The families of two Australian teenagers killed by methanol-laced alcohol in Laos are speaking out against what they describe as woefully inadequate charges expected to be filed by Lao authorities.
Nineteen-year-olds Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles were among six foreign tourists who died after consuming tainted drinks at a hostel in Vang Vieng in November 2024. The other victims included an American man, a British woman, and two Danish women.
Speaking to reporters in Melbourne, the parents of Bianca Jones said Lao authorities were set to announce charges Friday against the individuals allegedly responsible for supplying the methanol-contaminated drinks. Mark Jones, Bianca’s father, said the families had been informed that those convicted could face a maximum of one year behind bars and a fine of approximately 1,600 Australian dollars — roughly $1,117 in U.S. currency.
Mark Jones called that outcome “unacceptable.”
Bianca’s mother, Michelle, expressed her heartbreak directly: “It’s like their lives didn’t even matter. We’re just really appalled by it all. You know, they were just going over to have a bit of fun and just doing the rite of passage that every, you know, child or teenager does. So for that outcome, it was just devastating.”
The two young women had been staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, where they reportedly drank complimentary shots of Laotian vodka before going out to other venues. When they did not check out as expected, staff found them ill in their room. They were eventually transported to hospitals across the border in Thailand, where both later died.
Shaun Bowles, the father of Holly Morton-Bowles, joined the Jones family at the news conference and called the anticipated legal outcome “mind-boggling because (Laos) is a popular tourist destination for a lot of travelers, a lot of Australian, young Australian travelers and young people from around the world.”
Bowles warned that the situation would likely cause future travelers to think twice about visiting Laos, saying the country had demonstrated “the value that they put on tourists’ lives over there and the way they’ve tried to cover this up.”
Methanol poisoning is a global public health concern, affecting not only tourists but also local populations — particularly in countries where alcohol is expensive or restricted. Data compiled by Doctors Without Borders identifies Indonesia, India, and Russia as nations with the highest number of reported cases. Methanol is sometimes added to mixed drinks at low-quality establishments as a cheaper substitute for ethanol, and it can also appear as a byproduct of improperly distilled homemade alcohol.
Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s least wealthy nations and draws many visitors, especially backpackers. The town of Vang Vieng is known as a hub for nightlife and adventure activities.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a statement Friday saying she was “deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed” that Lao authorities were not pursuing “the most serious charges” in connection with the women’s deaths. Her office did not immediately provide details on how many people were expected to face charges, and her statement did not specify the exact counts.
Wong also confirmed that she and Australia’s Prime Minister had sent an envoy to Laos on Friday “to convey the Australian Government’s objections and reinforce our expectations for an investigation that delivers justice for Holly, Bianca and the other victims of the methanol poisoning.” Australian officials additionally summoned Laos’ ambassador to Canberra in response to the situation.
The Laos Embassy in Canberra had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
