A dream vacation in Southeast Asia ended in an unthinkable tragedy for an American family. Daniel Owen, a 47-year-old international school director, and his 15-year-old son, Cooper, were killed after being attacked by a massive swarm of Asian giant hornets while ziplining in Laos. The incident occurred on October 15 near the city of Luang Prabang, shocking the local community and the international school network where Owen was a respected leader.
The father and son were enjoying an eco-adventure at the Green Jungle Park when the horrific event unfolded. According to local officials, they were attempting to descend from a tree with their guide when they inadvertently disturbed a nest of the insects, often referred to as “murder hornets” due to their potent and sometimes lethal sting. The swarm attacked en masse, covering both individuals in stings.
Dr. Phanomsay Phakan, the physician who treated them at a nearby clinic, described the severity of their injuries. “Their whole bodies were covered in red spots,” he said. “It was very, very painful. A lot of stings, more than one hundred, over the whole body.” The doctor, with over twenty years of experience, added heartbreakingly, “I have never seen a death.” Despite emergency efforts, both Daniel and Cooper succumbed to their injuries within hours.
Daniel Owen was the director of the QSI International School of Haiphong in Vietnam, where he had lived for nearly 18 years. In a tribute, Quality Schools International remembered him as an educator who “touched countless lives with his warmth, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education.” The adventure park where the attack occurred called the event “unprecedented” and an “unforeseeable and extraordinary natural occurrence,” stating they have since reviewed all safety procedures. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and has left a family and a global community in mourning.
