Three American tourists found dead at an all-inclusive Sandals resort in the Bahamas died due to carbon monoxide poisoning, autopsy and toxicology reports have claimed.
Florida resident Vincent Chiarella, 64, and Tennessee couple Michael Phillips, 68, and Robbie Phillips, 65, died under mysterious circumstances on May 6 earlier this year at the Emerald Bay resort on the island of Great Exuma, one of the largest cays of the Exuma district of the Bahamas.
The three victims were found unresponsive in their rooms after allegedly seeking medical help for feeling unwell on the previous night – Chiarella’s wife Donnis was also briefly hospitalised, but later returned to full health.
An investigation was immediately undertaken to discover what could have happened, with the hotel food, air conditioning and water heater all looked at.
Fellow guests at the resort also complained that there was a strong odour of insecticides.
A second, independent autopsy had been demanded by the families of the deceased tourists, in addition to one by a Bahamian pathologist.
“There’s still some investigations ongoing,” Dr Michael Darville told Eyewitness News.
“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 Royal Bahamian Police added that none of the dead displayed any trauma, but did show signs of convulsions.
Emerald Bay general manager Jeremy Mutton said a few days ago: “We extend our condolences to the families and we continue to keep the families in our thoughts and prayers.”
The resort has come under criticism from guests, with one previous visitor telling the Sun: “It was by far the worst hotel I have been to – the pool was freezing and the colour looked dirty, I just knew it was awful.”
A recent TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: “More Butlins than Sandals!! Now, so as not to drone on, I’ll lump service, cleanliness, quality of food, room service, air con not working, bed bugs, musty rooms, mould and rust together and just say that this is the worst holiday we have been on for the last 20 years.”
Another previous guest revealed: “The property needs maintenance. Not necessarily remodelling, but I feel the general maintenance has been neglected for a while.
“We have a big bubble full of water hanging from our bathroom ceiling, while the furniture is worn out and banged up with stains on some of the upholstered furniture making it appear dirty.”
And a social media user criticised Sandals themselves, adding: “It is beyond unacceptable – hope people are held accountable, including the owner.”
