American's Strange Phuket Death Puzzles Police: Woman Wanted
By Sert Tongdee Thursday, July 14, 2011
PHUKET: Police would like to interview a missing expat woman about the death of an American whose body was found in unusual circumstances today.
The man, identified by Phuket police as Joshua Steven Weitz, 39, was found sitting in an armchair with a plastic bag over his head and a tube running from the bag to a gas cylinder.
He was wearing a red-colored t-shirt with a Snoopy motif and white jeans, with a pair of as-new Adidas sneakers. His legs had been bound together by a belt restraint, but his arms appeared to be free.
Although suicide seems the most likely reason for the death of the California-born man, investigators found no farewell note.
A maid knocked on the door of Mr Weitz's room at the Mountain Seaview Apartment in Phuket's beachside Karon district about 3pm today and entered when she heard no answer.
He had last been seen on Monday. Investigators said an expat woman friend who shared the apartment was also last seen about that time.
Police found a receipt for the gas tank marked with Monday's date.
Mr Weitz arrived on Phuket on June 26 and his visa was not due to expire until July 25. Police inquiries are continuing.
Mr Weitz's body is at Wachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
I've never heard of anyone binding his own legs together with a belt restraint before committing suicide, unless he was trying to make it look like a murder... And aside from that, someone who's suicidal doesn't go out and buy a new pair of sneakers either. And his roommate has mysteriously gone missing. Hmmm...
Posted by
Sherlock
on
July 14, 2011 23:45
The woman the police want to question had nothing to do with his death.
Bye, Josh. I hope you're finding in death the peace you were so sorely missing in life. Sad sad sad.
Posted by
In The Know
on
July 15, 2011 11:08
How bone-chilling to think that we have people of this type in our midst in Karon Beach, supposedly a seaside paradise. How deceiving the looks of a place can be. Evil and mayhem are everywhere, lurking around every corner.
Posted by
Jordan
on
July 15, 2011 17:50
Josh you are missed deeply. For the person In the know who left a message bout the girl....why is she missing, how do you know she had nothing to do with this? As a human being I would come forth with any info! I pray you have a conscience! Rip Josh :(
Posted by
Sad Friend
on
July 15, 2011 23:47
My deepest condolences go out to the entire Weitz family. Josh was a great man and friend, he will be tremendously missed by many.
Posted by
Cory
on
July 15, 2011 23:49
In the know, how do you know she had nothing do do with it?
Posted by
thestrawhat
on
July 16, 2011 00:36
this a shock to me - such a happy humble guy - couldn't see why he would take his own life. when he has his whole life ahead of him still - you were the best and you will be missed.
Posted by
lesa
on
July 16, 2011 06:54
I know Josh would never kill himself!! he would never do this 2 his friends or his beautiful lil daughter! I just spoke w him the day b4 he was found. He said was awesome & was living in paradise!! He had alot things planned ahead. I know he had a falling out with a previous business partner & also a few status updates that he left on the same day of his death can be used to try to bring justice to this case.
How can I get into contact with authorities regarding the suspects & this entire case as I know & believe it was a MURDER!!
I will not let my friend go out like this! Its sad when someone dies they don't have any voice to speak up & that's what my position is now! Josh I know u cant rest in peace until justice has been served! I LOVE U..& feel u talking to me from above!
& in reply to "IN THE KNOW" if you seem to know so much, then maybe we need to have a talk!! Otherwise let the guilt tear your soul out...or maybe your just empty w no conscience!
Posted by
Justice 4 Josh
on
July 17, 2011 01:08
Sad sad story...
He died of asphyxiation according to authorities.
Maybe he liked restraints and kinky sex?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erotic_asphyxiation
"Practice
Various methods are used to achieve the level of oxygen depletion needed, such as a hanging, suffocation with a plastic bag over the head, self-strangulation such as with a ligature, gas or volatile solvents, chest compression, or some combination of these.
[5]Sometimes, complicated devices are used to produce the desired effects.
[6] The practice can be dangerous even if performed with care and has resulted in a significant number of accidental deaths. Uva (1995) writes ''Estimates of the mortality rate of autoerotic asphyxia range from 250 to 1000 deaths per year in the United States. "
What was in the gas tank that he purchased on Monday?
Obviously the authorities will test the tank and talk to the woman.
The blood work in the autopsy - and testing of the tank - will surely aid in solving this tragedy.
Rest in peace...
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 17, 2011 05:52
Editor Comment:
Autopsies cannot be carried out on Phuket. Post-mortem examinations, yes. Autopsies? No.
Rabbi Kantor please find a copy of the article on my friend. Thank you for all your help.
Posted by
Rabbi Kantor
on
July 17, 2011 20:01
It is all very confusing and sad. Josh was a mentally strong person. Suicide does not make sense. Anyone who knows josh would never think he would. I am still in shock... I pray for his mom, D and Lib to find comfort..
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 20, 2011 12:46
You are so missed Josh, I never thought I would be reading something like this about YOU, the same day I was going to tell you I was visiting soon so sad.. I'll never forget you, thanks for all the great memories!
Posted by
COURTNEY
on
July 20, 2011 12:49
Joshua you were an amazing friend and father to your beautiful daughter, always smiling, joking around and living life to the fullest. Your laugh was infectious and I am going to miss that. Everytime I look at a picture of you or Monkey it breaks my heart!!
You were like a big brother to me at times pissing me off but there when it counted and for that I will always cherish and appreciate you.
Rest in Peace my love, I hope you are watching over all of us!! xoxo
Posted by
SadFriend
on
July 25, 2011 23:30
I just still find this to be a lot of trouble to go though to kill yourself. Why bind your own legs? Miss ya Josh.
Posted by
Cajun
on
August 3, 2011 07:38
There's no way he would kill himself , he had a kid. Rest in peace.
Posted by
Holywaters
on
August 5, 2011 04:45
I personally never met Joshua but I am very good friends with his girlfriend Missy and have known her for many years. Please know that she loved him and would never do anything to harm him or make him want to kill himself. She had to return to the US due to her Visa. She was planning on returning the very next week after she left.
I have seen the text messages that Joshua sent to her the day before he died and it was very obvious to me that he was very unhappy and wasn't able to deal with all of the downfalls that were going on in his life. This is a hard time for everyone that loved him.
Posted by
Cindy Pressley
on
August 12, 2011 15:20
joshua was very sad he had every intention of killing himself he had deep deep sadness more then you most know we miss him desperately
mommy and delilah
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 15, 2012 07:45
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I've never heard of anyone binding his own legs together with a belt restraint before committing suicide, unless he was trying to make it look like a murder... And aside from that, someone who's suicidal doesn't go out and buy a new pair of sneakers either. And his roommate has mysteriously gone missing. Hmmm...
Posted by Sherlock on July 14, 2011 23:45