American Father and Son Killed by Hornet Attack in Laos

The hornets were reported to be Asian giant hornets, known as the largest hornets in the world, measuring up to two inches long.

Kelly McBride Ni

Published: 11/4/2025, 4:11:13 PM EST

American Father and Son Killed by Hornet Attack in Laos — An Asian giant hornet. (Courtesy of Washington State Department of Agriculture)

An American father and his teenage son tragically lost their lives after being attacked by a swarm of hornets while ziplining at a jungle resort in northern Laos, according to officials and colleagues.

The victims have been identified as Dan Owen, 47, and his 15-year-old son, Cooper. The family, originally from Idaho, was visiting Green Jungle Park near Luang Prabang on Oct. 15 when the tragedy occurred. The hornets were reported to be Asian giant hornets, known as the largest hornets in the world, measuring up to two inches long. It was reported that the pair was descending from a platform when they were attacked by the swarm.

People magazine reported that a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State confirmed that two Americans died in Luang Prabang. “Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment,” the spokesperson said.

Owen, originally from Idaho, served as director of QSI International School of Haiphong in Vietnam. The nonprofit network, which operates schools in over 25 countries for diplomatic and international families, paid tribute to him and his son in a Facebook post on Oct. 28.

“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,” the organization 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. Our sincere condolences go out to the Owen family and all who knew and loved them.”

Colleagues and students shared tributes beneath the social media post. One wrote that “I'll never forget all the extra time and effort Mr. Owen spent with and on me since I wanted to go to university but confessed that I simply couldn't afford higher education. Instead of shutting my dreams down like several teachers did in my previous schools, he gave me hope and showed me the reward of hard work and passion. I wouldn't have scholarships, degrees or be anywhere close to where I am if it wasn't for him."

Another previous student recalled, “He helped me feel understood when I didn’t know a single word of English ... Him and Cooper will be so missed. Praying for Mrs. Owen.”

The Bonners Ferry Herald’s 9B News launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist the Owen family following the tragedy. The fundraiser, organized by local journalist Mike Weland, notes that “a Bonners Ferry woman and her daughter are facing immeasurable grief after an exciting zip-line excursion in Laos turned tragic.”

The campaign states that all donations will go directly to the family, with “9B News paying all fees and costs levied by GoFundMe.”

According to the post, Jessica Owen—Daniel’s wife and Cooper’s mother—and her mother, from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, remain in Vietnam as they navigate arrangements following the tragedy.

Dr. Phanomsay Phakan of the Phakan Arocavet Clinic told The Times, a UK newspaper, that the pair arrived at the clinic conscious and without immediate signs of anaphylactic shock. “Their whole bodies were covered in red spots,” he said. “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.” The two were transferred to Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital, where they later passed away, according to the outlet.