A British tourist died in Bangkok after unknowingly consuming a mixture of heroin and prescription drugs, believing it to be cocaine, an inquest in the UK has confirmed. The incident occurred in March 2024 during a trip to Thailand that was part of a wider Southeast Asian holiday.
Rebecca Turner, 36, and her partner Sam Melnick, 32, were staying at the Khaosan Palace Hotel in central Bangkok when they ingested a white powder they had purchased locally. According to evidence presented at the inquest, both individuals died shortly afterward from the effects of the substance, which was later identified as a mixture of heroin, sedatives, and sleeping pills.
The couple had returned to Bangkok after attending a wedding in Laos. They had planned to depart Thailand on March 16, 2024. However, when friends were unable to reach Turner by midday that day, hotel staff were asked to check on the couple. Staff found Turner unresponsive on the floor near the bathroom, and Melnick deceased on the bed. A small plastic bag containing white powder was recovered from the scene.
Toxicology results revealed that Turner had multiple substances in her system, including morphine, diazepam, trazodone, and codeine. The inquest also noted that Turner had a history of anxiety and depression, as well as prior substance use, though she had been looking forward to reconnecting with friends during her trip.
Coroner Laura Bradford ruled out suicide and determined the cause of death to be drug-related. She extended condolences to Turner’s family during the inquest proceedings.
Turner’s mother, Anita Turner, has spoken out in the wake of the tragedy, warning travelers about the risks of using drugs abroad. She expressed frustration with Thai authorities, stating that the drugs were purchased on a street close to a police station that is reportedly known for past tourist fatalities. Anita has visited Thailand several times since her daughter’s death and plans to return again in June 2025 to support education initiatives in Bangkok.
Rebecca Turner’s death comes amid broader concerns about the safety of recreational drug and alcohol use among tourists in the region. In a separate incident in 2023, six visitors, including a British trainee solicitor, died in Laos after consuming methanol-laced vodka at a budget hostel. Several others required urgent medical treatment.
Officials, including Turner’s family members, have reiterated calls for heightened awareness and caution among travelers exploring Southeast Asia.
