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Millionaire ASOS founder dies after falling from 17th floor balcony in Thailand
The fashion industry has been left stunned after ASOS co-founder Quentin Griffiths died following a fall from a high-rise apartment block in Thailand.
Griffiths was found dead on the ground in Pattaya, an eastern seaside city, on February 9. Thai police later named the British passport holder as the man involved. The circumstances surrounding the fall prompted an immediate investigation by local authorities.
The entrepreneur helped launch ASOS in London in 2000, building what would become one of the UK’s most recognizable online fashion retailers. Although he left the company five years after its creation, he remained a significant shareholder as the business expanded into a global brand.
Police findings after the fall
A police investigator told the BBC that Griffiths, a British passport holder, was by himself, his room was locked from the inside, and there was no trace of any break-ins at the time of the death. An autopsy did not reveal any evidence of foul play.
The confirmation that there were no signs of forced entry and no evidence of foul play formed a central part of the early findings. Authorities publicly identified him after establishing the facts at the scene in Pattaya.
He was involved in two ongoing court cases that might have caused him stress, the police told the BBC.
Griffiths had separated from his second wife, a Thai national, and it is understood that he had reportedly been engaged in a legal dispute with her over a business they ran together. Police indicated that these legal matters may have been a source of pressure in the period leading up to his death.
The man behind the online fashion giant
Griffiths co-founded ASOS alongside Nick Robertson, Andrew Regan and Deborah Thorpe. The company name originally stood for As Seen On Screen, reflecting its early business model of selling clothing inspired by outfits worn by TV and film stars.
From those beginnings, ASOS evolved into an online fashion marketplace stocking hundreds of brands as well as its own lines. It grew rapidly during the online retail boom and at one time was valued at more than £6bn.
Even after stepping away from day to day involvement, Griffiths maintained a stake in the business he helped create. Today, its largest shareholders include Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, who owns Danish clothing giant Bestseller, and Mike Ashley, owner of Frasers Group.
Ongoing attention on the case
Griffiths’ death has drawn significant attention both in the UK and in Thailand due to his role in founding one of Britain’s best known fashion retailers. Authorities in Pattaya confirmed the investigation findings publicly, stating there was no indication of a break-in and no evidence of foul play following the autopsy.