Who is Connor Murphy? Foreign man believed to be US fitness influencer drowns in Thailand

Reports claim fitness influencer Connor Murphy drowned in Thailand, but officials have not confirmed his identity

Reports claiming 31-year-old American fitness influencer and YouTuber Connor Murphy has died in Thailand remain unconfirmed, with authorities continuing their investigation and no official confirmation issued by his family, representatives, verified social media accounts or government agencies.

Speculation began after Thai media outlets and fitness publication Fitness Volt reported that a foreign man believed to be Murphy had drowned in a lake in Samut Prakan province on July 7.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed the identity of the deceased or announced an official cause of death.

Fitness Volt reported that emergency services were called to a luxury residential area in Bang Phli district shortly after 3pm local time following reports that a foreign national had entered a lake.

Divers later recovered a body around 20 metres from the shore, with initial examinations reportedly finding no visible signs of foul play.

According to ThaiRath, witnesses recorded footage of a man identified as Murphy behaving in an unusual manner before the police arrived.

The report said he attempted to give money to a driver, approached another resident's vehicle, shouted, rolled on the road and made praying gestures.

ThaiRath reported that he later ran into the residential area, entered the lake and drowned after becoming exhausted.

Authorities are expected to carry out an autopsy and toxicology tests, while the US Embassy is reportedly set to be notified.

ThaiRath also reported that investigators found two unused syringes in Murphy's vehicle and unidentified pills in his waist bag.

Officials said these findings do not establish the cause of death.

Murphy, from Texas, built a large online following through bodybuilding, fitness and lifestyle content.

He placed third in the NPC Dallas Europa Games Men's Physique competition in 2016 before later shifting his online content towards spirituality, meditation, fasting and personal awakening.