Asos Co-Founder's Girlfriend in 'Complete Shock' Over Balcony Death
The grief-stricken girlfriend of Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths has declared she 'cannot believe he would kill himself' following his tragic plunge from a 17th-floor balcony in Thailand. Jom Thipanongsri, aged 26, described being in 'complete shock' after authorities announced they were treating the 58-year-old British entrepreneur's death as a suicide.
Police Investigation and Initial Findings
Mr Griffiths fell from the balcony of his luxury apartment in the coastal resort of Pattaya on February 9, with news of his passing reaching the United Kingdom last week. In an update, the Royal Thai Police stated that initial investigations indicated Mr Griffiths was alone in the flat at the time of the incident, with his room locked and no signs of a break-in. An autopsy further revealed no evidence of foul play, supporting the suicide classification.
Girlfriend's Heartfelt Testimony
Ms Thipanongsri has now spoken publicly for the first time since her boyfriend's death, admitting that 'no one close to him ever thought he would take his own life' and that there were 'no warning signs'. She emphasised that she had never observed him taking antidepressants or displaying symptoms of a mental health condition. In an emotional statement to The Sun, she said: 'I was in complete shock when I heard the news, and I have been crying every day since. He was a special person, my hero – I love him so much and miss him every single day.'
Background and Personal Life
Quentin Griffiths, who originally hailed from London, sold his stake in the retail giant Asos for an estimated £10 million in 2011. He began dating nail salon owner Jom Thipanongsri several years ago after separating from his second wife, Ploy Kringsinthanakun, aged 43. The couple were frequently seen enjoying trips to Pattaya's finest restaurants and playing tennis at the exclusive Fitz Club, located within the five-star Royal Cliff Hotel, where Mr Griffiths held a membership.
Ongoing Legal Disputes
At the time of his death, Mr Griffiths was involved in a strained legal battle with his ex-wife over the custody of their two children, a 12-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. Although he had reportedly achieved some success in the case, it remained ongoing through the courts. Additionally, another dispute centred on accusations that he had fraudulently sold £500,000 worth of land and shares belonging to her company, allegations which he consistently denied.
Tribute from Asos
The fashion giant Asos released a tribute on Friday, stating: 'We’re saddened to hear about the passing of Quentin, one of our original co-founders. He played an important role in Asos’s earliest days and we’re forever grateful for his contribution. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.'
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through organisations like the Samaritans, who offer a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123, or via email at jo@samaritans.org.
