A shocking discovery was made on the popular Thai holiday island of Koh Samui, where a Brisbane lawyer was found dead in a massage parlour.
Christopher Saines, 43, was the CEO of a top commercial and property law firm in Brisbane, GLG Legal.
A Sudden and Unexpected Death
The incident occurred at the Siam Touch Massage parlour, located in the Bo Phut subdistrict of Koh Samui.
According to local media, staff tried to wake Saines up after his massage, but he was unresponsive. This is the same island where cricket legend Shane Warne died of a heart attack in 2022.
The Investigation So Far
Police arrived at the scene at around 7am on Monday and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Saines’ death.
Initially, it appears that Saines had left his hotel, where he was staying with his wife, around midnight to get a one-hour traditional oil massage.
A ziplock bag of white powder was found in his pants pocket, but it’s unclear what it is, and lab analysis is pending.
A Life of Achievement and Service
Saines was a accomplished lawyer, graduating from the Queensland University of Technology with a law degree in 2006.
He had a successful career, working as a solicitor at a private practice before becoming a senior associate at a boutique native title and corporate/commercial law practice.
He also spent two years as a management committee member for Basic Rights Queensland and was an advisory board member for Aged Care Reviews from 2015.
The Autopsy and Toxicology Reports
The police are waiting for the results of the autopsy report and toxicology tests, which may take several days.
Lieutenant Colonel Phumaret Inkong from the Bo Phut Police Station stated that the death is not being treated as suspicious, as there were no signs of physical struggle or injuries on the masseuse. Saines had chosen to rest on the massage bed after his massage and was later heard snoring at around 4am.
Unfortunately, when staff tried to wake him up at 6:20 am, he was found unresponsive, and despite the arrival of an ambulance, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Shocking End to a Successful Career
Saines became the CEO of GLG Legal in 2014 and had built a reputation as a respected figure in the legal community.
His sudden and unexpected death has sent shockwaves through the industry, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of his death.
As more information becomes available, we will provide updates on this tragic incident.