A mum has been left devastated after her son died while backpacking in Thailand. Robby Kinlan passed away earlier this month. A friend found him dead in his bed.
The 21-year-old was discovered unresponsive on January 9, while on the Thai island of Koh Tao, after the pal entered his room and found him wearing only a pair of boxer shorts.
The youngster, who was staying at the island’s Baan Tao Bungalo Resort, was also wearing his earphones in and was clutching his mobile phone when he was found.
But efforts to resuscitate him failed and his cause of death has now been revealed in an initial post-mortem. Thai authorities found he had died as a result of acute pulmonary cardiac failure.
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!
If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Mirror reports Robby’s ‘heartbroken’ family have now paid tribute. Speaking to the Irish Daily Mail, mum Tracy King said her son was in “a really good place mentally and his normal self” during his stay in Thailand.
He picked up two diving qualifications while in the country. She added: “He was an absolute water baby since he started when he was 12 and he spent lots of time over in Lahinch and then went back to Inis Mór last summer.
“He just walked in one day and said, ‘I am going to Thailand, I have already booked the ticket’. It’s all he wanted to do.” Robby’s family have launched a Gofundme appeal to have Robby’s body repatriated for burial.
If they are unable to bring him home, they intend to have him cremated at a Buddhist Temple. Koh Tao has a reputation for murders and mystery fatalities, earning it the nickname ‘Death Island’.
But it draws in hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers a year, thanks to its thriving marine life and picturesque beaches. Many of them are young backpackers seeking out the local party scene.
In 2014, David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, were bludgeoned to death on Koh Tao by Burmese nationals Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo.
And last year, a British backpacker was found dead in a drain on the island after going missing on a pub crawl. The 31-year-old was discovered close to where David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were killed.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.