Who was Bianca Jones? Aussie backpacker poisoned in Laos with methanol-laced alcohol

Teenage Bianca Jones of Australia passed away after what appeared to be a case of methanol poisoning in Laos.

After the 19-year-old and a group of individuals drank poisoned shots, which led to major illness and many deaths, the hostel owner was placed under arrest.

Who was Bianca Jones?

A young woman from Melbourne named Bianca Jones passed away tragically from what was believed to be methanol poisoning while traveling throughout Southeast Asia.

Methanol is a hazardous alcohol used in industry as a fuel source, solvent, and pesticide, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The tragic event took place in Vang Vieng, Laos, a popular destination on the backpacker trail with lots of eateries, pubs, and hostels for tourists.

Sadly, Bianca passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

What happened to Bianca Jones?

Six visitors, including Bianca, perished from probable poisoning from tainted drinks.

Methanol, a hazardous chemical frequently found in illegally made or counterfeit alcohol, is thought to have been included in the drinks.

An urgent warning was posted on the Laos Backpacking Facebook page by Simone’s friend Bethany Clarke.

‘Avoid all local spirits’

“Urgently, please avoid all local spirits,” she wrote. We drank free shots from one of the pubs while we were in Vang Vieng.

“Just stay away from them; it’s not worth it. Currently, six of us who shared a drinking location are hospitalized due to methanol poisoning.

Bethany went on to say that she was extremely tired, fainted, felt queasy, and then her liver began to shut down.

She went on: I arrived at the private hospital on schedule, but I had to endure several infusions, medications, and recuperation days.

Rushed to hospital

Bianca was taken to a hospital in neighboring Thailand on November 13 after becoming ill in Vang Vieng.

“The doctor who examined her stated that the cause of death was methanol poisoning, from fake liquor,” a Thai police official told Reuters.

“The amount of methanol in her body was high, leading to swelling of the brain.”

Regarding Bianca’s passing, Thai police commander Phattanawong Chanphon stated on November 22: “She was unconscious from the moment she was taken from Laos and never regained consciousness, even after receiving medical attention.”

“The ingestion of methanol from counterfeit booze is probably what caused the fatality.

“It’s poison and cannot be consumed.”

Bianca, her close friend Holly Bowles, who was both 19 and 28 years old, Simone White, a British barrister, two anonymous Danish women in their twenties, and an American guy are among those confirmed dead.

It is estimated that 12 other individuals, some of whom are from the UK, were left gravely ill.

Hostel owner detained

According to reports, Thai police have arrested the hostel owner where the visitors were staying prior to the alleged poisoning.

An unidentified Vang Vieng tourism police officer told AP on November 22 that while several people were being detained as part of the inquiry, no charges had yet been brought.

The manager and owner were among those detained by the police, according to confirmation from the hostel staff.

The location is still open, but no new visitors are welcome.

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