Latest news with #NeilCulley
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Thai drug gangs are targeting UK backpackers in order to recruit them as mules, police expert claims
Thai gangs may be targeting young British backpackers and recruiting them as drug mules, an expert said yesterday. The warning came after two women were arrested for allegedly carrying large quantities of narcotics from Bangkok airport. Bella Culley, 18, of Billingham, County Durham, was held at Tbilisi airport, Georgia, on May 11 for allegedly trying to smuggle 14kg of cannabis and hash. She had left Thailand within hours of former air stewardess Charlotte May Lee, 21, of Coulsdon, south London, who was arrested in Sri Lanka after police said she was carrying cannabis worth £1.15million. Former police general Jemal Janashia, one of Georgia's top drug crime experts, told the Mail that the fact two young British women had taken off reportedly in possession of large quantities of drugs from the same airport 'will interest investigators'. He added: 'They will be concerned about the possibility of a link and that Thai gangs may be attempting to recruit vulnerable British travellers.' Culley's father, Neil, 49, flew to the Black Sea nation as soon as he heard of her arrest, but has been unable to visit his daughter, who claims she is pregnant. The oil rig technician said: 'I have no experience in dealing with situations like this. It's very difficult.'
The Independent
15-05-2025
- The Independent
Everything we know about British teenager who went missing in Thailand before being arrested in Georgia
Authorities still have many questions after a British teenager who disappeared while travelling in Thailand before being arrested 4,000 miles away in Tbilisi, Georgia. Bella May Culley, 18, was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport in possession of '34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana … as well as 20 packages of hashish', according to local media. She had originally not been heard from since last Saturday, when she failed to check in with her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, as planned while she was travelling southeast Asia. The Georgian interior ministry says the teenager is facing life imprisonment, which is 20 years. A statement read: 'B.K, born in 2006, is charged with illegally purchasing and storing a particularly large amount of narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia. The committed crime envisions up to 20 years – or life imprisonment.' A British Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that Ms Culley had been detained in Georgia and that they were supporting the teenager's family. Cleveland police have also confirmed that Ms Culley had been detained in Georgia. Her family first launched an appeal for the missing teenager on Tuesday morning. Her father, Neil Culley and aunt flew out to Bangkok over the weekend to find out more about Ms Culley's whereabouts, only to discover that she was in Georgia. Here's everything we know so far about Ms Culley's case. Who is she? The 18-year-old is from Billingham, County Durham. She reportedly had hopes of becoming a nurse after finishing an access course at Middlesbrough College The teenager had remained in close contact with her family during her trip and was meant to check in with her mother on Saturday at 5.30pm for a Facetime, but never did. 'That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now,' said Ms Kennedy. 'I'm just waiting on her dad who is now in Bangkok to get back with any more information. I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice.' Ms Culley's dad lives in Vietnam, according to Ms Kennedy, who told The Sun that her daughter 'always wanted to see Asia. 'She loves all the touristy stuff, like releasing turtles." Ms Culley has reportedly told prosecutors in Georgia that she is pregnant. Her state-appointed lawyer revealed that 'She told the court and later me as well that she is pregnant", according to The Mirror. The lawyer continued in a statement: "This was her first time in the court and she was terrified and confused, kind of lost. Because of that we decided to exercise the right to remain silent. In a few days, after we've had consultations and discussions, we'll decide whether and how to adjust this position. New lawyers, private ones, both Georgian and British, will soon be involved and more details will be told." What was she doing in Thailand? The teenager had decided to travel southeast Asia after finishing her course at Middlesbrough College. Her mother told Teesside Live that her daughter flew to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and was there for three weeks. 'She was posting loads of pictures,' Ms Kennedy said. Her mother told The Sun that the decision to go to Thailand wasn't planned, but when her friend decided to go to Ibiza, Bella decided to head in a different direction because 'she doesn't drink that much and isn't really into the party lifestyle.' She went to Thailand on 3 May, reportedly to meet friends she'd made on a previous trip that her mother didn't know. Why is she in Georgia? After going missing in Thailand, Bella resurfaced at Tbilisi International Airport, where she was arrested for possessing 30lbs of cannabis. One of her charges is illegally importing the narcotic into Georgia. It remains unclear how and why she ended up 4,000 miles away from her holiday destination. Bella's grandfather, 80-year-old William Culley, suggested to The Mirror that his granddaughter must have been taken advantage of. 'She's not daft, she's an intelligent girl. Why has she done it? Has someone dangled money in front of her? We just don't know what has gone on until we get out there and talk to her. We are just hoping that somebody can do something. She must be terrified.' What consequences does Bella face? The prosecutor has asked for 55 days to find evidence before the case is brought to trial. She faces up to 20 years - or life imprisonment - if found guilty for illegally purchasing and storing the drugs and illegally importing it into Georgia. Bella would be imprisoned in the country's only women's prison, Prison No.5, located outside the town of Rustavi, a 45-minute drive from the capital. It houses nearly all of the country's female prison population, according to Penal Rights International. The jail comprises a series of cell blocks and training facilities, where women can participate in courses such as traditional Georgian felt making, beauty therapy and hairdressing. The prison has been subject to controversy and less than 20 years ago at least seven prisoners were killed and 17 injured during a disturbance which led to force from law enforcement agents, including special forces, according to the Human Rights Watch.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Grim-faced father and aunt of British student 'drug mule' emerge from public defender's office in Georgia after they were blocked from seeing the 'depressed and scared' 18-year-old in prison
The father and aunt of British drugs mule suspect Bella Culley have been spotted emerging from the public defender's office in Georgia after they were blocked from seeing the 18-year-old in prison. Father Neil Culley, 49, and auntie Kerrie Culley, 51, touched down in Tbilisi yesterday and pushed for an emotional reunion with the 18-year-old who is accused of carrying 30lbs of cannabis into the ex-Soviet republic. Legal sources told the Mail the relatives tried to visit on Wednesday and again today, but were not allowed because the prison director has not signed relevant paperwork. It is understood they are pushing to visit tomorrow, but are reliant on officials signing it off. Culley was stopped at Tbilisi airport earlier this week in a suspected sting operation and found with 12kg of cannabis and 2kg of hashish with a street value of £200,000. She claimed in court she was pregnant and her lawyer said she had been left 'scared, confused and depressed'. The teenager has been preliminarily detained until July 1 while investigations are ongoing. She is languishing in notorious Women's Colony Number 5 on the outskirts of Tbilisi and could be facing 20 years in prison. Father Neil Culley, 49, and auntie Kerrie Culley, 51, touched down in Tbilisi yesterday and pushed for an emotional reunion with the 18-year-old who is accused of carrying 30lbs of cannabis into the ex-Soviet republic Culley's alleged offences have been covered by local news outlets in ex-Soviet nation, Georgia Her father and auntie have been locked in talks with British Embassy officials since their arrival and are not speaking to the press. Zurab Tatunashvili, a senior customs officer, described the discovery of drugs in the bag of the 18-year-old girl. He said: 'I was inspecting luggage using an X-ray scanner. 'One of the bags appeared suspicious based on its contents, so I marked it with a customs sticker, which indicates that it must undergo a physical inspection in the presence of the passenger in a specially designated room.' Culley's lawyer Ia Todua said: 'The detainee says that she is pregnant. She needs special examination and attention. In addition, in my assessment, she was depressed, confused and scared.' Todua told Radio Free Europe (RFE): 'When the accusation was presented, given that it was a foreign environment for her, it was her first time communicating with law enforcement officers, we agreed on such a position that she should exercise her right to remain silent in order to develop herself.' Law enforcement is expected to contact the suspect 'in a few days' in her detention jail. 'If she wishes to cooperate with the investigation in terms of providing certain information regarding the accusation, this will be agreed upon later,' reported RFE citing the lawyer. It is possible that a separate legal team will be hired. Todua confirmed earlier this week that Culley's father Neil was headed to Tbilisi after having flown to Thailand, where she initially went missing. The British Embassy in Tbilisi told RFE: 'We are assisting the family of the British woman detained in Georgia and are also in contact with the local authorities.' The report said that neither the Ministry of Internal Affairs nor the Customs Department of the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance in Tbilisi say which country the British woman entered Georgia from, nor whether Georgia was her final destination. Any onward travel plans have not been disclosed. But Todua told RFE that according to the case materials, Culley arrived in Georgia from Thailand and, according to her travel tickets, intended to stay in Georgia. The suspect is accused of carrying 34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana as well as 20 packages of hashish into the ex-Soviet republic. Culley sparked a massive international search operation in recent days after she was reported missing while she was believed to be holidaying in Thailand. On Tuesday night it was revealed the teen had been arrested 4,000 miles away on drug offences in Georgia. Footage shared by local broadcasters appeared to show the 18-year-old being walked into the Central Criminal Police Department in Tbilisi while in handcuffs. Culley was reportedly charged with illegally purchasing and storing a particularly large amount of narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia. The country's Interior Ministry has said the committed crime 'envisions up to 20 years - or life imprisonment,' and while she requested bail, the judge overseeing the case decided to imprison her as she posed a flight risk, local media reported. Now, the British teen could face two decades or more behind bars in the country's only female prison, Tbilisi Prison No.5, located 45 minutes away from the ex-Soviet capital. Stark photographs of the facilities sterile interior show what the life the teen could face if convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in Georgia - in a lock up reports say is decaying. When reports first emerged of Culley vanishing, it was believed she was on holiday in southeast Asia, as she was last believed to be in the Pattaya area, near Bangkok. Her phone was also believed to have been turned off. Cleveland Police have since said authorities in Georgia have confirmed that 'an 18-year-old woman from Billingham' had been arrested 'on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody'. The teenager's family previously said she first flew out to the Philippines just after Easter this year and had then flown to Thailand around May 3. Culley had been regularly posting on social media and last shared a picture to Facebook on Monday, May 5. Her distraught family initially appealed for help to trace her whereabouts, with police in Thailand also involved in the search. Culley, who recently finished a course at Middlesbrough College with the aim of becoming a nurse, was in regular contact with her mother Lyanne Kennedy. She was scheduled to speak with her on Saturday. Her father Neil Culley and her aunt, Kerrie, had travelled to the southeast Asian country in a bid to get answers. But now, she faces time in Tbilisi Prison No.5. A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report into the lock up previously criticised the 'severely overcrowded' facility after they alongside Amnesty International and Penal Reform International urged the Georgian government to end ill-treatment in their prisons in 2006. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CPT) described the conditions at No 5 as 'degrading', 'inhuman' and as such 'an affront to a civilised society' that same year. A HRW report also detailed the facility as being in a 'state of disrepair' at the time, with 'crumbling' walls and floors with some inmates having to sit on 'two tier metal bunk beds' when they were not sleeping. The bathroom were described as 'decaying and flithy', while all the cells were said to have smelled 'strongly of human sweat, human excrement, and cigarette smoke,' with garbage also found scattered near cell doors. Before police confirmed Culley's arrest, her mother Lyanne told Teesside Live: 'She flew out to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and she was there for three weeks. 'She was posting loads of pictures and then she went to Thailand on about May 3. 'The last message she sent was to me and that was on Saturday at 5.30pm saying she was going to Facetime me later. 'That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now. 'I'm just waiting on her dad who is now in Bangkok to get back with any more information. I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice.' Her distraught mother had also told the Sun that she had a bad feeling about the 18-year-old's trip to Thailand. 'I really didn't want her to go to Thailand. I begged her to come home. I don't trust some of the boys over there,' she said. 'But she wanted to meet up with some friends she made over there on a previous trip. I don't know who any of them are.' When Culley's father Neil was told by officers at the Bangkok police station to contact the country's immigration bureau to figure out where she was last staying. The family previously contacted an airline, who revealed that Culley had made a request for a ticket but the payment never went through. Lyanne said: 'When she stopped answering messages I assumed it was because she was flying back to surprise me. But then nothing.' The distraught mother added: 'We think she was last near Pattaya, and was supposed to fly back from Bangkok via Frankfurt according to the itinerary. 'But I never heard anything about picking her up.'
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Teenage British 'drugs mule' is 'depressed, confused and scared' as she faces possible life in ex-Soviet jail and needs 'special examination', her lawyer reveals
British drugs suspect Bella May Culley, 18, is 'depressed, confused and scared' as she faces possible life imprisonment, says her lawyer. The teenager from Billingham, County Durham is accused of carrying 30lbs of cannabis into ex-Soviet republic Georgia. Lawyer Ia Todua said: 'The detainee says that she is pregnant. She needs special examination and attention. In addition, in my assessment, she was depressed, confused and scared.' Todua told Radio Free Europe (RFE): 'When the accusation was presented, given that it was a foreign environment for her, it was her first time communicating with law enforcement officers, we agreed on such a position that she should exercise her right to remain silent in order to develop herself.' Law enforcement is expected to contact the suspect 'in a few days' in her detention jail. 'If she wishes to cooperate with the investigation in terms of providing certain information regarding the accusation, this will be agreed upon later,' reported RFE citing the lawyer. Todua said that Culley's father Neil was flying to Tbilisi, where she was detained after a drugs haul was allegedly found in her suitcase after arriving from Thailand. It is possible that a separate legal team will be hired. The British embassy in Tbilisi told the news outlet: 'We are assisting the family of the British woman detained in Georgia and are also in contact with the local authorities.' The report said that neither the Ministry of Internal Affairs nor the Customs Department of the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance in Tbilisi say which country the British woman entered Georgia from, nor whether Georgia was her final destination. Any onward travel plans have not been disclosed. But Todua told RFE that according to the case materials, Culley arrived in Georgia from Thailand and, according to her travel tickets, intended to stay in Georgia. The suspect is accused of carrying 34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana as well as 20 packages of hashish into the ex-Soviet republic. Culley sparked a massive international search operation in recent days after she was reported missing while she was believed to be holidaying in Thailand. On Tuesday night it was revealed the teen had been arrested 4,000 miles away on drug offences in Georgia. Footage shared by local broadcasters appeared to show the 18-year-old being walked into the Central Criminal Police Department in Tbilisi while in handcuffs. Culley was reportedly charged with illegally purchasing and storing a particularly large amount of narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia. The country's Interior Ministry has said the committed crime 'envisions up to 20 years - or life imprisonment,' and while she requested bail, the judge overseeing the case decided to imprison her as she posed a flight risk, local media reported. All the cells in the Georgian prison were said to have smelled 'strongly of human sweat, human excrement, and cigarette smoke,' according to the 2006 report Now, the British teen could face two decades or more behind bars in the country's only female prison, Tbilisi Prison No.5, located 45 minutes away from the ex-Soviet capital. Stark photographs of the facilities sterile interior show what the life the teen could face if convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in Georgia - in a lock up reports say is decaying. When reports first emerged of Culley vanishing, it was believed she was on holiday in southeast Asia, as she was last believed to be in the Pattaya area, near Bangkok. Her phone was also believed to have been turned off. Cleveland Police have since said authorities in Georgia have confirmed that 'an 18-year-old woman from Billingham' had been arrested 'on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody.' The teenager's family previously said she first flew out to the Philippines just after Easter this year and had then flown to Thailand around May 3. Culley had been regularly posting on social media and last shared a picture to Facebook on Monday, May 5. Her distraught family initially appealed for help to trace her whereabouts, with police in Thailand also involved in the search. Culley, who recently finished a course at Middlesbrough College with the aim of becoming a nurse, was in regular contact with her mother Lyanne Kennedy. She could face 20 years jail or even life imprisonment, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has said She was scheduled to speak with her on Saturday. Her father Neil Culley and her aunt, Kerrie, had travelled to the southeast Asian country in a bid to get answers. But now, she faces time in Tbilisi Prison No.5. A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report into the lock up previously criticised the 'severely overcrowded' facility after they alongside Amnesty International and Penal Reform International urged the Georgian government to end ill-treatment in their prisons in 2006. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CPT) described the conditions at No 5 as 'degrading', 'inhuman' and as such 'an affront to a civilised society' that same year. A HRW report also detailed the facility as being in a 'state of disrepair' at the time, with 'crumbling' walls and floors with some inmates having to sit on 'two tier metal bunk beds' when they were not sleeping. The bathroom were described as 'decaying and flithy', while all the cells were said to have smelled 'strongly of human sweat, human excrement, and cigarette smoke,' with garbage also found scattered near cell doors. Before police confirmed Culley's arrest, her mother Lyanne told Teesside Live: 'She flew out to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and she was there for three weeks. 'She was posting loads of pictures and then she went to Thailand on about May 3. 'The last message she sent was to me and that was on Saturday at 5.30pm saying she was going to Facetime me later. 'That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now. 'I'm just waiting on her dad who is now in Bangkok to get back with any more information. I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice.' Her distraught mother had also told the Sun that she had a bad feeling about the 18-year-old's trip to Thailand. 'I really didn't want her to go to Thailand. I begged her to come home. I don't trust some of the boys over there,' she said. 'But she wanted to meet up with some friends she made over there on a previous trip. I don't know who any of them are.' When Culley's father Neil was told by officers at the Bangkok police station to contact the country's immigration bureau to figure out where she was last staying. The family previously contacted an airline, who revealed that Culley had made a request for a ticket but the payment never went through. Lyanne said: 'When she stopped answering messages I assumed it was because she was flying back to surprise me. But then nothing.' The distraught mother added: 'We think she was last near Pattaya, and was supposed to fly back from Bangkok via Frankfurt according to the itinerary.' 'But I never heard anything about picking her up.'
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Brit ‘smuggler' Bella Culley's cash wad & ‘Bonnie & Clyde' brag on TikTok before arrest 4,000 miles away from Thai hols
THE BRIT teen arrested for smuggling 30lb of marijuana into Georgia boasted on TikTok about her "criminal" lifestyle before getting caught. , 18, from County Durham , disappeared while travelling in south-east Asia and reappeared in handcuffs in Tbilisi. 15 Bella bragged of a 'Bonnie and Clyde' lifestyle on TikTok Credit: TikTok 15 She showed off huge wads of cash Credit: @ 15 Bella went on a trip to the Philippines and then took a detour to Thailand Credit: Facebook 15 Bella appeared in court in Georgia today, where she did not comment on the charges Credit: East2West 15 Police say they found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage while trying to enter Georgia Credit: East2West She cannabis in her luggage - and could face 20 behind bars. Now, clips of Bella bragging about making piles of cash and living a "Bonnie n Clyde" lifestyle have emerged. One TikTok video shows Bella posing on a balcony, captioned: "Blonde or brunette? Erm how about we get up to criminal activities side by side like Bonnie n Clyde." It goes on: "Making heavy figures and f*****g on balconies all over the world". READ MORE ON THE BRIT TEEN Another post flaunts huge stacks of cash, with her clutching a bundle of £10 and £20 notes held together by a hairband. The online brags about making money and crime began before she jetted to south-east Asia a few weeks ago, just after Easter. Out in Asia, evidence of her lavish lifestyle continues with videos of Bella partying, lounging on beaches, scuba diving and smoking marijuana in the back of a cars. But her content suddenly dried up last week - along with her messages back home. Most read in The Sun Her family were clueless at first and put out a desperate plea for information, fearing Bella was still in Thailand and missing. But yesterday, Georgian authorities released photos of Bella being marched while handcuffed into a police station. Brit tourist, 18, reported missing for days in Thailand is arrested on 'drug offences' in Georgia 4,000 miles away Airport staff had stopped her on the way in and allegedly found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage. The aspiring nurse could face 20 years in an overcrowded former Soviet prison or even a life sentence, the country's Interior Ministry said. Taking the stand today, she told the court she was pregnant before adding she would reserve the right to remain silent. She is said to be 'confused and terrified'. 15 Georgian authorities released footage showing the British teen in handcuffs Credit: East2West 15 Police in Georgia released images of the alleged hoard the British teen is accused of trying to smuggle into the country Credit: East2West 15 The cannabis was wrapped in black bags in her luggage, police said Credit: East2West 15 Her baffled dad Neil Culley, who lives in Vietnam where he works off-shore, is flying to Eastern Europe to be by his daughter's side in Georgia today. A loved-one said: 'She is just a student - she doesn't really go out or do anything like that. She just wanted a break so took herself to Thailand. 'She must have become mixed up with someone. She must have met someone who has taken advantage of her.' Meanwhile Bella's paternal grandfather William Culley, 80, said he feared he may not see his 'intelligent' granddaughter again and said "she's not an international drug trafficker". Bella went travelling with a friend to the Philippines last month and then decided to take a spontaneous trip to Thailand on May 3. Her mum, Lyanne, told The Sun that went to reconnect with some people she met on a previous trip to the country. Her family raised the alarm during her holiday after she failed to contact anyone since Saturday, despite usually flooding her family with texts, sparking a huge international search operation. They had no idea that she had even left Thailand and were shocked to learn of her arrest in a different continent. Her mum previously said that Bella "doesn't like the party lifestyle", so it was even more of a shock to hear she was accused of a major drug smuggling operation. The Brit remained silent on the charges when she appeared in court today. 15 Bella posted videos of her smoking in the back of cars Credit: @ / tiktok 15 She told her mum she was going to Thailand to reconnect with friends she previously made in the country Credit: Facebook 15 She posted regularly to her social media accounts - but all communication dried up at the weekend Credit: Facebook Major Georgian TV outlet Rustavi 2 in a text report said that Bella May Culley had told the Tbilisi court that she was 'pregnant'. The judge remanded her in custody. Meanwhile, mystery surrounded a string of company directorships Bella appeared to hold, despite being described as a "normal student" and family and friends having no idea about them. Records showed apparent links to the Far East - with Bella listed as the director of at least two companies with Chinese ties. Speaking at his home in Billingham, Co Durham today, Bella's grandfather said: 'I'm terrified that she's in for a long sentence. I might never see her again - I'm 80 years old. 'She's got sucked into something, somehow. She's not an international drug trafficker. 'It's all just very strange and at the moment we just don't have any answers. We don't know what to think." He said his granddaughter was 'intelligent' and 'not daft' and would not knowingly have involved herself with drugs . 'She was on holiday with some friends, doing what 18-year-olds do - drinking and dancing. They must have met somebody who's taken advantage of her.' Mr Culley described his granddaughter as a 'normal' 18 year old who lived with her brother and mother in social housing in Billingham. Mr Culley said: 'She's not daft, she's an intelligent girl. Why has she done it? Has someone dangled money in front of her? 'We just don't know what has gone on until we get out there and talk to her. 15 Bella could be jailed for 20 years if found guilty Credit: @ / tiktok 15 Mum Lyanne told The Sun that Bella didn't like the party lifestyle Credit: Facebook 15 Bella had been enjoying her holiday in the South East Asia Credit: Facebook Her Georgian lawyer told reporters today: "My client is currently exercising the right to remain silent, so we will provide detailed information later, once they decide how to proceed. "A formal request must be submitted to the relevant authority, and then more detailed information regarding my client can be provided. "At this stage, [she is] invoking [her] right to silence, and further developments will be shared later once a decision is made." Culley's lawyer said: 'The person under my protection is currently exercising the right to silence and, accordingly, I will provide all the detailed information later, when she decides to provide detailed information to the investigative bodies regarding the charges brought against her.' Bella could face decades behind bars in Georgia's only female prison, Tbilisi Prison number 5. The prison has been previously criticised for being 'degrading', 'inhuman' and 'an affront to a civilised society' by a European committee. Bella recently completed an access course at Middlesbrough College and hopes to become a nurse - but first wanted to go travelling. Before her reappearance in Georgia, Bella's mum Lyanne Kennedy, 44, told The Sun: "Her dad lives in Vietnam, so she's always wanted to see Asia. 'She loves all the touristy stuff, like releasing turtles." Bella flew out to the Philippines with a friend - and Thailand wasn't even on the agenda to begin with. But when her pal went to Ibiza, she decided to head in a different direction because "she doesn't drink that much and isn't really into the party lifestyle". Instead, Bella travelled on to Thailand around May 3. Lyanne said: "I really didn't want her to go to Thailand. 'I begged her to come home. I don't trust some of the boys over there. 'But she wanted to meet up with some friends she made over there on a previous trip. I don't know who any of them are."
