The parents of Simone White, the British lawyer who died of suspected poisoning in Laos, have said they are “devastated” by the “terrible tragedy”.

Ms White, from Orpington, south-east London, died in hospital after drinking alcohol laced with methanol at backpacking hotspot Vang Vieng.

The 28-year-old man was one of six tourists to die after staying in the popular tourist town.

In a statement, her parents said: “Simone was unique and had the most amazing energy and spark for life.

“She was a soul who gave so much to so many people and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues.”

She said her daughter was “taken too soon” and “she will be greatly missed by her brother, grandmother and the entire family”.

He added, “Our thoughts are with all the families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.”

Ms White’s employer, the law firm Squire Patton Boggs, described her as a “talented colleague with a bright future”.

“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the tragic passing of our dear friend and colleague Simon White,” the company said in a statement.

The spokesman said Ms White was “someone who epitomized our strong values”.

In the comments under the statement posted on professional networking site LinkedIn, a colleague at the firm wrote: “Simone was one of the kindest, most genuine and thoughtful people I have ever met.

“He lived life to the fullest and encouraged everyone around him to do the same.”

19 year old Australian Holly Bowles became Sixth person to die from suspected poisoning On Friday.

The victims also included her friend and teammate Bianca Jones (19), an unidentified American man, and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20.

The two Australian victims died after being transferred to a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, while Ms White was treated in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

The names of the Danish and American victims have not been released.

News reports and evidence suggest that tourists may have consumed alcohol laced with methanol – a deadly substance often found in illicit liquor.

Medical experts say drinking as little as 25 milliliters of methanol can be fatal, but it is sometimes mixed into beverages because it is cheaper than alcohol.

Christer Hogstrand, professor of molecular ecotoxicology at King’s College London, said this is “not unusual even in home-distilled alcohol”.

“Metalanol is like the alcohol in our drinks – colorless and odorless – but its effects on humans can be fatal,” he explained. “It has a different carbon atomic structure that completely changes the way humans process it in the body, leading to these potentially fatal consequences.”

It is not yet known where any of those who fell ill or died were poisoned.

It may take up to 24 hours for victims to show symptoms of the disease.

Nana Backpacker Hostel – where the Australian teenagers were staying – said it had given free meals to about 100 guests the previous evening.

But the hostel manager told the news agency The Associated Press reported that no other guests became ill.

The hostel manager has been taken into custody by the police for questioning.

has methanol poisoning This has long been a well-known issue in Southeast AsiaEspecially in the poor countries along the Mekong River.

But despite foreign governments posting warnings about alcohol consumption in these locations, there is still very little awareness in the backpacker party scene.

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