The briefing was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the embassies of the victims' respective home countries.

Pol. Col. Khamfong stated that, following approval from relevant authorities, the investigation team had been authorised to publicly disclose its findings and the evidence collected so far.

According to police, the six victims were identified as: James Louis Hutson, a United States national; Anne-Sofie and Freja Vennervald, both Danish nationals; Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both Australian nationals; and Simone White, a British national.

The investigation began on 14 November 2024, when Vientiane Province Public Security received a report that an American tourist had died at Vang Vieng District Hospital.

Provincial investigators, in cooperation with Vang Vieng District Police, immediately launched an inquiry. They examined the body at the hospital and conducted a forensic search of Room 205 at the Nana Backpackers Hostel, where the deceased had been staying. Investigators later established that the American tourist had actually died at the hostel on 13 November 2024, before staff transported the body to the hospital.

During the forensic examination of the room, investigators found several items. These included medication found next to the victim's luggage, six bottles of Beerlao (four empty and two unopened), three bottles of Tiger Vodka (two empty and one partially consumed), an empty bottle of green 7UP, two bottles of drinking water (Tigerhead and Namthip brands), and a note believed to be a suicide note.

While investigating the initial death, police were informed by hostel staff that two Danish tourists had also developed severe symptoms, including breathing difficulties, dizziness, and vomiting. The pair were initially admitted to Vang Vieng District Hospital but were transferred to the 103 Military Hospital in Vientiane as their conditions deteriorated, where they later died.

Authorities subsequently confirmed that three other foreign tourists—the two Australian nationals and the British national—also died after becoming seriously ill during the same period.

However, police acknowledged that investigators have not yet been able to conclusively determine the exact medical cause of death for five of the victims, as no post-mortem examinations (autopsies) were conducted on them.

Despite this limitation, investigators said they had obtained critical evidence from several domestic and international sources.

Key findings included laboratory test results from the Food and Drug Research Centre under the Ministry of Health, which determined that Vodka Tiger contained methanol concentrations that heavily exceeded national safety standards. Police also received medical findings from the Australian Embassy, sourced from Aek Udon Hospital in Thailand, which confirmed that methanol was detected in the blood samples of the two deceased Australian tourists.

Col. Khamfong stated that police will continue to collect information and evidence in a thorough, comprehensive, and legally sound manner.

Authorities have ordered the Nana Backpackers Hostel to suspend operations, and legal proceedings have been initiated against the hostel owner and 10 employees. Their passports have been confiscated, and they are barred from leaving the Lao PDR until all legal proceedings are concluded.

Col. Khamfong concluded by noting that the investigation has involved extensive cooperation between public security authorities, forensic specialists, health officials, diplomatic missions, and international partners. He reiterated that authorities remain committed to conducting a transparent and impartial investigation while continuing to cooperate closely with the relevant foreign embassies.

Further findings will be released as the investigation progresses and additional evidence is legally verified.

KPL