A British woman, Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her fiancé, Arno Els Quinton, 36, tragically lost their lives on Boxing Day in Hoi An, Vietnam, due to suspected methanol poisoning from contaminated limoncello. The couple, who had recently announced their engagement, reportedly ordered two bottles of the liqueur from a local restaurant on Christmas Eve. Two days later, cleaners discovered their bodies in separate rooms of their holiday villa. Empty bottles found at the scene, combined with subsequent forensic tests, led Vietnamese police to conclude that methanol poisoning was the cause of death, likely linked to the limoncello. A source close to the family revealed that Greta had communicated with her parents via WhatsApp on Christmas Day, complaining of a severe hangover and experiencing visual disturbances, including “black spots.” Despite friends urging them to seek medical attention, the couple attempted to “sleep it off.” Tragically, by the time a concerned local bar owner offered to take them to the hospital, it appears it was too late.
The couple had returned to their villa around 10 pm on Christmas Eve after dinner, where they found the two bottles of limoncello awaiting them. The liqueur had been delivered earlier by a different, locally popular restaurant. The restaurant’s online menu lists homemade limoncello at a low price. Methanol, a highly toxic industrial chemical commonly found in antifreeze and windshield washer fluid, can sometimes contaminate home-brewed or counterfeit alcohol. The exact source of the methanol contamination in the limoncello remains unclear. This incident follows other recent methanol poisoning tragedies, including one in Istanbul that claimed 33 lives and another in Laos that killed six, including a British tourist.
While the restaurant believed to have supplied the limoncello remains open, no arrests have been made in connection with Greta and Arno’s deaths. Vietnamese authorities have indicated that the autopsy results strongly suggest poisoning, and currently, no further charges are anticipated. Despite this, Greta’s father, Paul, is determined to pursue justice for his daughter and her fiancé, expressing his commitment to holding those responsible for supplying the fatal drink accountable.
Greta and Arno, who moved to Vietnam last year, had embraced their new life in Hoi An. They had leased the picturesque Silverbell Villa, a nine-bedroom guesthouse with a swimming pool located near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An Ancient Town. Their engagement, announced on social media in early December, was a testament to their happiness and plans for the future. A poignant engagement video, released posthumously by a filming studio, captures the couple’s joy and love for each other, showcasing their dancing, hand-in-hand walks, and shared affection.
Greta’s parents, Susan and Paul, described their only child as “beautiful” and shared their devastation at the loss. They emphasized Greta and Arno’s passion for travel and their contentment with their lives in Vietnam. Paul, originally from Swansea, spoke fondly of Arno, praising his musical talent as a composer and lyricist. He recalled a touching moment when Susan advised Greta to ensure their newly purchased motorbike was red, representing Wales. The outpouring of tributes from around the world underscores the impact the couple had on those who knew them.
Greta, a seasoned traveller who had previously lived in Dubai and explored various Asian countries, was a digital strategist operating her own social media and content marketing agency called Not Sorry Socials. Arno was a barista, musician, and streamer. Their untimely deaths have left a void in the lives of their loved ones and serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of methanol contamination in alcoholic beverages. The investigation into the source of the contaminated limoncello continues, as Greta’s father seeks justice for his daughter and her fiancé. Their story highlights the importance of vigilance and awareness regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages, particularly those from unregulated sources, and the devastating consequences that can arise from methanol poisoning.
