Major development as cops swoop on Laos hostel where two Aussie tourists ‘drank poisoned alcohol’ – as search for answers heats up after tragic death of 19-year-old Melbourne woman

Cops have descended on the hostel where Melbourne teen Bianca Jones was staying on the night she ingested a lethal amount of methanol-laced alcohol in Laos.

Ms Jones died surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, nine days after she and her best friend Holly Bowles, both aged 19, were placed on life support in separate Thai hospitals on November 12.

The pair were staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in the party town of Vang Vieng, 196km from the Thailand border, where the pair had been drinking the night before falling ill.

Laos police have ramped up their investigation into an alleged mass-poisoning in the town after 14 tourists were rushing to hospital after ingesting toxic amounts of methanol. 

The US State Department previously confirmed the death of a 56-year-old US man and the Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs said two young women from Denmark had also died in Vang Vieng in recent days.

Ms Bowles remains on life support in Thailand’s Bangkok Hospital ‘in a critical condition.

Following news of Ms Jones’ death, local police attended Nana Backpackers to question staff who worked at the hostel bar.

Police demanded to see which spirits were used by bar staff on the night Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were provided free cocktails, The Herald Sun reported.

Melbourne teen Bianca Jones (pictured) died in hospital after drinking poisoned alcohol while on the trip of a lifetime with her best friend Holly Bowles in Laos

Laos Police were seen talking to employees and inspecting bottles of spirits inside the bar during their visit to the hostel.

Detectives took detailed notes as they lined up bottles of Smirnoff vodka, Havana Club rum, and Bombay Sapphire and Gordon’s gin.

Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan and bartender Toan Van Vanng had previously denied the alcohol was contaminated or diluted with methanol.  

Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and that free shots of Tiger Vodka had been served to around 100 guests.

The manager said he had yet to received any complaints from other backpackers who been given shots on the night. 

To prove his point, he even drank from one of the vodka bottles that were in use on the night to prove it was safe.

‘Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng,’ he told the Associated Press. 

Holly Bowles (left) and Ms Jones (right). Holly, 19, remains fighting for life in a Thai hospital

The girls had booked a four-night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel in the party town of Vang Vieng where they had drank several free cocktails the night before falling ill

Toan said Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were at the bar from 8pm to 10.30pm and had three drinks each in that time.

He poured them a Lao Pdr Tiger Vodka containing 40 per cent alcohol and mixed it with ice and Coke Zero.

The girl’s WhatsApp messages revealed they headed to Jaidee’s Bar later in the night after leaving the hostel.

Jaidee’s Bar is known to offer patrons free local whisky shots and has a hard-copy drug menu openly selling opium, ketamine and marijuana.

There is no suggestion that Ms Bowles or Ms Jones took illicit drugs.

Nana Backpackers has been deserted since news of the poisonings ‘spread like wildfire’ throughout the town this week.

Six British women were also among those who ingested methanol and one of them, Bethany Clarke, said her liver had ‘started to shut down’.

‘I got to the private hospital in time but underwent many infusions and tablets and days of recovery,’ she wrote in a social media post after her condition improved.

‘Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.’

Ms Clarke’s friend Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer, is recovering in hospital.

The New Zealand government confirmed a New Zealander is among the unwell and ‘may be a victim of methanol poisoning in Laos’.

Ms Bowels is still on life support in a critical condition in Bangkok Hospital, her father told reporters on Wednesday 

Simone White, from the UK, is also reportedly among those affected by the suspected mass poisoning, and is recovering in hospital

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,’ they 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.

‘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.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Ms Jones in parliament on Thursday.

‘We’ve received a very sad confirmation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that tragically, Bianca Jones has lost her life,’ he said.

‘Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. This is every parent’s very worse fear, and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.

‘All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak. Bianca’s trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come.

‘Memories that she should have carried with her into the long, bright future that lay ahead of her. It is beyond sad that this is not to be.’ 

WhatsApp messages revealed  Ms Jones and Ms Bowles ventured to Jaidee’s bar on the beachfront (pictured) after leaving the hostel around 10.30pm

Jaidee’s Bar is a notorious party spot in the town where patrons are provided a hard-copy drug menu. There is no suggestion Ms Jones or Ms Bowles took illicit substances.

Albanese also mentioned Ms Bowles, ‘who is fighting for her life there in Laos.’ 

‘Australians hold her and her family in our hearts as we pray for her, and we hope for a good recovery.’

Ms Jones and Ms Bowles, also aged 19, 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. 

‘Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia,’ they said on Wednesday.

‘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.’