Police in Vietnam, arrested bartender Le Tan Gia, 45, after the deaths of Brit woman Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Els Arno Quinton, 36, who are said to have had methanol poisoning
A bartender has been arrested for creating a deadly cocktail said to have been served to a British woman and her fiancé in Vietnam.
Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Els Arno Quinton, 36, from South Africa were found dead on Boxing Day last year, with police confirming both died from methanol poisoning. Officers said suspect Le Tan Gia used 70 per cent medical alcohol – intended only for disinfection – to prepare two bottles of the lemon liquor Limoncello.
He is said to have mixed the alcohol with filtered water, lemon peels, and white sugar before serving it to the tourists. Greta and Els were found dead by staff in separate rooms at the Silverbell villa in Hoi An Town, central Quang Nam province.
Le Tan Gia has been charged with violating food safety regulations. A police spokesman said: “The Criminal Investigation Police Department of Quang Nam Province arrested the suspect on charges of violating food safety regulations.
“The prosecution of the defendant will continue, based on the evidence he served the victims methanol drinks that caused their deaths. Currently, the case is being investigated and handled by the police force in accordance with the law.”
Travel lover Greta had previously lived in Dubai and backpacked around different countries in Asia before settling recently in Vietnam. She was a digital strategist who ran a social media and content marketing agency known as Not Sorry Socials. Arno was a barista, musician, and streamer.
A Quang Nam Provincial Police spokesman said: “There were no signs of ransacking at the scene. The victims’ belongings and phones were untouched.”
Police said there were also no signs of scratches or physical trauma inflicted on the bodies. They collected several empty liquor bottles in the room for further analysis.
Arnold’s friend Dayle Visser wrote online: “Rest in peace my brother. Thank you for always being the fierce friend you were. You saved me many a time. You were real and lived life harder than most people could ever dream of. I love you and I will always miss you.”
Police said the investigation into the deaths is ongoing.
