Latest news with #BiancaJones
West Australian
17-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Poisoning victim's dad vows to stop reopening of Laos hostel
The father of Holly Bowles, a young woman who died by suspected poisoning in a Laotian backpacker hostel in November 2024, has vowed to ensure the venue is never allowed to reopen. Shaun Bowles told 2GB's Ben Fordham on Tuesday morning it was 'unfathomable' to hear news of the hostel's plan to reopen under a new name. Video reveals Aussie teens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones enjoying the perfect backpacking trip before their tragic deaths from methanol poisoning in Laos. 'The potential of this happening to someone else is very real because obviously they haven't changed their ways,' Mr Bowles said. 'We're gonna put our heads together with some people and we're gonna do everything we can to make sure that place doesn't reopen because it's just not right,' he said. 'To have no justice and to find out that they're going to reopen the backpackers … it's just the worst news.' Nana Backpacker hostel became the centre of international attention in November 2024 after six backpackers, including two 19-year-old Australian women, died after a suspected methanol poisoning. Mr Bowles' daughter Holly and her friend Bianca Jones had been drinking at the venue, which plans to reopen later this year under the name 'Vang Vieng Central Backpackers Hostel'. One English backpacker who recovered from the suspected poisoning told the BBC it was 'unbelievable' to hear of the hostel's reopening. Bethany Clarke and her friend Simone White fell ill one day after drinking free vodka shots at Nana Backpackers, and while Bethany was able to recover, Simone would succumb to her illness several days later. 'I'm shocked. If it's the same management or ownership involved, I wouldn't trust them,' Ms Clarke said. 'It's just unbelievable because we know that was where we were poisoned.' Mr Bowles believes the Laotian government is not taking the deaths seriously. 'They tell us that it's sitting with the prosecutors but … we can't even get a meeting with the Laos ambassador to Australia in Canberra to ask some questions and to find out some answers,' he told Fordham. 'We remember (Holly) so fondly … someone needs to be held accountable,' he said. The hostel now appears on TripAdvisor under the newly proposed name, however bookings cannot be made through the site.
Perth Now
17-06-2025
- Perth Now
Anger as Laos hostel to reopen after deaths
The father of Holly Bowles, a young woman who died by suspected poisoning in a Laotian backpacker hostel in November 2024, has vowed to ensure the venue is never allowed to reopen. Shaun Bowles told 2GB's Ben Fordham on Tuesday morning it was 'unfathomable' to hear news of the hostel's plan to reopen under a new name. Video reveals Aussie teens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones enjoying the perfect backpacking trip before their tragic deaths from methanol poisoning in Laos. 'The potential of this happening to someone else is very real because obviously they haven't changed their ways,' Mr Bowles said. 'We're gonna put our heads together with some people and we're gonna do everything we can to make sure that place doesn't reopen because it's just not right,' he said. 'To have no justice and to find out that they're going to reopen the backpackers … it's just the worst news.' Nana Backpacker hostel became the centre of international attention in November 2024 after six backpackers, including two 19-year-old Australian women, died after a suspected methanol poisoning. Mr Bowles' daughter Holly and her friend Bianca Jones had been drinking at the venue, which plans to reopen later this year under the name 'Vang Vieng Central Backpackers Hostel'. Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones. supplied Credit: Supplied One English backpacker who recovered from the suspected poisoning told the BBC it was 'unbelievable' to hear of the hostel's reopening. Bethany Clarke and her friend Simone White fell ill one day after drinking free vodka shots at Nana Backpackers, and while Bethany was able to recover, Simone would succumb to her illness several days later. 'I'm shocked. If it's the same management or ownership involved, I wouldn't trust them,' Ms Clarke said. 'It's just unbelievable because we know that was where we were poisoned.' Mr Bowles believes the Laotian government is not taking the deaths seriously. 'They tell us that it's sitting with the prosecutors but … we can't even get a meeting with the Laos ambassador to Australia in Canberra to ask some questions and to find out some answers,' he told Fordham. 'We remember (Holly) so fondly … someone needs to be held accountable,' he said. The hostel now appears on TripAdvisor under the newly proposed name, however bookings cannot be made through the site.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Outrage as backpackers hostel where Aussie teens died plans to reopen: 'They should be banned'
The survivor of a lethal suspected methanol poisoning at a Laos hostel, which killed two Melbourne teenage girls, has slammed plans for the venue to reopen. Best friends Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were staying at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng when they became sick after drinking at the bar in November. The 19-year-olds were among six tourists who died after suffering from suspected methanol poisoning. The Herald Sun published photos on Saturday that suggested the venue, which has been closed since the incident, was planning to reopen. The images, taken this week, showed new paintwork and repairs, including a green trim on the windows of the upper floors. There is a banner at the entrance which reads 'VangVieng Central Backpackers Hostel', implying there has been a change of name. British 28-year-old Bethany Clarke survived the alleged poisoning which killed her friend Simone White. She has shared her outrage that the hostel could reopen, saying: 'This site should be a memorial, I don't want to see anyone staying there.' Photos of the Nana Backpackers Hostel from this week suggest it has been rebranded, with new paintwork and a change of name 'Vang Vieng Central Backpackers Hostel' Advertisements for the newly-named hostel have appeared on the travel sites TripAdvisor and Agoda. Among the photos are images showing the same bar where the tragic incident occurred, and the pool can be seen in the gallery of one listing. 'It's completely unbelievable, they shouldn't be allowed to advertise on TripAdvisor and Agoda, they should be banned,' Ms Clarke said. 'When you go on to the site Vang Vieng Central Backpackers you can see the pool at Nanas, so it appears they are linked.' There are currently no available dates listed on the advertisements of either travel website. Asked about a potential reopening, a spokesperson for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they were working to avoid repeat incidents. 'The Australian Government will continue to do everything possible to assist Holly and Bianca's families, and to reduce the risks of a tragedy like this happening again,' the spokesperson said. 'Our officials remain engaged with Laos authorities to reinforce our expectations for a transparent and thorough investigation.' Adverts on travel websites have included photos of the hostel bar where the suspected methanol poisoning occurred, but with the new name for the venue One TripAdvisor gallery photo for Vang Vieng Central Backpackers Hostel clearly shows the pool of Nanas Backpackers The Laos Government said it would conduct an investigation into the cause of the Novemeber incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Danish friends Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Sorensen, 21, and American James Hutson, 57, also died in the same incident. Eight men aged between 23 and 47 were taken into custody following arrests by police on November 25 as part of an investigation into the suspected poisonings. Among those arrested by Vang Vieng police were general staff and managers. There was no suggestion at the time that those detained were responsible for the tourists' deaths. A further five people, who were linked to the Tiger distillery, including the manufacturer of the drinks served, were also taken in for questioning. In February, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told federal parliament that authorities in Laos declined the offer of assistance from Australian Federal Police in its investigation of the incident. He vowed that Australian authorities wouldn't drop the matter. 'I would want to assure the families of Bianca and Holly that we remain in contact with the Laos authorities and that the offer of assistance is being consistently offered,' he said. The teens' families said in a joint statement they were 'extremely disappointed' by the lack of updates. 'As the Laos government rejects any support from the AFP our confidence in accountability and justice for everyone affected remains unanswered,' it said.
News.com.au
01-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Anger as hotel manager reportedly opens new Laos resort after methanol poisoning killed six tourists
The former manager of the notorious hostel at the centre of the deadly methanol poisonings in Laos is said to be opening up a new luxury resort just down the road. Australians Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, were among six tourists staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng last November who tragically died after drinking contaminated alcohol from the hostel bar. No charges have been laid against anyone in the six months since the incident. Just a day after the Herald Sun reported the former hostel manager known as 'Pikachu' had fled to Vietnam and claimed to have not gone back to Laos, Nine News reports Pikachu confirmed to the outlet he is involved in the new Sunrise Mountain View Resort, located just 450 metres away from the closed Nana Backpackers. The parents of Ms Bowles and Ms Jones told the broadcaster in a joint statement that they were 'angered at the recent news from Laos'. Pikachu has been proudly sharing photos and videos on Facebook of the new resort under construction for almost a year, which is promoted as having 'breathtaking views' and a rooftop bar to watch the sunset. In a post on May 24, Pikachu said there would be a month of finishes and 'then we will celebrate welcoming guests', according to an English translation. Sunrise Mountain View Resort has since denied any connection with Pikachu. 'I want to confirm with you that there is no 'Pikachu' in my resort!' an unnamed spokesperson told in an email on Sunday. 'I'm the owner. Telling me there's a 'Pikachu' in my place is not so respectful for me, please don't bother me or cause me any problems!' The Herald Sun had contacted Pikachu via WhatsApp on a number he gave when being interviewed after news broke of the poisonings in November. When asked about what happened to hostel staff who were initially detained, Pikachu said, 'I have not gone back to Laos, I don't want to talk. Maybe one day I go back to Laos but not for a long time. The hostel closed. I have no idea.' Melbourne best friends Ms Bowles and Ms Jones died after they consumed vodka and whiskey laced with methanol at the Nana Backpackers Hostel. In May, the Australian Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT) informed the families of Ms Bowles and Ms Jones, who are still desperately seeking answers, that charges have reportedly been recommended by local police against 13 people from Nana Backpackers and the Laos 'Tiger' distillery. The proposed charges include elimination of evidence, violation of food and health security and unlawful business operations. Mrs Bowles described the charges as 'appalling' and 'insulting', while Mrs Jones said she was 'furious'. 'We know that there's no murder or manslaughter charges, which we feel there should be,' Mrs Jones told 60 Minutes. The other tourists who died include British lawyer Simone White, 28, Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American James Louis Hutson, 57. Final moments before horror death in Laos Simone White's travel partner Bethany Clarke recalled the horrific experience of falling ill and witnessing her friend die to last month. Ms Clarke said they got to the hostel's bar just after 8pm on November 19 and consumed between five and six vodka shots served by the hostel, which they mixed with a bottle of Sprite and some ice cubes they also purchased from the bar. At the time, Ms Clarke and Ms White thought nothing of the drinks, but as the night moved on, and by the next morning — the pair started to feel an illness that to this day, Ms Clarke cannot quite explain. The pair woke the next morning to take part in a pre-booked kayaking tour and visit the famous Blue Lagoons which they'd both been looking forward to. 'We woke up and felt slightly off … one of our friends described it as feeling drunk,' she said. 'But … I feel like when you're drunk, you are happy. And this was a bit more … I don't know, just a sense that there wasn't something quite right and you couldn't put your finger on what it was. You would never feel as fatigued as we felt that day.' The pair pushed through, but within hours their condition got progressively worse — particularly for Ms White with a loss of appetite and an inability to swim. By the time the kayaking portion of the tour commenced, Ms Clarke knew this was more than a hangover or food poisoning. 'Simone and I were having to just lay down in the backs of the kayaks … we weren't able to actually use our arms,' she said. Venturing back to Vang Vieng, the pair collected their belongings before boarding a mini bus bound for their next stop, Vientiane. Ms Clarke said she fell asleep straight away at the back of the vehicle, only to be woken to shouts that Ms White was vomiting outside the bus. 'I fainted which I've never done before, so that should have been an alarm bell, but for some reason it wasn't … because of this cognitive decline,' Ms Clarke explained. 'Our [other] friend decided that we'd be taken to a hospital. So we ended up in a public hospital. They didn't have a clue what was wrong with us … they were coming up with food poisoning, but that was not the case.' Ms Clarke claims the hospital did not do the correct blood tests, instead insisting on a full blood count and electrolyte panels, which failed to show methanol poisoning. About 24 hours in, Ms White started to go into respiratory distress, and from there she entered a rapid decline. 'She started gasping for air,' Ms Clarke recalled. 'She then wasn't able to talk to me. She wasn't able to really look at me properly. She had her eyes open, but they were just glazed. 'She wasn't able to concentrate on me, and they [the hospital] were saying to me, she's really anxious. They just had absolutely no idea what to do with her … they gave her oxygen, but again, it was just not the right treatment. She needed to have dialysis at that point.' Ms Clarke made the decision to get Ms White out of the public hospital and into a private facility. As soon as they arrived — around 28 hours after consuming the drinks — Ms White was taken for immediate dialysis. Ms Clarke was forced to make decisions about the life of her best friend while not having full cognitive awareness herself. 'They [hospital] handed a load of forms to fill in … I was just having to wake up from being asleep and they'd say, 'Can you sign this and can you pay for this?'' she recalled. 'It was just horrendous … brain damage had occurred … she actually had five seizures during the process.' Ms Clarke was forced to make the call to Ms White's mother Sue to inform her they were in hospital with suspected methanol poisoning — a conversation she will never escape. Ms White's mother arrived from the UK to Laos just before her daughter went in for brain surgery. 'Sue literally got there as Simone was being wheeled in … obviously all her hair was shaved off. Then a few hours later we found out that although the brain surgery was sort of successful, she'd developed a bleed on that side of the brain as a result of the surgery,' Ms Clarke said. 'The other side of her brain was swollen as well. So at that point, they said that she's just going to end up in a coma regardless of what we do.' Ms Clarke and Mrs White were left with the excruciating wait of letting Ms White 'die naturally'. But because her heartbeat was still so strong, Mrs White had to speak with the British Embassy and plead to allow the turning off of her daughter's life support machine. 'They [the hospital] weren't happy initially with that idea because they're Buddhist and they want prolonged life, not to end it,' Ms Clarke said. 'But it was just a necessary thing that had to happen. Sue had to end Simone's life … And she had, I think, three attempts at trying to turn the machine off, but because she had no member of staff in there, it was just agonising and took a very long time.'
9 News
31-05-2025
- 9 News
Families 'angered' as Laos hostel manager opens new resort months after six people died
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here EXCLUSIVE: The manager of the Laos backpackers hostel where six people, including Melbourne teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, died of methanol poisoning has opened a luxury resort. 9News spoke to the former manager of Nana Backpacker, known as Pikachu, who confirmed his connection to the 4-star hotel in the heart of Vang Vieng's party district. The manager of the Laos backpackers hostel where six people, including Melbourne teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones (pictured), died of methanol poisoning has opened a luxury resort. (9News) He said it will be opening in the coming months, but a quick search of online booking websites shows there are rooms available to stay in from tonight. The revelations are another blow for the Australian families and their search for justice. "As parents of Holly and Bianca we are angered at the recent news from Laos," the families said in a joint statement. "We are disappointed in the Australian government as we are again the last to know." Laos police are understood to have recommended charges against 13 people from Nana's Hostel and a distillery. It is now up to local prosecutors to decide whether they will proceed with the case. Referring to the investigation into the deaths Pikachu said: "It's very bad for the police in Laos checking everything." The Australian families of the victims say they are 'angered' by the news as they wait for justice (9News) The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said its officials "remain engaged with Laos authorities to reinforce our expectations for a transparent and thorough investigation". (9News) He maintains he and his staff at the backpackers did nothing wrong. He told 9News they have now been freed and "some are home... and nobody is working right now." In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said its officials "remain engaged with Laos authorities to reinforce our expectations for a transparent and thorough investigation". "The Australian Government will continue to do everything possible to assist Holly and Bianca's families, and to reduce the risks of a tragedy like this happening again," a DFAT spokesperson said. national Australia Victoria national Laos Poison CONTACT US Property News: You can only access this beach shack at low tide.
