A dream vacation turned into an unthinkable tragedy when an American school director and his teenage son were killed after being attacked by a swarm of hornets while ziplining through a jungle resort in Laos.

Covered in red spots
Daniel Owen, 47, and his 15-year-old son, Cooper, were vacationing near Luang Prabang when the horrific incident occurred on October 15.

The two were reportedly gliding through the trees at an eco-adventure park when they were suddenly surrounded by Asian giant hornets, known as “murder hornets” for their powerful, often deadly sting.

According to local officials, the father and son were attempting to descend from a tree with their guide when the swarm struck. Despite being rushed to a nearby clinic, both Daniel and Cooper succumbed to their injuries within hours.

Dr. Phanomsay Phakan, who treated them at the Phakan Arocavet Clinic, described the shocking 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. I thought already that it’s a very dangerous situation because I had never seen it as bad as that.”

The doctor, who has worked in medicine for over two decades, added heartbreakingly,

“I have never seen a death and I have been working more than 20 years.”

Born in Idaho
Daniel, originally from Idaho, had spent nearly 18 years living abroad, serving as the director of the QSI International School of Haiphong in Vietnam — a respected private school known for its international curriculum.

In a statement, Quality Schools International paid tribute to the devoted educator:

“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.”

The park where the attack occurred, Green Jungle Park, which offers zipline rides for about $20, called the tragedy “unprecedented.”

A spokesperson for the resort expressed condolences to the family and said

“Following this incident, we have reviewed all existing procedures. This event is unprecedented in our experience and, to our understanding, in Luang Prabang as well. It was an unforeseeable and extraordinary natural occurrence.”

Inside the powerful sting
Asian giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia) are the largest hornet species in the world, growing up to two inches long with a sting powerful enough to kill small animals, and in rare cases, humans. Experts warn that disturbing a hornet nest can trigger aggressive, coordinated attacks.

Ian Campbell of the British Beekeepers Association explained to The Times:

“There is no threshold that has been set for the number of stings before triggering an allergic reaction and even death. A lot of it is down to the individual response — people do get injured, people do get hospitalized and, on occasion, people die. So there is a public health risk from this.”

He added that such attacks can turn deadly if a nest is disturbed, saying, “They will defend it vigorously and in force.”

In recent years, the Asian giant hornet has also made headlines after being spotted in the United States. However, in December 2024, officials announced that the species had been completely eradicated from the country.

Europe, on the other hand, is facing growing concern. Recognizable by its dark body and bright yellow legs, the insect was first detected in the UK in 2016 after spreading rapidly through France and Spain.

Survived a British winter for the first time
Experts warn that the Asian hornet poses a serious threat to local ecosystems, as it preys on bees and other pollinators. In France, it’s believed to have destroyed nearly one-third of all honeybee colonies.

Even more alarming, in 2024 the invasive species was confirmed to have survived a British winter for the first time, raising fears that it may now be permanently established in the UK.

But regardless, experts emphasize that hornets generally pose a greater threat to ecosystems than to humans. Most encounters end without serious harm, yet, tragically, Daniel Owen and his son experienced the unimaginable.

While deaths from hornet stings are extremely rare, statistics mean little in the face of heartbreak. For the Owen family, numbers can’t ease the pain of losing two beloved members.

Daniel’s wife, Jessica, and their loved ones are now mourning the devastating loss of a father and son who dedicated their lives to adventure, education, and family.

A community that once celebrated Daniel Owen’s leadership now grieves a tragedy too painful to comprehend: a reminder of how quickly nature’s beauty can turn deadly.