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Topics: World News
Daisy Phillipson
The mystery surrounding the death of three American tourists at a popular resort in the Bahamas has been solved.
Earlier this month, news emerged that two men and a woman were found dead at the Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma.
Florida resident Vincent Chiarella, 64, and Tennessee couple Michael Phillips, 68, and Robbie Phillips, 65, all lost their lives under mysterious circumstances, while another woman, also from the US, had been airlifted to a hospital in Nassau before making a full recovery.
Chester Cooper, Exuma MP and Minister of Tourism, said at the time that the deaths were not thought to be suspicious.
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This has since been confirmed with the results of a full autopsy and toxicology analysis, which found that the three tourists all died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
There was much speculation as to how the three died, with some guests at the resort complaining of a strong odour of insecticides.
An investigation was launched into the hotel's food, air conditioning and water heater, but the medical examiner has since ruled carbon monoxide poisoning to be the cause of death.
Last week, the region's minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Michael Darville, told Eyewitness News that the families of the deceased have requested a second, independent autopsy.
Speaking to the press, he said: “There are still some investigations ongoing at the Sandals resort. We also have the pathologists in-country who have done their job and samples were sent to a very reliable lab in the United States.
“The toxicology reports are still outstanding. There was requests by family members of the deceased to bring in a pathologist from abroad to do another autopsy.”
Darville added: “You know, to move bodies across water, they have to be embalmed and so, that request was made.
“I do not know exactly how far it has gone, but we are willing to assist anyone who wants to get to the bottom of their loved ones [death]. And so, those requests are being entertained. I’m not sure exactly where they are at this point.”
Prior to this, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis told the publication that his 'heart goes out to the families' of those who died, stating: “You know, tourism is the engine and heart of our economy. And when things like this happen, we ought to be concerned about it."
He continued: "We trust that the investigation will be conducted and the outcome will be such that [it] will not impact the product going forward.
“I know that Sandals is doing all they could to cooperate with the investigation and with the family.
“Our government is likewise reaching out and talking with the family. And we just await the outcome.
“My heart goes out to the family and I express on behalf of the Bahamian people our heartfelt condolences on this and on the untimely death of those persons.”
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