The parents of a British woman who died alongside her fiancé after drinking toxic limoncello in Vietnam have revealed they unknowingly purchased the tainted drink. Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her South African partner, Arno Els Quinton, 36, were found dead in their Hoi An villa on Boxing Day last year.
Greta's parents, Paul, 71, and Susan, 70, had visited Vietnam in November and dined at the Good Morning Vietnam restaurant, where they consumed shots of limoncello. After returning home to Wales, they ordered bottles of the drink and had them delivered to the couple as a Christmas gift. The bottles arrived at the villa on Christmas Eve, and the couple consumed the limoncello that evening.
Greta later complained of having the 'worst hangover ever' and experienced 'black spots' in her vision. Three days later, a cleaner discovered their bodies. Police investigations concluded that both died from methanol poisoning, believed to be linked to the limoncello. A barman alleged to have made the drink was charged in February and remains detained.
Speaking to the BBC, Paul said: 'It's about accountability. We can't move on.' The couple added: 'Justice for us would be naming the people responsible and prosecuting them.' The family described the wait for answers as 'unbearable' and said they have received no updates from police or an apology from the restaurant.
The couple had announced their engagement on Instagram on December 3, just weeks before their deaths. Their ashes are currently stored at the Otteson family home in Rhandirmwyn, Carmarthenshire, with a pink bunny on Greta's urn and a blue bear on Arno's. Susan and Paul paid tribute, saying: 'Both Greta and Arno were experienced worldwide travellers. They found their perfect home and were incredibly happy with their life in Vietnam.'
