The co-founder of online fashion giant ASOS has died following a mysterious fall from a high-rise condominium in Thailand.
Multi-millionaire entrepreneur Quentin Griffiths, 58, who was born in London, reportedly plunged from the 17th floor of his apartment in Pattaya. Emergency responders were called to the scene and found his body on the ground below the balcony.
Thai police said there were no signs of a struggle inside the apartment, but added that foul play has not been ruled out as investigations continue. Authorities noted that the exact cause of death will only be determined after a full post-mortem examination, a process that could take several months.
The tragedy comes amid reports of a long-running dispute between Griffiths and his Thai ex-wife. She has accused him of stealing £500,000 from a company they previously ran together. In turn, Griffiths was reportedly arrested and questioned last year after she alleged he forged documents to sell land and company shares without her knowledge. He denied the claims and was later released, with the case still under investigation at the time of his death.
A source close to the family told British media: “It’s a real mystery. The phrase ‘suspicious circumstances’ has been used, but we just don’t know yet.”
Griffiths helped launch ASOS in 2000 alongside Nick Robertson and Andrew Regan, remaining with the company until 2005. The retailer went on to become a global fashion powerhouse valued at around £3 billion, with its designs worn by high-profile figures including the Princess of Wales and former US First Lady Michelle Obama.
A former advertising executive, Griffiths later made an estimated £15 million from share sales in 2010 and received another stock windfall in 2013. He also co-founded online retailer Achica.
He later sued accounting firm BDO, claiming he had been given incorrect tax advice that cost him more than £4 million on share sales worth over £10 million.
Griffiths, a father of three, moved to Thailand around 2007. After divorcing his first wife, he married a Thai woman with whom he had a son and a daughter. The couple separated several years ago.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are ongoing.
