THE parents of a British lawyer killed after drinking alocohol suspected to have been laced with methanol in Laos have spoken.
Simone, 28, from Orpington, Kent, died on Thursday after she fell ill from drinking free shots allegedly laced with methanol while in Laos, South East Asia.
Simone White has died
EnterpriseWhite’s parents paid tribute to the young lawyer[/caption]
White’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.”
White’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.”
White 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.
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 allegedly 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.
Two unnamed Danish women, in their 20s, and an unnamed American man in his 50s died in Vang Vieng.
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