The tragic deaths of Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her fiancé Arno Els Quinton, 36, in Vietnam in December 2024 have left their families devastated and searching for justice.
The couple, who were managing the Hoi An Silverbell Villa, passed away after consuming homemade limoncello that was laced with methanol.
The local authorities have confirmed that the cause of death was methanol poisoning.
A holiday gift turns deadly
In a new development, the couple’s parents have shared more details about the events leading up to their deaths.
According to Greta’s parents, Paul and Susan Otteson, they had visited their daughter and her fiancé in Vietnam just a month before the tragedy.
During their stay, they dined at an Italian restaurant called Good Morning Vietnam, where they were offered free shots of limoncello.
Impressed by the drink, Paul and Susan decided to send bottles of it as a Christmas gift to Greta and Arno.
Per BBC News, on Christmas Day, Greta sent a message to her parents, claiming she had a severe hangover and was seeing "black spots."
Despite her condition, she chose not to seek medical help. The couple was found dead in separate rooms at their villa the following morning.
Seeking accountability and justice
The local investigation revealed that the limoncello contained methanol, a toxic alcohol that can be deadly when consumed.
The barman responsible for preparing the drink has been charged for violating food safety regulations by using medical-grade alcohol instead of proper ingredients. He is currently being held by authorities while the investigation continues.
Paul Otteson expressed frustration to BBC News, saying, "It's about accountability. We can't move on."
He explained that they could not lay their daughter and her fiancé to rest until they received justice. "We want to put them to rest, but we feel we can't do that until we get a proper conclusion," he added.
Greta and Arno’s ashes are still kept at the Ottesons' home in Wales. In a heartbreaking gesture, Paul noted that one of the urns is topped with a pink bunny, and the other with a blue bear.
The larger impact of methanol poisoning
This case highlights a dangerous trend of methanol poisoning, particularly in regions where homemade alcohol is consumed.
Methanol is often used in cheaper, illicit alcohol because it is more affordable than ethanol, which is safe for human consumption.
Unfortunately, when methanol is consumed, it can cause irreversible damage, including blindness or death.
In this case, the Vietnamese authorities have confirmed that if the barman is convicted, he could face a sentence of seven to fifteen years in prison.
However, the Otteson family has voiced their concerns over the lack of updates from the police and the restaurant’s failure to issue an apology.
Paul Otteson stated, "They just carried on as if nothing has happened," pointing out that the restaurant has not acknowledged their role in the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the Ottesons remain determined to seek justice for their daughter and her fiancé, hoping to hold those responsible accountable for the deaths of two young people full of promise.