British boxer, Joshua Goldstone, 21, was found dead in a hotel room in Pattaya, Thailand on October 30, early Wednesday morning. His Australian friend and fellow boxer, Jayson Tonkin, 27, from Manly, Sydney, was found heavily intoxicated and was rushed to the hospital, Thai authorities reported.
Goldstone was discovered lying on his back on the fourth floor of the Vogue Hotel, while Tonkin was in a state of severe drug intoxication. The police received initial incorrect information about the identity of the deceased, said Police Lieutenant Thanawi Yarangsi.
“We have taken photos of the scene and collected all evidence. We believe he may have died from a drug overdose based on what we found in the room. We will question his friend further when he is conscious,” the police spokesman added.
Hotel staff heard a disturbance in the room on the fourth floor before finding the two men. The police found cannabis, ketamine, and drug paraphernalia in the room. There were no indications of physical assault or struggle.
Tonkin, also known as “The Dingo,” moved to Thailand in 2012 when he was a teenager and started his Muay Thai fighting career at 15. He was supposed to fight the WBC Muay Thai world number one middleweight champion Tengnueng Sitjaesairoong on October 20, but the match was canceled due to heavy rain.
Earlier this year, Tonkin had candidly discussed his battle with substance abuse, specifically methamphetamine, during a mental health podcast.
Under Thai law, the possession of Category 2 drugs, such as ketamine, can lead to up to five years in prison. More severe penalties, including potential life sentences, are imposed for drug distribution.
Friends paid tribute to Goldstone online, calling him a “sweet” and “fun man” whose death was a “waste of a lovely life.”
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to Tonkin, who remains in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
In March, Tonkin shared his raw experiences with sex workers, methamphetamine, and various other substances. He detailed his addiction struggles and life on the run from law enforcement. He described his intense experiences while high on meth, including hours of paralysis and extreme pain, as if his skull was being crushed.
He revealed that he moved to Bangkok, known for its wild nightlife, at the age of 15 with his father, where he had his first sexual encounter with a prostitute chosen for him.
Last week, Goldstone posted a photo on Instagram of him, Tonkin, and three other men, possibly Thai citizens, at a party with food and beer.
Just four days before his death, Goldstone shared a video of him and Tonkin riding a bike loaded with cannabis plants, laughing as they navigated Pattaya’s streets at night.