Police identified the deceased by his passport, which identified him* as from California. His body was discovered at a residence in Soi Nanai 9 in Patong at around 6:35pm
According to a report from Patong Police Station, the man was found lying motionless on the first floor of the house with a plastic bag over his head and a gas line connected to a cooking gas tank.
No signs of a struggle or evidence of foul play were initially observed at the scene.
Police were alerted to the incident by a neighbour, who noticed that the man was unresponsive. After calling out to him and receiving no reply, she entered the house and discovered the body. She then notified the authorities.
Investigating officer Pol Lt Col Rapiphan Chumtham responded to the scene, along with a forensic doctor from Vachira Phuket Hospital. Preliminary findings suggest that the American man had been deceased for 12 to 24 hours before his body was found.
The body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination to formally confirm the cause of death No suspects are being sought at this stage.
Regardless, Patong Police said they were continuing their investigation into the death.
* The Phuket News is withholding the man’s name until his next of kin have been notified.
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