{"id":804146,"date":"2026-07-16T14:55:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T14:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/804146\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T14:55:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T14:55:16","slug":"devastating-news-for-families-of-aussie-teens-bianca-jones-and-holly-bowles-who-died-from-methanol-poisoning-in-laos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/804146\/","title":{"rendered":"Devastating news for families of Aussie teens Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles who died from methanol poisoning in Laos"},"content":{"rendered":"

The families of Melbourne teens Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles who died from methanol poisoning in Laos<\/a> have received devastating news. <\/p>\n

The Laos Government has all but ruled out criminal charges for anyone in the wake of their daughters\u2019 deaths after they suffered methanol poisoning from drinking bootleg liquor at a Laos backpacker hostel in the tourist town Vang Vieng.<\/p>\n

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said of the correspondence with the Laos Government: \u201cThe explanation provided suggested the Prosecutor does not consider they have sufficient evidence to establish the necessary legal link between the Tiger alcohol and the deaths of Holly and Bianca.\u201d<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

At least 11 people visiting the backpacker town were hospitalised in November 2024 after drinking contaminated alcohol. <\/p>\n

Among them were Australians Bowles and Jones, who died after being transferred to a hospital in Thailand.<\/p>\n

An American man, two Danish women and a British woman were among the six foreigners who also died.<\/p>\n

At least eight people believed to be hotel staff and management were detained but have since been released.<\/p>\n

\"HollyHolly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones. (PR IMAGE PHOTO) Credit: AAP<\/p>\n

Foreign Minister Penny Wong had pressured the Laos authorities to progress a criminal case after the deaths of Bowles and Jones.<\/p>\n

The Laotian government has knocked back offers from the Australian Federal Police to help in the probe.<\/p>\n

The Vang Vieng backpacker hostel implicated in the Laos methanol deaths has since reopened under a new name.<\/p>\n

Their deaths sparked a new alcohol awareness campaign nationwide,<\/a> particularly before Schoolies.<\/p>\n

The partnership with DrinkWise called \u201cDrinking? Drink Mindfully\u201d aims to equip school leavers with the tools to travel safely, allowing them to make informed decisions about alcohol and to celebrate with confidence.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Government apologises to outraged families of methanol poisoning victims<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Dads of Aussie teens killed by toxic alcohol in Laos outraged at punishments<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

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