Parents' fury as Laos methanol poisoning suspects could face a year in jail and a $1,600 fine after the deaths of two Aussie teenagers

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 04:33, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 04:45, 17 July 2026 The parents of two Melbourne teenage girls who died in a methanol poisoning in Laos have said they face a 'devastating blow' in their fight for justice. Best friends Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, died while holidaying in Vang Vieng, north of the Laotian capital, Vientiane, in November 2024. The Melbourne teenagers were among six foreign tourists staying at Nana Backpacker Hostel who died after consuming methanol-laced drinks during a happy hour event. US tourist James Hutson, 57, English lawyer Simone White, 28, and Danish friends Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Sorensen, 21, also died after the incident. Almost two years on, authorities in Laos are expected to announce on Friday afternoon the results of their investigation and whether charges will be laid. It's understood those found responsible could face up to one year behind bars and a maximum fine of $1,600, a potential outcome that has left victims' families devastated. 'We're really just trying to process the whole thing,' Holly's father Shaun Bowles told Nine News' Today program. 'For me, it's hard to fathom … $1,600 and potentially one year in prison for taking not just the two lives here but others as well. There are really no words to describe how devastating this is.' Melbourne teens Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles died while on holiday in Laos in 2024 Holly Morton-Bowles' parents Shaun and Samantha said they are devastated that those found responsible may only be jailed for up to one year and fined a maximum of $1,600  Pictured, Holly Morton-Bowles among six foreign tourists staying at Nana Backpacker Hostel Samantha Morton-Bowles added: 'You can't justify it. What we want is justice for all the girls – that's what we were hoping. 'And … in the back of your mind, you're wishing and you're hoping and you're thinking, yes, we can get some justice.' She pleaded for the Albanese Government to intervene with an eleventh-hour appeal. 'We can appeal the charges, and I'm certainly hoping that we do, whichever charges are laid. I think that's the first step,' Ms Morton-Bowles said. 'And of course, we ask for any support from anyone that can just add any more weight and maybe bring the charges forward that we'd like.' Ms Jones' family is also heartbroken, with her father Mark Jones telling Australian Associated Press that they are 'disgusted and angry'. 'The whole way through this case, and ever since, our daughters and other girls were impacted by methanol, the Lao government has done next to nothing to secure evidence properly or to follow up,' he said. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said she is 'deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed' that authorities in Laos are not pursuing the most serious charges. Bianca Jones (pictured) and Holly died after consuming methanol-laced drinks during a happy hour event at the hostel Bianca Jones' father Mark, pictured at her funeral, said he was outraged by the potential outcome for anyone found guilty of the methanol poisoning  The Melbourne teens were among six tourists staying at Nana Backpacker Hostel who died after consuming methanol-laced drinks. The hostel has since reopened under a new name  'We have consistently made clear our expectations that charges should reflect the gravity of the tragedy,' Wong said in a statement.  'What happened to Holly, Bianca and four other foreign nationals should never have happened.' The government has not ruled out cutting aid to Laos if it cannot provide transparency and accountability. 'We've been really clear with the Lao authorities that we expected transparency and, importantly, accountability, and if they didn't have the resources to conduct investigations, we offered our own Federal Police to go over there and assist with gathering the evidence that would ground a proper prosecution here to ensure that people were held accountable for the loss of all of these innocent young lives,' Health Minister Mark Butler told Sunrise. 'I want to assure Australians we feel as deeply about this lack of accountability and transparency as everyone else does. 'It's not the right thing to do, but it's also, frankly, not in the interests of Lao itself. 'What parents now are going to let their young people go on this coming of age trip to that country when authorities have shown such a lack of interest in accountability and transparency.' The government is expected to announce its next steps after Lao authorities hand down their findings on Friday afternoon.  Earlier this year, a Lao court found 10 people linked to the hostel guilty of destroying evidence related to the death of US tourist James Hutson.  They were fined just $185 and given suspended sentences.