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Melbourne teenager Holly Bowles has died in a Thai hospital nine days after consuming a suspected methanol-tainted drink in Laos, her father has confirmed.
In a statement, the 19-year-old's father told 9News his "beautiful girl Holly is now at peace" after dying in hospital in Bangkok.
"We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people," Mr Bowles said.
"Holly was living her best life travelling through South East Asia, meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.
"As her parents we were always so incredibly proud of everything Holly did.
"Holly was an amazing big sister to James and she always looked out for him."
The Bowles family expressed thanks for the support they have received since their daughter fell ill.
"We would like to thank everyone from back home, in Canada and around the world for the love and support that Holly and our family have received.
"We would now like to request privacy during this extremely difficult time."
It comes less than a day after a UK woman became the fifth fatality linked to a suspected spate of poisonings from methanol-tainted alcohol.
Simone White's death was reported hours after that of 19-year-old Melbourne woman Bianca Jones, who had been on life support for days.
An American and two Danish tourists also died, officials said, following reports that several people had been sickened in a Laotian town popular with backpackers.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament that 19-year-old Jones had died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos, for treatment in a Thai hospital.
Today police in Udon Thani, where Jones died in hospital, revealed the teenager was fighting a losing battle.
"She was unconscious ever since she was picked up from Laos and never regained consciousness from then, even as she had received medical care," Udon Thani Police general Phattanawong Chanphon said.
"The cause of death is likely from the consumption of methanol from fake liquor.
"It's poison and cannot be consumed. It causes swelling of the brain and caused the death."
Overnight, the British government confirmed that a UK national also died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos. The Foreign Office said "we are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities."
She was identified by British media outlets as 28-year-old Simone White, a lawyer with the firm Squire Patton Boggs.
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The victims are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes added to mixed-drinks at disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death.
It is understood the owner of the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, where Bowles and Jones stayed, has been detained in Laos' capital Vientiane to assist police with their enquiries.
9News understands the hostel will shut its doors temporarily.
The hostel owner insists the drinks did not come from its bar.
Telephone numbers listed for Laos' Health Ministry did not work and police refused to comment on the incident.
The US State Department confirmed that an American had also died in Vang Vieng, and Denmark's Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens had also died in "the incident in Laos," but neither would comment directly on a link to the methanol poisoning that killed Jones.
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In a statement to the Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper, Jones' family asked for privacy in their grief.
"She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us," the family wrote.
"We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we've received from across Australia."
The US State Department said local authorities were investigating the case and were responsible for providing any details, and that the US was providing consular assistance.
"We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss," the State Department said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.
Members of the Beaumaris Football Club, where Jones and Bowles both played over a number of years, gathered at the club in an intimate vigil for the pair on Friday evening.
Mentone Girls Grammar, where Jones graduated from in 2023, also paid tribute to the "beautiful young woman".
"Bianca was a beautiful young woman in every sense of the word, who lived her life with great spirit and unbridled enthusiasm," Mentone Girls Grammar principal Natalie Charles said in a statement.
"She excelled as a nimble and speedy forward in the School's AFL team, however, it was probably off the field where she shone brightest, building team spirit and encouraging her peers to give everything a go.
"Known for her caring nature and bubbly personality, she loved spending time with her friends. Bianca will be fondly remembered and deeply missed."
Landlocked Laos is one of Southeast Asia's poorest nations and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.
Details on the alcohol poisoning began trickling out about a week after Jones and Bowles fell ill on November 13 following a night out drinking with a group in the remote town.
Thai authorities confirmed that Jones had died by "brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system."
"Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are far too common in many parts of the world," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said after receiving news of Jones' death.
"At this time I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks, please inform yourselves, please let's work together to ensure this tragedy doesn't happen again."
New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that one of its citizens was also unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning.
"We have updated our travel advisory for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks," New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said.
"Travelers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances."
Australia also updated its travel advice, cautioning that several foreign nationals had been victims of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos this month. The US did not immediately issue an updated travel advisory.
On Tuesday, Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel where the two Australian women stayed in Vang Vieng, told the AP that staff were told by other guests that the two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.
The women were then taken to Thailand for emergency medical treatment and their parents flew in to be with them.
"All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak," Albanese said.
"Bianca's trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come. It is beyond sad that this was not to be."
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