A couple from the UK who were enjoying life in Vietnam died after consuming limoncello that contained toxic methanol. Greta Marie Otteson and her South African partner, Els Arno Quinton, were found dead on Boxing Day at their hotel.
The pair had gone out for dinner on Christmas Eve and received two bottles of homemade liqueur with a fatal dose of methanol. Investigators believe the limoncello was prepared by a bartender who used 70% medical alcohol, which is only intended for disinfection use.
A friend of the couple, Todd Ford, visited them at their hotel on Christmas Day after they complained of severe headaches and vision problems. He found one partner in bed but couldn’t find the other, leading him to bring water to check on her. She was unresponsive when he brought it to her.
The couple’s deaths were caused by methanol poisoning, which can lead to brain damage, organ failure, blindness, and death. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, changes to vision, and abdominal pain. The body metabolizes methanol after consuming it, and symptoms often appear 24 hours later.
A bartender has been arrested and charged with violating food safety regulations for serving the couple methanol-laced drinks that caused their deaths. The case is ongoing, but police have confirmed that the pair’s deaths were due to methanol poisoning from contaminated alcohol.
Source: https://www.ladbible.com/news/uk-news/greta-ottenson-els-quinton-death-friend-speaks-out-687893-20250209