VIENTIANE: Police have indicted the owner of a distillery and the owner and staff of Nana Backpackers Hostel over the deaths of six foreign tourists in Vang Vieng in late 2024. However, they said the cause of five of the deaths could not be legally determined because no autopsies were conducted.
The announcement was made during a press briefing at the Ministry of Public Security, marking the most detailed public explanation of the investigation into the deaths, according to the Public Security Newspaper.
Deputy chief of the Vientiane Province Police Command Colonel Khamfong Vongdalasane said investigators found methanol levels above permitted standards in a drink produced by a privately owned distillery in Xaimoungkhoun village, Naxaithong district, Vientiane.
Police also received confirmation through the Australian Embassy that Aek Udon Hospital in Thailand had detected methanol in the blood of the two Australian women who died.
Despite these findings, Khamfong said investigators could not legally determine the cause of five of the deaths because no autopsies had been carried out.
However, he said investigations would continue to gather comprehensive, objective and reliable evidence.
The press briefing was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies of the countries whose citizens died.
The victims were identified as American national James Louis Hutson, Danish nationals Freja Vennervald Sorensen and Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, Australian nationals Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, and British national Simone White.
Police said the distillery owner had been indicted on charges of producing and selling consumer goods harmful to health under Article 275 of the Penal Code and operating an illegal business under Article 297.
The case has been submitted to the Vientiane Province People’s Court for trial.
Investigators said prosecutors initially considered charging the owner with violating food safety regulations but later dropped the charge because of insufficient evidence. Prosecutors instead directed police to pursue a charge relating to the production and sale of hazardous consumer goods.
Police also disclosed the outcome of a separate case involving Nana Backpackers Hostel.
Investigators found that after Hutson died in Room 205 on Nov 13, 2024, hostel staff moved his body to Vang Vieng District Hospital before informing police, preventing officers from examining the room.
Police charged the hostel owner and 10 staff members with destroying evidence under Article 383 of the Penal Code.
The Vang Vieng District Court convicted 10 defendants. However, the Vang Vieng People’s Prosecutor’s Office appealed against the sentences, saying they were too lenient and asking the Vientiane Province People’s Court to review the penalties.
Police said Nana Backpackers Hostel remains closed while legal proceedings continue. The owner and 10 staff members have had their passports confiscated and are prohibited from leaving Laos until the case is concluded.
Police said they first learned of Hutson’s death on Nov 14, 2024, after being informed that an American national had died at Vang Vieng District Hospital. Officers later established that he had died at the hostel the previous day before his body was moved to the hospital.
Investigators found several items inside the room, including bottles of liquor, glasses containing liquor, soft drinks, bottled water, medication and a suicide note.
Police said Hutson’s family declined an autopsy and his body was released for funeral arrangements.
The investigation also found that the two Danish women suffered breathing difficulties, dizziness and vomiting before being treated at Vang Vieng District Hospital. They were later transferred to Hospital 103 in Vientiane, where they died. Their families also declined requests for autopsies.
Police said the two Australian women checked into Nana Backpackers Hostel on Nov 9, 2024. Investigators were unable to determine all their movements or what they had eaten or drunk during their stay.
After becoming seriously ill, they were treated at Vang Vieng District Hospital before being transferred to Settathirath Hospital in Vientiane. At their families’ request, they were later transferred by a medical team to Thailand for further treatment, where they subsequently died.
Investigators said White was transferred from Mahosot Hospital to Kasemrad International Hospital in Vientiane on Nov 13, 2024, after falling unconscious. She died on Nov 21.
Police said they had opened investigations into the five deaths for which no autopsies were conducted but had been unable to establish criminal responsibility.
Although methanol above permitted levels was found and methanol was detected in the blood of the two Australian women, Khamfong said the available evidence was insufficient under Lao law to determine that the deaths resulted from the actions of any specific person.
He said investigators would continue collecting evidence in accordance with the Law on Criminal Procedure and maintain close cooperation with the embassies. — Vientiane Times/ANN
