The heartbroken relatives of a woman who lost her life alongside her boyfriend after drinking tainted lemon-flavored alcohol state they are determined for justice.
The victim, thirty-three, and her partner, in his mid-thirties, were located without life on December 26 in the coastal city, the Southeast Asian country, as a outcome of toxic alcohol consumption.
A short time earlier, the woman had contacted her parents, Paul and Susan Otteson, to say she had "a terrible ill feeling imaginable" and was going to sleep, but she passed away in her sleep.
The bartender who reportedly produced the drink was taken into custody in February and is being kept while under investigation. Her relatives say they have had minimal communication from the police.
"This is about responsibility," stated the father, noting: "They are unable to heal."
Toxic alcohol is a variety of compound typically found in industrial supplies, energy sources and coolants.
This substance is comparable to consumable spirits, which is used for cocktails, but it is cheaper and more toxic to humans due to the way it is metabolized by the human system.
At Mr and Mrs Otteson's house in their community, their hometown, a pair of containers rest near the stairs – the first has a stuffed animal sitting on top, the second, a plush bear.
These contain the couple's remains.
"The urns stay in the lounge with the family," shared the father, a former project manager. "I want to put them to rest, but we feel we cannot do that until we get a proper conclusion."
The woman had been residing in the coastal town with her partner, her South African fiance of about two years, where the pair ran a accommodation renting out units to travellers.
Their daughter was an only child, described by her father as "amazing", a "independent soul" and a "committed professional" who studied in Wales, France and America.
In the autumn month, Greta's dad, in his seventies and Greta's mum, 70, had journeyed to Southeast Asia, meeting Greta's partner for the initial occasion, and the pair revealed their commitment soon afterwards.
"It was heartwarming – everyone were so content," recalled Greta's parent, who described the man as "reserved but highly intelligent" and someone he "would have loved to have as a son in law."
During their trip, the group enjoyed meals a multiple times at an Italian eatery, a well known establishment, where they liked the cuisine and accepted gratis servings of handcrafted specialty drink at the finish.
Some weeks later, when the parents had departed the country and were trying to decide on a seasonal offering for the young couple, they remembered the venue and its containers of the beverage and decided to order a number of them for shipping to their daughter's house.
It was a decision that would have the tragic outcomes.
Just hours of consuming the drink, Greta contacted her family on the holiday to say she had a severe sickness and was seeing dizziness but dismissed recommendations from family, and a visitor who had stopped by, to seek professional assistance.
The pair were pronounced dead in individual areas of the property on the following day. Moments later, Paul and Susan were on a plane to the country.
Greta's dad described the significant public speculation that came after as well as the challenge to manage the practicalities of dealing with a tragedy in a overseas country.
It was quickly before post mortem examinations revealed the victims had succumbed from severe methanol poisoning.
During early this year, investigators apprehended a bartender who served in a restaurant in the area for "breaking rules on food safety" by "utilizing used strong medical grade ethanol, mixed with tap water, lemon peel and white sugar to produce several units of the beverage."
Based on national legal codes, the offence could result in a highest sentence of multiple years.
Hundreds of people are harmed by toxic alcohol every year in Southeast Asian nations, as stated by charity entities.
The couple's passing came mere weeks after six people were killed of toxic consumption in Laos, a country which borders Vietnam.
Paul and Susan were warned investigations are slow in the country, with the chance of a accused being held for a extended period before being indicted or let go.
They expressed the period for resolution was becoming extremely difficult.
"I just want accountability," stated the father. "We can't move on. Greta's mother says to me each day when we rise, 'is there updates? Have there been news?' I have to say 'no, no news yet'."
"It's about answers," he noted. "Closure for me and Susan would be identifying the parties involved and prosecuting them."
The couple mentioned they also felt "deeply disturbed" the establishment where they had purchased the beverage was continuing business and had not openly apologised.
"They just continued as if no incident has occurred," said Greta's parent.
In the case of Paul and Susan, the grief is still very intense.
Greta's dad
