Couple who ran travel agency, man celebrating anniversary ID’d as tourists who died in the Bahamas

(NEXSTAR) – Authorities have determined the 3 U.S. visitors who died at a Sandals Vacation resort in the Bahamas soon after slipping mysteriously unwell. Samples taken from all 3 tourists have been despatched to a U.S. lab to enable decide what transpired.

Officers have been named to the Sandals Vacation resort on the island of Exuma Friday early morning after just one of the vacationers, a man, was observed unresponsive in a villa, the Royal Bahamas Police Power stated in a statement.

On their way to the resort, officers had been informed two far more unresponsive visitors, a lady and a 2nd person, had been located in a separate villa. All 3 had been pronounced lifeless at the vacation resort, with the woman and second gentleman equally exhibiting “signs of convulsion,” neighborhood officials said.

A fourth vacationer, a woman, was flown to a healthcare facility.

The 3 victims have been discovered as Michael and Robbie Phillips of Tennessee and Vincent Paul Chiarella of Florida. Chiarella’s spouse, Donnis, was the woman flown to a healthcare facility. She has been airlifted to Florida but continues to be in significant problem.

The Tennessee pair is from Maryville, the place they ran a journey agency that worked with Sandals, Nexstar’s WATE has discovered. The company has been regarded with several awards and accreditations from the Sandals Travel Agency Recognition Awards.

A Fb article from Thursday, purportedly posted by Robbie Phillips, even shared admiration for the sights in the Bahamas.

Samples were taken from the travellers, their rooms, and the nearby residence to enable discover no matter if any contaminants were being current.

Health Minister Michael Darville reported Saturday that some hotel visitors went to a clinic Thursday with nausea and vomiting, were being taken care of and left. He explained initial investigations suggest it was an isolated incident.

Chiarella’s son, Austin, spoke with ABC News previous 7 days and reported his mothers and fathers experienced been keeping at the vacation resort for their anniversary. Donnis told her son she fell unwell Thursday but felt “she was alright” soon after leaving the clinic, ABC Information experiences.

Acting Key Minister Chester Cooper issued a assertion Friday saying that police are investigating and foul engage in “is not suspected.”

Minister of Wellbeing and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville advised Eyewitness News Bahamas the crew investigating these fatalities “have a theory” about what occurred but are nevertheless operating to establish the exact bring about. Authorities continue on to believe these are isolated conditions.

The U.S. Point out Office is checking the investigation and is “ready to provide all ideal consular assistance,” a spokesperson advised The Hill.

In a statement to Eyewitness Information Bahamas, a consultant for Sandals reported, “Nothing is much more critical to Sandals Resorts than the basic safety of our visitors. It is with deep disappointment that we affirm the passing of a few of our guests at Emerald Bay Resort on May perhaps 6, 2022. A well being emergency was originally documented and next the protocols, we promptly alerted emergency health-related specialists and appropriate neighborhood authorities to offer support and examine the problem.”

The corporation stated it is cooperating with the investigation.

The Affiliated Push contributed to this report.