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.”