Tragic Aussie teen Holly Bowles farewelled by hundreds after alleged methanol poisoning with her best friend in Laos
Australian teenager Holly Bowles has been farewelled by hundreds of mourners just days after her best friend was laid to rest.
The 19-year-old died in Thailand of suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday in Laos, a day after the death of her best friend, Bianca Jones, also 19.
On Monday, the 19-year-old’s family released a statement through staff at her former school, Beaumaris Secondary College, where tearful teenagers gathered for the service.
“We would like to thank people in Australia, Canada and around the world for the outpouring of love, support and compassion at this extremely difficult time,” Beaumaris Secondary College assistant principal Peter Bartlett said on behalf of Ms Bowles’ parents, Shaun and Samantha, and brother James.
“Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort to our family. Today is a very important day for our family as we come together to celebrate Holly’s life.
‘Holly was loved and adored by so many people. Today is a reflection of her life, but she will remain in our hearts forever.”
The family reminded people: GoFundMe in honor of both their daughter and Mrs. Jones was still operational.
The fundraiser, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of methanol poisoning, had raised more than $413,000 of its half-million dollar target when Mrs Bowles made her sad final journey to her resting place.
Australian teenager Holly Bowles has died after suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday in Laos with her best friend
Mourners gather outside Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday
Mourners attend a service for Holly Bowles on Monday
Holly Bowles was said goodbye by no fewer than 1,000 people on Monday
The family asked for privacy going forward and reiterated how difficult it had been to cope with the death of their beloved daughter.
“These are the most difficult times of our lives and we thank you for respecting our privacy,” the statement ended.
Known for her love of music, the service for Ms Bowles included songs such as Abba’s Mamma Mia and Billie Eilish’s Chihiro.
Mrs. Bowles had died late last month in a hospital in Bangkok, surrounded by her loved ones. Mrs Jones died a day earlier in another hospital.
“It is with broken hearts, and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” Mrs Bowles’ family said in a statement.
“We take solace and comfort in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness for so many people.
‘Holly lived her best life, traveling around Southeast Asia, meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.
‘As her parents, we were always so incredibly proud of everything Holly did. Holly was a great big sister to James and she always looked out for him.”
Holly Bowles was said goodbye on Monday
Tears flowed outside Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday
Holly Bowles in happier times
Young mourners will service Holly Bowles on Monday
They added: ‘The immense love shown by so many is a testament to the profound impact she had, reflected in the magnitude of today’s farewell.
“We remain committed to ensuring that the awareness of Bianca, Holly and others affected internationally by this tragic story continues.
“Their legacies are far too important to be forgotten and the lives of our children are too important not to be protected.”
Ms Bowles was the sixth person to die after drinks were allegedly mixed with methanol and served to guests at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in the popular party town of Vang Vieng.
She and Mrs Jones had been on a gap year holiday when they both fell ill on November 12.
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles did not leave their dormitory at the Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar and reported feeling unwell on November 13 before being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok.
CCTV footage from the hostel shows one of the women being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorcycle driven by a hotel staff member.
Thai authorities have confirmed that Ms Jones died of ‘brain swelling due to high levels of methanol in her system’.
Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones (pictured) died in hospital on Thursday
Bianca Jones makes her final journey after a service in her honor on Friday
Bianca Jones’ mother is seen on the left, supported by Holly Bowles’ mother. The family’s golden retriever, Zara, was also present
Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured) claims it wasn’t his Tiger Vodka that made tourists sick
The bodies of both girls were flown back to Australia a week after their deaths.
Bianca Jones was farewelled at Mentone Girl’s Grammar in Melbourne’s south-east on Friday.
Hundreds of mourners gathered dressed in all the colors of the rainbow to honor the teenager.
Mrs Jones’ family said they hoped to spend ‘the most important day’ of their lives saying goodbye and grieving their beautiful daughter.
“Bianca was a private young woman, with a great network, but she was not a celebrity,” they said in a statement.
‘It is our wish that Bianca will be said goodbye in a way that reflects her life.’
About eight people have been arrested over the deaths of an American man and two Danish women in Van Vieng, according to local media, but there was no mention of the two Australians or a British woman who also died from suspected methanol poisoning.
The arrested men were identified as hotel staff and management.
The Australian Federal Police has offered to assist the Laos investigation, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the government has made it clear to officials that they expect a thorough and transparent investigation.