Quick Facts About Ko Tin Zaw Htwe After Influencer's Body Discovered Abandoned Following Savage Beating in Forest

In the vibrant, curated world of social media, 25-year-old Ko Tin Zaw Htwe was a beacon of joy, known for sharing his life and dance moves with nearly one million followers. But the screen went dark on 20 January, when the Myanmar content creator's life ended not with a viral sign-off, but in a brutal, lonely tragedy deep within the Thai border forests.

The shocking discovery of his body has turned a spotlight on the precarious safety of migrants and the sudden, violent silencing of a digital star.

Profile at a Glance

Originally from Myanmar, Ko Tin Zaw Htwe built a massive online following by the time he was only 25. Outside of his online persona, he lived as a migrant in the Thai border town of Mae Sot, a hub for the Myanmar diaspora, where he built a life away from his homeland.

He launched his TikTok to carve out a space for queer expression and community connection, eventually amassing approximately 947,000 followers who saw him as a confident voice for LGBTQ+ visibility.

His online activity abruptly ceased on 19 January 2026, the day he posted his final lip-sync video. The search ended tragically just 24 hours later. On January 20, he was discovered dead in a forest near Pha Thong Village. Authorities have since launched a homicide investigation and confirmed that one suspect is currently in custody.

Htwe was so much more than just a typical content creator. Over time, he grew a massive following of nearly one million on TikTok who tuned in for his lifestyle updates, his energetic dance clips, and the genuinely sweet moments he shared with his partner. For so many people in the Myanmar diaspora, watching his videos wasn't just entertainment—it was a way to feel connected to home and to each other.

Horrific Scene Uncovered in Mae Sot District

The body was found around 16:00 on 20 January when Mae Sot Police Station officers responded to reports of someone lying in a grassy area near Pha Thong Village. When they arrived, they found Htwe face down under a large tree—a jarring scene considering the vibrant personality he showed to his followers online.

Local Thai newspaper Thairath reported the disturbing details. Htwe had been severely beaten and left there. He was wearing a yellow T-shirt under a jacket and black sweatpants that had been pulled down, which raised troubling questions about what happened during the attack.

Police found a blood-stained wooden stick nearby that they believe was used in the assault. Around the scene were various personal belongings: a handbag, cosmetics, a bankbook, condoms, and a bottle of alcohol.

The news of his violent death has left that community completely heartbroken. Police Colonel Rang Dawadung, Superintendent of Mae Sot Police Station, told Thairath that one suspect has been arrested. The investigation is still active, but the quick arrest indicates police have strong leads. The motive, however, remains unclear.

His Last Post

The timing makes everything more unsettling. Htwe apparently last posted on 19 January, just one day before his body was discovered. His final TikTok showed him lip-syncing to a popular song while showing off a new T-shirt.

What was once just another update for fans has transformed into an unexpected memorial. After news broke of his death, the comments filled with tributes from shocked followers.

The comment section of his final video, which features him happily lip-syncing, has transformed into a heartbreaking memorial wall. Fans are struggling to process the sudden void left by his death, with one user noting the fragility of it all by saying it 'hurts my heart how quickly a human life is taken away'.

The sentiment of disbelief was echoed by countless others offering prayers, including a follower who simply wrote, 'I'm sorry, may God bless you'. In a final, touching goodbye, another griever looked past the tragedy of his final moments to wish him peace, hoping he would live a 'happy and beautiful life' in the future.