Brit policewoman, 22, died in horror Kavos fall after being ‘plied with toxic booze’ as tributes paid
A BRITISH policewoman on holiday in Corfu may have drunk toxic booze illegally laced with methanol before falling to her death.
PC Hannah Emily Byrne, 22, was found dead with a head injury on the first day of her holiday in the Greek resort of Kavos.
She decided to stay out on Friday night while her colleague pal went back to their hotel.
But Hannah, who was serving with Surrey Police, was later found dead near a main road by a passerby after hitting her head in a plunge from a height of several metres.
Authorities in Corfu are now investigating whether she had drunk tainted booze hours after arriving on the holiday island.
Corfu's chief medical officer, who initially examined Hannah, from Reigate, told The Sun he detected alcohol on her breath.
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Yannis Aivatidis said she died "just a few hours" after arriving in the area.
He said: "There are questions as to what kind of alcohol she consumed. Had it been illicitly tampered with?
"Was she so intoxicated because [illegal] methanol was in the alcoholic drinks she had consumed?
"The answer lies in the toxicology tests that will be carried out.”
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Bars and clubs in Greece are notorious for lacing alcoholic drinks with pure spirit to make beverages go further.
Authorities on the island announced Sunday following raids in Kavos that 28 bars would be closed after being found to have served adulterated alcohol - as well the mixed dregs of drinks clients hadn't finished.
Well-placed sources described the closures as "more than coincidental" given that they occurred hours after the policewoman's death.
Hannah's heartbroken family described her as "kind and caring" in an emotional tribute.
They said: "Our beloved Hannah was beautiful inside and out.
"She was extremely kind, funny, caring and had a real zest for life."
A UK-based source told The Sun last night: “Hannah was a dedicated and responsible young Pc.
“Her colleagues, friends and family are very anxious to know what lies behind this.”
Kavos has long been a favourite among young Brits who account for the greatest number of visitors the island draws every year.
The coroner said Monday's postmortem had revealed Hannah had fallen from a height of several metres.
Aivatidis added: "Findings included fractures to her thorax, stomach and a small rupture of the spleen.
"But it was a traumatic head injury that killed her."
Aivatidis said while the findings excluded criminal involvement it was unclear whether the officer had been with friends at the time of her "accidental death".
He added: "I believe she may have confused the building she was staying in and may have fallen attempting to enter the one she was found outside of in an unorthodox manner.
"What remains unclear and is now part of the [police probe] is whether she was abandoned by friends after the fall."
Her stepfather, who is also a police officer, was expected to arrive in Corfu to repatriate Hannah’s body later this week.
Chief Superintendent Chris Colley, Divisional Commander for East Surrey, said: “Hannah’s death has been a shock for everyone who knew her.
“She was a bright, enthusiastic and respected officer just at the start of her career in policing and she will be sadly missed.
“As a Force, we are now doing everything we can to support her family and her colleagues at this extremely difficult time."
A Surrey Police said: "We are working to support both their family and their colleagues here during this extremely difficult time.
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"An investigation into the circumstances of the death is being led by the Greek authorities and we await further updates from them as they conduct their enquiries."
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.”