An inquest has found that a British backpacker who died from methanol poisoning in Laos did not have her drinks contaminated by hostel workers. Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, was one of several people taken to hospital while staying in the popular backpacking town of Vang Vieng. She died on November 21, 2024, along with five others—two Australian teenagers, an American, and two Danish tourists—after consuming free drinks served at the Nana Backpacker Hostel.
No Evidence of Hostel Involvement
Assistant coroner for South London, Sebastian Naughton, told South London Coroners’ Court that the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who have been investigating the case, have advised there is no evidence that hostel workers were involved in contaminating the drinks with methanol. However, an investigation into the distillery owner and factory workers involved in the production of the drink is still ongoing.
Mr Naughton stated: 'The investigators have referred charges to prosecutors under the Laos criminal law for various articles for the factory distillery owner, based on test results from various samples from the hostel and the factory and information provided by the AFP.' The update came through an overseas crime agency based in Vietnam and covering Laos.
Delays and Frustration
Mr Naughton initially intended to wait for the outcome of the distillery investigation before holding a full inquest. Speaking via video link, Sarah Price from the consular assistance department at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) expressed fears that no new information might emerge. She told the inquest that the FCDO has received only one formal written communication from the Laos authorities throughout the process, describing the government as 'closed and secretive.' She added that it is very unlikely they will receive any documentation regarding the distillery case.
Addressing Neil White, a relative of Ms White, during Monday’s hearing, Mr Naughton acknowledged the frustration felt by Simone’s family over the delays and lack of a thorough criminal investigation in Laos. He noted that it is common in this court for deaths overseas to be delayed pending investigations and sometimes different legal processes in other countries.
Next Steps
Mr Naughton requested an update with any new information within five months from Ms Price and Detective Sergeant Peter Duke from the Joint International Crime Centre, who was also present at the hearing. If new information emerges, another pre-inquest review hearing will be held in six months. However, if no new information is provided, a full inquest will be scheduled within the same timeframe, during which Mr Naughton will call the pathologist who conducted the post-mortem examination of Ms White to answer questions on methanol poisoning.
