“We are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us,” her parents, Mark and Michelle, and brother, Lachlan, told the Herald Sun in a statement.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia. The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling.”
Pearl Jam’s lead singer Eddie Vedder paid a heartwarming tribute to the two young Australian women caught up in the tragedy, describing the loss of Jones as “senseless”.
Fans at his Thursday night Sydney concert cheered and clapped when the veteran rock star took time out from his gig to remember the young Melbourne woman who lost her life in the suspected poisoning.
“We are sending you everything we have got today. We are so sorry,” Vedder said.
Four people have now died in the suspected poisoning incident. At least 10 others are seriously ill after drinking spirits believed to have been laced with methanol, a cheap and deadly form of alcohol mostly found in crude or criminal brews.
Denmark’s Foreign Ministry confirmed two of its citizens, aged 19 or 20, had died after being caught up in the suspected mass drink poisoning. Earlier on Thursday, the US State Department confirmed an American man had also died in Vang Vieng.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her “heartfelt sympathies” to Jones’ family and said drink spiking was far too common in some parts of the world. She urged parents and young Australians to discuss the risks of overseas travel.
“Please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy doesn’t happen again,” she said.
Holly Bowles (left) and Bianca Jones.
In an Instagram post, the Ginger Fox Cafe in Beaumaris – where Jones once worked – said they were “truly saddened to hear about the tragic passing of our former team member Bianca”.
“Sending all the love to her family and friends in this devastating time.”
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Both Melbourne women have played football for Beaumaris Football Club. On Thursday, president Nick Heath described Bowles as a “beautiful person” and told Nine News the club had offered financial support to her family. Her father was also an assistant coach at the club.
Zoe Daniel, the MP for Goldstein in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs where the women were from, was visibly emotional when she rose to speak after the prime minister in federal parliament.
“Bianca and Holly went on a holiday to South-East Asia – a rite of passage many young Australians experience,” Daniel said, her voice shaking. “And if you are to look at their holiday photos, you would see the wonderful adventure that these best friends were having together.
“They could be any of our teenage kids, embarking on life from the suburbs.”
Jones went to school at Mentone Girls Grammar while Bowles attended Beaumaris Secondary College.
Daniel offered her sympathies to Jones’ family. “They are suffering pain beyond measure, pain that no parent or sibling should experience,” she said.
Daniel said Bowles’ parents, Shaun and Samantha, remained at their daughter’s bedside in Bangkok.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also offered his condolences to Jones’ family.
“This story has been shocking from the moment it was reported,” Dutton said. “We hope that there can be some comfort to the family knowing that every Australian’s heart is breaking for this tragic loss.”
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