Grieving parents lead emotional tributes to ‘beautiful’ lawyer Simone White poisoned by ‘methanol-laced booze’ in Laos
THE parents of a British lawyer killed after drinking alcohol suspected to have been laced with methanol have paid tribute to their “beautiful” daughter.
Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, died on Thursday after being offered free shots which were allegedly spiked while in Laos, South East Asia.
Simone’s parents described her as a “beautiful, kind and loving daughter.”
They added: “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.
“Simone has been taken from us too soon, she will be sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family.”
Simone’s employers, London law firm Squire Patton Boggs, also paid tribute.
The firm said in a statement: “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 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.”
Simone was staying in the backpacking hotspot Vang Vieng where five other tourists also died from suspected alcohol poisoning.
The lawyer and around 100 other guests at the Nana Backpackers hostel in the city were given free shots.
Simone was on holiday with her friend Bethany Clarke who is unwell in hospital.
Bethany raised the alarm with an urgent warning on the Laos Backpacking Facebook group.
She wrote: “Urgent — please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars.
“Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.”
Local police have detained the owner and manager of the hostel as they investigate the tragedy.
Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan previously denied that any drinks served there could have made the holidaymakers ill.
It is not clear where the alleged methanol-spiked drinks were consumed – or exactly how many unwell tourists remain in hospital.
The toxic chemical is sometimes used as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death.
Two Australian friends Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 years old, also died.
Toan said staff at the hostel were alerted when Bianca and Holly failed to check out as planned on Wednesday 13 November.
He said the women had been among those offered complimentary shots of Lao vodka by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality.
According to reports, Holly was taken to a hospital in Laos capital Vientiane, and Bianca was sent to Bangkok Hospital in Thailand where she was put on life support.
Holly’s family paid tribute to their “beloved daughter and sister.”
They added: “She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.”
Holly’s dad Shaun told Nine News: “It is with broken hearts, and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace.
“We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people.”
Both families had flown out to the hospitals to be with their daughters before they died.
Two unnamed Danish women, in their 20s, and an unnamed American man in his 50s also died in Vang Vieng.
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