New Jumbo Isopod Species Discovered Off Vietnam, Named After Darth Vader

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.

Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and her fiancé Arno Quinton Els, 36, tragically died due to methanol poisoning while vacationing in Vietnam. Their bodies were discovered on December 26, 2024, at the Hoi An Silverbell villa, where they had been leasing a guesthouse. Family members reported that the couple likely ingested contaminated homemade limoncello purchased from a local restaurant on Christmas Eve. Vietnamese police confirmed the cause of death following autopsies, stating that no signs of external trauma were found on the bodies. Otteson’s parents, who flew to Vietnam for the couple's cremation, expressed their grief, saying: “Both Greta and Arno were experienced worldwide travellers... They were a loving couple with their life ahead of them.” The couple had moved to Vietnam in February 2024 and got engaged just three weeks before their untimely deaths. Authorities have not made any arrests related to the incident, and the restaurant from which the alcohol was believed to have come remains open. The families of Otteson and Els are now seeking justice and wish to hold those responsible for providing the tainted alcohol accountable.

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.