Tragic twist in case of Australian surfer who died in a pool in his luxury Balinese villa

An Australian surfer found dead in a swimming pool in a lavish Bali villa may have passed out from exhaustion underwater after jogging in blistering temperatures.  

Rhodri Lloyd Thomas, 31, from the town of Mandurah in Western Australia, was pulled from the pool in the villa he shares with his girlfriend in the idyllic resort of Canggu on April 9.

It is now believed the sportsman may have gone jogging that morning, with local police fearing he later passed out from exhaustion and drowned while swimming.

His body was cremated this week, with his family now enduring the painstaking task of getting the remains sent back to Australia, which could prove impossible.

The coronavirus outbreak has brought travel bans and strict export regulations to stop the spread of the deadly virus, which has entered Australia from overseas. 

Mr Thomas (pictured) was the founder of the JamJar travel app that offers holiday advice to tourists in Bali 

Mr Thomas (pictured, left, with sister Angharad, right) was a popular surfer in Western Australia who moved to Bali in 2016

Mr Thomas (pictured, left, with sister Angharad, right) was a popular surfer in Western Australia who moved to Bali in 2016

During the tragic incident, Mr Thomas’ friend Alexander Hogan desperately tried to revive him while his distraught girlfriend Sara Mearsheimer watched on in horror.

It is understood his girlfriend and friend performed CPR on the surfer for 20 minutes until an ambulance arrived, a source told 9News. 

He was then taken to Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar. 

The popular surfer was honoured on Saturday night by the close-knit community in his hometown in Mandurah, 72km south of Perth.

‘He was a lovely guy, so full of energy and always smiling,’ one friend told the West Australian.

One friend wrote on Instagram: ‘RIP legend. Really sad today brother. Hope you’re ripping in heaven and making ridiculously stupid jokes non stop! You’ll be missed mate.’

Rhodri Lloyd Thomas, 31, (pictured) from WA was found dead in a Canggu villa in Bali on April 9

Rhodri Lloyd Thomas, 31, (pictured) from WA was found dead in a Canggu villa in Bali on April 9

Mr Thomas (pictured), known to friends as Tomãs Rodd, had been living in Bali with his girlfriend and a friend in a villa

Mr Thomas (pictured), known to friends as Tomãs Rodd, had been living in Bali with his girlfriend and a friend in a villa

Mr Thomas (pictured, surfing), known to friends as Tomãs Rodd, had lived in Bali for the last four years

Mr Thomas (pictured, surfing), known to friends as Tomãs Rodd, had lived in Bali for the last four years 

North Kuta’s chief detective, Androyuan Elim, said Mr Thomas had been swimming in the pool around 8am that morning.

‘Mr Hogan heard the victim swimming at 8am and about an hour later, he no longer heard the sound of water in the pool. He then checked the pool for his friend,’ Mr Elim told News Corp.

‘The witness conducted CPR by giving artificial breath and pressing on the victim’s chest. But the victim remained motionless.

‘From the results of the post mortem examination at Sanglah hospital (Bali’s main hospital), there was no sign of violence found on the victim’s body. 

Police fear the popular surfer (pictured, far left) may have passed out from exhaustion while swimming after a morning jog

Police fear the popular surfer (pictured, far left) may have passed out from exhaustion while swimming after a morning jog 

Mr Thomas (pictured with a friend) also used to work as a bartender in Perth before moving to Bali

Mr Thomas (pictured with a friend) also used to work as a bartender in Perth before moving to Bali

‘We cannot confirm the cause of death because the autopsy was not approved by the victim’s family.’

Ms Mearsheimer was reportedly in the kitchen when she saw Mr Hogan resuscitating her boyfriend before she collapsed in shock.

Mr Thomas had been living in Bali since 2016 and was a keen surfer in the popular Canggu area. 

He is the founder of JamJar a travel app that delivers advice to holidaymakers in Bali. 

Writing online Mr Thomas said he was a ‘branding, design and marketing expert.’ 

Mr Thomas (pictured) had been living in Bali since 2016 and was a keen surfer in the popular Canggu area

Mr Thomas (pictured) had been living in Bali since 2016 and was a keen surfer in the popular Canggu area

Mr Thomas (pictured, second from right) had studied marketing and finance at the University of Western Australian

Mr Thomas (pictured, second from right) had studied marketing and finance at the University of Western Australian

Mr Thomas had studied marketing and corporate finance at the University of Western Australia. 

He had also worked as a bartender in Perth before developing the JamJar app. 

The app gives tourists information on bars, restaurants and events in cities.

JamJar uses personal information from a user to determine places and events they may be interested in.

It also uses real time and weather factors to suggest ideas for tourists to explore. 

Mr Thomas has developed the app in Perth but was also running it in Bali. 

Mr Thomas had been living in Canggu (pictured), one of the most popular surf destinations in Indonesia

Mr Thomas had been living in Canggu (pictured), one of the most popular surf destinations in Indonesia

Groups of people are seen hanging out on the sand at a beach in Canggu (pictured) where Mr Thomas has resided for the last four years

Groups of people are seen hanging out on the sand at a beach in Canggu (pictured) where Mr Thomas has resided for the last four years

  

 

 

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk