Grieving Mother Pays Heartbreaking Tribute to Son Found Dead While Backpacking on ‘Death Island’
In a tragic turn of events, a mother is left devastated after her son was found dead while backpacking in Thailand. Robby Kinlan, a 21-year-old, was discovered unresponsive in his bed on the Thai island of Koh Tao earlier this month. His friend found him wearing only a pair of boxer shorts, with earphones in and clutching his mobile phone. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Robby was pronounced dead. An initial post-mortem revealed that he had died due to acute pulmonary cardiac failure.
Robby’s family, described as ‘heartbroken’, have shared their tributes to him. Tracy King, Robby’s mother, shared with the Irish Daily Mail that her son was in a positive mental state during his time in Thailand and that he had recently obtained two diving qualifications. She fondly recalled Robby’s love for the water, dating back to when he was 12 years old, and his spontaneous decision to travel to Thailand after booking a ticket.
As the family grapples with their loss, they have launched a Gofundme appeal to repatriate Robby’s body for burial. In the event that bringing him home proves challenging, they plan to have him cremated at a Buddhist Temple. Koh Tao, often referred to as ‘Death Island’ due to past incidents, continues to attract a large number of tourists annually drawn to its marine life and scenic beaches.
The island’s reputation for mysterious deaths includes the 2014 case of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, as well as a more recent incident involving a British backpacker found dead in a drain nearby. Despite the island’s allure, tragedies like Robby’s serve as poignant reminders of the risks associated with adventurous travel.
In conclusion, the devastating loss of Robby Kinlan highlights the unpredictable nature of travel and the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones. Robby’s story serves as a sobering reminder to travellers to prioritise safety and precaution while exploring unfamiliar destinations.