Bianca Jones remembered for ‘profound impact’ at funeral service after death from Laos methanol poisoning

Melbourne teen Bianca Jones has been farewelled by family and friends at a funeral at her old school after her death from methanol poisoning during a holiday in Asia.

Jones and her friend Holly Bowles, both 19, were staying in the tourist town of Vang Vieng in Laos when they fell ill in November.

They were both transferred to hospitals in Thailand, where they later died surrounded by their families.

On Friday, Mentone Girls’ Grammar principal Natalie Charles read out a statement from the Jones family, thanking the public for their support and compassion during what had been an extremely difficult time.

“Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort for our family,” the family said.

“Today is a profoundly significant day as we come together to honour Bianca’s life and to say our final goodbyes.

“The immense love shown by so many is a testament to the profound impact she had, reflected in the scale of today’s farewell.”

Mourners at the funeral wore bright colours and red ribbons made by Mentone students, representing the school colour.

Jones’ graduating class decorated a tree in a courtyard inside the school with images of the 19-year-old.

Her dog, a golden retriever named Zara, led the pallbearers as hundreds formed a guard of honour.

Four other people died in the mass poisoning in Laos, including two Danish women, a British woman and an American man.

The family said they were committed to ensuring Jones and Bowles, as well as others impacted by the mass poisoning event, were not forgotten.

The Jones and Bowles families have created a crowdfunding page to assist with covering out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the tragedy, and to support awareness, education and prevention initiatives around methanol poisoning.

“We hope their stories drive change and inspire efforts to save lives,” the Jones family said on Friday.

Twelve arrested in Laos investigation

ABC reported at the weekend 12 staff members from the Nana Backpackers Hostel, where Jones and Bowles were staying, had now been arrested.

This is despite a Laos government document obtained by the ABC suggesting the source of the methanol outbreak could be a factory near the capital, Vientiane, where vodka and whisky were being made.

Phil Robertson from Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates said Laos was notoriously secretive, and had a poor track record of accountability and transparency.

“There’s almost no accountability and no transparency on any of these issues related to human rights or corruption, or in this case, accountability for what was done to these young people,” he said.

Australian Federal Police have offered to help the Laos investigation, but Robertson said that was likely to be of limited use.

“Historically, Laos has not welcomed that kind of cooperation,” he said.

“We have seen time and time again that Laos doesn’t want any other government being involved in its business.”

– ABC