Quentin Griffiths, who co-founded British fast-fashion retailer ASOS, has died after a fall from a balcony in Thailand, Thai police said on Friday (Feb 20).
Police told Reuters that Griffiths, 58, had fallen from the 17th floor of an apartment block in the seaside resort city of Pattaya on Feb 9.
The police went to the scene and found the body of a British national, whom they identified as Quentin John Griffiths, on the ground directly below the balcony.
Initial investigations suggest suicide and there are no indications of foul play, police said. CCTV showed no sign of anybody entering his apartment, where he had lived alone, but his body has been sent for an autopsy, they added.
The police also quoted a Thai friend of Griffiths as saying the Briton had been worried about lawsuits from his former wife, a Thai national.
Documents related to those lawsuits were found in his apartment, the police said.
The case did not initially attract media attention in Pattaya, which has a large contingent of foreign residents, until The Sun newspaper in Britain reported it on Thursday.
The BBC said Griffiths had been alone in his unit, and his room was locked on the inside. It added that Thai police said Griffiths had been involved in two ongoing court cases that might have caused him stress.
News outlets The Sun and Daily Mail said the millionaire had been accused by his Thai ex-wife of stealing £500,000 (US$672,000) from a company they operated together.
The reports said Griffith was arrested last year over the matter and released after questioning, as police continued their probe.
ASOS was founded in 2000 by Griffiths and Nick Robertson under the name As Seen On Screen. The company transitioned to its present name in 2003.
Griffiths remained a large shareholder after leaving the company.
According to its website, the fashion giant has 17 million active customers in over 150 markets.
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