The mother of an Oklahoma woman who died two years after unknowingly drinking a margarita laced with cleaning chemicals while dining out has shared a message to the restaurant.
Kelly Hunter, 54, is mourning the death of her daughter, Holly Hill, a 30‑year‑old third‑grade teacher and mother of three from Elgin.
Holly passed away on October 23, 2025, following years of complications from a horrific Valentine’s Day accident at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
Holly Hill was a third grade teacher and mother of three. Credit: Facebook
Hill had been celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2023 when she took a sip of what she thought was a regular margarita. Within seconds, she felt her mouth and throat burning.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” her mom recalled, per News 9. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, started rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The drink, it was later discovered, had been contaminated with industrial‑strength cleaner, which burned a hole through Hill’s esophagus. Doctors said part of it had been destroyed.
Hill was with her husband at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar in Elgin when she drank the poisoned cocktail. Credit: Google Maps
Two Years of Pain and Procedures
Holly spent the next two and a half years undergoing more than 30 medical procedures in an effort to repair the damage.
Despite frequent hospital visits - often every three weeks and costing nearly $80,000 per stay - she continued teaching and caring for her children whenever her health allowed.
“For the past two and a half years, while continuing to teach and care for her family, Holly faced a long and difficult medical journey,” her obituary read. “Through fighting to survive countless procedures, hospital stays, and uncertain days, she met each challenge with courage, faith, and a quiet strength that inspired everyone around her.”
“She went from being a vivacious, healthy person to having complicated daily medical issues,” her mother told The New York Post. “She used to never miss a sick day, and suddenly she had to carry a med bag and puke bags everywhere we went.”
Doctors had recently noted slight signs of healing before new complications caused her condition to deteriorate rapidly, leading to her death.
Family Outraged at Restaurant Response
In the wake of Holly’s passing, Hunter accused Hacienda Las Margaritas of avoiding responsibility and showing little compassion.
“At the very least, they need to make sure nothing like this happens to anyone else,” she said. “But more than that, I’d like to see them run out of town. I don’t feel like they deserve to be here."
“They did nothing. They avoided us. They never reached out to my daughter. They did nothing,” she added. “Never did they reach out to cover lost wages, gas money or toll money. Never did they make any effort at all to take care of that."
“It’s cost us way more than it will ever cost them,” she said. “I have a 6-year-old grandson that is now growing up with no momma. My son in law is absolutely heartbroken. I had to watch my daughter die in front of me.”
The family previously filed a civil lawsuit against the restaurant, which was settled earlier this year. Hunter said the amount “wasn’t enough” to cover the mounting medical expenses.
“We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life; because they did,” the family told KFox 14. “It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
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The laced cocktail left a hole in Hill’s esophagus. Credit: Facebook/Holly Hill
Restaurant Issues Statement Amid Investigation
Following Hill’s death, the restaurant released a Facebook statement saying everyone was “deeply saddened” and that the business would close for two days “out of respect for Holly and her family.”
The statement read in part: “The incident that occurred at our restaurant in February 2023 was an unfortunate and isolated event."
"At that time, we took several steps to help prevent any recurrence. In consultation with the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission and the Oklahoma State Department of Health, we implemented new staff training and procedural safeguards that remain in effect."
"The individuals involved in that 2023 incident were terminated and have not been employed by or associated with Las Margaritas. The civil matter relating to that incident was resolved earlier this year.”
But Hunter rejected the message outright. “That statement is full of s***,” she said bluntly. “They can’t take it back, but they need to be held accountable.”
Investigation Still Ongoing
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has confirmed that it is reviewing the case alongside the Elgin Police Department.
Elgin Public School Superintendent Nate Meraz has called the loss “unimaginable," adding: “Holly was a dedicated teacher, Elgin alumni, and beloved mother and wife,” he said.
A GoFundMe has been set up, and the proceeds will go to Hill's husband and three kids.