Quentin John Griffiths, the 58-year-old co-founder of the British online fashion giant ASOS, has died after falling from the 17th-floor balcony of his apartment in Pattaya, Thailand. Thai authorities confirmed the tragic incident occurred on February 9, 2026, but details of the case only emerged publicly on February 20, 2026 as international reports were published.
Emergency services discovered Griffiths’ body directly beneath the balcony of the luxury condominium where he lived alone in the seaside resort city on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast. Police and paramedics responded to reports of a man falling from a height, and later found his apartment locked from the inside with no immediate signs of forced entry or struggle. CCTV footage showed no one else entering or leaving the unit prior to the discovery.
Initial Police Findings and Investigation
Thai police have said initial investigations suggest suicide as the most likely cause of Griffiths’ death, noting that there were no indications of foul play. Authorities observed that the apartment was double-locked inside and forensic teams were conducting further examinations to determine the exact cause of the fatal fall. Griffiths’ body was sent for an autopsy — a process that could take several months. A police spokesperson also noted that legal documents related to ongoing court disputes with Griffiths’ former Thai wife were found in his apartment. These legal cases reportedly included claims of misappropriation of funds and allegations linked to a financial dispute between the two. According to local media and police sources, he may have been under stress from these lawsuits, which authorities said could have played a role in his state of mind prior to the fall.
Business Legacy: From “As Seen on Screen” to Global Retail
Griffiths was one of the original founders of ASOS, launching the company in 2000 alongside fellow entrepreneurs Nick Robertson, Andrew Regan and Deborah Thorpe. Originally named “As Seen on Screen,” the online retailer offered clothing inspired by outfits worn in films and television before quickly expanding into a reputable fast-fashion platform known around the world. Under Griffiths’ early leadership as marketing director — a role he held until around 2004 — ASOS navigated the volatile early years of e-commerce, surviving the dot-com bust and emerging as one of the UK’s most successful online brands. The company later rebranded simply as ASOS and grew into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, selling both its own-label products and those of other brands to millions of customers across more than 150 markets.
Though Griffiths stepped away from active management early in the company’s history, he remained a significant shareholder for years afterward. Reports indicate that he made substantial gains — including around £15 million from share sales in 2010 and further profits later — through his ongoing stake in the business.
Later Life and Personal Challenges
After leaving ASOS, Griffiths embarked on other business ventures, including online retail and furniture platforms, and eventually relocated to Thailand in the mid-2000s. He was married to a Thai national and had children; the couple later separated. It was during this period that legal conflicts reportedly arose between them, with accusations and ongoing litigation adding strain to his later life. Friends and acquaintances told local media that the legal battles and associated stress may have weighed heavily on Griffiths in the months before his death, though authorities have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and definitive conclusions await the autopsy report.
Official Responses
ASOS publicly acknowledged Griffiths’ passing, with a spokesperson expressing sorrow over the loss of one of the company’s founders and thanking him for his early contributions. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was supporting his family and in contact with Thai authorities following the incident.
A Life of Impact
Quentin Griffiths’ death marks the end of a life that helped shape the landscape of online fashion retail. As ASOS continues to compete in an evolving global market, his early vision and work remain a foundational part of the brand’s legacy.
