Community

Carmarthenshire parents’ heartbreak after daughter poisoned in Vietnam

Published

9 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

Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia

Published

32 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A 32-YEAR-OLD man found dead near Carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.

Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.

A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.

Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.

Police initially treated the death as unexplained.

Movements traced

The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen.

He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.

The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”.

The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.

A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.

The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.

Community

Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments

Published

46 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.

The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.

New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.

At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.

One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.

The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.

Community

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

Published

6 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.

Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].

The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.