PHUKET, THAILAND – A 47-year-old Australian woman was found dead in a resort room at Sawasdee Village in Kata Beach after a night with a German tourist, according to Phuket police investigations.
The discovery inside Sawasdee Village Resort
Police officers in Kata Beach, Phuket Province, arrived at the Sawasdee Village Resort on the morning following 31 October 2024, after staff reported an unresponsive guest. The woman, identified as Karla Drescher, was found lifeless beside 49-year-old German national Perry Shamiri, who had alerted hotel staff after she failed to wake up.
“When I tried to wake her, she wasn’t breathing,”
said Perry Shamiri, German tourist.
Officers recovered antidepressant medication and several alcoholic beverages inside the room. Paramedics confirmed that Karla Drescher had died hours earlier. According to initial police assessments, the probable cause was an accidental overdose caused by combining prescribed medication with alcohol.
The note left beside the victim
Police investigators stated that Perry Shamiri had written a note on a hotel pad while Ms. Drescher was asleep. Forensic teams later found that the message had been drafted while the deceased was already in distress.
“Thank you for the most beautiful night of my life… I love you,”
said Text from handwritten note by Perry Shamiri.
Authorities determined through time-of-death analysis that Ms. Drescher likely died between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., citing heart failure linked to toxic interactions from consumed substances. A toxicology test for Mr. Shamiri returned negative for drugs or alcohol.
Investigation and official findings
Investigators from the Kata Police Station interviewed hotel staff, collected witness statements, and conducted laboratory analysis of both the medication and alcohol levels. Preliminary records confirmed that both guests checked in together the previous evening after meeting at a bar near Kata Beach.
“There are no signs of foul play,”
said Lieutenant Phirawat Yodtor, Phuket Police.
Officers stated that an autopsy report from the Phuket Forensic Institute will offer final confirmation of the cause of death. Thai authorities have closed the criminal case file pending postmortem verification.
Family response and repatriation efforts
In Sydney, Australia, Travis Deveraux, the deceased’s son, launched an online campaign to raise funds for repatriating his mother’s remains. He described her loss as deeply personal and sudden.
“She was my best friend,”
said Travis Deveraux, son of the deceased.
Mr. Deveraux reported that his family received no official notification from Thai authorities before learning of the death from foreign media. The campaign on GoFundMe exceeded USD 5,000 within three days of its launch.
Official status and continuing inquiries
Police records show that Perry Shamiri departed Thailand in early November 2024, after giving a formal statement at the Phuket Provincial Police headquarters. Thai officials confirmed that he was not placed under any legal restriction and will not face charges unless the autopsy report identifies external causes.
Authorities emphasized several cautionary points to foreign visitors:
– Avoid mixing prescription drugs and alcohol.
– Inform travel companions of medical conditions.
– Seek emergency medical attention in case of irregular breathing or unconsciousness.
The Phuket Provincial Police stated that final documentation will be forwarded to the Australian Consulate in Bangkok once the medical examiner releases full results.
The tragic case underscores the critical health risks of combined substance use, as a night that began with affection at Kata Beach ended in an unintentional death that reached across national borders.