Quentin Griffiths, the British entrepreneur who co-founded the online fashion giant Asos, died after falling from the 17th floor of an 18-story condominium building in Pattaya, Thailand, on February 9, 2026. He was 58 years old.
Thai police discovered Griffiths’ body beneath the balcony of his residence in the eastern seaside town where he had lived alone since moving to Thailand around 2007. Investigators found the apartment locked from the inside with no signs of a break-in, and CCTV footage showed no one entering his residence before the fall.
“We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities,” a Foreign Office spokesperson told reporters.
An autopsy revealed no evidence of foul play, though police said initial investigations suggested suicide. The exact cause of death will be determined following a full post-mortem examination. Documents related to ongoing lawsuits were found in Griffiths’ apartment, and a Thai friend told police he had been worried about legal battles with his former wife.
Griffiths helped establish Asos in London in 2000 alongside Nick Robertson and Andrew Regan. The company launched with the name As Seen on Screen, capitalizing on the trend of consumers wanting to replicate celebrity fashion, before switching to the Asos acronym in 2002. The business floated on London’s Alternative Investment Market in 2001 and grew into a £3bn global retailer with designs worn by high-profile figures including Rihanna, Michelle Obama, and the Princess of Wales.
“We’re saddened to hear about the passing of Quentin, one of our original co-founders,” Asos said in a statement. “He played an important role in Asos’ earliest days and we’re forever grateful for his contribution. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
A former advertising executive, Griffiths served as marketing director before stepping down in 2004, though he remained a significant shareholder in the company. He made approximately £15m from selling shares in 2010 and received a further stock windfall in 2013. At its peak, the company he helped build reached an $8 billion valuation.
Following his departure from Asos, Griffiths pursued several entrepreneurial ventures with mixed results. He co-founded the online furniture store Achica, the music-focused fashion retailer EBTM, and Adili, an ethical clothing website. However, none achieved the success of his first venture. EBTM went into administration, while Adili was sold for a nominal £1.
In recent years, Griffiths became entangled in multiple legal disputes. He sued his accountants at Binder Dijker Otte (BDO), alleging he had been given incorrect advice on minimising tax liabilities linked to the sale of shares in Asos and Achica. The case was ongoing at the time of his death.
More recently, Griffiths’ Thai ex-wife accused him of stealing £500,000 from a company they operated together. She alleged he had forged documents to sell land and shares in the business without her knowledge. Police arrested and questioned him about the allegations last year, but he denied any wrongdoing and was released. That investigation remained open at the time of his death, and police confirmed he was involved in two ongoing court cases.
The retail entrepreneur’s death marks a tragic end to a complicated chapter in the life of a man who helped revolutionize online fashion retail. Asos transformed from a startup mimicking celebrity styles into one of the world’s largest online fashion retailers, fundamentally changing how millions of people shop for clothing.
Griffiths, a British passport holder, is survived by his three children. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death continues, with Thai authorities working to provide answers to his family and friends about what happened during the early hours of February 9 at the Pattaya condominium where he spent his final years.