THE brother of Andrew Apperley, 38, who was found dead after attending a Full Moon party in Thailand, believes he was murdered.

Andrew’s brother, Richard, 41, has revealed the last texts which he received on the night of the beach party on the island of Ko Phangan.

They contain fears of a 'scary guy in a face mask', people wanting to kill him and that his drink had been spiked.

The former Marling School pupil was last seen on Sunday, February 12, his found was found a week later, his death is now being investigated by Thai police.

Speaking to the Mirror Online, his brother Richard said: "I believe he was murdered. I believe there was foul play.

"Me and my mum will be flying out there as soon as we can, to make sure we can bring him home and also so we can speak to the Thai authorities face-to-face.

"I don't believe it's being investigated properly and we've received next to no information on what, if any, progress has been made.

"I've managed to do more than the Thai police from the UK, no-one would know about his last messages if I hadn't traced them myself.

"I want CCTV checked and whatever's necessary to get my family answers. My worry is that the information I've gathered so far would be in better hands with my binmen than the Thai police."

Messages sent over the course of the evening suggest the property manager had taken magic mushrooms - which produce hallucinations - and Ritalin, often used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Andrew was living in Gloucester with his young daughter, but his mother Linda still lives in Sheepscombe near Stroud, her son had messaged her via Whatsapp on the night of the party to say he would be returning the following morning.

His father is the late Stroud District Councillor, Ray Apperley who died in 2013.

A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesman said they were in touch with Thai authorities and the cause of death is currently unknown.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: "We are providing support to the family of a British national who has been reported missing in Thailand.

"We are in contact with local authorities."