Laos methanol poisoning victims' families decry 'appalling' local response

It was meant to be the trip of a lifetime – an overseas adventure for two best friends from Melbourne. But six months on, the families of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles are still searching for answers.

The 19-year-olds died last year after drinking free shots of vodka and whiskey at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos. The alcohol was laced with lethal levels of methanol, killing the teens along with four other travellers.

“It’s just agonising,” said Bianca’s mother Michelle Jones, speaking to Australia’s 60 Minutes. “Mother’s Day was really tough… every day is tough.”

Michelle and her husband Mark made the heartbreaking decision to turn off their daughter’s life support after she was airlifted home to Australia.

“She just passed away in my arms,” Michelle said.

Holly’s parents, Sam and Sean Bowles, were at their daughter’s bedside when she died.

“In a way, we were fortunate to be there… which we’ll forever be grateful for,” Sean said.

What’s added to their grief is what they describe as silence from Lao authorities. Despite repeated letters and pleas, both families say they’ve never received a direct response from the Laotian government.

“We’ve written to their Prime Minister a million times,” Sam said. “Absolutely nothing.”

Now, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs has informed the families that police in Laos have recommended charges against 13 people linked to the hostel and a local distillery.

But the charges – including elimination of evidence, food and health violations, and unlawful business operations – fall far short of what the families expected.

“Pretty appalling. Pretty insulting,” said Michelle.

“There’s no murder or manslaughter charges, which we feel there absolutely should be,” added Sam.

Laos police reportedly detained hostel staff shortly after the incident, but have since refused offers of investigative support from Australia, including assistance from the Australian Federal Police. The government has also not made any public comment since the incident occurred.

The families say the lack of serious charges reflects the value Lao authorities place on the lives lost.

“They don’t care,” Michelle said. “Life is nothing. It's clearly translated in what we've seen and how we've been treated."

In the face of unimaginable loss, both families have channelled their grief into action, raising awareness around methanol poisoning and fundraising in their daughters’ names. Sam now has a tattoo made with Holly’s ashes.

“She’s always with me,” she said.