The 25-year-old athlete, a Stawell Gift finalist, died two weeks after her birthday during a family holiday in Thailand.
Australian sprinter Jemma Stapleton died while on a family holiday on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. Aged 25, she had celebrated her birthday on 1 June.
Originally from Melbourne and a member of the Doncaster Athletics Club, Jemma Stapleton had reached the final of the Stawell Gift, one of Australia’s most prestigious races. She finished third there in 2025 and had qualified for the final again this year.
The authorities have released details of her death in a road accident. The accident occurred near “Coral Cove” in Lamai.
Her brother, Joel Stapleton, paid an emotional tribute in a video broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). He described Jemma not only as his sister, but as his best friend and guide throughout his life.
« She was always there for me and whenever I needed help, she was there. For those who knew her, you know how lucky you were to have her in your life. Her smile was so bright that wherever she went, you knew she was there. I am so grateful to be able to call her my sister. »
On Instagram, her partner Tyler Gray also expressed his grief, explaining that he was struggling to come to terms with the loss and was grateful to have shared his life with her. He described her as « the most beautiful thing that had ever happened to him ».
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs said it was providing consular assistance to the family. A fundraising campaign launched on GoFundMe raised more than 100,000 Australian dollars in less than twenty-four hours.
Australian sprinter Jemma Stapleton, 25, died in a motorbike accident while on holiday in Thailand with her family. pic.twitter.com/lMXWi8Pw8W
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) June 12, 2026
Her coaches and teammates at Doncaster Athletics Club paid tribute to her immense talent, determination and charisma. They noted that Jemma was an athlete who inspired everyone around her. Just before leaving for Thailand, she had spoken enthusiastically about her future plans: starting a family, buying a house and pursuing her sporting goals.
Thai investigators examined the scene of the accident and gathered statements from those present to establish the precise circumstances of the tragedy.