Questions Remain Over Death of British Tourist in Phuket
Questions Remain Over Death of British Tourist in Phuket
LONDON, June 7, 2026 — The family of a British tourist found dead in Thailand is continuing to seek answers more than a year after his death, while calling for reforms to improve support for families of British nationals who die overseas.
Regan Kelly, 28, from Selsdon in South London, was found dead in the sea off Phuket in January 2025 after disappearing during a holiday in Thailand. Thai police concluded that he had drowned, but members of his family say they still have unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Kelly vanished in the early hours of January 3, 2025, only days after arriving in Phuket with a friend. According to his family, the last known CCTV footage showed him running after leaving a bar at the Mad Monkey Hotel, where he had been staying.
His body was later discovered by a watersports instructor. His sister, Laurie Blackall, said the man who found him reported that Kelly was naked except for one sock, a detail she believes warrants further investigation.
Blackall said obtaining information and official documents from authorities has been a difficult and frustrating process. She described feeling as though she had been forced to act as an investigator while simultaneously coping with the loss of her brother.
In response, she launched a petition calling for reforms to the way British authorities support families following the deaths of UK nationals abroad. Her proposals include dedicated family liaison officers, improved transparency, guaranteed access to information and an independent review mechanism.
The campaign has attracted support from other bereaved families who say they encountered similar challenges, including limited communication, delays in receiving information and difficulties obtaining updates from authorities.
Blackall has also pointed to similarities between her brother’s case and that of former reality television personality Jordan Wright, who was found dead in Phuket earlier this year after also being captured on CCTV running shortly before his death.
East Surrey MP Claire Coutinho said families dealing with the death of a loved one overseas deserve clear communication and compassionate support, describing reports of inadequate assistance as concerning.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it had supported Kelly’s family and remained in contact with both relatives and local authorities. The department said British embassies and consulates seek to provide tailored assistance to families affected by deaths abroad.
Blackall’s petition has gathered more than 1,500 signatures, and she says she intends to continue campaigning until families facing similar tragedies receive better support and greater access to information.
