Investigation of death of 3 American tourists found dead in Bahamas resort


An investigation is underway after three American tourists were found dead at a Bahamas resort on Friday, authorities said.

The guests were staying at Sandals Emerald Bay on Exuma, Sandals confirmed.

Resort staff contacted the George Town Police Station shortly after 9 a.m. Friday to report that a man was found unconscious in a villa and, while en route to the road, another man and a woman were reported they were found unconscious in another village, police said.

Police found the man in the first villa lying on the ground with no signs of trauma, authorities said. In the second villa, the man was found “slumped against a wall in a bathroom” and the woman was found in a bed, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement.

“Both individuals showed signs of seizures,” police said. No signs of trauma were found on any of the bodies.

Bahamas Minister of Health and Welfare Dr. Michael Darville told ABC News that some hotel guests went to a clinic Thursday with nausea and vomiting, were treated and left. Three were later found dead, while a fourth, a woman, was airlifted to a hospital in New Providence and is in stable condition, he said.

Police said Friday they were working to confirm the identities of those who died.

One of the victims was Vincent Chiarella, of Birmingham, Alabama, his son, Austin Chiarella, confirmed to ABC News.

Vincent Chiarella, in his 60s, was staying in the Bahamas with his wife, Donnis Chiarella, for their anniversary, their son said.

Donnis Chiarella, also in his 60s, was the fourth surviving victim, Austin Chiarella said. She will be flown to the Kendall Regional facility in Florida and should arrive Saturday afternoon, he said.

Austin Chiarella said he received a call from the US Embassy on Friday night with the news and was able to speak to his mother on Saturday morning.

“She woke up and my dad was laying on the floor and she couldn’t move,” he said. “She had swollen legs and arms and she couldn’t move and she screamed for someone to come through the door.”

Donnis Chiarella told his son she had gotten sick Thursday but “thought she was fine” after she was released from the clinic, he said.

“I’m so heartbroken right now,” Austin Chiarella said. “My dad was everything to me.”

Environmental health scientists, doctors and others are investigating to make sure there isn’t a public health hazard, Darville said, calling it an “isolated incident.”

“There is no potential risk to any of the Exuma residents as well as residents of the resort or any other resorts on Exuma,” he said.

Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper said in a statement Friday that the cause of death is unknown, but no foul play is suspected.

Sandals said it was “actively working to support both the investigation and the guests’ families in every way possible.”

“A health emergency was initially reported and, following our protocols, we immediately alerted emergency medical professionals and relevant local authorities,” the company said in a statement. “Out of respect for the privacy of our guests, we are unable to disclose any further information at this time.”

Jason Volack, Caroline Guthrie, Alexandra Faul, Caroline Guthrie, Miles Cohen and Jasper Ward of ABC News contributed to this report.



Reference-abcnews.go.com

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