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At the home of Zak White, a prominent photograph of his older sister Simone is unmistakable. The collection of images captures moments of joy—graduations, holidays, and other significant milestones. Simone, who was passionate about traveling, embarked late last year on a journey she believed would be unforgettable. She set off for Laos, in southeast Asia, to backpack alongside friends.
Zak recalls how excited Simone was to reunite with her friend Bethany Clarke, whom she had not seen for seven months. Simone, a 28-year-old trainee lawyer and seasoned traveler, left with normal family farewells centered around well-wishing. Zak describes their parting simply as, “‘See you when you’re back’, kind of thing.” Tragically, that goodbye would be their last.
Simone was among six tourists who died after consuming free shots at a hostel party in the popular Laotian town of Vang Vieng. These drinks were reportedly contaminated with methanol, a highly toxic substance sometimes illicitly added to alcohol to reduce production costs. After sharing the drinks at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, Simone and her friend Bethany fell ill. Both were hospitalized with methanol poisoning, and Simone’s family was soon informed of the severity of her condition.
Zak recounts the shock and disbelief as he watched the situation unfold. “I didn’t think she was ever going to die,” he admits, describing the anguish of that time. Simone was placed on life support but ultimately succumbed to the poisoning. The loss remains a heavy burden for Zak, who avoids alcohol but experiences anxiety and PTSD when friends drink shots at social events. The memories of Simone’s death return sharply in those moments.
Questions about accountability remain unanswered. The future of the Nana Backpacker Hostel is uncertain amid reports of potential reopening under a new name, a development that worries Zak. Despite emails from the UK and Australian governments indicating that charges related to food safety breaches have been proposed against thirteen individuals in Laos, there has been no legal determination directly linking anyone to Simone’s death. Zak voices concern for other young travelers, saying, “They’re almost playing Russian roulette with their lives if this hostel reopens.”
Moreover, tourism in Vang Vieng, once bustling, has reportedly slowed, with locals referring to the area as a “ghost town” as high season approaches. Attempts by news outlets to reach the hostel’s owners and Laotian authorities for comment have gone unanswered. Simone’s family also expresses disappointment with the UK Foreign Office, which they feel has been slow to provide updates or concrete support. Zak highlights that while the Foreign Office has worked to raise awareness about methanol poisoning risks, including designating high-risk countries and collaborating with content creators for social media campaigns, these efforts fall short of what is needed.
Echoing concerns shared by Simone’s friend Bethany, Zak calls for stronger governmental action, hoping for greater intervention from the highest levels. He speaks candidly about the family’s frustration with the lack of progress: “I think we’ve perhaps accepted we’re not going to get answers, but that shouldn’t be the case.” Zak affirms there has been no justice and a persistent desire to understand what happened.
Simone is remembered by her family as kind-hearted and protective. Zak reflects on her character with warmth, saying, “She always wanted the best for me. She was really kind and caring and she always stood up for what she believed in.” Despite the passage of time, he reveals that each day remains hard without her presence, filled with profound sadness over her absence
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