In a shocking international twist, Bella May Culley, an 18-year-old from Billingham, County Durham, who was initially reported missing in Thailand, has been located and arrested thousands of miles away in Georgia, Eastern Europe. The teenager, who had been in regular contact with her family during her travels through Asia, suddenly stopped communicating on May 10, sparking widespread concern.
Bella May Culley Vanishes in Thailand
Bella May Culley was last believed to be in Pattaya, Thailand, after arriving from the Philippines around May 3, 2025. Her family reported her missing after she failed to follow through with a planned FaceTime call and ceased all communication. The situation prompted her father and aunt to fly to Thailand to assist in the search, as British and Thai authorities became involved in the investigation.
Shocking Arrest of Bella May Culley in Georgia
In an unexpected development, Bella May Culley was discovered in Tbilisi, Georgia, where she was arrested at the international airport. Georgian authorities reportedly found her in possession of approximately 14kg of marijuana and hashish, stored in 54 hermetically sealed packages. Local media captured footage of her being escorted into court in handcuffs.
Culley now faces severe drug smuggling charges, including illegally purchasing, storing, and attempting to import narcotics. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years or even life in prison.
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The UK Foreign Office has confirmed it is providing support to her family, while Cleveland Police, initially involved in the missing person search, have acknowledged her arrest.
Ongoing Investigation
As the case unfolds, Bella May Culley remains in custody in Georgia, with legal proceedings expected to continue in the coming weeks. What began as a missing persons case has now transformed into a complex international legal matter involving one of the UK’s most concerning youth travel stories in recent years.