Thai police are investigating the killing of a Westport man who was found dead in an apartment in a popular gay holiday hotspot on Tuesday night. Charles Jones’ body was found in Pattaya by the co-owner of Christchurch gay venue Menfriends, Stuart Yeatman, who had earlier dropped him off at his apartment to meet a young male friend. When Jones did not return Yeatman's calls, he went back the next morning and found him dead. Reports from Thai media are that police have CCTV footage of the young man he was meeting and wish to speak to him. There are also reports it was a robbery gone wrong as his cell phone and computer were taken. Jones was the boss of the World Croquet Federation and was holidaying on his way back from the World Golf Croquet Championships in London. He received a Queen's Service Medal for his contribution to croquet. While he grew up in Westport, Jones lived in Wellington for more than 20 years and worked for the Defence Force and Veterans' Affairs. He was well known in the Wellington gay community and did a lot of volunteer work for the Gay Switchboard. Those who knew him say he was well-known in the gay community and was a "thoroughly honest and principled guy". Thomas moved back to Westport two years ago to take care of his ailing mother.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 26th August 2011 - 9:30am