Limoncello deaths couple friend reveals they saw ‘black spots’ in their final hours

A British woman and her fiancé tragically died after drinking what is believed to be poisoned homemade limoncello while on vacation in Vietnam. In their final hours, the couple reportedly experienced severe symptoms, including seeing “black spots,” according to a close friend who shared the heartbreaking details.

Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Arno Els Quinton, 36, were found unresponsive in separate rooms at the Hoi An Silverbell Villa resort on Boxing Day (December 26). This devastating incident occurred just three weeks after the couple had gotten engaged. Investigators determined that their deaths were caused by methanol poisoning, a toxic chemical often found in contaminated or improperly made alcohol. The couple had reportedly consumed homemade limoncello, which they had purchased from a local restaurant on Christmas Eve. Police later discovered that two bottles of the lemon liqueur had been delivered to the hotel from a different restaurant.

A friend of the couple, Todd Ford, visited them at 10 p.m. on Christmas Day, about 24 hours after they had drunk the limoncello. At the time, Greta was suffering from what she thought was an extremely bad hangover. She was lying in bed, drinking coconut juice and feeling very sick. She also mentioned that she was seeing “black spots,” which worried her. Ford did not see Arno but spoke to Greta, who told him that Arno had also been feeling unwell and had likely fallen asleep in the room where he kept his computer.

Ford described the scene: “I went up and knocked on the door. I called his name, but there were no lights on in the room. I got Greta some water and checked on her. I asked if she wanted me to break the door down, but she said, ‘He probably fell asleep playing video games, and his hangover is probably worse than mine.’ She didn’t seem too concerned, but looking back, I think he might have already passed away by then because he had drunk a lot more than she had.”

Ford had been asked to check on the couple that evening. When he arrived, Greta was in her pajamas, lying in bed with her rescue dog, Bambi, by her side. She told Ford that her hangover was starting to ease, but she was still having trouble with her vision, which was causing her concern. Ford suggested they go to the hospital, but Greta refused, insisting that she could “sleep it off.”

The tragedy has led to the arrest of a 46-year-old bartender, Le Tan Gia, who is suspected of preparing the deadly limoncello. He was taken into custody on Friday and accused of using 70% medical-grade alcohol—intended only for disinfection—to make the drink. According to reports, Gia mixed the alcohol with filtered water, lemon peels, and white sugar before serving it to the tourists. Homemade alcohol can sometimes contain methanol, a highly toxic substance that can cause blindness, brain damage, and even death.

Le Tan Gia has been charged with violating food safety regulations. A police spokesperson stated: “The Criminal Investigation Police Department of Quang Nam Province arrested the suspect on charges of violating food safety regulations. The prosecution will continue based on evidence that he served the victims methanol-laced drinks, which led to their deaths. The case is currently under investigation and will be handled according to the law.”

This heartbreaking incident highlights the dangers of consuming homemade or improperly prepared alcohol, especially when traveling in areas where regulations may not be strictly enforced. The deaths of Greta and Arno have left their loved ones devastated, and the case serves as a grim reminder of the importance of food and drink safety.