tourist dies in dominican republic 2023

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Dominican Republic shooting: 9-year-old American tourist killed on spring break trip

Long-time family friend orchestrated robbery gone bad, uncle of Gioser Luis Féliz says; 6 arrested in connection with shooting

SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic -- Six men are under arrest in the Dominican Republic and charged in the deadly shooting and attempted robbery of a 9-year-old boy, and according to a family member of the victims, two of the suspects are family friends.

Gioser Luis Féliz, 9, was shot in the head on Wednesday in Santiago after arriving from New York with his father.

Reports say Gioser and his dad, Sergio Luis Feliz Mancebo, took off from JFK Airport on Wednesday for a spring break trip to see family.

They met up with a driver at Cibao International Airport to set off on what was supposed to be a six-day trip of making memories.

Police say just moments after getting in the car, that vehicle was swarmed by a group of robbers.

The driver refused to stop, and that's when the suspects pulled out their weapons and unleased a hail of bullets on the vehicle.

A bullet hole pierced the left rear passenger side window of the rented Honda CRV. The 4th-grader was riding in the back seat when he was struck in the head.

"I just looked back and saw my son bleeding out," the victim's father said.

He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

Five men were arrested Thursday, less than 24 hours after the crime. Police say they confessed to the shooting and were due in court.

They were identified as Luis Ángel Vargas Brito, 18 years old; Derlin Javier Mercado Martinez, Cesar Junior Ulloa Cuevas; José Manuel Almonte Santana (Buki), 20 years old, and Elian Martínez Sánchez (Odalis), 22 -- all residents of the Cienfuegos section of Santiago.

On Friday, officials announced a sixth man, Tomás Peña Morel Tomacito, 32, was also arrested in connection to the deadly shooting.

Police also said five women were detained for investigative purposes.

Eyewitness News reporter Darla Miles spoke with Julian Feliz, the uncle of Gioser and the brother of his father, Sergio. He said that two of the men charged, Morel Tomacito and Mercado Martinez, are family friends. Feliz said Morel Tomacito has known Mancebo his whole life and is like a brother to him. He says the women being detained are the girlfriends of the other suspects and that investigators are trying to find out what they know.

According to Feliz, Morel Tomacito was there two weeks ago and knew of the upcoming trip, set Mancebo up and was the ringleader who orchestrated the robbery gone bad. He says Martinez helped to monitor Mancebo's movement. Both are in the Dominican Republic. The driver of the family's SUV is not involved, Feliz says.

Initially, the family just thought it was a random, violent crime.

Feliz says Mancebo's was excited to see his mother and for Gioser to see his grandmother for just the second time in his life. Feliz says that it was perceived that because Mancebo was on vacation that he brought a large amount of cash.

"When you go on a vacation you're going to spend money, so over there, they don't know if you're carrying $100 or you're carrying $1,000, so they try to rob you to find out what you have on," Feliz said.

Authorities are still working to find the murder weapon and are continuing their investigation.

A wake was held on Friday. Preparations are now underway to transport the child's body back to the United States. A funeral is expected to be held next week in the Bronx.

His heartbroken father is still in the Dominican Republic trying to get answers.

The president of the Dominican Republic tweeted and said he has been following the case and justice must be ensured in the courts.

Related Topics

• DEADLY SHOOTING
• FATAL SHOOTING
• ATTEMPTED ROBBERY
• CHILD KILLED
• U.S. & WORLD
• DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
• ARMED ROBBERY

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11 U.S. Tourists Have Died in the Dominican Republic in 2019. Should You Cancel Your Trip?

T he State Department confirmed to TIME that 46-year-old Denver resident, Khalid Adkins, died in the Dominican Republic on June 25, raising the number of U.S. tourist deaths in the Caribbean country in 2019 to 11.

Amid the headlines about tourist deaths, Delta Airlines announced it would allow passengers with tickets to Punta Cana, where at least three U.S. tourists have died––to cancel or reschedule their flights “due to recent events.”

Delta passengers who purchased tickets to Punta Cana airport before June 21 have until Aug. 15 to reschedule their flights to any date on or before Nov. 20, without being charged a change fee.

Passengers who choose to cancel their flights entirely have a year from the booking date to use the credits.

Last week, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino announced it would be removing liquor dispensers from all guest rooms at the Punta Cana location, along with other safety measures. In a statement, the hotel clarified that it was doing this based on “guest feedback” and to “enhance safety moving forward,” not due to reports that some U.S. tourist deaths may have been caused by tainted alcohol. Neither U.S. nor Dominican officials have confirmed reports that authorities were investigating tainted alcohol.

According to Hard Rock, in addition to removing the liquor dispensers, all alcohol on the property will be brand-name and sourced from the U.S. except speciality drinks from the Dominican Republic, including Presidente beer.

Additionally, Hard Rock’s Punta Cana location will hire a U.S.-based healthcare facility and will contract a U.S.-based 3rd party testing lab to inspect and test all food and beverages.

The headlines about American tourists dying and have fueled speculation among travelers that the Caribbean country is an unsafe destination for travelers.

Safety concerns began to arise in May, when three seemingly healthy American tourists suddenly died in the same resort within the same week. The FBI has confirmed that it is assisting Dominican police with the investigations. The State Department said there has been no evidence of foul play and no sign that the deaths are connected.

Despite the tragic headlines, safety experts are cautioning travelers not to rush to conclusions. The connections, they say, are not immediately apparent and safety experts in particular say that the country is no more dangerous than it was before. “It’s not an overly dangerous place,” Matthew Bradley, a former CIA agent and current Regional Security Director of International SOS, a travel security company, tells TIME. “I would still consider the Dominican Republic a safe place to go.”

According to the State Department, last year 13 U.S. citizens died while traveling to the Dominican Republic. The number was 17 in 2017. More than 2.7 million U.S. tourists visited the island in 2017, making the island the fourth most popular travel destination for Americans.

In a statement, a State Department spokesperson tells TIME that there has not been an increase in the reported deaths of American tourist in the Dominican Republic.

“We have not seen an uptick in the number of U.S. citizen deaths reported to the Department,” the statement said.

But for those millions of travelers with trips booked, police and resort officials are asking the public to wait for conclusions from investigations before making assumptions — and denying there is anything nefarious at play.

11 American tourists have died in the Dominican Republic this year

This year there have been multiple high-profile cases involving American tourists dying while staying in the Dominican Republic. Seven deaths have been attributed to tourists becoming ill and dying of health related issues.

Khalid Adkins

According to the GoFundMe page started by his sister-in-law, Marla Strick, Adkins traveled to the Dominican Republic with his daughter last week when he suddenly became sick. During his flight back to Colorado on Sunday, Adkins became ill on the plane, vomiting, and was forced to go to a hospital in Santo Domingo.

Strick confirmed Adkins died on Tuesday and his family is raising funds to cover cost for him to return home. As of Thursday, the fundraiser has raised $21,903 out of it’s $20,000 goal.

“We need to get his body home anything helps please!!,” Strick posted. “We really want to know what happened! We just want to get his body home to hopefully get some answers.”

Jerry Curan

Curran, 78, died on Jan . 26 just days after traveling to the DR with his wife, according to NBC affiliate WKYC .

The family is suspicious about the death after Curran threw up and was unresponsive shortly after he and his wife had dinner the night they arrived, WKYC reports.

He was staying at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana.

“We want to find out what happened and why did he die,” Kellie Brown told WKYC.

Jerry Curran’s death certificate says he died Saturday January 26, but his family isn’t sure. https://t.co/qSYajovW0m — First Coast News (@FCN2go) June 14, 2019

Orlando Moore and Portia Ravenelle

In April, the bodies of New York City couple Orlando Moore, 40, and Portia Ravenelle, 52, were found after being reported missing for weeks. Dominican authorities confirmed that the couple died in a car accident in Santo Domingo.

Orlando Moore and his girlfriend, Portia Ravenelle, were supposed to return from the Dominican Republic on March 27. Police confirmed the couple checked out of their hotel, but family members say neither made it on the flight back home. https://t.co/S4UTw47xsw — NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) April 9, 2019

Robert Wallace

Relatives of Wallace, 67, told Fox News that he had died after visiting the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Resort in Punta Cana. His niece Chloe Arnold told Fox that on April 11, Wallace fell ill after having a Scotch from his hotel room’s mini bar. After being checked by a hotel doctor on April 13, Wallace was sent to the hospital where he died on April 14.

Arnold described her uncle as an avid traveler in good health. His obituary says he passed “unexpectedly while vacationing in the Dominican Republic.”

Arnold told Fox that Dominican authorities have not yet confirmed her uncle’s cause of death.

“We have so many questions,” she said. “We don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”

Robert Wallace died three days after falling ill at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in April. https://t.co/zA1s0azGZw — Gage Goulding - KPRC 2 (@GageGoulding) June 11, 2019

Miranda Schaup-Werner

Schaup-Werner, 41, was found unresponsive by hotel staff in her Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville resort hotel room on May 25. According to the hotel, which is located in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican authorities concluded she had suffered a heart attack. In a statement, Bahia Principe said her husband, who Schaup-Werner was traveling with, confirmed she had a history of heart conditions.

Miranda Schaup-Werner, the first of three American tourists to die mysteriously within a week at a Dominican Republic resort, succumbed to a heart attack, the Caribbean island's attorney general said.​ https://t.co/zQa1Knttnl — WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) June 11, 2019

Cynthia Day and Nathaniel Holmes

Five days after the death of Schaup-Werner, Day, 49, and Holmes, 63, a couple from Maryland were found in their hotel rooms, unresponsive. They were staying at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana, which is less than a mile away from sister resort Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville where Schaup-Werner was staying. The case is still under investigation and there were no signs of violence in the case, according to the resort.

In response to the information that has been circulating in different media outlets regarding the two unfortunate events in the Dominican Republic, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts would like to clarify the following: pic.twitter.com/Pg8QFmaq1L — BahiaPrincipeHotels (@BahiaPrincipe) June 5, 2019

Leyla Cox, 53, was found dead in her hotel room on June 11 while staying at the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana.

“I am overwhelmed and confused and in shock,” William Cox, 25, Leyla’s son told the Staten Island Advance . “Her birthday was June 9 and she passed away on June 10.”

Leyla Cox, 53, died Tuesday, and another family has reported that their loved one died in the Dominican Republic in January. https://t.co/x7jxoGRtMp — NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) June 14, 2019

Joseph Allen

Allen, a New Jersey native, died while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, a State Department spokesperson confirms to TIME. Allen was found dead in his hotel room at Terra Linda Sosua on June 13, according to WABC in New York .

Jamie Reed, his sister, told WABC that her brother was celebrating a friend’s birthday and regularly visited the area.

“We didn’t think anything of it, because he does this all the time,” she told WABC.

It was really heartbreaking speaking to the family of Joseph Allen just a day after he was found dead. The 8th confirmed American tourist death in the Dominican Republic in the last year. Here's what Joseph's sister Jamie had to say: https://t.co/X5irvKaFzB — Stephanie Wash (@WashNews) June 17, 2019

Vittorio Caruso

Caruso, 56, died on June 17 after staying at the Boca Chica Resort in Santo Domingo.

His family told Fox News that he had been traveling by himself and he was in good health.

His sister-in-law, Lisa Maria Caruso, said Caruso was taken to a hospital in respiratory distress after “drinking something.”

The family is still awaiting autopsy reports but said they have been told “conflicting stories from different people” about the circumstances surrounding Caruso’s death.

Dominican Republic Tourist Deaths: Long Island Community Shocked Over Loss Of Former Pizzeria Owner https://t.co/QG4Zh1B7RB — CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) June 24, 2019

Other high-profile incidents

David Ortiz , the former Red Sox slugger, was ambushed on June 9 while sitting outside a lounge bar in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital and largest city. Surveillance footage of the attack shows a motorist approaching Ortiz and opening fire, striking the retired baseball star and others in his group.

Dominican authorities on June 17 identified the man they believe paid hit men to try and kill Ortiz, adding that they were closing in on the mastermind and motive behind the shooting, the Associated Press reported. Authorities have 10 people in custody related to the shooting and are looking for at least two others.

Dozens of members of the Central Oklahoma Parrothead Association , a group for fans of Jimmy Buffet and trop rock, say they fell “seriously ill” days into their stay at the Hotel Riu Palace Macao in Punta Cana in April.

Dana Flowers, a member and the travel agent, tells TIME that 47 of the 114 members traveling with the group got sick almost immediately, including him.

“It was as bad as it gets,” he says.”Three days in we started noticing people did not make it to concerts and events, it was then we realized they were all sick. It all happened pretty quickly and in pretty good numbers, it was obvious that something is not right. We all thought it was food poisoning and so we went with that, you know this kind of thing happens occasionally, but then the numbers grew and we knew it was a serious issue.”

Flowers says a few members of the group visited the resort’s doctor who gave patients medication for parasites.

RIU Hotels & Resorts, where the group, stayed tells TIME that doctors at the hotel treated three patients for gastroenteritis and were not able to determine the source of their stomach flu.

How safe is the Dominican Republic?

State Department issued a level two (out of four) safety warning for the Dominican Republic in April 2019. The warning advises travelers exercise increased caution due to violent crime in the country, which include armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault. The State Department says that resort areas tend to be better policed and safer that urban areas for travelers.

Bradley, the International SOS analyst, says there is likely a reasonable explanation for the spate of tourist deaths.

“It’s the mystery around the deaths that is driving the speculation,” he tells TIME. “American tourists pass away frequently around the world, several in a day, it’s not unusual. But it is unusual hearing about Americans passing away abroad without it being something like a terrorist attack. We usually don’t hear about tourists dying of heart attacks or in their sleep, but that happens everyday with tourist traveling abroad, it is nothing unique to the Dominican Republic.”

He says prospective travelers who are concerned about the recent deaths, should make sure they have a plan for what to do if they get ill. Bradley suggests travelers should have the phone number for the best nearby hospitals and should check with their insurance providers to make sure they will be covered while traveling. He says travelers can ask hotels whether they offer on-site medical assistance. Travelers can also make arrangements to get immediate medical care back home if they have to leave unexpectedly.

“I don’t think people should distrust Dominican officials,” he adds. “They’re working with what they have. Like they said, 2 million Americans visit DR (Dominican Republic) every year and only a handful have died.”

Bradley says he would advise anyone worried about traveling to the Dominican Republic to take the same precautions they would when going anywhere else.

“These incidents, while recent, in my mind don’t indicate Dominican Republic is any less safe than it was before,” Bradley says. “I would tell people to continue with trips.”

Considering the level two safety ranking from the State Department, Bradley advises travelers not to go anywhere alone, especially at night. And if you do wander on your own, Bradley says , let a companion know when you plan on returning so they can be aware something is amiss if you do not return. “Travel has risk,” Bradley says. “People should be aware before they travel where they are going and plan accordingly, if they do, they usually travel safely.”

Dr. Robert Quigley, Senior Vice President and Regional Medical Director of International SOS says travelers should take extra precaution with their health when away from home.

He advises travelers to visit a doctor prior to embarking on their trip, especially if they might have a chronic medical condition or cardiovascular disease. Quigley says sleep deprivation and stress can “exacerbate underlying, and sometimes asymptomatic, serious cardiovascular diseases.”

He also advised travelers to pack extra medication in case their trip home is delayed.

Will tourism in the Dominican Republic be affected?

As the stories continue to emerge, some travelers have taken to social media to voice concerns about traveling to the Caribbean country. While officials at the Dominican Ministry of Tourism told TIME they were not able to elaborate on the situation because of the ongoing investigation, Francisco Javier García, the Minister of Tourism for Dominican Republic said that the investigations are not affecting the number of tourist visiting the country.

“These cases are very regrettable, but isolated.” he said at a press conference in June. “Investigation into them is a top priority for us and for the National Police. We are asking them to deploy all resources to help provide answers as quickly as possible.”

He called the Dominican Republic a “tranquil, peaceful destination and the safest in the region,” and said tourists can “be assured that the authorities are working hard to clarify these incidents.”

Despite the reassurance, some travelers are saying the incidents have cast doubt on the safety of the country and are refusing to take a chance.

Until the Dominican Republic can pinpoint what is happening to tourist in their country, please stay out of the DR. If you have a hotel, cancel it. We cannot support a country that is not handling this with the utmost confidence that they will find the person/persons. RT — Macrö (@hayxteci) June 18, 2019

Been contemplating canceling my vacation to the Dominican Republic, but David Ortiz getting shot is the last straw. — Hank Mardukas (@HankMardukas93) June 10, 2019

Correction June 27

The original version of this story misstated the Dominican Republic’s largest city. It is Santo Domingo, not Punta Cana

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American Tourist Deaths In The Dominican Republic: What We Know

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• Destinations
• Dominican Republic
• Mexico and Caribbean
• News and Tips
• Travel News

According to a tweet by Dominican government spokesman Rodrigo Rodriguez Marchena, “More than 41 million tourists have visited the Dominican Republic since 2012. [It’s] the largest, fastest growing, tourism destination of the insular Caribbean.” Beachgoers bound for the Dominican Republic expect sunny weather, blue waters, and welcoming resorts, but as of late, Dominican tourism has been cast in a less-than-inviting light. Within the last year, this popular vacation spot has become a nightmare for numerous families as they have had to mourn the loss of loved ones who ventured off to the Caribbean country for sand and sun but didn’t return home alive.

In the last year, there have been nine American tourist deaths in the Dominican Republic and people have been led to believe that they aren’t just coincidental. The mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths have raised quite a few eyebrows and sparked questions about the safety of the country, especially for tourists. Many people are looking to get to the bottom of the escalating crisis, but have come up short in finding the answers they’re desperate for.

Here are the Dominican properties where tourists have passed away, plus the details we know about each individual.

pixelparticle / Shutterstock

Terra Linda Resort In Sosua

There has been one recent American tourist death at this resort.

Joseph Allen, 55

Joseph traveled to the resort to celebrate a friend’s birthday but was confirmed dead June 13, 2019, in his hotel room. His family told NBC News that he had complained about the heat the night before and then returned to his room to take a shower and lay down.

Jason Allen, Joseph’s brother, told NBC New York, “The maid opens the door, screams, slams the door. My brother is on the floor dead, between his room and the bathroom.”

Jason wants an investigation conducted to get to the bottom of what happened to his brother.

“I’d rather not guess because you will drive yourself crazy with that, but I do think something is off and I think it needs to be investigated no matter how much money or how much time it is,” Jason said.

Valentin Valkov / Shutterstock

Excellence Resorts In Punta Cana

Leyla cox, 53.

Cox is the eighth American to die while visiting the Dominican Republic. Originally the hotel told CNN that Cox wasn’t feeling well and was then taken to the hospital. In a later statement, the resort said Cox died in her hotel room on June 10, 2019, due to a heart attack.

Excellence Resort offered up their condolences to those affected by the trail of recent incidents according to CNN, but Cox’s son is not convinced by the hotel’s claims about the cause of his mother’s death.

Will Cox expressed his doubts to CNN affiliate WCBS: “I truly believe if she was anywhere else in the world besides the Dominican Republic she’d be alive right now.”

AeroPictures / Shutterstock

Grand Bahia Principe La Romana

There have been four recent American tourist deaths, including the death of a couple, at this resort.

Edward Nathaniel Holmes, 63, And Cynthia Ann Day, 49

Holmes and Day were an engaged couple in the Dominican Republic on vacation. The day they were to return home, May 30, they were found dead in their hotel room. Holmes’s cause of death was found to be linked to having an enlarged heart and cirrhosis of his liver which authorities are linking to a preexisting condition. Day had fluid on her brain according to CNN. Both Holmes and Day had fluid in their lungs.

The families of Day and Holmes are still seeking their own answers as to how the couple died.

“The families are determined to find out what happened and why. At this time the cause of death remains a mystery,” Steven Bullock, a lawyer representing the couple’s family, told People magazine .

Miranda Schaup-Werner, 41

Schaup-Werner checked into the resort on May 25 with her husband, Dan. Family spokesman, Jay McDonald, told WFMZ-TV Schaup-Werner had a drink from the minibar and fell ill directly after.

“At one point, she was sitting there happily smiling and taking pictures, and the next moment she was in acute pain and called out for Dan and she collapsed,” McDonald told WFMZ.

Schaup-Werner died from a heart attack, pulmonary edema, and respiratory failure according to a report by NBC Washington.

Yvette Monique Sport, 51

Sport traveled to the Dominican Republic in June of 2018 and unfortunately did not return alive.

Sport’s sister, Felecia Nieves, told NBC10 Philadelphia “She drank from the mini-bar, took a shower, and wanted to retire for the evening.”

Sport went to the resort with her fiance. Nieves told CNN Sport’s fiance heard her make “a gurgling sound” in her sleep, and NBC10 reported that when Sport’s fiance woke up the next morning, Sport was unresponsive.

Nieves went on to tell NBC10, “He tried to nudge her again and there was no sound and then she was gone.”

The death certificate states Sport died of a heart attack, but Nieves reports that her sister was healthy.

gg-foto / Shutterstock

Hard Rock Hotel And Casino In Punta Cana

There have been two recent American tourist deaths at this resort.

Robert Wallace, 67

Wallace went to the Dominican Republic to witness his stepson’s wedding , but became ill at the hotel and had to be hospitalized.

FOX40 says he grabbed a bottle of scotch from the minibar and that’s when his health began to decline. According to CNN, he was reported dead on April 12.

Wallace’s stepson, Tommy Tickenhoff, told FOX40, “We didn’t find out until the next morning that he had passed, which is another weird thing. My mom and brother had been in touch with the hospital and they didn’t reach out and tell us any answers until the next morning.”

David Harrison, 45

Dawn McCoy told CNN her husband, Harrison, returned to their room after an early morning snorkel outing and reported not feeling well. He woke up the next morning sweating and unable to breathe or get up.

McCoy shared with FOX 5 DC that she called for an ambulance multiple times but the resort would only send a doctor, who took over 20 minutes to arrive.

Harrison died and McCoy had him cremated but said she wished she had gotten a second autopsy after hearing about other deaths in the Dominican Republic that involved the same symptoms as her husband’s.

Unnamed Location

John corcoran, 64.

Corcoran was the brother of Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran. He was on vacation with friends in the Dominican Republic when he died. Barbara told her Instagram followers that her brother vacationed there often in a post she made regarding the cause of his death. Barbara believes her brother’s death was unrelated to other tourist deaths reported on the island, noting that he had an existing heart condition.

Barbara told TMZ that to her knowledge, her brother’s body did not undergo an autopsy .

John’s daughter, Nichole Lande, told People that it was a coincidence that her father’s death happened in the Dominican Republic after several other tourists’ deaths had been reported. She agreed with her aunt that her father had a preexisting heart condition and said she wasn’t shocked by his death. Lande says that the circumstances surrounding her father’s death were completely different than the other deaths — no minibar, no bad air conditioner, lodging at a private home in a different city.

Lande told People , “This isn’t a mystery to us. It’s just the sad loss of a father and grandfather who everyone is missing right now.” She expressed sympathy for “the families who have questions about their loved ones’ deaths,” but said of her father’s passing, “We know what happened, and we have closure.”

The Dominican Continues To Invite Tourism

Despite the several deaths within the last year, the Dominican Republic still urges people to travel to “one of the region’s top tourism destinations,” according to CNN.

In his June 15, 2019 tweet , Dominican spokesperson Rodriguez-Marchena said, “14 million [tourists to the Dominican] came from the United States of America. #BeFairWithDR.”

Many Americans have become hesitant to travel to the Dominican Republic given the stream of reporting on mysterious deaths, but Dominican and U.S. officials maintain that travel to the Dominican Republic isn’t any more dangerous than it was before reporting on these deaths began.

Matthew Bradley, regional security director for risk management firm International SOS, told CNN, “These incidents, while recent, in my mind, don’t indicate the Dominican Republic is any less safe than it was before. I would tell people to continue with trips.”

The trail of deaths in the past year has been heart-wrenching to many travelers’ families and friends. Although there have been no updates on the deaths being related, many people are still questioning the similarities between them and awaiting more answers.

Traneah is a college student interning with TravelAwaits as a content writer for the summer of 2019. She enjoys writing about various topics and writes on her own lifestyle blog, NaeIsMe , in her free time. She hopes to continue writing upon graduating with her English non-teaching degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

• Nation & World

American deaths in the Dominican Republic: What we know

At least eight Americans have died in their rooms at resorts in the Dominican Republic under somewhat mysterious circumstances since the start of the year, according to news reports. Some of the victims are said to have consumed alcohol before falling ill.

Besides the deaths, dozens of people have reported getting sick while at island resorts, including 47 Jimmy Buffet fans who, People magazine reported, became violently ill during a tour to the Dominican Republic in April.

Here’s what we know and don’t know about the mystery.

Who are the Americans who died?

Joseph Allen, 55, of Avenel, N.J., was found dead June 13 in a hotel room at the Terra Linda in Sousa after complaining to friends he did not feel well, WABC-TV reported.

Leyla Cox, 53, of Staten Island, N.Y., died June 11 while on a return visit to the Excellence resort in Punta Cana to celebrate her birthday, her son told NBC News. Will Cox said his family was trying to find out the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death.

Cynthia Ann Day, 49, and Nathaniel Edward Holmes, 63, of Maryland, were found dead in their room May 30 at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana after they did not check out as planned.

Miranda Schaup-Werner, 41, of Allentown, Pa., fell ill and died May 25 after checking into the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville and taking a drink from the minibar.

John Corcoran, a retired roofing and siding executive in his 60s from Edgewater, N.J., and brother of “Shark Tank” star Barbara Corcoran, was found dead at the end of April in his room at an unidentified hotel in the Dominican Republic, Fox News reported.

Robert Bell Wallace, 67, of California, died April 14 after drinking a scotch from the minibar at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana and getting sick, his family told Fox News.

Jerry Curran, 78, a retiree living in Florida, died in January after falling ill following dinner and drinks the night of his arrival at Dreams Resort in Punta Cana, family members told WKYC-TV in Cleveland.

What were the causes of death?

No causes have been reported yet in the deaths of Allen, Cox and Wallace, but Dominican Republic officials and the resorts have said the others died of natural causes.

The deaths of Day, Holmes and Schaup-Werner were attributed to enlarged hearts, internal bleeding and pulmonary edema or fluid in the lungs.

Curran’s daughter, Kellie Brown, told WKYC that pulmonary edema was among the causes listed in his death.

Corcoran’s family said his cause of death was listed as a heart attack. Both Corcoran and Schaup-Werner had previous heart conditions, their families said.

Toxicology tests either are still pending or have not been officially reported in any of the cases.

Suspicions surrounding bootleg liquor, toxins

Investigators are looking into bootleg liquor as a possible cause in the tourist deaths, the New York Post reported.

In 2017, Dominican National Police dismantled five labs used for the manufacture of alcohol not safe for human consumption after five residents died from drinking tainted booze, according to the Post and NBC News.

Experts say another possibility is exposure to toxic chemicals like the pesticide that poisoned a Delaware family on a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2015. In that case, a man and his two sons experienced paralysis and were hospitalized for an extended period after they were sickened by methyl bromide, which was banned for indoor residential use in 1984 but had been used to treat the condo where they were staying.

What is the United States doing?

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI are assisting in the investigations, officials said.

“The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo is actively working with the government of the Dominican Republic and the private sector at the highest levels to ensure that U.S. citizens are safe and feel safe while in the Dominican Republic,” the embassy said in a statement.

The State Department has not issued an advisory against traveling to the Dominican Republic but already warns tourist to use caution on the island because of the level of violent crime, The Washington Post reports. It also warns travelers not to drink alcohol alone or with new acquaintances, or to leave drinks unattended. U.S. citizens have been the targets of “date rape drugs” at parties and resorts, according to the warning.

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Minister: 8 tourism deaths in Dominican Republic not unusual

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The deaths of eight American tourists in the Dominican Republic this year are not part of a mysterious wave of fatalities but a medically and statistically normal phenomenon that has been lumped together by the U.S. media, the island’s tourism minister said Friday.

Autopsies show the tourists died of natural causes, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García told reporters. He said five of the autopsies are complete, and three are undergoing further toxicological analysis with the help from the FBI because of the circumstances of the deaths.

With some 3.2 million U.S. tourists visiting the Dominican Republic last year, he said, it’s not unusual for eight people to die while on vacation over any six-month period. Dominican officials say they are confident the three deaths still under investigation were also from natural causes.

“We want the truth to prevail,” García said. “There is nothing to hide here.”

The first deaths to make headlines, and still the most mysterious, were those of a couple who seemingly died at the same time in the same hotel room. The bodies of Edward Nathaniel Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, were found May 30 in their room at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana hotel. Several medications were found in the room, including an anti-inflammatory drug, an opioid and blood-pressure medicine, García said.

Autopsies found pulmonary edema, an accumulation of fluid in the lungs frequently caused by heart disease.

Soon after the couple’s death, family members appeared in U.S. media reports questioning the death of Miranda Schaup-Werner, 41, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who died May 25 at the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville hotel. A family spokesman told reporters that she collapsed after getting a drink from the minibar.

An autopsy found that she died of a heart attack, García said.

After the reporting on Schaup-Werner, more coverage followed, with relatives of people who died in the Dominican Republic telling local reporters across the U.S. that they were worried about their loved ones being victims of a strange chain of unexplained deaths, possibly caused by adulterated alcohol or misused pesticides. The reported cases included at least two deaths from 2018.

The Dominican government has been criticized for not being more forthcoming about the details of the death investigations.

They “probably have some indication of what it could be or what it might not be,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases and critical care doctor at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. But officials have been “very opaque” about their findings.

“The longer they keep everybody in suspense, the worst it’s going to be for the Dominican Republic, especially when they’re so dependent on tourism. Because the longer this goes on unexplained, the longer people are going to be leery of going there,” Adalja said.

García said the number of U.S. tourist deaths in the Dominican Republic dropped 56 percent from 2016 to 2018, although he did not provide further numbers or details. The U.S. State Department also discounted the idea of a surge of tourist deaths, saying the agency had not seen an uptick in the number of U.S. citizen who died there.

García showed reporters a summary of pathologists’ findings in each death but declined to share the autopsy reports, saying they are not public records and that only the families could authorize their release.

Jerry Curran, 78, died Jan. 26 in the Dreams Punta Cana resort, and an autopsy report blamed pulmonary edema and other causes, García said.

Then on April 12, 67-year-old Robert Bell Wallace of California died of septic shock, pneumonia and multi-organ failure. A week later, on April 19, 70-year-old John Corcoran died of natural causes. Family members have said he had a pre-existing heart condition, and officials did not release further details.

“What some media are describing as an avalanche of deaths doesn’t correspond to the reality that we’re living today in the Dominican Republic,” García said.

Leyla Ann Cox, 53, died from a heart attack June 10, he said. She had signs of a previous heart attack. Three days later, on June 13, Joseph Allen, also 55, died of a heart attack at the Centro Vacacional Terra Linda resort in Sosua, anthracosis edema and pulmonary congestion.

“Most tourist destinations have a number of natural deaths during a year,” said Dr. Sally Aiken, a medical examiner in Spokane, Washington, who has done more than 9,000 autopsies and is vice president of the National Association of Medical Examiners.

In response to public concerns, authorities are increasing internal security measures at hotels as well as increased control over food and beverages, but only as a preventive measure, García said.

“We’re very sorry for the families’ grief,” he said. But “there is no wave of mysterious deaths.”

Associated Press writers Michael Weissenstein in Havana, Mike Stobbe in New York and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

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Early Autopsy Results Still Inconclusive On American Tourists Who Died At The Same Dominican Republic Resort

Authorities in the Dominican Republic are still investigating the deaths of three American tourists who died at the same resort within days of one another.

According to CNN , Miranda Schaup-Werner, who died after checking into the Bahia Principe Bouganville resort in La Romana on May 25, succumbed to a heart attack, according to the nation’s attorney general.

Schaup-Werner was reportedly taking pictures in the room she was sharing with her husband, Dan Werner, in celebration of their wedding anniversary before she took a drink from the minibar. She suddenly felt ill and collapsed. Paramedics attempted to give first aid, but she died in the room.

Days later, on May 30, Nathaniel Holmes and Cynthia Day , who had checked into the Bahia Principe La Romana – a hotel at the same resort – on May 25 as well would be found dead in their hotel rooms.

The couple, who were meant to return to the U.S. the same day they were discovered dead, reportedly suffered from respiratory failure and pulmonary edema, a preliminary autopsy concluded.

CNN reports:

The couple had internal bleeding, including in their pancreases. Holmes had an enlarged heart and cirrhosis of the liver — both signs of significant pre-existing disease. Day also had fluid in her brain.The couple also had fluid in their lungs, Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez Sanchez’s office said in a statement.

Authorities said they won’t be able to provide more details on the causes of death until toxicology results are completed. Investigators found “several pill bottles” of three medications, including the prescription opioid oxycodone, in the couple’s room, the attorney general’s office said.

According to the report, the hotels were being inspected by health inspectors, including environmental health and epidemiology specialists, on Thursday. The inspectors should have their results ready by Friday or Monday.

However, Tourism Minister Francisco Garcia released a statement assuring that the island nation is safe and that the deaths were “isolated incidents.”

The resort operator noted that the deaths of the couple were still under investigation, noting their disapproval of “any conjecture” on possible causes of deaths.

“The case of Mr. Holmes and Ms. Day remains under investigation by the authorities with the results of toxicology tests still pending,” the resort operator said, according to CNN . “We disapprove of any conjecture on possible causes of death and urge all to respect the families while the investigation is ongoing.”

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Authorities Investigating Death Of American Tourist In Dominican Republic After Falling From Rooftop Bar

By: Author Mika Langel

Posted on Published: January 30, 2023

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Last Updated 10 months ago

Authorities in the Dominican Republic are i nvestigating the death of a U.S. tourist who died after falling from a rooftop bar in the country’s capital Santo Domingo. The tragic incident sent shock waves across the otherwise largely safe capital city . Officials are currently working to determine whether the building lacked safety features that may have prevented the victim’s death at the time of the accident.

A 27-year-old U.S. tourist fell to his death from a Santo Domingo rooftop bar last Sunday while enjoying a night out in the city. The tragic accident took place shortly after midnight in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City, the oldest area in the capital and one of the main attractions for countless visitors . Although first responders rushed to the scene to attend to the injured man, they were unable to revive him, and the man was later pronounced dead in a nearby hospital.

A 9-1-1 transcript revealed that the victim was still conscious after falling down from the two-story building but suffered severe injuries, including significant internal bleeding and fractures to the chest and pelvis. It is believed that the individual was still conscious at the time when he was rushed to a local hospital. 

The incident took place in the 717 INN bar , a popular venue among tourists in one of Santo Domingo’s busiest areas. The two-story building which houses the bar is located on General Gabino Puello street in downtown Santo Domingo. 

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Several passersby were also reportedly injured by falling concrete rubble and debris, although no severe injuries were registered. The area where the incident occurred is a popular location for locals and travelers, with busy streets and packed bars. The accident also happened on a weekend, when more people were out enjoying the city’s lively bars and commercial areas. 

Authorities rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the accident, alongside first responders and several ambulances. The victim, identified as Gray Berrora, was rushed to Doctor Darío Conteras, where doctors were unable to resuscitate the tourist. According to César Roque, the hospital director, the victim died several minutes after arriving at the hospital.

Local media reports suggest that Mr. Berroa fell down from the rooftop bar after leaning against a concrete barrier that collapsed under his weight. Although authorities have only recently launched a detailed investigation into the accident, it is believed that the building’s old age may have played a role in the victim’s death. However, due to multiple eyewitness accounts, the investigation may time some time to complete.

According to a social media post by 717 Inn, which was later deleted, “at 12:30 A.M. this Sunday, an unfortunate event took place when a foreign national accessed a restricted area in our establishment, after which the accident took place.” However, countless locals took to social media to denounce the bar’s statement, claiming that the victim was in a public and open area when the accident took place. Shortly after, the venue published an official apology lamenting the death of the 27-year-old.

Friends and close relatives of Mr. Berroa launched a Gofundme campaign to raise money to cover the expenses for repatriating the victim’s body to the United States, a highly costly process. The incident attracted widespread media coverage in the Dominican Republic, shocking locals and visitors alike. 

Although Santo Domingo is a safe destination for travelers, Sunday’s accident highlighted the worrying condition of some of the buildings in the Dominican Republic’s capital city. Authorities are also aware of the situation and have announced several efforts to improve the city’s aging infrastructure, especially around the Ciudad Colonial area. 

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Death of Canadian 3D pioneer found in burned car on Caribbean island was ‘potential homicide’

Police say deaths of Daniel Langlois and his partner, who were found in a car at the bottom of a ravine, may have followed ambush

The government of Dominica has asked authorities in Canada for assistance in the investigation of the death on the Caribbean island of businessman and philanthropist Daniel Langlois.

The bodies of Langlois – a pioneer in 3D animation – and his partner Dominique Marchand, were found on Friday in a burned-out car at the bottom of a ravine, in the south of the small island.

Rayburn Blackmoore, Dominica’s minister for national security, said on Monday police were treating the deaths as “potential homicides”.

The couple were allegedly ambushed along the road and shot before the car plunged into the ravine and caught fire, police told AFP.

Four people – three foreigners and one Dominican national – have been arrested in connection with the crime.

“This type of terrible crime and the brutality in this crime is something we cannot ignore, and we cannot allow those responsible to go unpunished,” Blackmoore said.

A request has been made for “investigative support from the Canadian authorities”, he said.

The killings, he added, have “sent shock waves through the island” and “left many devastated”.

Langlois and Marchand had founded a luxury hotel in Dominica, and the government recently awarded them a prize for their contribution to the island’s development.

Langlois made a fortune with Softimage, a 3D animation firm that produced software used in Hollywood blockbusters such as Jurassic Park, Titanic, The Matrix, and the Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises.

“It is with great sadness that we learned of the tragic death of Daniel Langlois,” the National Film Board of Canada said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “His contributions to the world of cinema are incalculable.”

Pascale St-Onge, the minister of Canadian Heritage, called Langlois “a visionary in digital technologies and cinema”.

“His legacy reflects his innovative spirit. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”

After setting up Softimage in 1986, Langlois sold it to Microsoft in 1994 but stayed on as president until 1998, according to his foundation’s website.

In 1997, Langlois received a scientific and technical oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the website said.

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Tourist deaths within the Dominican Republic are sparking subject amongst travelers

Ten recognized US tourists have died at Dominican Republic lodges or the sanatorium straight away following motel stays — including three inside 5 days and two within 3 days — in only over a year.

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The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism attributes those deaths to herbal causes, neighborhood and US federal government, but are investigating the incidents that have left some American tourists uneasy and the future of the Dominican Republic’s sturdy tourism industry unsure.

What we recognize approximately the deaths to this point

The incidents occurred at a set of lodges on the island: the Terra Linda Resort in Sousa, the Excellence Resorts in Punta Cana, the Grand Bahia Principe in Punta Cana, the Grand Bahia Principe in La Romana, and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana.

At least three of the individuals who died reportedly began experiencing symptoms after drinking from the minibar in their rooms. In Santo Domingo, the US Embassy in advance showed in advance this month that the FBI had been dispatched to the island to conduct toxicology reviews. The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Health introduced that samples from the minibar in the visitor room of Cynthia Day and Nathaniel Holmes of Maryland, who has been both observed useless on May 30 of their room on the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana, had been present process testing. On Monday, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino announced that it’d be disposing of liquor from minibars in its guest rooms .

As forensic scientist Lawrence Kobilinsky informed The Cut, a few of the victims’ signs and symptoms would propose methanol poisoning. Methanol is a poisonous, artificial chemical usually utilized in antifreeze that’s extensively utilized, illegally, to create counterfeit alcohol. Consuming even a small amount of pure methanol can cause pulmonary edema, or fluid within the lungs, and respiratory distress — of the respectable causes of demise indexed for Day and Holmes. They’re also of the reputable reasons for loss of life indexed for Miranda Schaupp-Werner of Pennsylvania, who also died at Grand Bahia Principe La Romana after reportedly having a drink from her resort room minibar, just 5 days before Day and Holmes’s deaths.

The toxicology reports for Day, Holmes, and Schaub-Werner have not yet been launched; the FBI said that solutions might be another 30 days coming in mid-June.

Some recent tourists but suspect that they had been exposed to fumes emitted from their rooms’ air conditioners. CNN reviews that one Denver couple, Kaylynn Knull and Tom Schwander, sued the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana — the identical lodge wherein Day and Holmes stayed — earlier this yr for ailments that happened in the course of a journey last July. Knull and Schwander defined a “chemical odor” overtaking their room, a scent like paint or commercial cleanser.

They soon said they skilled excruciating stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloody stool, incessant sweats and drool watery eyes, and dizziness. Back domestic in Denver, their medical doctors puzzled whether they’d been uncovered to organophosphates — chemical substances most often used in insecticides.

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Safety in the Dominican Republic

Punta Cana in July, the Dominican Republic

Until recently, the Dominican Republic used to be considered a peaceful island attracting millions of tourists from all over the world throughout the year. However, just a couple of months ago, the headlines started mentioning the country’s name more and more often – in a negative context. TV and radio did not wait long to join the massive campaign of poorly grounded accusations against the world-famous touristic destination. The wave of panic overwhelmed thousands of tourists who decided to cancel their vacations or opt for other destinations.

Is it true that the Dominican Republic experiences an unprecedented wave of mysterious deaths of tourists at popular resorts? On the other hand, is it just a plot created by those who do not win from the island’s image of one of the leading touristic countries in the Caribbean? While many U.S. and Canada tourists are on the wave of panic, the Dominican Republic authorities bravely confront mass media accusations.

The Mass Media Raid

The mass media raid on the country started from a Facebook post of Mrs. Tammy Lanwrence-Daley, in which she shared her terrible vacation experience in Majestic Elegance Hotel. The victim claimed that she suffered from an attack of some criminal who attacked her during her stay at the hotel. Strangely enough, she decided to make her story public a few weeks after the incident. Moreover, the victim refused to cooperate with the U.S. Embassy or the police for them to investigate the case. However, she did asked the insurance company and the hotel to reimburse her for the damages. Whatever it was, still there is no unbiased verdict on this case.

Thus, how comes that this incident is affecting the reputation of the Dominican Republic as one of the leading touristic destinations of the Caribbean? Obviously, it has nothing to see with the country’s image as a whole.

Majestic Elegance Hotel in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic

However, it is not all. Soon after the case of Mrs. Tammy Lanwrence-Daley, one new user of Facebook also decided to share her Dominican vacation experience by publishing a picture of the legs covered with some bites. Although the bites look terrible and one may only feel pity for the victim, there is no reason to worry about the danger of being bitten by some alien insects on the tropical island.

• Firstly, the author of the post herself claims that it is not the first time she experiences this skin reaction.
• Secondly, the fauna of the Dominican Republic is not as varied as in Mexico, for example, and there is no risk of encountering any really dangerous species in resort areas unless regular mosquitos.
• Thirdly, there are people who suffer from allergy attacks caused by various factors, including mosquito bites. However, they may suffer from allergy not only in the Dominican Republic, but anywhere in the world as well.

Nevertheless, lately, mass media found more reasons for accusations. Among them, there are several deaths of the U.S. citizens who passed away in the Dominican Republic under similar circumstances. Let us get a closer look at them.

• “What We Know About the Dominican Republic Tourist Deaths” – by nytimes.com
• “Hard Rock Hotel in Dominican Republic to remove liquor from minibars” – by nbcnews.com
• “What’s Going On With Tourist Deaths In The Dominican Republic?” – by refinery29.com

The circumstances of all these deaths include alcohol and heart attacks. Does it mean Dominican hotels serve poor-quality alcohol to their guests? It might be the case; however, all the victims already had health problems, actually heart problems, before they came for vacation to the Dominican Republic. Moreover, the toxicology reports have not been published yet, and one may only think over various causes for these deaths. The heart attack is associated with a lot of different factors and may be triggered by the hot weather, hypertension and other circumstances.

However, as a result of all these incidents, the mass media started a raid on the country’s peaceful way of living. Many articles with fictional characters talking about strange illness outbreaks, deaths, shark attacks and other Dominican “local experiences” appeared on the Internet. Although it seems that they are all related to the Dominican Republic, it is not true. The truth is that they are all based on unproven scenarios without any facts that could be used to support the accusations.

The Facts about Safety

The Real situation in the Dominican Republic

What about facts? Here are they are. Let us look at the statistics of American deaths per each 100,000 tourists for 2018 by countries. Surprisingly or not, the Dominican Republic is the 58th on the list. It is an impressive result, since the number of tourists visiting it is 2,237,519.

The wave of panic among American tourists went so far that the Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism held a press conference in Santo Domingo on the recent death of American tourists.

• The press conference in Santo Domingo on the recent deaths of American tourists – view video
• The Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic Francisco Javier García about the situation – view article

According to the Minister of Tourism, the deaths of eight American tourists in the Dominican Republic this year do not form part of a mysterious wave of fatalities but constitute a medically and statistically normal phenomenon that has been lumped together by the U.S. media. “Autopsies show the tourists died of natural causes, five of the autopsies are complete, and three are undergoing further toxicological analysis with the help from the FBI because of the circumstances of the deaths.”

By now, there have not been any well-grounded story that could really challenge the almost immaculate reputation of the Dominican Republic as one of the leading touristic destinations in the Caribbean. What we see in the media is a collection of creatively written plots that could be used to film a new Hollywood bestseller on Dominican beaches.

While many people get on a wave of panic after reading newspaper headlines, the Dominican Republic remains calm, bravely confronting mass media buzz. The best beach experiences, bachata dance and rum are in the air and therefore, the Dominican Republic won’t let it slide.

Updated on: 2024-04-29 . Author: Anastasia Niconova

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clock This article was published more than  4 years ago

For the Dominican Republic, seven U.S. tourist deaths, the shooting of David Ortiz and a new image problem

SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS, Dominican Republic — The grounds and orchid-filled interior of the Grand Bahia Principe Resort appear half-empty. Dozens of unoccupied tables surround the buffet restaurant; vacant chairs lie scattered near the serpentine pool. The hotel boasts more than 400 rooms. But on Tuesday, only a smattering of about 30 people relaxed — or tried to — on the private beach.

Two of the six American tourists who have died mysteriously on this Caribbean island in the past year died at the Grand Bahia Principe — a fact that has not gone unnoticed among prospective customers since the news broke last week. Yet that didn’t deter some offseason guests — especially those who had paid in advance.

“We were about to cancel our trip,” said Noemy Morales, a 67-year-old retiree from Texas who booked her trip months before the deaths became news. She came to celebrate her 50th anniversary with her husband, joined by her sister and a friend.

“But we wouldn’t be refunded, so I insisted we come,” she continued. “Our relatives back home told us to be careful, and that they would pray for us. As if they felt bad for us!” 

Morales’s concerns underscored a painful plight for the Dominican Republic. This country of azure waters and white sand beaches, which attracts more American visitors than France, is suddenly facing a potentially devastating image problem.

“Unfortunately, the unrelated incidents coincided in timing,” said André Van Der Horst, tourism adviser to the Dominican Republic government.

“With social media today, we are exposed and require an immediate response to the current public relations dynamic, a new reality worldwide,” he said. “We are not used to this type of viral communicational outburst and are working with crisis management specialists to establish reaction protocols.”

Another American died in the Dominican Republic. Officials insist the country is safe.

Since a newly engaged  Maryland couple was found dead here on May 30 , the country and its tourism industry have weathered an Internet storm.

An autopsy found that Nathaniel Edward Holmes, 63, of Temple Hills and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, of Upper Marlboro, died after their lungs filled with fluid, leading to respiratory failure, according to the national police.

Four similar deaths have been reported at nearby hotels, and a growing number of claims have surfaced from people who say they were taken suddenly ill here. One website that collects food poisoning complaints from around the world — iwaspoisoned.com — now has dozens of posts by people claiming nausea and vomiting after stays at hotels here.

Miranda Schaup-Werner, 41, of Allentown, Pa., was celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary when she died May 25, within 24 hours of arriving at her hotel room.  An autopsy report showed pulmonary and cardiac problems .

The Fox News Channel, quoting a relative, reported that a California man, Robert Bell Wallace, died in April after becoming ill at a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana.

And the outlet TMZ reported Wednesday that a seventh American — Jonathan Corcoran, a retired New Jersey businessman and brother of the “Shark Tank” television show judge Barbara Corcoran — was found dead of a heart attack in his Dominican Republic hotel room in April. The report did not disclose the hotel where he was found.

The State Department confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen in April but did not identify the person. The State Department did confirm the identities of David Harrison and Yvette Monique Sport, U.S. citizens who died on the island last year.

Adding to the spate of bad press: Boston Red Sox legend  David Ortiz was shot in the back late Sunday in an ambush at an outdoor restaurant and bar in Santo Domingo, the capital. The former big league slugger, a Dominican native, was flown to Boston for further treatment and was in stable condition. Local police say they have arrested one of two alleged attackers.

3 Americans found dead in Dominican Republic sister resorts within 5 days

Local authorities say the tourists died of natural causes, and there is no proof of a trend. The State Department has not issued a travel warning, and U.S. authorities have not asserted any connection between the deaths or foul play. At the request of local investigators, the FBI is aiding with toxicology reports. Results could take up to 30 days.

Roughly 2.7 million Americans visit the Dominican Republic annually, accounting for 47 percent of all tourists. Overall, tourism directly and indirectly accounts for nearly 22 percent of the island’s economy. U.S. media outlets, including Time magazine and the New York Post, have asked whether tourists should cancel their trips. Hundreds have questioned the island’s safety on social media. 

“Coincidental I think not,” one Twitter user wrote. “The Dominican Republic is going to be a no for me.”

In San Pedro de Macoris, home to many hotel employees, residents expressed anger that bad press in the United States could hurt the economy.

Elias Cadete, a 67-year-old taxi driver, blamed “people in countries that are interested in robbing us of our tourists.”

“It’s worrying because tourism is the spinal cord of our economy,” he said. “If tourism falls, my country falls.”

At this resort where the Maryland couple died, junior suites were being offered on hotels.com Tuesday for $157, according to the website.

Hotel managers declined to comment. June is traditionally one of the slowest months on this tropical island. But hotel officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity acknowledged the property was receiving “more cancellations than usual.”

Paola Rainieri, president of the Dominican National Association of Hotels and Tourism, which represents more than 80 percent of the country’s hotels, said she expects a drop in visitors this month. She fretted about “irrational and unfair conclusions about isolated incidents.”

“We are immensely worried because all the speculation affects the image of the island and the minds of those who visit us,” Rainieri said. “They may cancel their trips despite a lack of evidence.” 

On Monday afternoon, the government launched the campaign “#BeFairWithDR” on social media.

“To judge an entire country for isolated events is unfair,” government spokesman Roberto Rodriguez Marchena said in a statement. 

A Belgian couple lying on the beach at the Grand Bahia Principe on Tuesday said they were mostly ignoring U.S. media reports. 

“Americans don’t have a great reputation traveling. They are quite delicate,” said 56-year-old Rudy Hugherbart. “The Dominican Republic is a beautiful place and we love it.”

Anthony Faiola in Miami contributed to this report.

An American is attacked in the Dominican Republic. A resort says police question her story.

Dominican Republic deaths: Autopsies show similarities for three U.S. victims

Maryland couple found dead in Dominican Republic hotel room

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Mysterious Dominican Republic Tourist Deaths: The Victims So Far

At least six tourists have died on vacation in the Dominican Republic since 2018 -- here's what we know about their deaths

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that at least six American tourists have died while vacationing in the Dominican Republic since summer 2018. Some of them passed away in what appear to be bizarre — and similar — circumstances.

PEOPLE confirms that both the FBI and the CDC are investigating these strange deaths, but the agencies are not yet releasing further details.

According to Univision, Robin Bernstein, the ambassador of the United States to the Dominican Republic, said last week the recent high-profile incidents were isolated cases. “We have 2.7 million Americans who come to the country and the statistics is that this is a very … unique event,” Bernstein said. “They come to visit the beautiful beaches and enjoy the great culture. Unfortunately sometimes those things happen to people.”

Here are the deceased victims we know about so far.

Nathaniel Edward Holmes and Cynthia Ann Day

On May 30, 2019, engaged couple Nathaniel Edward Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, were found dead in their hotel room at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana resort, according to a statement released by the hotel.

Holmes and Day, of Maryland, were found by resort staff after they missed their scheduled check-out time that day, per the statement.

Their bodies did not show signs of violence, USA Today reports. The Dominican Republic National Police announced that an autopsy found the couple had respiratory failure and pulmonary edema. Day also reportedly suffered cerebral edema.

Medication for high blood pressure was also found in the room, WBAL reports .

Yvette Monique Sport

Pennsylvania native Yvette Monique Sport, 51, had just arrived at the Bahia Príncipe resort in Punta Cana when she died in June 2018.

Her sister, Felecia Nieves, told FOX 29 that Sport, a bride-to-be traveling with her fiancé, had a drink from the minibar, took a shower, went to bed and was found unresponsive the next morning.

“She was 51 years of age, relatively healthy, no reason for her to go on vacation and die so suddenly,” Nieves said .

Though her death was initially ruled a heart attack, with the news that several American tourists have died at the Bahía Príncipe in Punta Cana, Sport’s cause of death is being investigated again.

David Harrison

David Harrison, 45, was celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife and 12-year-old son when he died of a heart attack at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana in July of 2018.

Harrison’s wife, Dawn McCoy, told WTOP that her husband started to feel sick, went to bed and later woke up drenched in sweat. “He was struggling quite a bit to get out of bed and to talk,” she said. “I tried to communicate with him and all he could do was mumble.”

He died soon afterwards. His cause of death was listed as heart attack as well as “pulmonary edema, an accumulation of fluid in the lungs that can cause respiratory failure, and atherosclerosis,” according to The Washington Post .

McCoy told the Post that her husband was “relatively healthy” but did have high blood pressure. “We went down there as a happy family, and we came home a broken family,” she told WTOP . “I came home a widow and my 12-year-old son came home fatherless.”

Miranda Schaup-Werner

On May 25 of this year, Pennsylvania psychotherapist Miranda Schaup-Werner , 41, collapsed shortly after mixing a drink from the minibar in the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville in La Romana, where she was celebrating her ninth wedding anniversary with husband Daniel Werner.

According to autopsy results released by the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic, she died of a heart attack that caused respiratory failure and fluid accumulation in her lungs.

Family spokesman Jay McDonald told Fox News that the attack came on suddenly.

“[Daniel] said one moment [Miranda was] taking pictures, smiling, happy and the next moment, in extreme pain and collapsing… she had no known health issues that I knew of.” Schaup-Werner had arrived at the resort less than 24 hours earlier.

Robert Wallace

In April 2019, Robert Bell Wallace, 67, died while staying at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino resort in Punta Cana. His niece, Chloe Arnold, told Fox News that he became ill after having a drink from his hotel room’s minibar. He was in the country to attend his stepson’s wedding.

“He was fine,” Arnold said. “On April 11 he had scotch from the minibar. He started feeling very sick, he had blood in his urine and stool right afterward.”

He passed away three days later, and Arnold claims that authorities did not give them a cause of death. “We have so many questions,” she said. “We don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”

Related Articles

Tourist deaths in Dominican Republic were due to natural causes: FBI

The FBI's findings were consistent with what local authorities said.

Toxicology tests done by the FBI have confirmed that three American tourists found dead this spring in the Dominican Republic died of natural causes, the U.S. State Department said.

The results were consistent with the findings of local authorities, according to a statement from the State Department on Friday.

Miranda Schaupp-Werner, 41, from Pennsylvania, was found dead at the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville hotel on May 25.

(MORE: FBI involved in probe of deaths of US citizens at Dominican Republic luxury resorts)

Edward Nathaniel Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, a couple from Maryland, were found dead in their hotel room at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana Resort in San Pedro de Macoris on May 30.

Steven Bullock, a family spokesperson for the Day and Holmes families, said the families have yet to hear any updates from authorities regarding their loved one's deaths.

"The Day and Holmes families have not been provided with any information from the FBI or the Dominican Republic Authorities regarding the deaths," Bullock said in a statement to ABC News. "The only information that has been received by the families is what is being reported in the media. Our investigation is continuing, and we will not have any further comment until we receive the results of our investigation. Thank you."

The FBI was assisting in the probe at the neighboring resorts in the Caribbean nation.

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Their deaths were among the first of at least 11 Americans to die in the country in recent months, setting off a flurry of panic as to whether it was safe to visit the Dominican Republic.

(MORE: 11th American to die in Dominican Republic died of 'natural causes,' government says)

The U.S. State Department said back in June that, despite the deaths, it had not seen an "uptick" in fatal incidents.

The spokesperson said that more than 2.7 million U.S. citizens visit the Dominican Republic each year and, as in most countries, "the overwhelming majority travel without incident."

Schaup-Werner died of respiratory failure and pulmonary edema, according to the hotel. An autopsy performed on Holmes and Day determined that they died of the same causes, according to the Dominican Republic National Police.

The families of the three Americans have been informed of the FBI toxicology reports.

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Quebec parents want son's mysterious death in Punta Cana investigated fully

A Quebec couple is trying to get answers following the mysterious death of their 24-year-old son two months ago in the Dominican Republic.

William Gareau fell to his death at a resort in Punta Cana, and the boy's parents say local authorities aren't cooperating.

The young man, his girlfriend and some of her relatives were vacationing in the Bahia Principe Grand Luxury Ambar all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, and on Jan. 15, his parents received a panicked call from his girlfriend.

"We got the call that no parents ever want to receive at two o clock at night," said William's mother Sylvie Marcotte.

The couple was told that their son fell off the third-floor balcony and was critically injured. His mother jumped on the next flight to Santo Domingo, but it was too late.

"I wanted to see him," she said. "I wanted to touch him, see him, and maybe talk to him."

The grieving parents then discovered their son's behaviour was bizarre before he fell and that he was in distress.

"He was not there, he was hallucinating, so he called for help," said Marcotte

His mother said hotel security picked him up and dropped him in his room rather than calling an ambulance or a doctor. His parents suspect he was drugged and that he may not have been the only one. They say his girlfriend's younger brother had the same symptoms.

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"The younger brother came in his parent's room and was like absolutely not making sense," said Marcotte.

The medical examiner did call for an autopsy and a toxicology report, but the parents can't access the results.

Police never questioned the other alleged victim or anyone else that night.

The family hired a lawyer to help them find answers.

"We have a young man that died after suspicious circumstances that could be enlightened by local authorites," said lawyer Conrad Lord. "It's complicated. It should be easier because Canadians are there on a daily basis."

The Canadian government issued a travel alert for tourists travelling to the Dominican Republic, specifically saying that tourists should be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from strangers.

The family lawyer says travel agencies and airlines should also play a role in warning travellers.

"I don't think there's enough information out there to enable people to clearly understand the risk factors," said Lord.

The young man's family said they've heard of others who were also intoxicated against their will in popular resorts, which is why they promise to keep pushing for a full investigation. 

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28 Canadians died in the Dominican Republic this year amid concerns over American tourist deaths

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This article is more than 4 years old and some information may not be up to date.

As the FBI probes deaths of American tourists in the Dominican Republic, Global News has learned 28 Canadians died there so far in 2019.

Data obtained by Global News from Global Affairs shows an average of 39 Canadians died each year in the Dominican Republic over the past decade. More recently, from 2015 to 2018, that average is higher: 47 death cases opened each year.

Last month, the FBI went to the Dominican Republic to assist local officials with testing. Neither American nor Dominican officials have said the deaths are related in any way, while the Dominican tourism minister has said they are isolated and not mysterious as feared.

WATCH: Dr. Isaac Bogoch on Canadian deaths in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Cuba

But amid heightened tensions, Global Affairs is refusing to confirm whether it is probing specific cases of Canadian deaths. The agency also would not provide specifics or a breakdown about the causes of the Canadian deaths but told Global News 82 per cent are from natural causes.

“When data set is very small in a given category, one would reasonably be able to deduce personal information, which would be a breach of provisions in the Privacy Act,” spokesperson Sylvain Leclerc wrote Global News in an email by way of an explanation.

WATCH: Rising concerns over Canadian tourist deaths in Dominican Republic

The department warns Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting the country but says nothing about potentially mysterious deaths. When Global News asked if there is any concern about the Canadian death rate, a spokesperson would only say there isn’t “necessarily” an increase in death numbers for 2019.

While 28 deaths in the first five months of 2019 puts the number on track to be higher than the previous year’s, Global Affairs says the highest amount of Canadian travel is in the first five months of the year, and the number of deaths for that same period in 2018 was also 28.

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The Dominican Republic is the third most popular sun travel destination for Canadians, with more than half a million visits by Canadians in 2016, according to Statistics Canada. The most popular sun destination is Mexico, followed by Cuba.

In that top vacation destination, an average of 122 Canadians died annually in the past decade. In Cuba, that number is 52.

“When you actually look at the number of deaths relating to the number of Canadians travelling, it is a very, very small percentage,” infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch told Global News.

“It’s clear from this data these are still very safe places for Canadians to travel.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's clear from this data these are still very safe places for Canadians to travel."

The Toronto General Hospital doctor says it’s important for people to take precautions while travelling, and, before leaving, see a travel specialist to get advice about medication and vaccination. In general, he says heart attacks are the most common cause of death for travellers, followed by motor vehicle collisions. He says tourists should take extra precautions on roads they’re not familiar with.

As for whether he thinks Canadians could be dying in “mysterious” ways down south, Bogoch says the data for 2019 so far doesn’t support that.

“I think it would be way too premature to make any meaningful conclusions from the numbers of deaths in travellers from any of these locations right now, this early on in the year,” says Bogoch.

“I think to make any meaningful conclusion, we would need to see the full year of data first.”

Canadian tourists getting sick in the Dominican Republic

Along with concern over deaths, more reports are surfacing of American tourists getting ill while on vacation.

For Canadians in the last few years, that number is on the decline. But the numbers provided to Global News by Global Affairs may not capture the full picture: as in with deaths, the numbers are only captured if families reach out for consular services. And, if someone doesn’t see their doctor until they return from vacation, Global Affairs wouldn’t capture any information about what happened to them.

And that’s exactly what happened with Canadian Allan Smith, who spent a week in Punta Cana with his family back in 2012. He started experiencing flu-like symptoms right before he boarded a plane home.

That turned into the longest and worst illness he’s experienced, with symptoms kicking around for six weeks.

“Vomitting and diarrhea at the same time barely being able to walk to the bathroom. My wife basically needing to act as a nurse for the most part,” the now-56-year-old told Global News.

“And I’m not a man-flu kind of person. I usually just take care of myself. I don’t want to really be babied or anything, but I needed help.”

He says doctors determined he had a virus but were never able to figure out exactly what was wrong. Smith describes himself as a researcher and a careful traveller. He had taken Dukoral and said he was very careful about what he ate and drank — no fresh fruit, for example, and no food or water off the resort. Neither his wife nor his two daughters got sick, which left him scratching his head.

When reports of death and illnesses hit American media, his wife started thinking about their trip. She became more concerned when she heard of an American couple who died at the same resort they had stayed at years before.

“It made me think maybe the conclusion wasn’t as simple as they thought, but the situations that are happening are definitely concerning,” said Smith.

Smith loved his time in the Dominican and doesn’t want people to be scared of travelling, but he does want more answers — and says Global Affairs should be more forthcoming about what’s going on.

“The Canadian government or somebody is being more opaque than they need to be. I think people need to be transparent. I know people in the Dominican that we met are very invested in making sure Canadians are enjoying their stay. So I would like to get some real answers.”

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WEATHER ALERT: Possible record heat expected on Monday in DC region, highs reaching low 90s

Today in History: April 28, Muhammad Ali stripped of heavyweight title

The Associated Press

April 28, 2024, 12:00 AM

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Today in History

Today is Sunday, April 28, the 119th day of 2024. There are 247 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On April 28, 1967, heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali was stripped of his title after he refused to be inducted into the armed forces.

On this date:

In 1788, Maryland became the seventh state to ratify the Constitution of the United States.

In 1945, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were executed by Italian partisans as they attempted to flee the country.

In 1947, a six-man expedition set out from Peru aboard a balsa wood raft named the Kon-Tiki on a 101-day journey across the Pacific Ocean to the Polynesian Islands.

In 1952, war with Japan officially ended as a treaty signed in San Francisco the year before took effect.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered U.S. Marines to the Dominican Republic to protect American citizens and interests in the face of a civil war.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter accepted the resignation of Secretary of State Cyrus R. Vance, who had opposed the failed rescue mission aimed at freeing American hostages in Iran.

In 1986, the Soviet Union informed the world of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl that began two days earlier.

In 1990, the musical “A Chorus Line” closed after 6,137 performances on Broadway.

In 1994, former CIA official Aldrich Ames, who had passed U.S. secrets to the Soviet Union and then Russia, pleaded guilty to espionage and tax evasion, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

In 2001, a Russian rocket lifted off from Central Asia bearing the first space tourist, California businessman Dennis Tito, and two cosmonauts on a journey to the international space station.

In 2011, convicted sex offender Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a California girl, Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted in 1991 at the age of 11 and rescued 18 years later. (Phillip Garrido was sentenced to 431 years to life in prison; Nancy Garrido was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison.)

In 2013, Mohammed Sohel Rana, the fugitive owner of an illegally constructed building in Bangladesh that collapsed and killed more than 1,100 people, was captured by a commando force as he tried to flee into India.

In 2015, urging Americans to “do some soul-searching,” President Barack Obama expressed deep frustration over recurring Black deaths at the hands of police, rioters who responded with senseless violence and a society that would only “feign concern” without addressing the root causes.

In 2018, Alfie Evans, the 23-month-old terminally-ill British toddler who was at the center of a legal battle over his treatment, died at a British hospital.

In 2021, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, who orbited the moon alone while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made their first steps on the lunar surface, died of cancer in Florida at age 90.

In 2022, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was suspended for two full seasons without pay by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy, which he denied doing.

In 2023, Russia fired more than 20 cruise missiles and two drones at Ukraine, killing at least 23 people, almost all of them when two missiles slammed into an apartment building in a terrifying night attack.

Today’s Birthdays: Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III is 94. Actor-singer Ann-Margret is 83. Actor Paul Guilfoyle is 75. Former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno is 74. Rock musician Chuck Leavell is 72. Actor Mary McDonnell is 72. Rock singer-musician Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) is 71. Actor Nancy Lee Grahn is 68. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan is 64. Rapper Too Short is 58. Actor Bridget Moynahan is 53. Actor Chris Young is 53. Rapper Big Gipp is 52. Actor Jorge Garcia is 51. Actor Elisabeth Rohm is 51. Actor Penelope Cruz is 50. Actor Nate Richert is 46. TV personalities Drew and Jonathan Scott are 46. Actor Jessica Alba is 43. Actor Harry Shum Jr. is 42. Actor Jenna Ushkowitz is 38. Actor Aleisha Allen is 33.

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Last update on April 28, 2024, 1:23 pm

Tourism April 26, 2024 | 1:05 pm

Dominican Republic winner of Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards

Punta Cana.- The Dominican Republic has clinched prestigious honors in Tripadvisor’s highly acclaimed Travelers’ Choice® Awards Best of the Best for 2024, reaffirming its status as the ultimate honeymoon paradise and the crown jewel of the Caribbean. These accolades are reserved for destinations that garner the highest number of outstanding reviews from the discerning Tripadvisor community.

Representatives from Tripadvisor had the pleasure of presenting these esteemed awards to David Collado, the Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, and David Llibre, president of Asonahores, during the twenty-fourth edition of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE 2024). This momentous occasion unfolded from April 24 to 26 at the exquisite Paradisus Palma Real hotel in Punta Cana, setting the stage for the celebration of the Dominican Republic’s tourism excellence.

Tripadvisor, revered as the world’s largest travel guidance platform, holds unrivaled sway among travelers and food enthusiasts alike. The essence of authenticity underpins these accolades, which are derived from genuine feedback provided by individuals who have personally experienced the wonders of the Dominican Republic. Over a span of 12 months, travelers share their unfiltered impressions, elevating these awards to the pinnacle of trustworthiness and significance.

In expressing gratitude to the 10 million visitors who graced the Dominican Republic with their presence in 2023 and took the time to share their experiences on Tripadvisor, Minister David Collado underscored the profound honor bestowed upon the nation. “We feel deeply honored to be recognized in this esteemed Travelers’ Choice ranking, which stands as one of the most revered and sought-after awards in the travel industry,” remarked Collado. “This recognition holds immense value for the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector, serving as a catalyst for further innovation and enhancement of our offerings.”

Carol Johnson, speaking on behalf of Tripadvisor, extended heartfelt congratulations to the Dominican Republic for its well-deserved accolades. “Securing a place among the top destinations globally is a testament to the Dominican Republic’s enduring impact on visitors, inspiring many to share their glowing reviews,” she remarked.

Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best lists serve as indispensable guides for travelers seeking unparalleled experiences around the globe. Johnson concluded with an optimistic outlook, expressing hope that this recognition would continue to fuel prosperity for the Dominican Republic in 2024 and beyond. “Travelers rely on Tripadvisor’s curated lists to navigate the myriad attractions, culinary delights, and activities worldwide. We trust that this recognition will drive sustained growth and success for the Dominican Republic,” affirmed Johnson.

As the Dominican Republic basks in the glow of Tripadvisor’s accolades, it reaffirms its status as a beacon of hospitality, natural beauty, and unparalleled charm. With these honors in hand, the nation stands poised to captivate the hearts of travelers from every corner of the globe, beckoning them to embark on unforgettable journeys in its enchanting embrace.

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