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Parents 'devastated' over daughter's suspected poisoning death | Parents 'devastated' over daughter's suspected poisoning death |
(30 minutes later) | |
Simone White's parents described their daughter as a "soul who gave so much" | Simone White's parents described their daughter as a "soul who gave so much" |
The parents of British lawyer Simone White, who died in a suspected poisoning in Laos, have said they are "devastated" by the "terrible tragedy". | The parents of British lawyer Simone White, who died in a suspected poisoning in Laos, have said they are "devastated" by the "terrible tragedy". |
Ms White died in hospital after drinking alcohol suspected to have been laced with methanol in the backpacking hotspot Vang Vieng. | Ms White died in hospital after drinking alcohol suspected to have been laced with methanol in the backpacking hotspot Vang Vieng. |
The 28-year-old was one of six tourists to die in the popular tourist town. | The 28-year-old was one of six tourists to die in the popular tourist town. |
In a statement, her parents said: "Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful energy and spark for life. | In a statement, her 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." | "She was a soul who gave so much to so many and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues." |
They said their daughter had been "taken far too soon" and would be "sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family". | They said their daughter had been "taken far too soon" and would be "sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family". |
They added: "Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy." | They added: "Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy." |
Ms White's employer, law firm Squire Patton Boggs, described her as a "talented colleague with a bright future". | |
In a statement the firm said: "It is with deep sadness that we mourn the tragic passing of our dear friend and colleague Simone White." | |
The spokesperson added that Ms White, from Orpington, south-east London, was "someone who epitomised our firm values". | |
In comments under the statement posted on professional networking site LinkedIn, colleagues and others in the legal sector also offered their condolences and shared memories. | |
One colleague at the firm wrote: "Simone was one of the kindest, most genuine and thoughtful people I have ever met." | |
Holly Bowles, left, and teammate Bianca Jones were visiting Laos from Australia | |
Holly Bowles, a 19-year-old Australian, became the sixth person to die from the suspected poisoning on Friday. | Holly Bowles, a 19-year-old Australian, became the sixth person to die from the suspected poisoning on Friday. |
Her friend and teammate Bianca Jones, also 19, an unnamed US man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also among the victims. | |
News reports and testimonies suggest the tourists may have consumed alcohol laced with methanol - a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol. | News reports and testimonies suggest the tourists may have consumed alcohol laced with methanol - a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol. |
Medical specialists say drinking as little as 25 millilitres of methanol can be fatal, but it is sometimes added to drinks because it is cheaper than alcohol. | Medical specialists say drinking as little as 25 millilitres of methanol can be fatal, but it is sometimes added to drinks because it is cheaper than alcohol. |
Christer Hogstrand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology, at King’s College London said it was also "not uncommon in home-distilled alcohol". | Christer Hogstrand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology, at King’s College London said it was also "not uncommon in home-distilled alcohol". |
"Methanol is like the alcohol in our drinks – colourless and odourless – but its impact on humans can be deadly," he explained. "It has a different carbon atom structure which completely changes how humans process it in the body, leading to these potentially fatal consequences." | "Methanol is like the alcohol in our drinks – colourless and odourless – but its impact on humans can be deadly," he explained. "It has a different carbon atom structure which completely changes how humans process it in the body, leading to these potentially fatal consequences." |
It is not yet known where any of the people who fell sick or died were poisoned. | It is not yet known where any of the people who fell sick or died were poisoned. |
It can take up to 24 hours for victims to start showing signs of illness. | It can take up to 24 hours for victims to start showing signs of illness. |
The Nana Backpacker Hostel - where the Australian teenagers were staying - has said it gave out free shots to around 100 guests the previous evening. | |
But the hostel's manager told news agency Associated Press that no other guests had become unwell., external | |
The manager of the hostel has since been detained for questioning by police. |