Family devastated by ‘unacceptable’ charges over methanol deaths of Australian teenagers in Laos

Laos authorities are expected to lay charges after Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones died from methanol poisoning. Photograph: Supplied by family View image in fullscreen Laos authorities are expected to lay charges after Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones died from methanol poisoning. Photograph: Supplied by family Family devastated by ‘unacceptable’ charges over methanol deaths of Australian teenagers in Laos Australian government says it is ‘deeply frustrated’ and will continue to press for ‘real charges with teeth’ over deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Australian government says it wants “real charges with teeth” over the fatal methanol poisoning of two teenage travellers in Laos , as authorities prepare to lay lesser charges that have been called “bitterly” disappointing. Melbourne travellers Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, both 19, were backpacking through the south-east Asian nation in late 2024 when they were fatally poisoned with methanol while drinking at Nana backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng. A British woman, an American man and two Danish women also died in the incident. Officials in Laos were due to conclude their investigation on Friday, with two offences expected to be laid that carry up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of A$1,600. Holly’s father, Shaun Bowles, told 2GB radio he was devastated at the prospect. He had been briefed on the likely charges and they were not the results his family were looking for. “It is devastating news to us,” he said. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email His understanding was the charges were going to be put against those responsible for making the allegedly tainted vodka. “We’re still not convinced that they’re the right people,” he said. Parents of Melbourne methanol-poisoning victims ‘shocked’ by $185 fines handed to Laos hostel staff Read more “We’ve had so many conflicting stories come out, it’s very hard to pin down who exactly is at fault. But clearly that’s not been the case.” Bianca’s father, Mark Jones, also decried the charges that are expected to be laid. “It’s unacceptable that the passing of our daughter, her best friend, Holly, and three other beautiful women’s lives come down to the potential maximum outcome of one year in jail and a $1,600 [fine],” he told ABC TV. Bianca’s mother, Michelle Jones, said: “It’s like their lives didn’t even matter. We’re just really appalled by it all.” She warned prospective travellers “don’t go to Laos”, and urged those who do to consume only bottled or canned drinks . Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said the Australian government was “deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed”. In a statement on Friday morning, Wong said the charges “should reflect the gravity of the tragedy”. She confirmed that she and the prime minister were expressing these expectations to their Lao count