Melbourne teenager Holly Bowles dies after mass methanol poisoning incident in Laos
Holly Bowles has died from methanol poisoning following a mass drink-spiking incident in Laos, with her family issuing a heartbreaking statement.
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Melbourne teen Holly Bowles has died in Bangkok Hospital from suspected methanol poisoning, one day after her friend Bianca Jones died in the same mass drink-spiking incident.
“It is with broken hearts and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace. We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people,” her family said in a heartbreaking statement on Friday.
“Holly was living her best life travelling through Southeast Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.
“As her parents we were always so incredibly proud of everything Holly did. Holly was an amazing big sister to James and she always looked out for him.
“We would like to thank everyone from back home, in Canada and around the world for the love and support that Holly and our family have received.”
Holly’s younger brother, James Bowles, posted a touching tribute to his sister on Instagram on Friday evening.
“Fly high my beautiful, older sister, you’re always in my heart,” he wrote above a picture of Holly.
Ms Bowles’ family has maintained a 24-hour bedside vigil since arriving in Thailand last week.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led high-level tributes to the lost teen.
“I am saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Holly Bowles,” he said.
“This should have been a trip filled with joy and wonderful memories — it is beyond sad that is it not to be.
“My thoughts and my deepest sympathies are with her family and her friends.
“I am sure all Australians are thinking of Holly and her best friend Bianca Jones who tragically passed away yesterday. The Australian government will continue to provide support to Holly and Bianca’s families and the local authorities.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong also paid tribute to Ms Bowles, saying the government would support Laos authorities in their investigations.
“All Australians will be heartbroken by the tragic passing of Holly Bowles,” she said.
“I offer my deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Just yesterday, Holly lost her best friend, Bianca Jones. I know tonight all Australians will be holding both families in our hearts.”
Both Ms Bowles and Ms Jones were heavily involved in the Beaumaris Football Club, with Ms Bowles playing her first season of senior footy this year.
In a statement, the club confirmed her #32 jumper will be retired until further notice.
“The Beaumaris Football Club extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Sam and Shaun Bowles on the sad and devastating loss of their beloved daughter, Holly,” the statement read.
“In somewhat poignant circumstances, news of Holly’s passing came to light as our senior playing group came together in solidarity last night.
“As a club, we continue to be heartened by the countless messages of support we have received.
“The Beaumaris community is a tight knit one and we will continue to feel this loss for some time to come.
“Two beautiful lives lost, both with so much potential, love and spirit, leaves us both numb and without words.”
The club said its women’s team had started tying blue and yellow ribbons in and around their homes and throughout our community in memory of Ms Bowles and Ms Jones, inviting others to do the same.
“Holly and Bianca’s premiership flag from 2022 is flying at half mast at our Oak Street clubrooms,” the statement continued.
“Once a Shark, always a Shark.”
Ms Bowles is now the sixth tourist whose death has been linked to the suspected mass spiking while visiting popular party spot Vang Vieng.
British lawyer Simone White died in hospital on Friday morning, according to UK media, while two Danish women in their 20s and a US citizen have also died.
Five other UK nationals and a New Zealand citizen were among at least 14 people hospitalised.
Ms Bowles and Ms Jones, both 19, were on a night out with friends during their four-night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel, when they visited the hostel bar for happy hour before heading to nearby bar Jaidees.
Laos Police have detained the owner and manager of the hostel, but no charges have been laid.
An officer at Vang Vieng’s tourism police confirmed to Associated Press that people were being held on Friday.
The much-loved pair, who fell critically ill on November 11, were taken to hospital on November 13 by hostel night staff after they reportedly complained of difficulty breathing.
Nana Backpackers has now been closed to new bookings, with only pre-existing guests remaining.
Police in Laos had been out in force this week inspecting other venues.
Ms Bowles graduated from Beaumaris Secondary College last year and spent recent months working at Frank’s Melbourne in Cheltenham to save up for her travels.
An ecstatic Ms Bowles, due to return home for Christmas, shared glimpses of her travels abroad to TikTok a little more than a week before she consumed the deadly liquid.
In the 40-second clip, the teen could be seen smiling with friends as she rode on the back of a motorised scooter in Thailand.
Others showed the cafe worker taking in views of the famous coastline as she hiked through the mountains, later jumping into the ocean hand-in-hand with a friend from a boat.
Documented in-between were moments from nights spent on the town as one lively traveller falls from a mechanical bull.
“Forever grateful for this place and the people,” Ms Bowles captioned the post.
Earlier this week, devastated colleagues at Frank’s Melbourne where Ms Bowles has worked for the past two years described her as an “absolute star”.
“She’s a bundle of joy — to know her is to love her,” one staffer said on Tuesday.
“We’re just praying for the family. She’s just a loyal, caring sweet person.
“We value her so much as a friend as well as a colleague.”
Originally published as Melbourne teenager Holly Bowles dies after mass methanol poisoning incident in Laos
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