Former TOWIE participant found dead in Phuket canal

2026-03-20 - 07:10

Former TOWIE figure found dead in Phuket canal PHUKET — 20 March 2026, A British man found dead in a canal in Phuket has been identified as a former participant in the UK reality television series The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), with police now believing he accidentally fell into the water and was unable to climb out. The body of Jordan Wright, 32, was discovered face down in a drainage canal in Bang Tao area of Thalang district at about 14:00 on 14 March. Investigators, forensic officers and a medical examiner who examined the scene found no signs of physical assault. A hotel key card found near the body led police to a room at Coco Phuket Bangtao hotel, where Wright had been staying alone. Further checks showed Wright entered Thailand on 3 December 2025 on Qatar Airways flight QR828, arriving in Bangkok at 19:15, and was due to depart on 31 May 2026. CCTV footage from the hotel indicated Wright had been pacing repeatedly before running out of the premises at around 23:25 on 12 March. He was seen heading towards a nearby construction area before entering a drainage canal approximately 1.6 metres deep. Police said the canal measures about 2 metres from ground level to the bottom, making it difficult to climb out, particularly at night. Investigators believe Wright, who appeared to be in a distressed or agitated state at the time, was unable to get out of the canal and later died. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, with further forensic examination under way to determine the exact cause of death.