Bella May Culley was reported missing in Thailand – but police have now issued a shock update

Jade McElwee Content Editor and James Holt Senior Live and Breaking News Reporter

22:05, 13 May 2025

Bella May Culley was reported missing in Thailand - but police have now issued a shock update
Bella May Culley was reported missing in Thailand – but police have now issued a shock update(Image: Facebook)

A teenager from the UK who was reported as missing in Thailand has been confirmed as being arrested almost 4,000 miles away in Georgia.

Bella May Culley’s mum Lyanne Kennedy previously spoke to reporters, claiming that her daughter was reportedly last seen in the Pattaya area and hasn’t been in contact with her family since Saturday.

The 18-year-old’s relatives even flew out to the country to search for Bella as her mum said they were all desperate for news of her whereabouts.

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But in a shock update on Tuesday afternoon (May 13), Cleveland Police said that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested in the Eastern European country on suspicion of drugs offences, Teesside Live reports.

A force update reads: “Update on Billingham woman who was reported missing overseas. We have this afternoon had confirmation from the authorities in Georgia that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested there on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody.”

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Bella first flew out to the Philippines just after Easter and had been travelling with a friend around the islands. She is believed to have flown to Thailand on around May 3.

As previously reported, she was in regular contact with her mum and was due to speak with her on Saturday but the family has had no word since and her phone is thought to be switched off. Bella’s father Neil Culley has now flown out to Thailand with his sister Kerrie Culley.

Lyanne previously 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 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.”

A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who is reported missing in Thailand.”

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