A heartbroken mother from Grimsby has issued a desperate public plea for assistance in bringing her son's body home to the United Kingdom, following the tragic confirmation of his death in Thailand.
Family's Devastating Update After Nine-Day Search
Twenty-one-year-old Joshua Kershaw, who had been visiting the popular resort city of Pattaya, was officially reported as a high-risk missing person by UK authorities after he failed to board his scheduled return flight from Bangkok on January 19th. The young British tourist had last been seen on January 12th, prompting an intensive nine-day search operation involving both local and international efforts.
His family, based in Grimsby, had initially established a fundraising campaign to support the search efforts to locate Joshua. However, in a devastating turn of events, his mother Jenny confirmed through an emotional social media post on Wednesday that her son had been found deceased in his hotel accommodation.
Emotional Appeal for Repatriation Support
In her heartfelt message shared alongside an updated GoFundMe page, Jenny expressed her profound grief and urgent need to have her son returned home. "Please help bring my boy home. He needs to be back with me," she wrote, adding "I still can't believe I'm never going to see you again. You were so loved. Josh Kershaw, this world is horrible without you. It's never going to be the same again."
The fundraiser organiser, identified as Jade, provided further context in a separate statement, confirming the tragic outcome. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share this update. Our beloved nephew, Joshua, who had been missing in Thailand, has sadly been found deceased in his hotel," she explained.
Family's Gratitude Amidst Profound Loss
Jade continued by acknowledging the overwhelming support received during the search period, stating "This is not the outcome we were praying for, and our family is completely devastated by this loss. We want to thank every single person who shared our page, donated, sent messages, and kept us in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time."
The family has confirmed that all funds raised through the campaign will now be redirected towards covering the substantial costs associated with repatriating Joshua's body to the United Kingdom and arranging his funeral. Their primary objective is to ensure he can be laid to rest at home, surrounded by family members and loved ones who cherished him.
In concluding her statement, Jade appealed for ongoing support, saying "Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts as we grieve and try to come to terms with this heartbreaking news. Thank you again for standing with us during this unimaginable time."
The tragic case highlights the challenges faced by British families when dealing with international incidents, particularly the complex and costly process of repatriating loved ones who pass away abroad.
