KOH PHI PHI, Thailand (8 May 2009) — Two foreign women who were on holiday in Thailand died at the same Koh Phi Phi resort. Julie Michelle Bergheim, 22, of Drammen, Norway, died in the early morning hours at Laleena guesthouse. A few hours later, Jill St. Onge, 27, of Seattle, Washington, died at the same resort. Last month, a 46-year-old Norwegian tourist died under suspicious circumstances at the same Koh Phi Phi resort. Bergheim was traveling with another Norwegian woman who also fell ill and remains in hospital. St. Onge was traveling with her fiancee, Ryan Kells, 31, who also fell ill but has since recovered. Kells said he suspects the air in their room was contaminated by a water treatment plant, which is located adjacent to the resort. "I found out later that there is a water treatment plant right behind the guesthouse," Kell said. "I feel that Jill was poisoned by a chemical from that plant. She spent about five more hours in the room than I did. She was just breathing in the fumes for so long...the only reason I did not get deathly ill, is that I kept getting these short breaks from the air in the room." Asan Buntam, owner of the Laleena resort told police he thinks the women died from drinking too much alcohol. "I'm sorry about the lady tourists, but it is not my fault," he said. "It was the same thing, their stomachs hurt and they were throwing up...I think it was because everyone went out drinking and partying." Police said the Laleena resort has been temporarily closed to facilitate their investigation. Preliminary autopsy report Police said both victims suffered severe stomach pain and were vomiting for several hours before they died. Thai police said they found cyanide in the stomachs of both women and are investigating bars and restaurants on the island. The preliminary autopsy reports found cyanide in the stomachs of both women, inflammation of the lining of the stomach (acute gastritis) and severe dehydration. Authorities said the final autopsy reports on both victims will require two to four weeks to complete and the police investigation could take several weeks longer. | 
