The mother of Joshua Kershaw, a 21-year-old British tourist who had been reported missing in Thailand, has confirmed that his body has been found. In a heartbreaking update, she expressed that her "heart is breaking" and is now focused on efforts to repatriate his remains to the United Kingdom.
Tragic Discovery After Intensive Search
Joshua Kershaw, originally from Grimsby, was last seen in the popular tourist destination of Pattaya on January 12, 2026. He had been scheduled to board a flight from Bangkok to London Heathrow on January 19, 2026, departing at 8:30pm. When he failed to appear for this flight, which landed in the UK at 6:25am on January 20, authorities escalated the case, classifying him as a high-risk missing person and initiating a search operation.
Family's Emotional Appeal and Community Support
In response to his disappearance, the family launched a GoFundMe appeal to assist in the search efforts. However, on the morning of Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Joshua's mother delivered the devastating news through a Facebook post. She wrote, "As much as my heart is breaking right now. 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 elicited an outpouring of support from hundreds of individuals, who offered condolences and paid tribute to Joshua. Messages included expressions of sympathy such as, "So sorry Jen, thinking of you all right now. Been thinking of you all week, was praying he was safe. So sad, RIP Josh," and "Absolutely heart breaking Jen. Thinking of you, your beautiful girls and family! Sending you all so much love." Another comment added, "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 xxxx."
Ongoing Efforts and Broader Implications
This tragic incident highlights the challenges faced by families when loved ones go missing abroad, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in such cases. The community's rallying around the family through the GoFundMe campaign and social media demonstrates the collective support available during times of crisis. As the process to bring Joshua's body back to the UK continues, his mother's grief resonates with many, reminding us of the personal toll behind such news stories.
