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A British woman and her South African fiancé were found dead in their Vietnam villa last month after consuming tainted alcohol, police have confirmed.
Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Arno Quinto Els, 36, had moved to Vietnam in early 2024 and were engaged just three weeks before their tragic deaths. The couple had been living in Hoi An, a popular tourist destination, and appeared to be enjoying their life together.
According to reports, on Christmas Eve, they ordered two bottles of homemade limoncello from a local restaurant. The next morning, both experienced severe hangover symptoms. Ms. Otteson reached out to her parents via WhatsApp, describing how she felt unwell and was seeing “black spots” in her vision.
A friend, concerned for their well-being, called and urged them to seek medical attention. However, the couple reportedly believed they could recover by resting and decided not to visit the hospital. Unfortunately, their conditions worsened, and they were later found dead in separate rooms at the Hoi An Silverbell Villa.
Vietnamese police launched an investigation and confirmed that both had died from methanol poisoning caused by the contaminated limoncello. Forensic examinations traced the toxic substance directly to the drinks they had consumed. Officers collected several empty liquor bottles from the scene but found no signs of struggle, injuries, or foul play.
In a statement, Ms. Otteson's parents expressed their grief, describing the couple as experienced travelers who had built a happy life together in Vietnam. They said their daughter and her fiancé had been making plans for the future and were deeply in love.
“They were a loving couple with their whole life ahead of them. The tributes we have received from around the world have been overwhelming. Our goal now is to bring those responsible for supplying the toxic alcohol to justice,” the family said.
Ms. Otteson’s father also spoke fondly of Mr. Els, describing him as a talented musician and a wonderful person who had made his daughter incredibly happy.
Authorities have not revealed the name of the restaurant where the couple purchased the limoncello, and no arrests have been made so far.
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