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Getty Vincent Chiarella is one of the victims
Vincent Chiarella is the first named victim in the deaths at Sandals Resorts in the Bahamas.
In a press release, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said they were investigating the “sudden deaths of two men and one adult woman.” They are all US citizens.
The deaths occurred at Sandals’ Emerald Bay Resort on the Great Exuma. According to WVTM13, Acting Prime Minister of the Bahamas Chester Cooper said no foul play was suspected.
Here’s what you need to know:
Chiarella’s son confirmed that he was one of the victims who died
GettyGREAT EXUMA, BAHAMAS – JUNE 4: View of Sandals Emerald Bay Celebrity Golf Weekend on June 4, 2016 in Great Exuma, Bahamas.
Vincent Chiarella, originally from Birmingham, Alabama, was confirmed by his son Austin Chiarella as one of the victims who died in the report.
Austin Chiarella told WVTM13 that his mother, Donnis Chiarella, was also a guest at the resort. She is injured. He told the TV station the family was frustrated. Online records list the Chiarellas as last living in Panama City, Florida.
The son told ABC News that Vincent Chiarella, who was in his 60s, and his wife were in the Bahamas for their wedding anniversary. He said his mother was being flown to a Florida hospital.
He spoke to his mother and told ABC what she said.
“She woke up and my dad was there on the floor and she couldn’t move,” he said. “Her legs and arms were swollen and she couldn’t move and she was screaming for someone to come through the door.” His mother told him that the day before she had initially felt ill, but after being discharged from the clinic “believed “She’s fine.”
“I’m so heartbroken right now,” Austin Chiarella said. “My father was everything to me”
Two of the victims showed signs of convulsions, police say
GettyGREAT EXUMA, BAHAMAS – JUNE 4: View of Sandals Emerald Bay Celebrity Golf Weekend on June 4, 2016 in Great Exuma, Bahamas.
Preliminary reports indicated that after 9am on Friday, May 6, 2022, police at the George Town Police Station “were informed by staff at a local resort that the body of a man has been found in one of the unresponsive villas.” it says in the press release.
On the way to the scene, officers received information “that another man and woman at another villa were found unresponsive.”
Officers entered a bedroom in the first villa and found a Caucasian man “lying unresponsive on the floor,” according to the press release. “An examination of the body was conducted” and “no signs of trauma” were found. A doctor pronounced the victim dead.
Next, officers went to the second villa, where they found a Caucasian man “leaning against a wall in a bathroom and not responding. A Caucasian woman was also found in a bedroom on a bed. “
She didn’t respond either.
“Both people showed signs of convulsions,” the press release said, adding that no other signs of trauma were found and the local doctor later pronounced both people dead.
The couple in the second villa had complained of illness the night before. They went to a local medical facility and returned to their accommodation after treatment.
An autopsy report should clarify the exact cause of death.
Another holidaymaker heard faulty air conditioning caused the deaths
Chris Coucheron-Aamot, another vacationer, wrote about the deaths on Facebook. The post is no longer visible, but the Daily Mail saved a copy. “It sounds like this news is getting out in the States,” the post read.
“Chris and I are safe and sound. Three of our neighbors in the building next to ours died and a fourth was flown out in critical condition early this morning. Around our unit was crime scene crime scene tape and security guards. It sounds like there could have been an air conditioning fault in the unit that caused a toxic refrigerant leak.”
They added: “Last night it was hard to sleep – I woke up every time the air conditioning went on. We’re continuing our vacation because that’s what I want people to do if I were someone who had died. Celebrate my life by living yours to the fullest. That means our hearts are with those who are grieving. May God have mercy on them and on us.”
The State Department confirmed the deaths of three US citizens in the Bahamas
GettyGREAT EXUMA, BAHAMAS – JUNE 4: View of Sandals Emerald Bay Celebrity Golf Weekend on June 4, 2016 in Great Exuma, Bahamas.
The State Department issued a statement to USA Today about the deaths.
“We can confirm the deaths of three US citizens in the Bahamas,” the State Department wrote in a statement to USA TODAY. “We are closely monitoring the investigation by the local authorities into the cause of death. We are ready to provide you with any appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the privacy of the families, we have nothing further to add at this time.”
Sandals’ resorts told CNN, “A health emergency was initially reported and, in accordance with our protocols, we immediately alerted emergency medical technicians and the appropriate local authorities.” The company did not provide further details “out of respect for the privacy of our guests.”
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