The family of a young British tourist who disappeared during a holiday in Thailand have received the devastating news they had been dreading. Joshua Kershaw, a 21-year-old man from Grimsby, has been found deceased after going missing in the popular coastal resort of Pattaya.
A Planned Return That Never Happened
Joshua Kershaw was last seen in Pattaya on January 12, 2026. The young traveller had been due to return to the United Kingdom on a scheduled flight from Bangkok's main airport on January 19 at 8:30 PM local time. His itinerary would have seen him land at London Heathrow Airport in the early hours of January 20 at 6:25 AM.
When Joshua failed to board that crucial homebound flight, his family immediately raised the alarm. UK authorities swiftly classified him as a high-risk missing person, triggering coordinated search efforts between British and Thai officials.
Heartbreaking Confirmation from a Grieving Mother
On Wednesday, January 21, Joshua's mother Jenny, who resides in Wakefield, delivered the tragic update that no family ever wants to give. Through a heartfelt post on social media, she conveyed the sombre news to friends, family, and the concerned public who had been following the case.
"As much as my heart is breaking right now," Jenny wrote on Facebook, "We have now located Josh. But unfortunately he was not alive. We are now trying to get his body back to the UK."
The post prompted an immediate and overwhelming outpouring of sympathy and support. Hundreds of people responded with messages of condolence and tributes to the young man.
Community Support and a Fundraising Campaign
In the agonising days following Joshua's disappearance, his relatives had launched a GoFundMe appeal to support search efforts. The campaign successfully raised over £5,900 from well-wishers hoping to aid the family's quest to find him.
The fundraising page had described the family's ordeal as "an unimaginable nightmare," detailing that Joshua's last known contact was a FaceTime call to his mother after checking into his hotel, during which he mentioned going out to get food. After that, all communication ceased, and his phone was switched off.
The family noted that Joshua was typically diligent about keeping in touch, especially with his mother, making his silence particularly alarming. It is now anticipated that the funds raised will be redirected to assist with the complex and costly process of repatriating his body to British soil.
An Outpouring of Public Grief
The community's response to the tragic news has been one of profound sadness. Social media tributes flooded in, reflecting the impact of the loss.
One friend commented, "So sorry Jen, thinking of you all right now. Been thinking of you all week, was praying he was safe. So sad, RIP Josh."
Another added, "Absolutely heart breaking Jen. Thinking of you, your beautiful girls and family! Sending you all so much love." A further tribute read, "Absolutely devastated for you all what a gorgeous boy he was inside and out. You've got this Jenny. You've got all of us. Love you so much."
The case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by tourists abroad and the nightmarish reality for families when communication breaks down during foreign travel. The focus for Joshua's family now turns to navigating the difficult logistical and emotional journey of bringing him home.
