Laos methanol poisoning: Heartbroken parents of young British lawyer Simone White pay tribute

The bereft parents of the young British lawyer poisoned to death by methanol in Laos today paid an emotional tribute to their “beautiful, kind and loving daughter”.

Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, is one of six people who died in the tragedy in the popular backpacking town of Vang Vieng last week.

Miss White, who was among a number of tourists who fell gravely ill after they were handed free shots on Tuesday, November 12, was a lawyer with global law firm Squire Patton Boggs in London.

As the hostel owner at the centre of the case was detained by police, Simone’s parents said: “Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful energy and spark for life.”

“She was a soul who gave so much to so many and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues,” they said.

“Simone has been taken from us too soon, she will be sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family.

“Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.”

It came after Simone’s brother Zak described how his family have gone through a “horrific” time and had lost an “absolutely lovely” and “brilliant” sister.

Police in Laos have detained the manager and owner of a hostel. Aside from Miss White, five others have also died, including two Australian teenagers, an American and two Danish tourists. Another five tourists were also injured and taken to hospital.

A neighbour in Orpington told Metro today: “She was an absolutely lovely girl from a lovely family and we all feel desperately sad for them, it’s heartbreaking.”

“She was very clever and a good friend to all. She had her whole life ahead of her, what a waste.

“We knew her and are obviously very upset and so is the whole street.”

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed her death on Thursday.

An officer at Vang Vieng’s Tourism Police office said no charges have been filed but a ‘number of people’ have been detained in connection with the case.

Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which is still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning.

In a statement, Ms White’s law firm said: “It is with deep sadness that we mourn the tragic passing of our dear friend and colleague Simone White.

“Simone was a talented colleague with a bright future ahead of her and someone who epitomised (our firm’s) values.

“Our thoughts go out to all of Simone’s family, friends and those colleagues and clients who had the privilege to work with and know Simone. She will be sincerely missed.”

The FCDO also said it was also providing consular assistance to British nationals hospitalised in the incident, as well as their families.

The FCDO said it was in contact with the local authorities regarding the British nationals affected.

Those poisoned in the incident are believed to have been served drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol.

Methanol is a colourless liquid that tastes similar to alcohol and is a byproduct of bootlegged liquor. Consuming even a small amount can lead to blindness, multiple organ failure and death.

Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said staff were told by other guests that the women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.

He said the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel two days earlier.

He said no other guest reported any issue, adding that the alleged victims had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng for treatment in a Thai hospital.

A second Australian died on Friday following the incident.

Australia said “several foreign nationals” had been victims of methanol poisoning.

The US State Department confirmed that an American had died and Denmark’s Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens also died in “the incident in Laos” but neither would comment directly on a link to the methanol poisoning that killed Ms Jones.

Thai authorities confirmed Ms Jones died because of a “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system”.

Landlocked Laos is one of south-east Asia’s poorest nations and a popular tourist destination.

Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.

Officials in Laos have released almost no details about the case, with the government keeping a tight lid on information.

The country is a one-party communist state with no organised opposition.