A mother recounts the heartbreaking final moments with her daughter, Simone White, who died while on vacation in Laos.
Simone’s mom, Sue, spoke about her pain. She stayed by Simone’s side in the hospital. Sue had to turn off Simone’s life support after a friend messaged Sue about the hospital trip indicating the friends had acidosis, a serious condition.
Sue booked a flight, thinking Simone would recover. Doctors called about brain surgery for Bethany. Sue knew Simone would not survive, she said. Sue arrived in Laos after seventeen hours to learn from the doctors that the surgery failed and Simone’s brain function fell.
Bethany and Sue knew Simone wouldn’t live. They talked and played voice notes to her bedside. Sue felt grateful to be with her daughter, but the picture of her daughter’s condition haunts her, particularly since doctors refused to turn off life support.
Sue had to do it herself because of religious reasons. Her husband and son were on the phone as she was alone in the room when the backup ventilator started. “It was a truly horrific moment,” Sue recalls, adding that nothing compares to the hospital ordeal.
Simone went to Wilmington Grammar School for Girls. Sue remembers her daughter fondly, recalling how she loved to work and play with passion. Simone loved life and lived every minute, sending a last text saying she was having the best trip before Sue never heard from her again.
The family is still seeking answers about her passing. Police detained hostel workers in Laos, but Sue and Bethany say they have no answers and may never learn who caused Simone’s death. Sue stated that police aren’t giving information.
Sue thinks no one will be convicted. It is unknown why Simone got so sick. A post-mortem occurred, but no results came so far. Perhaps her body processed the poison differently, but they still have no answers about what transpired.
Simone loved life and lived it fully. Sue said Simone would be angry about her short life. Simone went to Nana Backpacker’s Hostel with Bethany and another friend. Bethany saw the bartender pour shots and mix it with Sprite to drink.
The hostel owner says the bar didn’t cause poisoning. Bethany drank around six shots in three hours. The next day, they felt sick, but it wasn’t a hangover.
Simone and Bethany went swimming, but felt tired. Simone got sick, and Bethany fainted, so they went to the hospital immediately. Simone got worse, and her breathing changed. It was too late after the transfer to another hospital.
Bethany started a petition for methanol poisoning education. Sue wants testing strips for travelers so they can test drinks themselves before consumption. Simone and five tourists died after staying at the hostel, which has closed since then. Sue said Simone wouldn’t want her death to be pointless.