Mr Kelly, a building surveyor from Selsdon, south London, had been staying at the Mad Monkey Hostel in Phuket when he disappeared in the early hours of Jan 3.
CCTV footage from the hostel showed Mr Kelly engaging in what appeared to be a heated conversation with an unidentified man, described as ‘muscly’, believed to be another tourist.
Laurie Blackall, Mr Kelly’s sister, described the interaction as "visibly confrontational" in an interview with MailOnline. Moments after the exchange, Mr Kelly abruptly left the bar and headed toward the beach, with the man following close behind.
Footage from a nearby hotel captured Mr Kelly sprinting toward the seafront, with the unidentified man trailing about 15 seconds later. The video ends abruptly, leaving the circumstances of Mr Kelly’s final moments shrouded in mystery.
The following morning, parasail speedboat operator Traiphop Buakhai discovered Mr Kelly’s body floating face-down in the water. Thai authorities confirmed his identity after his family reported him missing.
Mr Kelly’s father, Peter, and sister Laurie have traveled to Thailand to investigate the events leading to his death. They are also seeking clarity on the nature of his interaction with the unknown man, who may have been the last person to see Mr Kelly alive.
“We can’t rest until we know what happened,” Laurie told MailOnline. “Something isn’t sitting right about this.”
Adding to the family’s anguish are the logistical and financial challenges of repatriating Mr Kelly’s body to the UK for a second post-mortem examination. They have launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs.
“Regan was a vibrant soul with a laugh that could light up a room,” Laurie wrote on the family’s ‘JustGiving’ page. “He had only just begun his travels when this tragedy struck.”
As of this morning, the campaign has raised £7,045 of its £15,000 target, with donations pouring in from friends, family, and supporters.
The Kelly family has faced an overwhelming series of losses in recent years, including the death of Regan’s mother in 2018 and the passing of three uncles in 2023. Regan’s untimely death has been another devastating blow.
The family is urging anyone who may have information about Mr Kelly’s final hours to come forward. They are also appealing for donations to help bring him home and give him the farewell he deserves.
To support the fundraiser, visit JustGiving.
As the Kelly family continues their search for answers, they remain determined to honour Regan’s memory. “His huge smile and amazing laugh will be missed forever,” said Laurie.