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Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths has died after falling from a high-rise apartment building in Pattaya, Thailand. Local police identified Griffiths as the man found dead on February 9. Griffiths, who helped launch the online fashion retailer in 2000, had remained a significant shareholder in the company since his departure from its daily operations in 2005.
A police investigator said 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.
An Asos spokesperson said: "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."
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities."
Police in Pattaya said Griffiths was found dead outside a luxury hotel where he had been staying in as a long-term resident in a suite on the 17th floor.
He was involved in two ongoing court cases that might have caused him stress, police also mentioned.
Griffiths was separated from his second wife, a Thai national, and had reportedly been engaged in a legal dispute with her over a business they ran together.
He co-founded Asos in London with Nick Robertson, Andrew Regan and Deborah Thorpe.
Its name originally stood for As Seen On Screen as it sold fashion inspired by clothing worn by TV and film stars.
It grew to become an online fashion marketplace stocking hundreds of brands as well as its own lines and at one time was valued at more than £6bn.
