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 from suspected methanol poisoning during a holiday in Laos, a day after the death of her best friend, Bianca Jones, also 19.
On Monday, the family of the 19-year-old released a statement through staff at her former school, Beaumaris Secondary College where tearful teenagers gathered for the service.
‘We would like to thank the people of Australia, Canada and the rest of the world for the outpouring of love, support and compassion during 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 for our family. Today is a profoundly significant 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 however she will remain in our hearts forever.’
The family reminded people a GoFundMe honouring both their daughter and Ms Jones was still operational.
The fundraiser, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning, had raised more than $413,000 of its half-a-million dollar target as Ms Bowles made her sad, final journey to her resting place.
Australian teenager Holly Bowles has died after suffering alleged methanol poisoning during a holiday in Laos with her best friend
Holly Bowles’ casket was adorned with dozens of roses
Mourners gather outside Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday
Mourners attend a service for Holly Bowles on Monday
Holly Bowles was farewelled by up to 1000 people on Monday
Asking for privacy going forward, the family reiterated how difficult it had been dealing with the death of their beloved daughter.
‘This is the most difficult times of our 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 Mamma Mia, by Abba, and Chihiro, by Billie Eilish.
Mourners lined the street outside the school in a guard of honour as Ms Bowles made her tragic final journey.
A picture of her smiling and dressed in snow gear was displayed by a person who walked ahead of the hearse.
Ms Bowles had died in a Bangkok hospital surrounded by her loved ones late last month. Ms Jones died in a different hospital a day earlier.
‘It is with broken hearts, and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,’ Ms Bowles’ family said in a statement.
‘We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people.
‘Holly was living her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.
‘As her parents we were always so incredibly proud of everything Holly did. Holly was an amazing big sister to James and she always looked out for him.’
Almost 700 mourners packed Beaumaris Secondary College for Holly’s funeral
Holly Bowles was farewelled by loved ones and friends just three days after her best friend Bianca Jones was laid to rest
Holly Bowles was farewelled on Monday
Tears flowed outside outside Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday
Holly Bowles in happier times
Young mourners enter Monday’s service for Holly Bowles
They added: ‘The immense love shown by so many is a testament to the profound impact she had, reflected in the scale of today’s farewell.
‘We remain committed to ensuring that awareness of Bianca, Holly and others, internationally impacted by this tragic story, continue.
‘Their legacies are far too important to be forgotten and our children’s lives are too important not to protect.’
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 Ms 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 dorm 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 from inside the hostel shows one of the women being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike being driven by a hotel staff worker.
Thai authorities have confirmed Ms Jones died of ‘brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system’.
Melbourne teen Bianca Jones (pictured) died in hospital on Thursday
Bianca Jones makes her final journey after a service in her honour on Friday
Bianca Jones’ mother is seen on the left being supported by the mother of Holly Bowles. The family’s golden retriever, Zara, was also at the service
Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured), has claimed it wasn’t his Tiger Vodka that made the tourists sick
Both girls’ bodies were flown back to Australia a week after their deaths.
On Friday, Bianca Jones was farewelled at Mentone Girl’s Grammar in Melbourne’s south-east.
Hundreds of mourners gathered dressed in every colour of the rainbow in honour of the teenager.
Ms Jones’ family said they hoped to spend ‘the most important day’ of their lives farewelling and grieving their beautiful daughter.
‘Bianca was a private young woman, with a wonderful network, but she was not a celebrity,’ they said in a statement.
‘It is our wish Bianca be farewelled in a manner that reflects her life.’
About eight people have been detained 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 of suspected methanol poisoning.
The men detained were identified as hotel staff and management.
Australian Federal Police have offered to help the Laos investigation, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the government had made it clear to officials they expect a thorough and transparent investigation.
