Parents issue desperate plea after teen daughters die on holiday

Brenna Cooper
2026-02-10T14:35:28.986Z
News

Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, died in Laos after drinking methanol-laced alcohol

The families of Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones have pleaded with the Australian government to get justice for the teenagers after they died from drinking methanol-laced alcohol.

In November 2024, six tourists holidaying in Laos died after drinking shots at a hostel in in Vang Vieng.

They were later identified as Danish tourists Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, British backpacker Simone White, US national James Louis Hutson, 57, and Aussie friends Holly and Bianca.

A seventh backpacker, Bethany Clarke, fell ill from methanol poisoning but ultimately survived the ordeal.

Authorities in the Southeast Asian country later detained 11 employees working at the hostel as well as shutting down production of Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whisky, believed to be the source of the poisonings.

Holly and Bianca were two of the six tourists killed my methanol poisoning (Family Handout)

However, the parents of Holly and Bianca have now revealed their disappointment at recent developments in the case, which saw hostel employees handed suspended sentences and a fine of AUD$185 (£95) for destroying evidence.

Both of the girls' fathers have since spoken out in response to the ruling, revealing their frustrations with the Australian government for not fighting enough for Holly and Bianca.

"It just puts another layer over everything that we're trying to deal with," Shaun Bowles told 3aw.com.

He went on to explain how the case against the hostel workers wasn't related to the deaths of Holly, Bianca, Simone, Anne-Sofie and Freja but instead brought to the court on behalf of US citizen James.

"Our understanding from our contacts in Laos is that there is no registered case [for the other five deaths]," he explained.

"These people have been charged in a case which had nothing to do with our girls... and there will be no more charges, they are free to leave the country in around eight to 10 days time."

The girls' fathers have expressed their frustration over the situation (9News)

He went on to add that the Australian government has let them down in their reaction to Holly and Bianca's deaths.

"There hasn't been enough pressure put on the Laos government for us," he said, revealing that news of the court case was passed onto them by Neil White, who was told by the UK Foreign office, rather than the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs.

"We're out of options. We need the government to help us."

His frustration was echoed by Bianca's father, Mark Jones, who told 9News he had no idea the case was going ahead.

"We’ve been in touch with the government yesterday and last night and what we’re … asking them to do is to step up and represent our girls in the way that they deserve to be represented," he said.

"Because we just we’re out of options. It’s pretty devastating."

(STR/AFP via Getty Images)

What has the Australian government said about the developments?

"The department prides itself in its commitment to consular service and to ensuring that the interests of consular clients and their families are paramount," read a statement from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to 9News.

"On this occasion, we fell short of our aspiration."