A British woman and her fiancé who died after drinking limoncello reportedly ‘refused an offer’ for help, with it tragically said it was ‘too late’ to save the pair who thought they were having the ‘worst hangover ever’.
Greta Marie Otteson and her South African partner Els Arno Quinton were found dead by staff on Boxing Day at the Hoi An Silverbell Villa.
With no signs of trauma, it was unclear at first what had killed the recently engaged couple.
The pair had gone out for dinner on Christmas Eve and the next day, a source says Otteson text her parents, complaining she could see ‘black spots’ in her vision.
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Otteson and Els, who had moved to Vietnam last February, went out for dinner at a restaurant on Christmas Eve. And when they got home at about 10.00pm, they’d had two bottles of limoncello delivered to their reception desk from a different restaurant.
Fatally, investigators believe this ‘homemade’ liqueur was laced with methanol.
It’s said Otteson, from Wales, was later complaining of having the ‘worst hangover ever’ and instead of them getting medical help, the pair decided to try and just ‘sleep it off’.
The source added to The Times: “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.
“Police forensics established the limoncello, which had been delivered, was the source.”
Vietnamese police have confirmed Otteson and Els’ deaths were caused by methanol poisoning from contaminated alcohol.
Even if it’s a small amount, when the industrial chemical is consumed, the body converts it into highly toxic formic acid.
Typically found in antifreeze, paint thinners and windscreen-washer fluid, it cannot be tasted in drinks. But home-brewed alcohol is often found to contain it.
Methanol poisoning can lead to brain damage, organ failure, blindness and death and symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, changes to vision and abdominal pain.
It can take up to 24 hours after consuming a methanol laced drink for these symptoms to appear, as the chemical only becomes toxic once the body begins to metabolise it.
Anyone with suspected methanol poisoning is urged to seek medical attention immediately.
Otteson’s parents, Susan and Paul, said in a statement: “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.
“The Vietnamese police have now confirmed that the cause of death was methanol poisoning, as verified by the autopsy results.”
Jess Battison