Laos Declines Charges in 2 Australians' Methanol Deaths as Missing Autopsies Undercut Evidence
Updated
Updated · ABC News · Jul 19
Laos Declines Charges in 2 Australians' Methanol Deaths as Missing Autopsies Undercut Evidence
3 articles · Updated · ABC News · Jul 19
Summary
Lao investigators said they cannot charge anyone over the 2024 deaths of 19-year-old Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles because no autopsies were performed, leaving insufficient evidence to prove criminal responsibility.
Police still said methanol above permitted standards was found in "Tiger Vodka," and Thai hospital records showed methanol in the teenagers' blood after they were transferred from Laos and died in Thailand.
One distillery owner has been charged with illegal business operations and selling dangerous consumer goods, but Lao officials did not explicitly connect those counts to the deaths; officials also dropped possible food-safety charges that may have carried heavier penalties.
Australia called the outcome deeply disappointing, said it had provided toxicology reports and death certificates, and renewed an offer to send Australian Federal Police assistance after summoning the Lao ambassador.
The case stems from a November 2024 mass poisoning in Vang Vieng that killed 6 tourists; Lao officials also said the hostel owner and 9 others were convicted and fined for destroying evidence in the death of American James Hutson.