Disturbing Number Of American Tourist Deaths Being Investigated By FBI, CDC

On Wednesday learned the sad news Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran had lost her brother back in April.
John Corcoran was found dead in his hotel room while on vacation in the Dominican Republic.The cause of death was listed as a heart attack, which would of course be sad on its own — but not really suspicious.
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However, it isn’t the circumstances of John’s death in particular that has authorities digging — it’s the pattern of deaths in the Caribbean nation.
According to the U.S. State Department six other American tourists have died in the city of Punta Cana in the DR recently — four of them at the same resort!

John Corcoran

John Corcoran, brother to Shark Tank‘s Barbara, was about to meet up with his girlfriend.
The 60-year-old roofing company owner from New Jersey was in Punta Cana on his annual vacation. He was reportedly awaiting the arrival of his girlfriend when he died alone in his room.
A friend who was staying in the same suite discovered his body; thus far no autopsy has been done.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

David Harrison, 45, had a soda from the hotel minibar in his room. He got sick and died shortly after — cause of death listed as heart attack. His wife told the Washington Post

“I thought his death was just a fluke.”

Back in July of last year, when Harrison died, it probably seemed that way. Now no one is so sure.
That was the first.
In April 67-year-old Robert Bell Wallace went to the DR to celebrate his stepson’s wedding. He reportedly drank a scotch from the minibar in his hotel room and fell suddenly ill immediately after. Following symptoms of bloody urine and stool, he had to be hospitalized; he died just two days later.
Both men were said to be in excellent health before their trips.

Bahía Príncipe

Four of the deaths were at the Bahía Príncipe resort.
Yvette Nicole Sport (51) was on a romantic getaway with her fiancé. Just like those at the Hard Rock, she reportedly took a drink from the minibar — then went to bed and never woke up. At the time it just seemed like a heart attack.
That was way back in June of 2018, making her the first known death in the pattern.
Miranda Schaup-Werner (41) was in the country celebrating her ninth wedding anniversary; according to her husband she made herself a drink from the minibar and shortly after collapsed.
This time local authorities did investigate; considering all the deaths which came before, they pretty much had to. Miranda’s autopsy revealed she died of a heart attack, causing pulmonary edema — fluid in the lungs — and respiratory failure.
Finally, also in May, a recently engaged couple named Edward Holmes (63) and Cynthia Day (49) were found dead in their room. As in Miranda’s case, Dominican officials performed an autopsy and noted pulmonary edema.
Almost exactly the same. Could all these deaths really be a coincidence?

Survivors

Interestingly, there was a couple who went through something very similar to the others — and survived!
Kaylynn Knull (29) and Tom Schwander stayed at the Bahía Príncipe resort in June of last year and became violently ill in their room; they reported  headaches, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. Not much of a vacay, but at least they survived.
Not only that, they filed a lawsuit blaming the resort; they say their room had a smell of chemicals and assumed some kind of pesticide poisoning.
Sadly their legal fight did not change anything in time to save those who died. Kaylynn told CNN about her reaction to hearing of the recent deaths:

“My blood boiled. It made me want to scream. It made me want to cry. There’s something going on. What happened to us may be related to what happened to them.”

The Investigation

The spike in deaths — including three in a 5-day period — has finally led to an investigation by both the FBI and the CDC, People has confirmed.
The FBI told Fox News they are sending experts to conduct tests at the hotels.
All the causes of death must now be in question; there are just too many similarities between them all.
As Yvette’s sister told her local news WTXF:

“There is something dirty at the bottom of all of this.”

We know in FOUR of the cases the deceased drank from the hotel minibar before getting sick. But in the case of the other three, that can’t be ruled out.
In John’s case, he was found later by a friend. Edward and Cynthia died together; they aren’t available to give a timeline of events and clarify who drank what.
There’s basically no chance these deaths are all natural and unconnected.
But the question is, are Kaylynn and Tom right? Is this a case of negligence by a resort? If so, how is the same thing happening at the Hard Rock?
Could it be a single business catering to both chains?
Or is this more than carelessness? Could the poisoning, the illness, the deaths… all be intentional? Some lunatic’s silent killing spree??
One thing is for sure: if you or someone you know is planning a trip to Punta Cana soon, CALL IT OFF!
Stay safe out there, everyone!
[Images via Twitter/Facebook.]