The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander yesterday confirmed police are investigating the “sudden death” of an American tourist at Sandals Emerald Bay, Exuma.

The commissioner offered no further details, when contacted yesterday, while Sandals general manager Jeremy Mutton did not respond to requests for comment.

 The man was believed to be 70 years old.

 International reports have said the man has suffered from suspected COVID-19 symptoms and later tested positive for the disease.

 However, police did not confirm this up to press time.

“At this time, no foul play is suspected,” police said in a press statement yesterday. “The body of the deceased is expected to be flown to New Providence where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. Police investigations continue.”

 The death comes a little over three months after three Americans, all in their 60s, were found dead at the same resort. 

 A police statement in June confirmed that asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death of couple Michael and Robbie Phillips, from Maryville, Tennessee, and Vincent Paul Chiarella, of Florida.

 Donnis Chiarella, wife of Paul Chiarella, was the lone survivor. She was ultimately airlifted to the United States for treatment.

 Officials said the two men and one woman died sometime between 11pm on May 5 when they, along with the lone survivor, visited the clinic seeking medical attention for nausea and vomiting, and around 8.30am to 9am the next morning, when they were found dead in two separate villas.