'Lack of evidence' means Lao officials won't lay charges

'Lack of evidence' means Lao officials won't lay charges related to deaths of two Australians Sun 19 Jul 2026 at 12:04am In short: Investigators in Laos say they don't have enough evidence to lay charges over the deaths of two Australian teenagers, because autopsies were not carried out. The two women from Melbourne died after what is believed to be a mass methanol poisoning incident from consuming tainted drinks at a backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng in November 2024. What's next? Laos Police Colonel Khamphong Vongdalasene says his officers "will continue to collect and gather evidence in a comprehensive, thorough and objective manner". Lao officials say they don't have enough evidence to lay charges over the deaths of two young Australian women, because autopsies were not carried out. They have given one of their first detailed accounts of the investigation into the deaths of six people, including 19-year-old Australians Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones. The two young women died after what is believed to be a mass methanol poisoning incident from consuming tainted drinks at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng in November 2024. International media were not allowed into the press conference on Friday afternoon, which was attended by Laos state media and representatives of the Australian, UK and Denmark governments. According to a transcript of the press conference, obtained by the ABC, Laos Police Colonel Khamphong Vongdalasene said police did not "have sufficient evidence that can confirm that the deaths of the five tourists were caused by the action of any individual or any other causes". "[It's] because our authorities have not conducted an autopsy on the bodies of these people," he said. "Our officers will continue to collect and gather evidence in a comprehensive, thorough and objective manner." However, Colonel Khamphong Vongdalasene revealed Laos officials had tested the 'Tiger Vodka', believed to be consumed, and found methanol exceeding permitted standards. He also said they had information from the Thai hospital where Ms Morton-Bowles and Ms Jones died that methanol was detected in their blood. Ms Morton-Bowles and Ms Jones died in Thailand after being moved from a hospital in Laos. Two Danish women, Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, along with UK woman Simone White and American man James Louis Hutson, all died in Laos. A UK official present at the press conference said that in May last year an autopsy report on Ms White's death was sent to Lao officials. Australian Special Envoy to the case, Pablo Kang, also used the press conference to reiterate an offer by the Australian government that the Australian Federal Police could be used to assist investigators. "We have provided information including toxicology reports and death certificates," Mr Kang told Lao officials. "The Australian Government is deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed that authorities have been unable to pursue more serious charges in relation to the methanol poisoning deaths. "We have consistently made clear our expectations that charges should reflect the gravity of the tragedy that claimed the lives of Holly and Bianca in November 2024." Differing accounts of penalties At the press conference, Lao officials said charges had been filed against the owner of the 'Tiger vodka distillery'. Those charges include operating a business illegally and the production and sale of consumer goods dangerous to health. Danish and Australian officials have offered differing accounts of what the maximum penalty for the distillery owner could be, ranging from one year to four years in prison. Lao officials also said, as they had previously told Australian government representatives, that prosecutors were not proceeding with charges on the distillery that related to violating food safety and hygiene standards, which may have carried a harsher maximum penalty. The initial news of the charges on Thursday promoted a harsh rebuke by the Australian government, calling in the Lao Ambassador in Canberra. Lao officials also said they had suspended the operations of the Nana Backpacker Hostel and are holding the passports of the owner and 10 employees. "I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families, including the parents and relatives of the deceased for their loss," Colonel Khamphong Vongdalasene said. "Throughout the period since the incident all authorities have focused their efforts on investigation and inquires to ensure that the case is handled strictly in accordance with the law." 'Quantity of medication' found in hotel room Lao officials also revealed further details of charges laid against the hostel operators and staff earlier this year, related to "destroying evidence'" in the death of American national James Hutson. They said they were initially been informed that that he died at a local hospital in Vang Vieng. But later they discovered he had died inside his room at the Nana Backpackers Hotel, with hotel staff moving his body to the hospital. "During the forensic examination of the scene, authorities found a quantity of medication, six bottles of Beerlao and three bottles of Tiger Vodka, of which two were empty and one was partially consumed," they said. "When officials sought to collect information, examine the scene and conduct an autopsy, the deceased's family and relatives refused to allow the authorities to perform the autopsy." The hotel owner and nine others were convicted of destroying evidence and fined, although Lao officials say they are appealing the sentence.