DEET in drinks killed sisters

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Published: 1 Sep 2012 at 19.32
Online news: Local News

The deaths of two Canadian sisters on Koh Phi Phi in June were caused by the insect repellent DEET in their drinks, according to Canadian media reports.

Noemi (left) and Audrey Belanger were found dead in their room on June 15.

Results of the autopsy at a Bangkok hospital have not been publicly released, but they were shown to reporters for Radio-Canada, the French-language news network of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

According to the report, 20-year-old Audrey Belanger and her sister Noemi, 25, had DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide) in their bodies.

Though the chemical is a potentially neurotoxic mosquito repellent, it is sometimes used as an ingredient to add an extra kick to a euphoria-inducing cocktail that is popular among young people in Thailand.

The cocktail known locally as 4x100 contains cough syrup, cola, ground-up kratom leaves, which are a mild narcotic, and ice.

It is thought that an overdose of DEET was accidentally mixed into the young women's drinks.

Large plastic buckets filled with different drink ingredients that are sipped through a straw are popular with Phi Phi partiers, who carry the buckets from place to place.

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montreal11
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Discussion 25 : 12 Sep 2012 at 10.5325
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when they receive the body here in canada they where in deconposition because they where not frozen like it was suppose to be .. the father spoke on tv and said their was many question about the bad condition of the body when they arrive but no answer where given by the thai autority.father also said they had prblem to get the body and the body disapeare for more then 48 hrs they also clean the room less then 2 days after the death so impossible to find clue or answer to the death nobody knew what to do for the investigation ... we could see on tv when people play with the dead body opening the bag for picture like a trophy ..no respect for the family who saw that like everybody in canada...anyway it was not the first death on that island and nobody had answer on the other death ???? they said misterious death again ????
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fundeena
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Discussion 24 : 02 Sep 2012 at 22.5224
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I use high concentration Deep Woods Off, available in a spray pump bottle. Some drunk kid, high on meth could easily spike my drink if I left it on my table with my drink.Hey old man you have stomach ache tonight. 55555
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brilliant
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Discussion 23 : 02 Sep 2012 at 22.4523
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This is so unbelievably sad for the victims and their families. I think the odds are that the 2009 deaths might have been from the same cause. I never liked the culture of Phi Phi and wouldn't stay at a hotel there. This possibly was an overdose and they knew what they were drinking, being on vacation and willing to try something they might normally not try. Or not. The police really need to solve this. The bottom line is, if you go to Phi Phi, watch what you drink, what you eat and where you snorkel. What a "paradise".
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amerman
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Discussion 22 : 02 Sep 2012 at 19.4622
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I suspect that someone is killing farlang tourist for fun. I'm sure this goes on in Thailand more than we know. In this case maybe there is a serial killer lose in the Phuket/Phi Phi area but only the police know. They will never tell the public in fear of the Tourism factor.
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bern1005
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Discussion 21 : 02 Sep 2012 at 18.4921
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Most tourists spray themselves with DEET so it's presence is not surprising. I will be more interested to see the Canadian autopsy result since no figures are given here for the amount of DEET.

The Canadian report talks of blue lips and fingers ("La bouche et les doigts des deux soeurs étaient bleuis"). However, blue lips are not a common symptom of DEET poisoning (which is more likely to produce red lips and blistering) but is a well known symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning (which is a much more common cause of death in Thailand).
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alexa
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Discussion 20 : 02 Sep 2012 at 17.0920
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bkposter, disc 19. Please do not put allegations on the dead. They have no defence.
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bkposter
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Discussion 19 : 02 Sep 2012 at 16.0219
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The question still remains: was it an accidental over dose or an intentional murder. I would guress the former, but If there are any personal belongings missing, then it might be the later. They may have been so drunk that once they were sick they were just too weak and disoriented to call for help.
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alexa
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Discussion 18 : 02 Sep 2012 at 15.2618
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tcr Disc 17. This is a shocking revelation. How can this be so. Under the protection of the police ? Do you mean this is administered by request from the locals ?.
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tcr
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Discussion 17 : 02 Sep 2012 at 15.0217
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Use of deet (from mosquito coils) mixed with Kratom leaves is a VERY popular drink in the south. Whether you want to believe it or not, it's reality. I've been to these places and it's easy to get any kind of drugs you want. Police turn a blind eye to it as they profit from this.

In other words, the local police help cover this up. Somebody mixed the wrong amounts and these young girls paid the price for it.

The police need to be reformed.
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alexa
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Discussion 16 : 02 Sep 2012 at 14.2016
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Howell, Disc 11
I am in absolute agreement with you. Their drinks were not spiked with DEET, they would have spit it out immediately. I have never heard of anyone getting a high on this, and I don't believe they travelled half way round the world to commit suicide. Are we, the public, really so stupid as to believe this weak story ?
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DEET in drinks killed sisters | Bangkok Post: news