Laos backpackers staff who served the methanol laced-drinks flee country: report
An investigation into the methanol-laced drinks killings has revealed the two Laos backpackers staff who served the beverages have fled the country.
According to a Herald Sun exclusive, at least two of the people 'detained' after the deaths of six people, including Melbourne teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, at the Nana Backpackers are now in Vietnam.
'We want the Australian Government to apply as much pressure as they can to bring justice to all those involved in the methanol poisoning of our girls, the Danish girl and the British girl in Laos,' Ms Jones' father Mark told the publication after being told of the fleeings.
Best friends Bianca and Holly were holidaying together through Southeast Asia when things took a horrific turn in Laos.
The pair died after they consumed vodka and whiskey laced with deadly methanol at the Nana Backpackers hostel in the town of Vang Vieng in November last year.
The teens were two of six tourists who died in the same week of methanol poisoning, including British lawyer Simone White, 28, Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American James Louis Hutson, 57.
On 60 Minutes last Sunday, an update on the case of the mass poisoning was given by the grieving families of the teens.
Almost six months on, no charges have been laid despite Laotian authorities reportedly preparing charges for up to 13 people connected to the calamity.
The Australian Government also received a briefing that charges had been recommended.
However, during the 60 Minutes interview, the mothers of Holly and Bianca slammed the proposed charges against those who were allegedly involved, saying they are sceptical that justice will ever be served for their daughters.
Mrs Jones and Mrs Bowles said they had written to Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone 'a million times'. They claim to have even contacted his wife. Still, they said they had had no response.
Finally, almost two weeks ago the families received the news – not from Laos, but from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) that charges have reportedly been recommended by local police against 13 people from Nana's Hostel and the Tiger distillery.
The proposed charges include elimination of evidence, violation of food and health security and unlawful business operations.
For Mr Jones and Mrs Bowles, the proposed charges are shockingly weak.
'Pretty appalling, I'd say pretty insulting,' Mrs Bowles fumed.
Mrs Jones agreed, saying: 'I think we're pretty furious about it … Food and beverage. You know, that's like?'
'What is that? We don't even know,' Mrs Bowles continued. 'We know that there's no murder or manslaughter charges, which we feel there should be.'
The mothers said their feeling was that those allegedly involved will simply get a slap on the wrist, and as are only 'going to be fined' if found guilty.
Mrs Bowles explained: 'It's heart-breaking … Heart-breaking and just full of anger, frustration.'
They believed that Laos authorities simply don't care.
'They don't care. They don't, life is nothing,' Mrs Bowles said.
Speaking to news.com.au, Bethany Clarke — who became incredibly unwell from consuming methanol alongside Ms White, however survived the poisoning — agreed that the charges meant nothing and there was only one way of getting justice.
'I think the UK and Australia need to push forward with a travel ban [to Laos] because I don't think that it's fair for Laos to come up with these charges when they should be a lot heavier,' Ms Clarke said from Brisbane.
'The mass poisoning in itself, six people died and loads hospitalised [should be enough for a bigger charge].
'I think that without a travel ban, I just don't think we will ever get anywhere. I don't know if Australia would ever do that, I understand it's drastic, but they just won't listen to us … and I can't see any other way.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
18 minutes ago
- ABC News
Teenager appeals 14-year sentence for murdering North Lakes mother Emma Lovell
The teenager who killed south-east Queensland woman Emma Lovell during a home invasion has appealed his 14-year sentence, arguing it was manifestly excessive. In 2022, two boys — then 17 years old — broke into her North Lakes home late on Boxing Day night. During a struggle with Ms Lovell and her husband Lee, who had been trying to push the teenagers out of their house, the 41-year-old was stabbed in the chest and died on her front lawn. Mr Lovell was also seriously wounded. Last year, the now 19-year-old who was carrying the knife pleaded guilty to several offences, including murder, and was handed a 14-year sentence. This sentence was only possible because a Supreme Court judge deemed his offending was "particularly heinous", a legal determination under previous Queensland youth justice laws. On Monday, the teenager's lawyer Andrew Hoare argued in the Court of Appeal the sentence was manifestly excessive on a number of grounds, including that this determination should not have been made. "The matters that were articulated by His Honour and created special prominence did not make an offence of particularly heinous," he said. Mr Hoare accepted the features of the crime, including the fact there was "the loss of life of a person who was otherwise in the peaceful occupation of their house", was heinous. However, he submitted it did not reach the higher threshold and pointed to a previous juvenile murder sentence where there was premeditation as an example of an appropriate declaration of "particularly heinous" offending. Mr Hoare submitted if the Court of Appeal judges were to uphold the finding the offending was "particularly heinous", the term of 14 years should still be decreased. Under the same legislation, the teenager was ordered to serve the maximum period a juvenile can spend in custody, which was 70 per cent of his sentence. This was because the sentencing judge did not find that he had special circumstances that would allow for the custodial period to be reduced to a minimum of 50 per cent. Mr Hoare argued a discount should have been applied due to the teenager's disadvantaged childhood, early guilty plea, remorse, and attempts to seek mental health support and further education in detention. "That should have led to a reduction in the custodial component of the sentence," he said. Crown prosecutor David Nardone opposed the teenager's appeal. Mr Nardone accepted the teenager had an "unfortunate upbringing" but said other factors, including his lengthy criminal history, were also taken into consideration by the sentencing judge. Speaking outside court, Mr Lovell said it was difficult attending court again and reliving the "horrific" details, but he wanted to be there for his wife. "At times I don't feel like I've done enough." Mr Lovell said he wanted to see the original sentence upheld and any reduction would leave him feeling like Ms Lovell's life had "less value". "You just want it to be over and done really so you can move on," he said. The appeal decision has been reserved.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Final week of mushroom murder trial
The final week of the triple murder mushroom trial is currently underway in Victoria. Erin Patterson is accused of cooking a beef Wellington lunch in Leongatha, that lead to the deaths of three of her in-laws. She has maintained her innocence.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Domestic violence peak body concerned NSW budget boost fails to address 'waitlist issues'
The peak body supporting family and domestic violence victim-survivors in NSW says a half-a-billion dollar budget commitment does not address the immediate day-to-day needs of a sector struggling to cope. The state government announced this month's budget will contain spending to provide more resources to support victim-survivors who have to navigate the justice system. Premier Chris Minns on Monday described the package as "a crucial investment in justice in NSW". The announcement includes an additional $227 million over five years for government support services which help people access counselling and financial assistance. The government said it would also provide a total of $272 million towards bolstering its own frontline domestic violence services. The budget commitment provides $49 million for a hub to support victim-survivors going through the legal system, $34 million to upgrade the Downing Centre courts precinct and $48 million to fund more prosecutors. "It would be virtually unimpeachable that the justice system and our court system can be incredibly intimidating for vulnerable people in difficult circumstances, perhaps the most difficult circumstances of their life," Mr Minns said. The government also announced it would offer five-year contracts for domestic violence support services in a bid to provide "funding certainty" to struggling organisations. However, Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan said while the funding announcement was welcomed, overwhelmed frontline organisations needed a boost to keep their doors open. "We had asked for $163 million baseline funding to go to services … baseline funding has not been upped for 10 years," she said. She said the announcement would not alleviate the two-month waitlists at services. "We know demand is at 95 per cent across services, that people are reaching out for help and the waitlists are too high. "Parts [of the justice package] of course are welcomed … but this isn't about service reform for us, this is justice reform and it's simply not good enough." As part of the budget cash splash, there will also be $100 million to increase the capacity of the prison system. The premier said make-up of the funding package was partly because the "prison population had increased by 1,000" people since his government took office. Full Stop Australia CEO Karen Bevan said the funding initiatives for the justice system "were absolutely critical" to help domestic violence victim-survivors recover and heal after going through the legal process. "Some of the announcements today make a real change for the experience of victim-survivors in court and that's critical," she said.
