Parents Demand Action After Daughters’ Deaths in Laos Tragedy

The parents of two Australian teenagers, Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, are calling for others to reconsider visiting Laos following the tragic deaths of their daughters due to suspected methanol poisoning. Nearly a year after the incident, which occurred in November 2022, the families express frustration over the handling of the investigation by the Laotian government.

In an interview with the *Herald Sun*, Holly’s parents, Shaun Bowles and Samantha Morton, voiced their discontent with the lack of progress. They stated, “We recognize how corrupt and unhelpful the Laos government is; there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest there is any type of investigation going on.” Their hope is that other Australians will avoid Laos while planning trips to Southeast Asia. They emphasized, “(Our) hope is that Australians remove this country from their bucket list, your life is worth nothing over there.”

Bianca’s parents, Mark and Michelle Jones, share similar sentiments. They noted that “to date, no individual or organization has been held accountable” for the deaths of their daughters. They fear that these tragic incidents may be forgotten or neglected in the pursuit of justice.

Holly and Bianca, both 19 years old, were close friends who embarked on a backpacking trip across Southeast Asia after finishing high school. Described by their families as inseparable, the pair looked forward to adventures together. Unfortunately, their dream vacation turned into a nightmare when they fell ill while staying at a hostel in Van Vieng, located north of Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Following their illness, both girls were airlifted to Thailand, where they fought for their lives. Bianca’s family expressed their heartbreak at the time, stating, “Our beautiful Bianca was on a dream getaway with her best friend Holly. They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia.”

In addition to Holly and Bianca, four other tourists died under similar circumstances, which prompted authorities to arrest at least eight staff members from the hostel. The Laos Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism expressed its condolences, stating it was “profoundly saddened over the loss of lives of foreign tourists.” The ministry also pledged to investigate the incident thoroughly and bring any responsible parties to justice.

In May 2023, Michelle Jones and Samantha Morton appeared on the *Today* show to discuss reports that the Laos government intended to charge 13 men in connection with the poisoning incidents. However, the proposed charges reportedly included the destruction of evidence but did not encompass murder or manslaughter. Morton reacted to this news, saying, “It’s another blow, right? It just hits you pretty hard again. And it’s just not right.”

The mothers reiterated their disappointment in an interview with *60 Minutes*, expressing outrage that the charges did not reflect the seriousness of the situation. “Pretty appalling, I’d say pretty insulting,” Morton stated. Michelle Jones echoed this feeling, saying they were “pretty furious about it.”

As the families continue to seek answers and justice for their daughters, they urge other travelers to reconsider Laos as a destination. The emotional toll of this tragedy remains profound, as the parents grapple with their loss and a lack of accountability from the Laotian authorities.