The Only Way Is Essex star ‘was found dead in drainage ditch in Thailand’

WorldEntertainment
21 Apr 2026 • 6:38 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

The Only Way Is Essex star ‘was found dead in drainage ditch in Thailand’

A former cast member of reality television series The Only Way Is Essex, Jordan Wright, was discovered dead in a drainage ditch in Thailand, an inquest has heard.

The 33-year-old, originally from Stanford-le-Hope in Essex, was found on 14 March this year in Phuket province. His death was subsequently confirmed, a hearing in Chelmsford was told on Tuesday.

Court co-ordinator Matthew Austin informed the inquest that Mr Wright "was spending time in Thailand" and "was discovered in a drainage ditch" off Bang Thao 2 Alley, Choeng Thale sub-district, Thalang district.

Following his discovery, Mr Wright's body was repatriated to Essex, where a post-mortem examination was conducted at Basildon Hospital. The preliminary cause of death has been recorded as awaiting toxicology results. Essex senior coroner Lincoln Brookes opened and adjourned the inquest, with a substantive hearing scheduled for 14 September this year.

Essex senior coroner Lincoln Brookes opened and adjourned the inquest until a substantive hearing on September 14 this year.

The coroner said: “I do offer his family, friends and loved ones my deepest condolences on this tragic loss of life.”

Wright was known for appearing on the ITV reality show in 2018 as well as on MTV’s Ex On The Beach.

Towie cast member Jordan Wright has died in Thailand, aged 33 (Alamy/PA) (Alamy/PA)

Tributes were paid in the comment section of Wright’s last Instagram post, including from fellow Towie star Chloe Brockett, who wrote: “Rest in peace Jordan.”

In a statement at the time, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suthirak Chuthong of the Choeng Thale Police Station said: “The guest was identified as Mr Jordan Wright, a British national, whom the hotel had been unable to contact. A search of the room revealed no signs of forced entry or other irregularities.

“Hotel records showed that he had checked in alone and was due to check out on March 13, but staff reported that he never checked out,” he added.

Read More

Lionel Rosenblatt, whose advocacy for refugees began with derring-do in Vietnam, dies at 82

Photos show New Year celebrations rooted in faith and harvest in parts of Asia

Little Mix star Jesy Nelson takes SMA baby health check campaign to Downing Street