Woman’s alarming symptoms before she died alongside her fiancé after drinking limoncello

A festive celebration turned into heartbreak when a couple tragically passed away after consuming homemade limoncello, believed to be laced with methanol, in Vietnam on Christmas Eve.

A Christmas Turned Tragic

Greta Marie Otteson, 33, a social media manager from Wales, and her fiancé, Arno Els Quinton, 36, a musician from South Africa, were found dead on December 26, 2024, at the Hoi An Silverbell Villa in Vietnam. The couple had been living in the country since February 2024 and had recently celebrated their engagement in a heartfelt YouTube video.

Two days before their deaths, the pair ordered two bottles of homemade limoncello from a local restaurant. By Christmas Day, Greta began experiencing severe symptoms, describing them in a WhatsApp message to her parents as the “worst hangover ever” and noting “black spots” in her vision.

Despite the alarming signs, the couple declined a friend’s offer to take them to the hospital, believing rest would suffice. Tragically, Greta was found unresponsive in her bed the next morning, while Arno was discovered lifeless in a nearby room.

Greta Marie Otteson and Arno Els Quinton died after drinking methanol-laced limoncello. Credit: Quangnam Provincial Police

Methanol Poisoning Suspected

Vietnamese investigators determined that methanol poisoning was the likely cause of their deaths, linking the toxic chemical to the homemade limoncello they consumed. Methanol, often illegally added to homemade alcoholic beverages to increase potency, is a highly toxic industrial chemical. Unlike ethanol, which is the type of alcohol found in beverages, methanol is odorless, tasteless, and deadly even in small amounts—just 25ml can be lethal.

According to Mount Sinai, symptoms of methanol poisoning include blurred or partial vision loss, severe headaches, dizziness, confusion, and respiratory distress—all of which align with Greta’s reported symptoms before her death.

Quang Nam Provincial Police stated that the couple’s belongings were untouched, ruling out foul play, and confirmed that forensics identified the limoncello as the source of contamination.

A Heartfelt Tribute

Greta’s parents, Susan and Paul, described their daughter as “beautiful” and shared fond memories of the couple’s adventurous spirit and happiness in Vietnam.

“Greta and Arno were experienced worldwide travelers. They found their perfect home and were incredibly happy with their life in Vietnam, planning for the future,” the family said in a statement.

Paul expressed the family’s determination to seek justice for the tragedy. “Our aim is to bring the people who supplied the alcohol and killed Greta and Arno to justice,” he said. Plans for a joint memorial service are in the works, honoring the couple’s love and connection.

The couple died after drinking methanol-laced limoncello. Credit: Kajakiki / Getty

The Dangers of Methanol-Laced Alcohol

This tragic incident underscores the dangers of consuming unregulated alcohol, particularly in countries where homemade brews may contain methanol. Methanol poisoning can mimic the effects of alcohol intoxication, making it difficult to recognize until it’s too late.

Travelers are advised to exercise caution when consuming locally made alcohol. “If you’re feeling very drunk, out of proportion to how much you’ve had to drink, get help ASAP,” warns Travel Aware.

As the families grieve this devastating loss, the case serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with unregulated homemade alcohol and the importance of vigilance while traveling abroad.

Featured image credit: Quangnam Provincial Police