The couple had taken out a lease on the nine-bedroom guesthouse and had been hosting guests at the property, according to U.K. newspaperThe Times.
TheTimesreported in a story published on Saturday, Jan. 25, that Vietnamese police confirmed Els and Otteson — who moved to the country in February 2024 and had gotten engaged three weeks before their deaths — died from methanol poisoning, likely from contaminated alcohol after consuming tainted “homemade” limoncello bought from a local restaurant on Christmas Eve.
Vietnam NewsandThe Guardianpreviously reported that several empty alcohol bottles had been found at the scene. The local outlet stated in a Dec. 30 article that “initial findings showed no signs of scratches or external force on the bodies,” citing Quảng Nam Provincial police.
Arno Quinton Els and Greta Marie Otteson.Greta Otteson/Facebook
Greta Otteson/Facebook
“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,” Otteson’s parents said.
“They were a loving couple with their life ahead of them. The tributes we have had from around the world are unbelievable. Our aim is to bring the people who supplied the alcohol and killed Greta and Arno to justice.”
Greta Marie Otteson and Arno Quinton Els.Greta Otteson/Facebook
According toThe Guardian, both Otteson and Els had registered for long-term temporary residence at the tourist villa since July 4, 2024.
Susan and Paul, who are from Wales but now live in Bahrain, reportedly flew to Vietnam for the couple’s cremation earlier this month and have since returned to their home with their ashes, according toThe Times.
The Hoi An Silverbell villa did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
A photo of Hội An in Vietnam.Quang Ngoc Nguyen/Getty
Quang Ngoc Nguyen/Getty
According to Otteson’sFacebookprofile, she was the founder and social media manager of a company called Not Sorry Socials, while Els' career included working as a stand-up comedian, per hisFacebookpage.
In a video posted on the Red Eye StudiosYouTubepage in December, the couple — who according to Els met in the Middle East before moving to Vietnam — spoke about their engagement as they prepared to surprise family and friends with the news.
“We’re just two people from opposite ends of the world, living in Asia, doing it together,” Els said in the video, “which is quite precious.”
The couple’s death came just weeks after six tourists — including an American man — died in Laos in November 2024 afterdrinking alcohol that authorities suspected was tainted with methanol.
source: people.com
