British Couple Dies from Methanol Poisoning in Vietnam Villa

A British woman and her South African fiancé were found dead at their villa in Vietnam in December 2024, and authorities have determined that methanol poisoning from contaminated alcohol was the cause of death. The couple, identified as Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Arno Quinto Els, 36, had recently moved to Vietnam and gotten engaged just weeks before their untimely deaths. The couple was found in separate rooms at the Hoi An Silverbell Villa. They had consumed tainted homemade limoncello that they ordered from a local restaurant on Christmas Eve. The following day, Otteson contacted her parents via WhatsApp, reporting severe hangover symptoms, including seeing "black spots" in her vision. Despite a friend's offer to take them to the hospital, the couple declined help. Following the discovery of their bodies, police found empty liquor bottles at the scene, leading to the autopsy results confirming methanol poisoning as the cause of death. Their families described them as experienced travelers who were excited about their life in Vietnam. Otteson’s parents have expressed their intention to seek justice for their daughter and her fiancé. No arrests have been made in relation to the case, and the name of the restaurant where the alcohol was purchased has not been disclosed.

Scientists have recently identified a new species of 'supergiant' sea bug in Vietnam and have named it Bathynomus vaderi, drawing inspiration from the iconic Star Wars character, Darth Vader. The creature's head resembles the Sith Lord's helmet, leading to this unique name. The Bathynomus vaderi can grow up to 32.5 cm in length and weigh over a kilogram. The discovery was made during a study focused on culinary trends in Vietnam, where these giant isopods, known locally as "bo bein," are increasingly being recognized as a delicacy. The quality of their meat is often compared to that of lobster. Smaller restaurants keep these bugs in ice, while larger establishments maintain them in tanks of chilled water for display. Despite their large size, Bathynomus vaderi is one of several species in the Bathynomus genus, which inhabit deep waters, notably near the Spratly Islands in the contested South China Sea. The market price for these supergiant isopods has fluctuated over recent years, decreasing from Rs 6,854 per kilogram in 2017 to approximately Rs 3,400 per kilogram in early 2024, thanks to increased demand and availability. While B. vaderi is impressive, it is not the largest isopod species—this title belongs to Bathynomus jamesi, which can reach lengths of up to 50 cm and weights of about 2.6 kilograms. The presence of these remarkable creatures reveals the unexplored biological diversity lurking beneath our oceans.

Researchers in Southeast Asia have identified a new species of giant isopod, named Bathynomus vaderi, after the iconic Star Wars character, Darth Vader. Measuring 12.8 inches long and weighing 2.2 pounds, this colossal creature was discovered near the Spratly Islands by scientists from Hanoi University and their colleagues from Singapore. The isopod resembles its terrestrial cousin, the sow bug, and inhabits depths of cold seawater. Initially captured at a seafood market in Quy Nhơn City, the discovery marks the first identification of this species, which has never been described before in scientific literature. B. vaderi is carnivorous, feeding on crustaceans, fish, squid, and even whale carcasses. It has drawn interest for both its ecological significance and its status as a delicacy in certain Asian markets, where large isopods are sold live. However, researchers caution that the rising demand could threaten the species, emphasizing the need for sustainable harvesting practices. Further studies are planned to assess the distribution of B. vaderi beyond its initial discovery location, with hopes that additional populations may exist in the surrounding waters.