Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Carbon monoxide caused deaths of three Americans at Bahamas Sandals resort

The tourists were found dead in their villas on 7 May

Sravasti Dasgupta
Tuesday 24 May 2022 09:42 EDT
Comments
Three tourists found dead at Bahamas resort

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Three people from the US who were found dead at a resort in the Bahamas earlier this month are believed to have died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Michael Phillips, 68, and his wife Robbie, 65, who lived in Tennessee, were found dead on 7 May in their villa at the luxury Sandals Emerald Bay resort on the island of Exuma.

Vincent Chiarella, 64, was found dead in the adjoining villa; he was visiting the Bahamas with his wife, Donnis, who was discovered alive on a bed and rushed to hospital and later airlifted to Florida.

Autopsy and toxicology reports completed this month reveal that the three died of carbon monoxide poisoning, reported The Nassau Guardian.

MIke Phillips, and his wife, Robbie, were found dead last week in their villa at Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas. They owned a Tennessee travel agency - specialising in Sandals resorts
MIke Phillips, and his wife, Robbie, were found dead last week in their villa at Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas. They owned a Tennessee travel agency - specialising in Sandals resorts (Facebook)

The families of the victims have requested a private pathologist to conduct separate autopsies, health minister Michael Darville told reporters last week.

Forensic evidence and samples were collected from where the victims were discovered to determine whether any contaminants were present, according to the Bahamas commissioner of police Paul Rolle.

Officials said that the victims were staying in the same building, but different villas, in the same resort.

Officials added that there were no signs of trauma to their bodies.

Earlier Mr Rolle said that the Chiarella and Phillips couples both complained of feeling unwell on Thursday evening and received medical treatment before returning to their rooms.

“They were all treated at different times and they ate at different places,” he said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in