Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths dies after falling from 17th floor balcony in Thailand
Quentin Griffiths found dead at Pattaya condominium as police investigate circumstances
Quentin Griffiths, a co-founder of online fashion retailer Asos, died after falling from a high-rise condominium in Thailand, police said. He was 58.
Thai police said Mr Griffiths, a British passport holder, fell from the 17th floor of his apartment building in the eastern seaside town of Pattaya on 9 February.
Officers were alerted after reports that a man had fallen from an 18-storey condominium, and police and paramedics later located Mr Griffiths beneath the balcony of his residence.
An investigator told the BBC andThe Sun that Mr Griffiths had been alone in the apartment, which was locked from the inside, with no signs of a break-in. An autopsy did not reveal evidence of foul play.
The exact cause of death will be determined following a full post-mortem, and the investigation is ongoing.
A Foreign Office spokesperson told The Sun: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Mr Griffiths helped establish Asos in 2000 alongside Nick Robertson and Andrew Regan. The business was originally an online fashion start-up, but went on to become a £3bn global retailer. High-profile figures, including the Princess of Wales and Michelle Obama, have worn its own-label designs.
A former advertising executive, Mr Griffiths, stepped down as marketing director in 2005 but remained a significant shareholder. He made around £15m from selling shares in 2010, and received a further stock windfall in 2013.
In later years, Mr Griffiths became involved in legal and financial disputes. He sued his accountants at the company Binder Dijker Otte (BDO), alleging he had been given incorrect advice on minimising tax liabilities linked to the sale of shares in Asos and Achica, an online retailer he also co-founded.
At the time, a BDO spokesperson said the firm “will be defending the claim brought against us, which relates to tax advice given by BDO in the UK and in Guernsey between 2013 and 2015, but are unable to comment further at this stage given the legal process is ongoing”.
Mr Griffiths’ Thai ex-wife accused him of stealing £500,000 from a company they operated together, according to reports.
Last year, he was arrested and questioned by detectives after she alleged he had forged documents to sell land and shares in the business without her knowledge. He denied the allegations and was released after questioning, but the investigation was ongoing at the time of his death.
Police have also said he was involved in two ongoing court cases.
Mr Griffiths moved to Thailand around 2007.
He is survived by his three children.
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