American tourists found mysteriously dead at Bahamas resort likely died from carbon monoxide poisoning, report says

A trio of American tourists found dead at a popular Bahamas resort likely died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a new report.

The bodies of Michael Phillips, 68, and Robbie Phillips, 65, a married couple from Tennessee, and 64-year-old Vincent Chiarella, from Florida, were all found dead earlier this month at the Sandals Emerald Bay resort on Exuma. The Phillips, owners of a travel agency based in Maryville, were discovered inside one villa on the property while Chiarella was found unresponsive in another villa nearby.

Donnis Chiarella, 65, the lone survivor, was also found suffering symptoms and flown to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami. She has since been discharged.

The incident remained a mystery for weeks, but according to autopsy and toxicology reports obtained by the Nassau Guardian, the group was poisoned by carbon monoxide. No further details have been released.

Earlier this month, the victims’ families reportedly requested that a second, independent autopsy be conducted in addition to the one carried out by a Bahamian pathologist.

“There’s still some investigations ongoing at the Sandals resort,” Dr. Michael Darville told Eyewitness News last week. “We also have the pathologists in-country who have done their job and samples were sent to a very reliable lab in the United States.”

Their sudden deaths sparked widespread speculation and rumors, including that the couples were sickened by food at the resort. Others pointed to guests’ previous complaints of insecticide, suggesting the strong chemicals could be responsible.

Authorities continued to investigate the incident and continue to search for and analyze any air conditioning and water heater leaks.