The parents of methanol poisoning victims, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, traveled to the same area together 25 years ago, as they rely on their decades-long friendship to overcome their grief.
Bowles and Jones, both 19, were traveling in Southeast Asia when they fell ill after drinking contaminated alcohol last month.
The best friends were among six tourists who died in the space of a few days in backpacker hotspot Vang Vieng.
Bowles has since revealed that he and Jones’s father, Mark, are long-time friends and had traveled a similar route together 25 years ago.
“When we’re together, there’s some comfort,” Shaun Bowles told the BBC during a tearful interview this week.
“It’s just strange to be going through the same thing with your best friends, but it happens to us and just being together and talking helps us get through it.
“It just helps us get through the days.”
Bowles said the girls were “having a blast” and had stayed in touch with their families before discovering they had become ill through a friend.
Holly’s father Shaun Bowles (pictured) called for those responsible to be held to account during an emotional interview with the BBC.
Holly and Bianca were traveling through Southeast Asia when they fell ill after drinking contaminated alcohol last month. Unfortunately they died a few days later.
Holly and Bianca’s mothers soon flew to Thailand to visit them at the Udon Thani hospital where they had been transferred.
Bianca died tragically on November 21 and Holly a day later.
Bowles told the BBC his goal was to raise awareness about methanol poisoning in Southeast Asia, a popular destination for Australian school leavers.
“We absolutely want whoever is responsible for this to be held accountable and brought to justice, and we are going to do everything we can to make sure that happens,” he said.
Bowles said he and Bianca’s father, Mark, had also taken a trip to Thailand about 25 years ago as friends.
He said his daughters were in Laos to celebrate their graduation from school.
They were taken to hospital after they were found unconscious as they had not been able to leave the Nana Backpacker hotel.
Both girls were flown home to Australia a week after her death.
Mr Bowles (pictured behind Mr Jones) was a pallbearer at Mrs Jones’ funeral.
Bianca Jones’ mother and father are seen alongside Holly Bowles’ mother (centre) at their daughter’s funeral at Mentone Girls’ Grammar in Melbourne on December 6.
Ms Jones said goodbye at Mentone Girl’s Grammar in Melbourne’s south-east on Friday, December 6.
Her family said they were looking forward to spending “the most important day” of their lives saying goodbye and mourning their beautiful daughter.
“Bianca was a reserved young woman, with a wonderful network, but she was not a celebrity,” they said in a statement.
“It is our hope that Bianca says goodbye in a way that reflects her life.”
Three days later, Ms Bowles said goodbye at Beaumaris Secondary College in Australia, inviting friends and family to gather for an intimate service on December 9.
Mourners lined the street outside the school in a guard of honor as Mrs Bowles made her final journey.
“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 vice-principal Peter Bartlett said on behalf of Ms’ parents. Bowles, Shaun. and Samantha, and her brother James.
The best friends were dancing happily together just weeks before their deadly trip to Laos.
‘Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort to our family. Today is a deeply meaningful day for our family as we come together to celebrate Holly’s life.
‘Holly was loved and adored by many people. Today is a reflection of his life, but it will remain in our hearts forever.’
Eight people have been arrested in connection with the case in Laos.
Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan and bartender Toan Van Vanng previously denied diluting their alcohol with methanol when questioned.