A UK inquest has concluded with an open verdict after finding it was not possible to determine how a 25-year-old British man died while staying at a hostel in Bangkok, following conflicting medical evidence from post-mortem examinations carried out in Thailand and the UK. Get today's headlines by email Liam White, from Maghull, Merseyside, was found dead on January 13 this year at Hostel 24 Backpackers 50 in Bang Chak, Bangkok. The joiner had been staying in a shared dormitory after booking into the hostel three days earlier. An inquest heard that he had been out the night before he was found dead. The findings emerged during a hearing at Bootle Town Hall on Wednesday 8 July 2026, where assistant coroner Elizabeth Wheeler reviewed evidence from both countries. A record of the inquest showed that a post-mortem examination conducted in Thailand concluded Mr White died from natural causes, identifying cardiac failure associated with infective pneumonia as the cause of death. However, a second post-mortem carried out in the UK reached a different conclusion, stating that the cause of death should be recorded as unascertained. The conflicting medical findings meant the coroner could not determine, on the balance of probabilities, how Mr White died. In her written findings, Ms Wheeler noted several inconsistencies between the two examinations. She said the Thai post-mortem recorded cerebral oedema and a brain haemorrhage but did not explain why these findings were not included in the cause of death. She also noted that while the Thai examination described Mr White’s heart as enlarged, the UK pathologist found it to be within normal limits. The inquest also heard that the UK post-mortem did not identify the lung infection reported by Thai pathologists. In addition, the Thai examination detected morphine and codeine in Mr White’s blood, although the concentrations were not recorded. Ms Wheeler stated: “These drugs can be additive and cause respiratory depression - especially if there was a chest infection.” She added: “Given the uncertainties and contradictions in the medical evidence, it is therefore not possible to say on the balance of probabilities what the medical cause of death is. It is therefore not possible to say how Mr White probably came by his death.” The Mirror reported that the coroner therefore recorded an open conclusion. Mr White’s funeral had taken place at West Lancashire Crematorium in Burscough on January 31 following the repatriation of his body to the UK. A GoFundMe campaign established after his death raised GBP5,000 to help his family meet repatriation costs. Join the discussion? 12 July 2026
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