New theory in West Seattleite Jill St. Onge’s death in Thailand

One day after we first told you about the death of 27-year-old West Seattleite Jill St. Onge while vacationing in Thailand, an overseas newspaper says there is a new theory: Instead of possible food poisoning as reported yesterday, Ms. St. Onge’s fiance Ryan Kells is quoted as saying he suspects chemical fumes from a nearby water treatment plant; the Andaman Times also says a Norwegian news outlet reports cyanide was found in the body of a 22-year-old Norwegian woman who also died in the area, reportedly after having stayed at the same guest house as Ms. St. Onge. The Andaman Times also has editorialized that more coverage is needed of what happened to the two women; here’s their editorial, with additional photos of Ms. St. Onge. Back here in West Seattle, KIRO TV has picked up on the story (their live truck was sighted near Ms. St. Onge’s workplace, Shadow Land, which is where we took the photo at left, during Junction trick-or-treating last October) and tells us they’ll have a report tonight at 6; we’ll add the link here when their story’s online. 7:12 PM: Here’s the link to KIRO’s story.

dan May 6, 2009 (9:33 pm)

good luck jill

bdb May 6, 2009 (9:35 pm)

pure bad luck…..i couldn’t imagine this happening to anybody on a life growing excursion im sorry

Laurel May 7, 2009 (7:10 am)

I feel for the family and friends of Jill. I did not know her, but having a son murdered in Seattle I feel I share a little of what they are going through.
Peace,
Laurel

Henry May 7, 2009 (8:41 am)

So sad this happening with two young woman on vacation.

RIP,
Norway

debi May 7, 2009 (9:10 am)

WE WILL MISS YOU FOREVER….

LOVE, AUNT CHRIS AND UNCLE CAL

KM May 7, 2009 (10:34 am)

If it does turn out to be chemical fumes from a water treatment plant, then I can totally see this happening. While on Koh Phi Phi our toilets would suddenly produce an awful smell often getting us to leave our hotel room for some fresh air. This smell wasn’t common for any other place in Thailand. Seems like a more plausible reason than the sudden food poisoning.
I know that saying that isn’t very comforting for Jill’s family. But it sounds like the police are at least taking the investigation seriously. I hope they figure this out quickly so that other travelers are safe.

AMB May 7, 2009 (4:29 pm)

I didn’t know Jill personally, but she was our server a few times at Shadowland. I was amazed that she remembered us each time we went in, even though months passed in between visits and we weren’t exactly regulars. The first time we went, I was very pregnant with our first baby. Since Shadowland is over-21 only, I’ve only been back once since his birth a year ago, and she remembered me and asked after the baby, and even cooed over his picture on my cell phone. I was amazed that she would remember. My husband and I have commented several times about that “great gal who served us at Shadowland,” something we don’t say about many people! We were both very sad to hear this awful news, and send our heartfelt condolences to her friends and family.

Kyra May 7, 2009 (8:03 pm)

The students at Denny Middle School after school art program will miss you a lot. Thank you for sharing your time and your talent with us.

U.S. Expat May 7, 2009 (9:39 pm)

First of all, I feel your pain for your lost one.
Many lost friends and family when the tsunami hit in 2004.

I’ve lived in Thailand for over 8 years.
Unfortunately, these types of accidents/ misfortunes occur all of the time. (Bangkok Post, Phuket Gazette, Pattayadailynews.com)

But, this is a 3rd world country, consumed by greed and corruption! The police can not and will not fully cooperate because the biz-owners of the water treatment plant/Guesthouse are most likely police/military or politicians. Thus very rich and powerful men.

I suggest a PI to gather the truth and real evidence. And request the help of forensics expert Khunying Porthip Rojanasunand. She is a real honest doctor who can not be bought!

Our embassy has its hands tied for fear of causing these rich men to “Lose Face”

Byzinski May 7, 2009 (9:55 pm)

Fumes don’t present stomach pains. They must of injested something orally. I would suspect a poison, accidentally or intentional. That is one part of the world I would not visit.

Josh Wallace May 8, 2009 (5:38 am)

Please let me first express my condolences to the families of the victims.

I’ve stayed near those bungalows two or three times. The sewage treatment pond smells foul–I wouldn’t want to be sleeping on the edge of it. But thousands of people lodge in its vicinity each month. Two or three deaths and two illnesses alone would not suggest that is the sole cause.

The bungalow’s air-con system should be checked (Legionnaire’s disease). Air-con systems are rarely if ever cleaned at less than four-star facilities in Thailand.

The fact that Jill and her fiancé became sick the same evening might also suggest food poisoning from the same restaurant. I have eaten Thai street food for some 25 years without ill effect, but no hygiene standards are enforced and diners should display good sense in what and where they eat.

Hopefully autopsy results will provide some clues as to how this kind of incident can be prevented in the future.

Nick Babeaux May 8, 2009 (10:18 am)

So So Sad, I worked with jill for about a year at a restaurant in North Seattle, she was always smiling, great person to be around, my condolences to her family. we will miss her Very much!

Ted Burner May 8, 2009 (9:11 pm)

Jill did a wonderful wall painting for my Grand Daughter’s room. A picture of a tree with a little birds nest sitting in it. This will be a fitting tribute to kind and beautiful person that we will cherish forever.

Grand Pa Ted

courtney May 8, 2009 (11:29 pm)

so sorry for your loss; Jill looks like she was a beautiful girl.
peace to you

courtney in austin tx

Roger May 9, 2009 (12:37 am)

Jill and Ryan have been a joy to me every time they’ve stopped in to Skylark late nights after Jill finished work. Jill was always so sparkling and cheery, no matter what her day was like. We all were so excited about their trip to Southeast Asia and followed their blog and were so excited to hear that Ryan proposed mid-way through the trip and followed her blog daily. I’m so broken by the loss of such a shining star. Their friends in the Pigeon Point neighborhood Brandon and Rachael celebrated Jill Tuesday night by ordering the same drinks she and Ryan get. I still have her “bar chap stick” I offered to save for her until their return from their Southeast Asia trip. Love all around to family and friends.

Lee May 9, 2009 (3:33 pm)

My sincere condolences to the St.Onge family.

Thailand is a third world country where corruption and bribery reign supreme. My son died in an air crash on Phuket in September 2007, but as yet no official reason has been given for the accident which took 90 lives.

I suggest you investigate privately as I doubt you will receive any aid from the Thai government.

I am truly sorry for your loss.

Thailand is not a safe place to travel.

Tracey May 9, 2009 (8:03 pm)

Byzinski, why do you post inaccurate information?

Vomitting is a common symptom when exposed to noxious gasses. Even if you were not aware of this fact before now, it is a simple matter to research using something called the Internet. Do the world a favor and stop posting on the Internet, since you know absolutely nothing and are too lazy to find out anything.

John May 9, 2009 (11:32 pm)

She was a pretty woman. I hope you will find peace over this tragic situation.

CFIT May 11, 2009 (5:07 am)

Good luck getting to the bottom of this. There have been 5 tourist deaths in that region within a month. Thai police leaked a prelimnary autopsy report on the Norwegian women, she had been exposed to cyanide, but they have since recanted.

If tourists knew how unsafe it really is here, no one would visit (aside from sex tourists..)

Check out http://www.investigateudom.com for the cover up on 1-2 Go air crash in Phuket- turns out no one was flying the plane while trying to land in heavy winds.
Thailand WOULD be a joke , if it weren’t for all the tragedies .
Condolences

Check out http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/ChristySweet/2009/05/10/entry-1

and ThaiVisa.com forum

for all the news gathered on this.

Chantelle May 11, 2009 (12:32 pm)

I went to school with Jill and have nothing but fond memories of her. I’m extremely sorry for the loss of this dear girl. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers and that your pain will not go unnoticed or unsupported. Continue on in your fine efforts to find the answers you seek and in honoring the beautiful person that she was.

Michelle May 11, 2009 (7:46 pm)

To the family and friends of Jill I was shocked to here of your loss.I worked with Jill for many years at Sazerac in Seattle. She was the kind of person that always had a smile or kind thing to say. She touched many lives in her short but so sweet life. And she will be truely missed.

Sorry, comment time is over.