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Tragic backpacker’s parents warn against fake spirits
By Amy HopkinsThe parents of a British backpacker who died after drinking poisonous counterfeit gin have warned other travellers against the prevalence of fake spirits.
Cheznye Emmons died after drinking poisonous gin in IndonesiaBeautician Cheznye Emmons, 23, of Great Wakering, Essex, was fatally poisoned after drinking gin that had been mixed with methanol in April last year.
Once ingesting the liquid, which had been bought from a shop with a seemingly legitimate label, Emmons experienced sudden blindness and convulsions and died five days later.
Following an inquest into her death held in Chelmsford this week, Emmons’ parents said they were determined to prevent further fatalities.
As reported by the BBC, father Brenton Emmons said methanol was often mixed with spirits and wine in the areas where his daughter had been travelling, urging travellers to “stick to beer”. ”
“It’s very hard to tell the difference – sometimes there are bits floating in it, sometimes it might smell funny,” he said. “This is being sold in shops, restaurants and bars – places where you might think it is safe.
“But the message is really ‘stick to beer’ because otherwise you don’t know what risk you are taking.”
Brenton Emmons and his wife, Pamela, added that it is “impossible” to know how many other people have died from counterfeit alcohol poisoning in the region.
Coroner Eleanor McGann concluded Emmons died as a result of misadventure.