American Couple Found Dead At Sandals Resort In Bahamas

An East Tennessee couple discovered dead in the Bahamas ran a travel firm in Maryville that collaborated with the Caribbean vacation company that managed the resort where they were discovered dead.

Robbie Phillips, 65, and her husband Michael Phillips, 68, of Maryville, Tennessee, died over the weekend at the Sandals Emerald Bay resort on Exuma, as did Vincent Paul Chiarella, 64, of Florida. Donnis, Chiarella’s wife, was flown to a hospital in Florida and is in critical condition.

According to the source, the duo owns “The Sand Lady from Royal Travel”, a Maryville-based travel agency. The organization claims to have over 20 years of expertise organizing holiday breaks in the Caribbean and throughout the world.

A May 5 Facebook post from the resort purportedly posted by Robbie Phillips said, “If you want the most beautiful long private beach with clear blue water and you like to hear the waves lapping, see dunes and hear the seagulls talking – this is it! RELAXING The Greg Norman golf course is a bonus.”

On Friday, May 6, the couple’s bodies were discovered. Dr. Michael Darville, Bahamas Minister of Health and Wellness, told that hotel guests went to a clinic Thursday with nausea and vomiting, were treated, and then left.

The resort workers alerted George Town Police Station just after 9 a.m. Friday regarding a male who was discovered motionless in a villa. Police added that another man and lady were discovered lifeless in another villa while they were on the way.

According to officials, the male was discovered laying on the ground in the first villa with no evidence of injuries. The guy was discovered “slumped against a wall in a bathroom” in the second villa, while the lady was discovered on a bed, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“Both individuals showed signs of convulsion,” police said. No signs of trauma were found on either body.

“We are closely monitoring local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death,” a Department of State spokesperson stated. “We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the privacy of the families, we have nothing further to add at this time.”

Officials said Monday that autopsy findings have been forwarded to a facility in the United States to help investigators understand what happened.

According to Paul Rolle, the Bahamas’ police commissioner, investigators also gathered samples from the guests’ rooms and the surrounding property to check whether any toxins were present.

Found Dead At Sandals Resort In Bahamas

An East Tennessee couple discovered dead in the Bahamas ran a travel firm in Maryville that collaborated with the Caribbean vacation company that managed the resort where they were discovered dead.

Robbie Phillips, 65, and her husband Michael Phillips, 68, of Maryville, Tennessee, died over the weekend at the Sandals Emerald Bay resort on Exuma, as did Vincent Paul Chiarella, 64, of Florida. Donnis, Chiarella’s wife, was flown to a hospital in Florida and is in critical condition.

According to the source, the duo owns “The Sand Lady from Royal Travel”, a Maryville-based travel agency. The organization claims to have over 20 years of expertise organizing holiday breaks in the Caribbean and throughout the world.

A May 5 Facebook post from the resort purportedly posted by Robbie Phillips said, “If you want the most beautiful long private beach with clear blue water and you like to hear the waves lapping, see dunes and hear the seagulls talking – this is it! RELAXING The Greg Norman golf course is a bonus.”

On Friday, May 6, the couple’s bodies were discovered. Dr. Michael Darville, Bahamas Minister of Health and Wellness, told that hotel guests went to a clinic Thursday with nausea and vomiting, were treated, and then left.

The resort workers alerted George Town Police Station just after 9 a.m. Friday regarding a male who was discovered motionless in a villa. Police added that another man and lady were discovered lifeless in another villa while they were on the way.

According to officials, the male was discovered laying on the ground in the first villa with no evidence of injuries. The guy was discovered “slumped against a wall in a bathroom” in the second villa, while the lady was discovered on a bed, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“Both individuals showed signs of convulsion,” police said. No signs of trauma were found on either body.

“We are closely monitoring local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death,” a Department of State spokesperson stated. “We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the privacy of the families, we have nothing further to add at this time.”

Officials said Monday that autopsy findings have been forwarded to a facility in the United States to help investigators understand what happened.

According to Paul Rolle, the Bahamas’ police commissioner, investigators also gathered samples from the guests’ rooms and the surrounding property to check whether any toxins were present.