Australian teenager Holly Bowles was 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 vacation in Laos, a day after the death of her best friend, Bianca Jones, also 19 years old.
On Monday, the 19-year-old’s family issued 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 vice-principal Peter Bartlett said on behalf of Ms’ parents. Bowles, Shaun. and Samantha, and her brother James.
‘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.’
The family remembered the people GoFundMe honoring both his daughter and Mrs. 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-million-dollar goal as Mrs Bowles made her sad, final journey to her resting place.
Australian teenager Holly Bowles has died after suffering from suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday in Laos with her best friend.
Mourners gather outside Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday
Mourners attend a service for Holly Bowles on Monday
Holly Bowles was farewelled by up to 1,000 people on Monday
Asking for future privacy, the family reiterated how difficult it had been to deal with the death of their beloved daughter.
“These are the most difficult times of our lives and we thank you for respecting our privacy,” the statement concludes.
Known for her love of music, the service for Ms. Bowles included songs such as Mamma Mia by Abba and Chihiro by Billie Eilish.
Mrs. Bowles had died in a Bangkok hospital surrounded by her loved ones late last month. Jones died at a different hospital a day earlier.
“We do so with a broken heart and are very saddened to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,” Bowles’ family said in a statement.
‘We find solace and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people.
‘Holly was living her best life traveling around Southeast Asia, making new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.
‘As her parents, we were always incredibly proud of everything Holly did. Holly was an amazing big sister to James and always looked out for him.
Holly Bowles said goodbye on Monday
Tears flowed outside Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday.
Holly Bowles in happier times
Young mourners enter Monday 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 continues for Bianca, Holly and others affected internationally by this tragic story.
“Their legacies are too important to forget and the lives of our children are too important not to protect.”
Bowles was the sixth person to die after drinks were allegedly laced with methanol and served to guests at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in the popular party town of Vang Vieng.
She and Jones had been on sabbatical vacation when they both fell ill on November 12.
Jones and Bowles did not leave their bedroom at Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar and reported feeling unwell on November 13, before being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok.
Closed-circuit cameras from inside the shelter show one of the women being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorcycle driven by a hotel worker.
Thai authorities have confirmed that Ms Jones died of “brain inflammation due to high levels of methanol found in her system”.
Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones (pictured) died in hospital on Thursday
Bianca Jones makes her final journey after a service in her honor on Friday
Bianca Jones’ mother is seen on the left supported by Holly Bowles’ mother. The family’s golden retriever, Zara, was also at the service.
Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured) claimed it was not his Tiger Vodka that made tourists sick.
The bodies of both girls were flown back to Australia a week after their deaths.
On Friday, Bianca Jones said goodbye at Mentone Girl’s Grammar in Melbourne’s southeast.
Hundreds of mourners gathered dressed in all the colors of the rainbow in honor of the teenager.
Ms Jones’ 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.”
About eight people have been arrested 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 and a British woman who also died of suspected methanol poisoning.
The detained men were identified as hotel staff and management.
The Australian Federal Police has offered to assist in the Laos investigation, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government had made it clear to officials that it expected a thorough and transparent investigation.