Recently engaged couple Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her partner Arno Els Quinton, 36, went out for dinner on Christmas Eve before heading back home and ordering two bottles of “homemade” limoncello
A British woman and her fiancé were found dead in their hotel rooms in Vietnam after drinking contaminated limoncello from a restaurant, according to police.
Recently engaged couple Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her partner Arno Els Quinton, 36, went out for dinner on Christmas Eve before heading back home and ordering two bottles of “homemade” limoncello from another restaurant.
According to a source close to the family, Otteson contacted her parents via WhatsApp to complain of “the worst hangover ever” and seeing “black spots” in her vision. The couple tried to “sleep it off” rather than visiting a hospital.
“A local bar owner and a fantastic friend called over and wanted to take them to hospital but they refused. Sadly I think it was too late by then,” a source told The Times..
On Boxing day, the body of Otteson was found by staff at the Hoi An Silverbell Villa, while Quinton was discovered in a nearby room.
Police launched an investigation into their deaths and found empty bottles of limoncello both inside their rooms. The tests concluded the couple both died of methanol poisoning, believed to be linked to the “homemade” limoncello, according to investigators. A source close to the family said: “Police forensics established the limoncello, which had been delivered, was the source.”
It is unclear how methanol could have been inside the bottles. Otteson’s parents, Susan and Paul described their only child as “beautiful”.
“Both Greta and Arno were experienced worldwide travellers. They found their perfect home and were incredibly happy with their life in Vietnam, planning for the future,” they said. “The Vietnamese police have now confirmed that the cause of death was methanol poisoning, as verified by the autopsy results.”
Paul said the couple had just celebrated their engagement last month. “We were so happy she picked Arno. He was such a lovely boy. Arno was a great musician, composer and lyricist,” he said. “They bought a second-hand bike and were so proud. Susan told Greta, ‘Make sure it’s red for Wales’.
“They were a loving couple with their life ahead of them. The tributes we have had from around the world are unbelievable. Our aim is to bring the people who supplied the alcohol and killed Greta and Arno to justice.”
No arrests have been made so far in connection with their deaths, with Greta’s dad Paul desperate to find who was responsible for the drinks. He added: “Our aim is to bring the people who supplied the alcohol and killed Greta and Arno to justice.”
The Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Vietnam and are in contact with the local authorities.”
