Melbourne teen Bianca Jones has died in hospital after drinking poisoned alcohol while on the trip of a lifetime with her best friend in Laos.
The 19-year-old is the fourth person to die in an alleged mass poisoning after drinks were mixed with methanol and served to guests at the Nana Backpackers Hostel.
Ms Jones had been on a gap year holiday with her best friend Holly Bowles – who remains fighting for life in hospital – when they both fell ill on November 12.
Earlier on Thursday, the US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen, a 56-year-old man, in the popular Laos party town of Vang Vieng.
The Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed two young women from Denmark had died. Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from the UK, has been named as another victim in the alleged mass poisoning.
Ms Jones’ devastated family confirmed her death in a statement.
‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away,’ the statement said.
‘She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.
Melbourne teen Bianca Jones (pictured) has died in hospital after drinking poisoned alcohol while on the trip of a lifetime with her best friend in Laos
Australian best friends Holly Bowles (left) and Bianca Jones (right) are pictured
‘We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.
‘The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through our grief and begin to heal. Thank you for respecting our family’s space.
‘With heartfelt appreciation, Mark, Michelle and Lachlan Jones.’
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles had booked in a four-night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel, where they had been drinking and playing cards at the bar on the night they were poisoned, before reportedly going to nearby Jaidee’s party bar.
Staff became concerned after they failed to check out on November 13 and arranged to take the pair to hospital after they ‘calmly’ asked for assistance.
CCTV from inside the hostel shows one the girls being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike being driven by a hotel staff worker.
They were then rushed to separate hospitals in Udon Thani and Bangkok in neighbouring Thailand.
Ms Jones’ family previously said they hoped police got to the bottom of the alleged alcohol poisoning.
A man who helped Ms Jones and Ms Bowles told the Herald Sun they had been drinking at Jaidee’s bar on the beachfront in Vang Vieng (pictured)
‘Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia,’ they told the Herald Sun.
‘This is every parent’s nightmare and we want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through.
‘We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible.’
It comes after hostel manager Duong Duc Toan, who served the girls the Laotian vodka, has claimed it wasn’t him who made the girls sick.
Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and insisted it had not been tainted by himself or his staff.
He said the shots, a gesture of hospitality, were served to around 100 guests and that the hostel had not received any other complaints.
To prove his point, the bartender drank from one of the vodka bottles that were in use on the night to prove it was safe.
Local authorities are still investigating the reported mass poisoning.
More to come…
