The Chief of the Phuket’s Patong Police has called for a thorough investigation into the death of Canadian expat Matthew Richardson, 27, a well-respected Muay Thai fighter in Phuket whose body was found in his rented home on Monday.
Richardson was found dead from apparent hanging in the bathroom with the strap of a black travel bag still around his neck.
Chief Col. Tassanai Orarigadech said yesterday that he was not ready to call the death a suicide based on some information they had received.
The body is being sent to the forensic laboratory at Surat Thani Hospital today and the Chief said he needs to review the findings to know the exact cause of death.
Col. Tassanai confirmed that there bruises on Richardson’s neck and no other evidence of a struggle were found on his body or in the house.
However, he added, “I do not want to jump to any conclusions. We have informed Canadian embassy officials of our investigation and they have notified his relatives, who have contacted me back already.”
Col. Tassanai declined to reveal any possible motivation for Richardson’s death, whether by his own hand or murder.
“At this stage I cannot reveal any more details about the case,” he concluded.
Richardson, from Toronto, according to his social media profile, maintained a positive outlook and had support from many fans and friends around the globe.
As recently as last Thursday, Richardson posted thanks and gratitude in a post—both common themes for him—in both Thai and English. He thanked his teacher in the post: “Thank you for everything Ajarn Chaynoi! Safe travels & see you soon!”
Only two days earlier, he posted, “I am honored to be the new DBKL Kuda Merah Malaysian International Champion! Looking forward to defending my title later this year in Kuala Lumpur.
Thank you to the fight fans in Malaysia, and everyone for their support! Shout out to my gym Ruthless Fight Center and sponsors at Reflex Nutrition Thailand.”
Richardson had a successful career as a Muay Thai fighter. On his own Facebook profile, he listed his fight card as 33 pro fights with 22 wins— he claimed a record of 16 knock-outs, 10 losses, and one match ending in “no contest.”
Locally he had won two EFL champion titles in the 75 kilogram division and the Bangla stadium champion titles in both the 70 and 75 kilogram divisions, and reigned as the Patong stadium champion.
Meanwhile, tributes to the fallen fighter have flowed online.
“Matthew Richardson was a gentleman Canadian who lived and breathed Muay Thai, who chose to live and train in a foreign land whose culture and people he loved and deeply respected. He has legions of fans from all over the world because of the exciting way he fought and his very friendly attitude outside of the cage and ring. He fought in our event at Resorts World Manila in 2013 and since then, we became good friends,” wrote a friend with the online handle Muayfanaticxxx.
His friend went on to write: “The Thai Government owes it to his family to conduct a very thorough investigation to find the real cause of his death. He just won an international title in Malaysia and posted in his FB that he was looking forward to defending it later this year. He had a great camp and wonderful friends around him and very supportive family in Canada. At 27, he had everything going for him.”
Story: The Phuket News
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