'Appalling' twist in methanol deaths of Melbourne teenagers - as their parents speak out

Daily Mail​

19-05-2025

The families of two teenage girls who died from methanol poisoning while on a holiday in Laos have slammed a development in their case as 'appalling'.
Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, died after a night out in the party town of Vang Viang, a small village north of Laos' capital Vientiane in November last year.
The pair were staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel and accidentally consumed methanol after they drank free shots of vodka and whiskey that were handed out.
The teens, both from Beumaris in Melbourne 's southeast, were among six foreign tourists to die due to the mass methanol poisoning event.
Miss Jones and Miss Bowles were rushed to separate Thai hospitals after asking staff for help on November 13.
Miss Jones died in Udon Thani hospital the next day, while Miss Bowles died in nearby Bangkok Hospital two days later.
Four foreign tourists from Denmark, the UK and the US also died, while a further 14 tourists who had been drinking in the area developed methanol poisoning within days of each other.
Now, nearly six months later, up to 13 people connected to the deaths may finally face charges, according to a report by 60 Minutes.
The families were notified by email from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) just 10 days ago that charges had been laid.
Local police reportedly recommended charges against 13 people from Nana's Hostel and the Tiger distillery.
The proposed charges include violation of food and health security, unlawful business operations and elimination of evidence.
Mrs Jones and Mrs Bowles criticised the recommended charges as weak
'Pretty appalling, I'd say pretty insulting,' Mrs Bowles told 60 Minutes.
Mrs Jones added: 'I think we're pretty furious about it … Food and beverage. You know, that's like? What is that? We don't even know.'
'We know that there's no murder or manslaughter charges, which we feel there should be.'
The mothers said they feel as though those allegedly involved would only get a 'slap on the wrist' in the form of a fine if they are found guilty.
They also slammed the Laos government, claiming authorities 'don't care' and that the lives of their daughters meant 'nothing'.
The government of Laos conveyed its 'deep condolences to the teenagers' family via the email sent to Mrs Jones and Mrs Bowles from DFAT.
The email it explains the Ambassador was informed prosecutors were compiling a case to present to the court and that an 'outcome was expected soon'.
However, DFAT was not provided with a timeframe of when the trial might occur.
'We do not have visibility as to whether the prosecutors will proceed with all the recommended charges,' the email read.
Staff at Nana Backpackers vehemently denied they added anything to the shots of Tiger Vodka that had been given away for free as part of the hostel's happy hour deal between 8pm and 10pm.
Nana Backpackers Hostel owner Duong Duc Toan, who was reportedly among 'a number of people' detained by police for questioning.
Mr Toan said his bar was not responsible for the mass poisoning and insisted alcohol was bought from legitimate sellers and even drank from a bottle to 'prove it was safe'.
Methanol is a colourless liquid that tastes similar to alcohol and is a byproduct of bootlegged liquor.
Nana Backpackers Hostel owner Duong Duc Toan (pictured) has vehemently denied the shots given to the girls during the bar's happy hour were responsible for their deaths
Consuming even a small amount can lead to blindness, multiple organ failure and death.
Miss Jones and Miss Bowles' families have since campaigned for methanol poisoning awareness and have raised money for a charity in their daughters' names.