The untimely death of 28-year-old Regan Kelly in Phuket, Thailand, has left his family grappling with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. Found naked in the sea on January 3rd, the circumstances surrounding Regan’s demise remain shrouded in uncertainty, prompting his sister, Laurie, and their father to embark on a personal quest for truth in Thailand. While Thai authorities have attributed the death to drowning, the family remains unconvinced, seeking further investigation and the opinion of a British coroner. The narrative presented by the police contrasts sharply with the family’s concerns, raising doubts and fueling their determination to uncover what truly transpired.
Regan’s final hours were captured on CCTV footage from the Mad Monkey Hostel in Phuket, where he was seen engaging in a lengthy conversation with an unidentified man. The exchange, though lacking audio, appeared to become increasingly heated, leaving Regan visibly upset. Shortly thereafter, he left the bar and was followed by the same man towards Patong Beach. Additional CCTV footage from a nearby hotel captured the man continuing to follow Regan before the video abruptly cuts off. This footage forms the crux of the family’s unease, raising concerns about the potential involvement of the unidentified man in Regan’s death. The family describes the man as a muscular tourist, appealing for him to come forward with any information that could shed light on the events of that night.
The discrepancies between the police report and the family’s observations have intensified their suspicion. While the police maintain that Regan ran into the sea alone and that the autopsy revealed no signs of physical assault, the family questions the thoroughness of the investigation. The fact that Regan was found naked adds another layer of complexity to the case. He was last seen wearing shorts, a t-shirt, a baseball cap, and a cross-body bag, none of which were recovered. This discrepancy, coupled with the heated conversation observed on CCTV, fuels the family’s belief that there may be more to the story than accidental drowning.
The family’s quest for answers is further complicated by the timeline of the autopsy and toxicology reports. Due to the need to contact Regan’s relatives, the autopsy was not conducted immediately after his body was discovered. This delay, according to the Thai police, hampered their ability to conduct a blood alcohol test. However, a urine test did reveal the presence of cocaine and marijuana. While this information is part of the official record, its relevance to Regan’s death remains unclear and does not address the family’s primary concerns surrounding the circumstances leading to his drowning. They insist that Regan was not a reckless partygoer and that his trip to Thailand was intended as a month-long backpacking adventure, not a wild partying spree.
Laurie’s description of her brother paints a picture of a kind and gentle soul, far removed from the image of a reckless individual who might run into the sea while intoxicated. She remembers him as “the most beautiful person,” highlighting the devastating impact of his loss on their family. Their immediate priority is to repatriate Regan’s body to the UK, where they hope a British coroner can provide a second opinion on the cause of death. This step, they believe, is crucial for gaining closure and understanding the full picture of what happened to Regan in his final moments.
The family’s emotional plea for information and their unwavering determination to uncover the truth underscores the tragic nature of this incident. They are left with a void in their lives and a burning desire for justice and understanding. Their crowdfunding campaign to bring Regan’s body home reflects not only their financial needs but also the outpouring of support from those touched by this story. As they navigate the complexities of the Thai legal system and grapple with their grief, their hope remains that someone will come forward with the missing pieces of the puzzle, allowing them to finally understand how Regan Kelly met his tragic end on a distant beach.
