A BRIT and her fiance died on Boxing Day after suffering methanol poisoning from “homemade” limoncello, according to Vietnamese cops.
Newly engaged couple Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Arno Els Quinton, 36, are believed to have ordered two bottles of the contaminated liqueur from a local restaurant on Christmas Eve.
Both bodies were found in separate rooms inside a villa by shocked cleaners two days later.
Cops immediately launched an investigation into the deaths with officers saying they found empty bottles inside the rooms.
Tests later concluded both died of methanol poisoning, believed to be linked to the tainted limoncello, according to Vietnamese police.
A source close to the family of the couple told The Times: “Police forensics established the limoncello, which had been delivered, was the source.”
They added that Greta spent Christmas complaining to her parents over WhatsApp about having the “worst hangover ever”.
The Welsh woman was also suffering from “black spots” in her vision, the source said.
The couple reportedly tried to “sleep it off” instead of going to the doctors despite being urged to by pals.
The source continued: “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.”
The pair are said to have gone out for dinner on December 24, before returning back to the holiday villa which they own at around 10pm.
Two bottles of limoncello were waiting for them at the reception desk after being delivered earlier in the night by a different restaurant.
The business is said to be popular in the area and a photo of their menu online shows they offer the lemon liqueur at a cheap price.
They advertise a shot as costing 85,000 Vietnamese dong (£2.70) and, according to the menu, it is homemade.
It is unclear how methanol could have been inside the drinks.
The highly toxic industrial chemical is found in antifreeze and windscreen-washer fluid but also appears in some home-brewed or counterfeit alcohol.
A suspected methanol poisoning incident killed 33 people in Istanbul with 48 more hospitalised, it was reported earlier this month.
Another six people – including a Brit, died from methanol poisoning in November after drinking tainted alcohol while in Vang Vieng, Laos.
Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from London, was one of the victims after partygoers were allegedly handed free shots.
HUNTING FOR JUSTICE
NO arrests are understood to have been made so far in connection with the deaths of Arno or Greta.
The restaurant thought to have delivered the limoncello is also still open as usual.
Vietnamese cops say the autopsy results show they were most likely poisoned and no further charges are expected for the moment.
Despite this Greta’s dad Paul is desperate to find out who is responsible for the fatal drink.
He said: “Our aim is to bring the people who supplied the alcohol and killed Greta and Arno to justice.”
TRIBUTES FLOOD IN
Greta and Arno Els Quinton passed away less than a month after the pair got engaged.
They had moved to Vietnam together last year and settled in Hoi An.
The happy couple had taken out a lease out on the gorgeous red-roofed Silverbell Villa where they were later found dead.
It featured a nine-bedroom guesthouse with a swimming pool and sat just ten minutes from Hoi An Ancient Town – a Unesco World Heritage site.
A heartfelt Instagram post on December 3, saw the pair officially announce their engagement to the world.
Days after their bodies were discovered the pair were featured in a touching engagement video posted to YouTube.
A filming studio posted a montage they had made of the pair to celebrate their marriage.
The video shows Greta and Arno, wearing white, dancing, walking hand-in-hand, and expressing the love they shared.
Greta’s parents, Susan and Paul, also paid a touching tribute their only child as they called her “beautiful”.
The statement continued: “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.”
Paul, originally from Swansea, added: “We were so happy she picked Arno. He was such a lovely boy. Arno was a great musician, composer and lyricist.
“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.”
Travel lover Greta had previously lived in Dubai and backpacked around different countries in Asia before settling more recently in Vietnam.
She was a digital strategist who ran a social media and content marketing agency called Not Sorry Socials.
Arno was a barista, musician, and streamer.
