December 1st 2024.
Simone White, a young British woman, passed away while on a backpacking trip in Laos. Her mother, Sue White, shared the heartbreaking details of her daughter's final moments, including the long and agonizing journey to get to Laos as Simone's life hung in the balance. Sue described the 16-hour trip from Heathrow, with a layover in Thailand, as "terrible" and "horrendous." She knew that her daughter, Simone, was undergoing emergency brain surgery and had a feeling that she wouldn't make it.
Simone, a 28-year-old lawyer from Orpington, Kent, was traveling with friends when they all fell ill after allegedly drinking drinks containing methanol. While her two friends eventually recovered, Simone's brain function was irreversibly damaged. Her mother made the difficult decision to turn off her ventilator on November 21, nine days after she consumed the deadly vodka shots.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Sue White shared her daughter's story in hopes of warning other young travelers. She urged them to be cautious and aware of their drinks, saying, "If it can happen to her, it can happen to anybody." She emphasized that Simone was a highly educated and intelligent person, but still fell victim to the toxic effects of methanol.
Methanol is a type of alcohol that is similar to the ethanol found in alcoholic drinks, but with a different chemical structure that makes it highly toxic to humans. Once ingested, our enzymes break down methanol into formaldehyde and then formic acid, which can cause organ damage and even blindness. It can be found in homemade or bootleg alcohol and is sometimes added to drinks as a cheaper substitute for ethanol. However, even a small amount can be fatal, and symptoms may not appear until 12 to 24 hours after ingestion.
Police in Laos have detained several people in connection with the deaths of Simone and five other backpackers who also fell ill after drinking methanol-laced drinks. Simone was a lawyer with a global law firm, and her colleagues described her as a talented and promising young professional.
In a statement, Simone's parents remembered her as a kind and vibrant soul who was loved by her family, friends, and colleagues. They expressed their condolences to the other families affected by this tragedy and urged others to be cautious. Simone's law firm also paid tribute to her, saying she had a bright future ahead of her. The loss of Simone White has left a void in the lives of those who knew and loved her, and she will be deeply missed.
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