Community

Carmarthenshire parents’ heartbreak after daughter poisoned in Vietnam

Published

3 months ago

September 19, 2025

THE DEVASTATED parents of a woman who died alongside her fiancé in Vietnam have spoken of their ongoing fight for justice – from their quiet home in rural Carmarthenshire.

Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her partner Arno Els Quinton, 36, were found dead in their villa in Hoi An on Boxing Day last year after drinking homemade limoncello later found to contain methanol.

***Paul and Susan Otteson live near Llandovery***

Her parents, Paul and Susan Otteson, who now live in Rhandirmwyn, near Llandovery, revealed this week that it was they who had ordered bottles of the drink as a Christmas gift – a decision they now say will haunt them forever.

Tragic discovery

The young couple, who had recently got engaged, were running a guesthouse in Vietnam and had built a life together abroad. But just days after celebrating Christmas, both were found dead in separate rooms by a cleaner.

Tests confirmed they had been poisoned by methanol, commonly found in counterfeit or home-brewed alcohol.

Paul and Susan had first tasted the drink during a family visit in November when Greta and Arno took them to a local restaurant. Impressed, they arranged for bottles of the liqueur to be delivered to the villa as a festive surprise.

Soon after, Greta texted her parents to say she had the “worst hangover ever” and was seeing black spots. Friends urged her to seek medical help, but the couple decided to rest. Three days later, they were gone.

Justice still awaited

The barman accused of making the drink was arrested in February, but the case remains unresolved. Paul, originally from Swansea, said the wait for answers has been “unbearable”:

“It’s about accountability. We can’t move on until those responsible are named and prosecuted.”

Greta and Arno’s ashes remain in the Ottesons’ Carmarthenshire home, placed in two bags marked with a pink bunny and a blue bear. Their parents cannot bring themselves to lay the couple to rest until justice is served.

Remembering Greta and Arno

Greta, a digital strategist who ran her own marketing agency, had previously lived in Dubai and travelled widely before settling in Vietnam. Arno was a barista, musician, and composer.

Paul and Susan said their daughter had finally found happiness: “They had their perfect home and were planning for the future. We were so happy she picked Arno – he was such a lovely boy.”

Friends and family across the world have paid tribute to the couple, whose love story was celebrated in an engagement video just weeks before their deaths.

For Paul and Susan, life in the Carmarthenshire hills now carries a permanent shadow – a daily reminder of the two lives cut short by a drink that should never have been served.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

7 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

8 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).