South African Policeman Found Dead in His Hotel Room

Devlyn Abbott, a 41-year-old KwaZulu-Natal law enforcement officer

PHUKET – A South African man, Devlyn Abbott, 41, a father of two has apparently died as the result of an accident in his hotel room.

Devlyn Abbott, a 41-year-old KwaZulu-Natal law enforcement officer, was discovered by Thai hotel staff on Tuesday after his travel agent could not get hold of him on his phone. The agent then called the hotel and staff went to check Abbott’s room and found him dead.

Unconfirmed reports say Abbott slipped and fell in his hotel room however, Thai authorities are still investigating the exact cause of death, an official autopsy report has not been released.

Robyn Steyn, a friend of Abbott’s was the first to hear of his death.

Steyn said she last conversed with Abbott on Sunday when he told her he had a terrible sinus infection and wanted to go to bed.

Worry mounted after two days when Steyn had not received any messages from Abbott.

She then called the hotel on Tuesday and asked staff to check on him.

When Thai staff knocked on Abbott’s door, there was no answer so they broke open the door.

“That’s when they found him,” she added, Abbott’s friends and family have expressed shock over his death.

Abbott’s daughter Tatum paid tribute to him on the Facebook page, In memory of the legend Devlyn Abbott.