Australian teenagers, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, were killed in a suspected methanol poisoning in Laos alongside Brit Simone White, 28, and three other people
The parents of two Australian teenagers who died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos have described an update into the investigation as “appalling”. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Frela Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American James Louis Hutson, 57, all died after consuming methanol.
They were all staying at the Nana Backpackers hostel and are thought to have drunk free alcoholic drinks handed out which were laced with the substance. Now in an update it has been revealed charges have finally been brought – but have sparked fury with the parents.
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The families were told by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 13 people from Nana’s Hostel and the Tiger distillery are accused of a violation of food and health security, unlawful business operations and elimination of evidence.
Holly’s mother told 60 Minutes the charges are “pretty appalling, I’d say pretty insulting.”
Bianca’s furious mum added: “I think we’re pretty furious about it … Food and beverage. You know, that’s like? What is that? We don’t even know.
“We know there’s no murder or manslaughter charges, which we feel there should be.”
Earlier this year Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told parliament Laos authorities have refused the Australian Federal Police (AFP)’s offer to support the investigation into the deaths.
He said: “The AFP has made an offer to the authorities in Laos to provide their assistance in the investigation, and there is a whole lot of capability the AFP could bring.
“I have to report sadly to the house that at this point the Laos authorities have not taken up that invitation.”
The families of Ms Jones and Ms Bowles issued a heartbreaking statement following the announcement, and said they were “extremely disappointed” by the lack of updates. They said: “As the Laos government rejects any support from the AFP our confidence in accountability and justice for everyone affected remains unanswered.”
It is believed the tourists had all taken shots laced with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol (alcohol), and can cause severe poisoning or death.
Among the victims was Brit Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent. She was a lawyer with global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, whose work involved general commercial matters, and contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law issues, according to the firm’s website.
Her parents described her as a “beautiful, kind and loving daughter”, adding: “Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful energy and spark for life. Simone has been taken from us too soon, she will be sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family.”