The Latest Breaking News from Holly MortonBowles

Minister presses Laos over backpacker poisoning deaths

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has expressed disappointment over Laos failing to press serious charges over the methanol poisoning deaths of two teen backpackers.

AAP · Jul 21

Laos authorities blame lack of autopsies for failure to bring methanol death murder charges

Six foreign tourists died after drinking methanol-tainted alcohol in a backpacker town in November 2024

The Independent UK · Jul 19

Tourists warned after methanol-poisoning charges laid

A distillery owner has been charged after a mass methanol poisoning incident that killed two Australian teens, but there's concern justice may not be served.

AAP · Jul 17

Grieving dad backs testing tool for invisible killer

Researchers have developed laser technology that can detect deadly chemicals such as methanol in sealed alcohol bottles.

AAP · Jul 16

Australia to send special envoy to Laos to investigate 2024 methanol poisoning deaths

Foreign minister Penny Wong expresses frustration over ‘lack of transparency’ in legal processes in Laos

The Independent UK · Feb 12

Families hope envoy finds Laos poisoning clarity

A seasoned diplomat has been sent to help find answers after a plea from devastated families almost two years following the overseas deaths of two teenagers.

AAP · Feb 11

Families of methanol poisoning victims ‘shocked’ by £95 fine handed to Laos hostel staff

Parents of Melbourne teens accuse Australian government of lack of communication which ‘made an unbearable grief even worse’

The Independent UK · Feb 10

Parents of Melbourne methanol-poisoning victims ‘shocked’ by $185 fines handed to Laos hostel staff

Fathers of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles, both 19, who died after a night out at the Nana backpackers hostel in 2024, say court decision is ‘absolute injustice’

The Guardian - AU · Feb 10

'Don't go': grieving dad's warning after teens' deaths

The grieving father of teen Holly Morton-Bowles, who died by methanol poisoning while backpacking in Laos, has warned others thinking of visiting the country.

AAP · Feb 9

Laos hostel where two Australians died could reopen

The federal government has backed the families of two Australian teenagers who died from methanol poisoning, angered by reports the hostel could reopen.

AAP · Nov 18, 2025