American Tourist Killed in Laos Hostel Poisoning Is Identified

Authorities have named the American tourist who was one of five people to die of suspected methanol poisoning at a hostel in Laos.

The victim is 57-year-old James Louis Hutson, the BBC reported, citing Laotian authorities.

Hutson was one of the five tourists who died after consuming what authorities suspect was methanol-tainted alcohol at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng. A sixth victim who died is said to have ingested methanol-laced alcohol during her stay in the town, per the BBC, but it wasn’t clear if her death is alleged by authorities to be connected to the hostel.

Hutson was found unconscious in his hostel room by staff on Nov. 13, the BBC reported, citing local media.

Staff grew concerned when they noticed he hadn’t come out of his room all day, and found him unconscious on his bed when they went to check on him.

According to local outlet the Vientiane Times, Hutson was taken to a local hospital; the BBC reports he was deceased when he was found in his room.

Investigators later found several empty bottles of beer and vodka in his room, per the Vientiane Times.

Hutson reportedly entered Laos on July 23 and checked into the Nana Backpackers Hostel on Oct. 20, per the outlet.

The other victims were British citizen Simone White, 28; Danish citizens Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman and Freja Vennervald Sorensen; and Australian teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, the BBC reported.

In a GoFundMe set up by the Australian teenagers’ families, Bianca and Holly are being remembered as “vibrant, adventurous 19-year-old best friends with their whole lives ahead of them.”

“Excited to embark on the trip of a lifetime, they travelled to Thailand and Laos to experience new cultures and create lasting memories together,” read part of the fundraiser, which was set up to help the victims’ families with the costs of retrieving their bodies, and will also earmark money to campaigns focused on raising awareness about methanol poisoning.

White’s family is remembering her as “one of a kind” and someone who “had the most wonderful energy and spark for life,” per the BBC.

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As of Tuesday, Nov. 26, eight staff members from the hostel had been detained in connection with the killings, the BBC reported, citing local police.

No further information about Hutson was available as of publication time. State department officials did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment, but previously told CBS News they’re monitoring the situation.