Bianca Jones & Holly Bowles: Families' new move after tragic Laos methanol deaths

The heartbroken families of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles are calling on the public to help cover mounting costs to bring their daughters’ bodies home after their deaths from methanol poisoning in Laos. The 19-year-olds from Beaumaris, in Melbourne’s Bayside, are among six foreign tourists who died in a mass drink-spiking event in the Southeast Asian nation. Their families want to raise awareness about methanol poisoning and have started a GoFundMe in their daughters’ memory. The page has raised more than $135,000 as of Monday morning. “Tragically, their journey, along with visitors from different countries, was cut short when they fell victim to methanol poisoning - a hidden danger that claimed their lives just one day apart,” the fundraising page stated. “This campaign, organised by the families of Bianca and Holly, aims to raise awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning - a silent but deadly risk that often claims lives without warning. “We want to honour the memory of Bianca, Holly, and others impacted by methanol poisoning by turning this tragedy into a mission for change.” The description detailed the fundraiser’s three main objectives were to relieve financial burdens for the families, support existing initiatives and fund awareness campaigns. Among these burdens was to assist the families in covering out-of-pocket expenses, including those incurred while bringing the friends’ remains back to Australia. The friends had been on holiday in Laos when they became ill along with a dozen other tourists in the popular town of Vang Vieng. They failed to check out at the Nana Backpacker Hostel on November 13 after going to the Jaidee Bar. Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were evacuated to Thailand and died in separate Bangkok hospitals after their parents raced to be by their bedsides. Ms Jones’ father said his daughter was on the trip of a lifetime and wanted to explore the world to meet new friends. “Her life had just begun,” Mark Jones told reporters in Bangkok on Saturday. “She was a young woman that had a lust for life. “We’ll forever miss our beautiful girl and hope her loss of life has not been in vain.” Thai authorities have confirmed Ms Jones died of “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system”. On behalf of both Australian families, Mr Jones urged the Laos government to investigate the incident to the “fullest extent” to avoid it happening again. “We can’t have the passing of our daughter ... not lead to change to protect others,” he said. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was working closely with local authorities.