American fitness influencer Connor Muphy, 32, has reportedly died from drowning in Thailand.
Rumours surrounding the influencer’s death rapidly spread across social media after reports from Thailand emerged of a drowning incident involving a US citizen.
Speculations intensified after several fitness creators and online communities claimed that Murphy was dead. This prompted widespread confusion among his millions of followers.
According to ThaiRath police, medical staff from Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital, and Por Teck Tung Foundation rescue volunteers responded to a report that said a foreign man had entered a lake inside a luxury residential village in Samut Prakan Province.
The emergency call came around 3 p.m. local time on July 7, 2026, in the Bang Phli district. Pol. Lt. Weerapong Rupsuay, Deputy Investigator at Bang Phli Police Station, said that the report informed of a foreign man acting erratically and jumping into a lake. Divers who arrived at the scene found the body of the 32-year-old man about 20 meters away from the edge of the pond. The body had no signs of assault. The remains have been sent for an autopsy.
According to a video clip recorded by an employee at the village, Connor Murphy experienced a psychotic episode before he ran to the village lake to swim. He reportedly became exhausted and drowned in front of onlookers who couldn't help because he was in too deep (over 10 meters). They immediately called the authorities. Divers searched for approximately 30 minutes before they could find his body.
According to the village security guard, the man went and returned in a hired vehicle. He offered the driver 1000 baht, which the driver refused, reportedly because of the man's abnormal behaviour.
The man then knocked on a passerby's car and asked to be let in. The security guard shouted at the driver not to let him in. After that, Murphy allegedly shouted and rolled on the road.
Murphy's girlfriend said that they have been together for about 3 years, but lived separately due to their incompatibility in lifestyles. They recently started living together again, less than 3 months ago. She also said that she did not see him use drugs while they lived together.
The homeowner who visited the house Murphy stayed in said that she was shocked because the entire house, including the electrical appliances, was reportedly covered in paint. The house is currently valued at 22 million baht, which she had rented out for 35,000 baht per month. She told ThaiRath that she selected the tenement carefully and didn't expect to find the house in the condition. The girlfriend said that she did not see the vandalism take place, as it occurred when she was sleeping.
Investigators from Bang Phli Police Station searched the deceased's house and car. They found two unused syringes on the driver's seat and unknown white pills in the deceased's fanny pack.
Forensic doctors who examined the body found injuries believed to have been caused by rolling on the gound on the body.
A more thorough autopsy is awaited to determine the exact cause of death, including testing for drug use.
The US embassy in Thailand is also being notified of the incident.
Who is Connor Murphy?
Connor Murphy is an American fitness influencer, bodybuilder and fitness model. He gained popularity after sharing body transformation videos and workout routines. His content reportedly shifted around 2020 and 2021, and he began posting about spirituality, meditation, prolonged fasting, personal awakening experiences and psychedelic use.
Many users had expressed concerns about his well-being as his videos became unconventional.
