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Expat mum dies after feared methanol poisoning from tainted drink in Bali

An expat mum of two living in Bali has died in what is feared to be another case of methanol poisoning on the tourist island.

Varsha Diwaker Webber was flown to Singapore after being admitted to intensive care in Bali two weeks ago.

Her husband, originally from New Zealand, said via a fundraising page his wife had suffered severe brain damage from a "major accident".

A source close to the matter told Yahoo News Australia a friend is alleged to have made a batch of limoncello using high-proof ethanol she had purchased online through an Indonesian supplier.

Varsha Diwaker Webber has had her life support switched off in Singapore. Source: Facebook
Varsha Diwaker Webber has had her life support switched off in Singapore. Source: Facebook

The friend is understood to have given a bottle of the drink to Varsha, who fell ill shortly after consuming it.

Visitors to Bali are regularly warned about the dangers of methanol poisoning following repeated incidents where tourists have fallen seriously ill after unwittingly drinking fake spirits.

Methanol can be found in alcoholic drinks which have not been made professionally and is a byproduct of distillation.

Varsha's friend believes the pure alcohol she purchased online was tainted with methanol, the source said.

The exact cause of Varsha's death has yet to be made public.

Yahoo understands Varsha's family is considering legal action over her death.

Tributes flow for 'kindest' mum

On Wednesday, Varsha's life support was switched off, after her husband and children had flown to Singapore to say their goodbyes.

On Friday morning, a family member confirmed to Yahoo she passed away at 6.15am.

Varsha's husband is fundraising to bring her body back to Bali and cover the costs of her funeral.

Tributes have poured in for Varsha, with one friend saying online she had "a heart of gold".

"I will always remember you as that person full of life," they said.

"My sincerest condolences to the family, Varsha was the kindest and [most] joyful person I knew," another person said via the fundraiser.

Her brother thanked friends for the love and support on behalf of their family.

"My sister fought till the end and it's always been like that for her," he said.

Varsha leaves behind her husband and her pre-teen son and daughter.

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