ASOS co-founder Quentin Griffiths dies after fall from Pattaya balcony

PATTAYA: Quentin Griffiths, the British entrepreneur behind the online fashion retailer ASOS, has died after falling from a balcony at a Pattaya high-rise in Thailand. The incident has shocked the fashion and business world, according to police.

The 55-year-old entrepreneur was found outside a Pattaya residence on February 9. According to Thai police, Griffiths was alone in his room, which was locked from the inside, with no signs of break-ins or struggle.

The autopsy results revealed that there was no evidence of foul play, according to police, who believe that the probable cause of death was a fall from the balcony. Police also revealed that Griffiths had two court cases pending against him, which could have caused him immense stress in the days leading up to his death.

Griffiths was one of the founding members of ASOS, the London-based online fashion retailer that changed the face of online shopping in the early 2000s. Founded in 2000, the company quickly gained international recognition by appealing to young consumers with rapidly changing online trends and celebrity-inspired fashion. Although he left the company after five years, he remained a key shareholder and was instrumental in setting the tone for the company’s early years.

Tributes have poured in from his former colleagues and the fashion industry, with many remembering him as a visionary entrepreneur who was instrumental in creating one of Britain’s most recognizable e-commerce success stories.

According to police, the investigation is still ongoing as a matter of procedure, and there is no evidence of third-party involvement at this stage. The authorities are working in collaboration with the British embassy for further formalities.

The sudden death of Griffiths has cast a shadow over the fashion tech industry, where ASOS is remembered as one of the pioneers of online shopping. Although there are still many unanswered questions about his final days, his legacy as one of the early architects of digital fashion commerce continues to inspire the industry.

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