead?  It is not usual to murder someone for no reason

 

I do not believe that any local thug would have the intelligence or means to administer some difficult to trae poison.  More likely to beat him to death.

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From memory there is a 'yes/no' box on the form for health conditions when signing up for diving courses. 

[sungod]

  On 1/14/2025 at 7:25 AM, 2long said:

Oh, and I trained doctors in all specialities. My Diploma is from the University of Facebook.

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 Mine is from Asean Now, you know nothing.

[MikeandDow]

  On 1/15/2025 at 5:09 AM, Robin said:

How about this scenario.

 

" He was diving to excess, longer that normally advisable, to make the most of his holiday.  He comes back to his hotel room tired and takes a rest before the evening's party activities.  ( he was on holiday, so entitled to enoy himself with his friends.)

Many people sleep in boxer shorts, so nothing suspicious abut that.

To get in the party mood, he takes a handful of chemical simulants.  These on top of excessive exercise diving, are too much for his heart, so he has a cardiac arrest.  It is a well known medical fact that death often follows a heart failure.

The musty smell in his room can easily be explained by wet clothes/towels,  bad drains, and no windows open.

Poisoning is for the conspiracy theorists, could anyone forcibly administer poison to him without a struggle?

 

AN followers should be aware of the Thai tendency to run from or  any trouble, so not surprising that locals take the easy way out.... "Nothing suspicious to see here, just heart failure"  

I am sure that Local Plod remember all the trouble from the two murders a few years ago, so want this to go away as quickly as possible.  Hotel owner similarly does not want any bad publicity, so quickly brush this away."

 

Is there any requirement for a thorough medical before taking  PADI diving course?

Was there any reason why anyone would want him dead?  It is not usual to murder someone for no reason

 

I do not believe that any local thug would have the intelligence or means to administer some difficult to trae poison.  More likely to beat him to death.

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All supposition !! and a waste of time, all will be forgotten in 2 weeks

[Metapod]

  On 1/15/2025 at 5:09 AM, Robin said:

How about this scenario.

 

" He was diving to excess, longer that normally advisable, to make the most of his holiday.  He comes back to his hotel room tired and takes a rest before the evening's party activities.  ( he was on holiday, so entitled to enoy himself with his friends.)

Many people sleep in boxer shorts, so nothing suspicious abut that.

To get in the party mood, he takes a handful of chemical simulants.  These on top of excessive exercise diving, are too much for his heart, so he has a cardiac arrest.  It is a well known medical fact that death often follows a heart failure.

The musty smell in his room can easily be explained by wet clothes/towels,  bad drains, and no windows open.

Poisoning is for the conspiracy theorists, could anyone forcibly administer poison to him without a struggle?

 

AN followers should be aware of the Thai tendency to run from or  any trouble, so not surprising that locals take the easy way out.... "Nothing suspicious to see here, just heart failure"  

I am sure that Local Plod remember all the trouble from the two murders a few years ago, so want this to go away as quickly as possible.  Hotel owner similarly does not want any bad publicity, so quickly brush this away."

 

Is there any requirement for a thorough medical before taking  PADI diving course?

Was there any reason why anyone would want him dead?  It is not usual to murder someone for no reason

 

I do not believe that any local thug would have the intelligence or means to administer some difficult to trae poison.  More likely to beat him to death.

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agreed, doesn't sound like foul play involved here.

 

most likely just an undiagnosed heart issue + vaxxed

[SunnyinBangrak]

  On 1/15/2025 at 4:55 AM, kingstonkid said:

 

I think the fly in your ointment is that the body is being brought back to the UK for burial.  From what I read, it is not being cremated.

 

The autopsy, I am sure, will also be looked at by the British Embassy at some level.

 

I'm glad that it was not alcohol-related.  As to deaths on the island, I can only ask how many deaths they have had. If the ones we know in the media are it, then it probably is not that bad considering the number of people that go there.  

 

The main thing I am happy abut is that we are still getting reports. Usually, Thai and British/western papers just do the sensational and then leave it

 

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Bodies prepped for repatriation from Thailand are scrubbed clean and have had fluids replaced with preservative. I remember this from a past case from the same island, when UK authorities tried an autopsy there wasn't much to go on. Who could possibly doubt a RTP autopsy?!

[Justanotherone]

healthy? just undiagnosed ?  you know, they say some certain forced shot induce myocarditis ... but that is just all rumors, right?

[kingstonkid]

  On 1/15/2025 at 8:04 AM, SunnyinBangrak said:

Bodies prepped for repatriation from Thailand are scrubbed clean and have had fluids replaced with preservative. I remember this from a past case from the same island, when UK authorities tried an autopsy there wasn't much to go on. Who could possibly doubt a RTP autopsy?!

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That was UK officials. Thai officials want to know what happened, I think, more than the UK.

[paul1804]

  On 1/14/2025 at 4:12 AM, smedly said:

was he scuba diving or free diving ?, the two are vastly different, he may have suffered a DCS incident

 

RIP

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Quite obviously from the pictures he was a scuba diver!!!!

[KhunLA]

  On 1/16/2025 at 2:57 AM, Justanotherone said:

healthy? just undiagnosed ?  you know, they say some certain forced shot induce myocarditis ... but that is just all rumors, right?

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Yes, I read it seems to be happening more than in the past, with very healthy youngins into strenuous sports.  Hmm, and would be the first thing I'd be looking for in an autopsy of a supposedly quite healthy youngin  

[IslandLover]

  On 1/14/2025 at 5:54 AM, Liverpool Lou said:

Perhaps the hotel has keys to their rooms!

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If you had read the articles you would have known that they had to break into his room.

[wavodavo]

  On 1/14/2025 at 5:22 AM, frank83628 said:

Why

 

Another one living in fantasy land

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It was definately suicide ..he just held his breath and stopped breathing...case closed.