Newcastle man Matthew Windsor found dead in Thai police cell

The shattered partner of an Australian man found dead in a Thai police cell has pleaded for an investigation, saying authorities failed him.

Australian man Matty Windsor with partner Ayla Varoxis.

The shattered partner of a Newcastle man found dead in a Thai police cell has pleaded for an investigation, saying authorities let him down.

Matthew Windsor was on a five-day solo trip to Thailand and partying in Patong when he attracted police attention for his behaviour in the early hours of Monday morning.

The Bangkok Post reported the 30-year-old was arrested for being “drunk and disorderly” outside a bar in the popular tourist hotspot.

Police chief Sermpan Sirikhong said Mr Windsor was taken to Patong Police Station and held in a cell on the second floor following his arrest.

The Post reports the officer on duty outside his cell went to have lunch around 11.30am and returned to the cell 30 minutes later to find Mr Windsor dead.

Ayla Varoxis said her partner Matthew Windsor was let down by Thai police.

His heartbroken partner Ayla Varoxis said Mr Windsor was failed by the Royal Thai Police.

“We are all in shock by his death and feel as though Matty was let down by Thai authorities,” Miss Varoxis said.

“Leaving him alone in a cell and going for lunch. (They) did not attend to suicide prevention measures.”

Miss Varoxis said she wasn’t going to Thailand because of her young daughter: “Matty would want me focusing on her at the moment”.

She said the family are currently seeking arrangements to bring him home.

Mr Windsor was in the South East Asian country to get more tattoos, and Miss Varoxis said the “excitement of being on a holiday in Thailand by himself” got to him as he “drank too much and became rowdy”.

Matthew Windsor was found dead in his cell.

Mr Windsor worked as a concreter and “would do anything for his family and friends”.

“Matty was an amazing man full of love,” Miss Varoxis said.

“He was the father figure to my child, and he did such a good job.

“He treated her as his own. He was amazing with kids.”

His final post on Facebook was a video filmed on a Patong beach on Sunday night captioned ‘Good night Thailand, miss my Ayla Varoxis’, with a kiss blowing and crying face emojis.

The song ‘Nevermind’ by Dennis Lloyd was played over the video.

Ayla said Matthew was let down by Thai authorities.

His body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Royal Thai Police have commenced an investigation into the death.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said Mr Windsor’s family was receiving “consular assistance”.

“We send our deepest condolences to the man’s family and loved ones,” the spokesman said.

“Due to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further information.”

Originally published as Newcastle man Matthew Windsor found dead in Thai police cell