American tourist found dead in Patong hotel room

Police in Phuket are investigating the unexplained death of an American tourist found in a Patong hotel room on 7 September. The man, later identified by authorities as Jacorey Donte Gadis, had not been seen for about five days and had missed his hotel checkout by one day.

Patong Police received the report at 1.50pm from the Patong radio centre, which said the guest had failed to leave his room at a hotel in Patong, Kathu district.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Wichit Nokkaew, an investigating officer at Patong Police Station, informed station chief Police Colonel Krokrit Khankhruea before travelling to the hotel.

Room was locked from inside

Hotel staff used a spare key to enter the room after finding that the door had been locked from inside. Inside, officers found Gadis dead on the floor in front of the television.

He was found naked, police said.

An initial examination found no visible wounds on his body. Officers also reported no signs of a struggle inside the room and no indication that property had been searched or disturbed.

The hotel said Gadis had booked the room from 1 September until 6 September. A housekeeper last saw him at about noon on 2 September, outside his room.

Police have not confirmed a cause of death and said they are carrying out a detailed investigation and reviewing CCTV from the hotel, before taking any further action.

US embassy contacted

Authorities have contacted the US embassy to help liaise with Gadis's relatives. The body will later be sent for an autopsy, according to police.

Patong is one of Phuket's busiest tourist areas, with hotels handling large numbers of short-stay international visitors. In this case, hotel staff raised the alarm only after the guest had not been seen for several days and had passed his scheduled departure date.

Investigation continues

Police have not released further details about the hotel or said when the cause of death may be established. The investigation into the cause of death remans ongoing.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

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8 September 2026

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