“At this time of the investigation, we can officially confirm that all three victims died as a result of suffocation due to carbon monoxide poisoning,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force announced in a press release. . “This matter is still under active investigation.”
No signs of trauma have been found in the bodies, police told CNN earlier, and Bahamian Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper had said he did not suspect foul play. Police will not comment beyond the cause of death of the three U.S. citizens in the latest press release.
Americans Michael Phillips, 68, and his wife, Robbie Phillips, 65, of Tennessee, and Vincent Paul Chiarella, 64, of Florida, died overnight. Chiarella’s wife, Donnis, 65, was moved to the country’s capital, Nassau, for treatment before being moved to Florida.
The two couples had reported feeling unwell the night before and were seen by medical staff, Bahamas police commissioner Paul Rolle said in May, and had dined at different locations.
Staff discovered the couples in separate villas the next morning and alerted police.
Sandals Resorts said in a statement to CNN at the time: “Nothing is more important to Sandals Resorts than the safety of our guests” and expressed “deep sadness” confirming the deaths.