American Teacher and Son Killed by ‘Murder Hornets’ in Southeast Asia

Photo by Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via AP

A father and son were killed by hundreds of Asian giant hornets while ziplining in Laos.

Daniel Owen, 46, and Cooper Owen, 15, died on October 15 near the city of Luang Prabang, with the doctor who treated them saying he had “never seen it as bad as that.”

According to The Times, the Owens and their guide were “swarmed” by what are believed to be Asian giant hornets while they “struggled to descend from a tree.” Asian giant hornets are sometimes referred to as “murder hornets.” It is the world’s largest hornet.

“Their whole bodies were covered in red spots. It was very, very painful. A lot of stings, more than 100, over the whole body. I thought already that it’s a very dangerous situation because I had never seen it as bad as that,” Phanomsay Phakan, a doctor at Phakan Arocavet Clinic, where the father and son were taken.

The Owenses died after just a few hours at the hospital, though they were conscious when they arrived. The father and son were attacked at Green Jungle Park. The Idaho pair were living in Vietnam, and Daniel Owen was the director of QSI [Quality Schools International] International School in Haiphong.

A U.S. Department of State spokesperson confirmed the deaths of two American citizens in Laos.

“Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment,” the spokesperson said.

QSI released a statement through social media about the death of Daniel Owen.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dan Owen, Director of QSI International School of Haiphong, and his son Cooper, due to a tragic accident,” they wrote. “Dan dedicated 18 years to QSI, serving in five different schools and touching countless lives with his warmth, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education. He was deeply loved across our community and will be profoundly missed.”