Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, Bahamas.Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Sandals Resorts has issued a statement regarding the deaths of three Americans at aSandals resort in the Bahamas, saying carbon monoxide detectors have been added to guest rooms in the wake of a report that claimed carbon monoxide poisoning was determined to be the cause of death.
A fourth guest, Donnis Chiarella, survived and was airlifted to a Florida hospital.
“Despite initial speculation, Bahamian authorities have concluded the cause was an isolated incident in one standalone structure that housed two individual guest rooms and was in no way linked to the resort’s air conditioning system, food and beverage service, landscaping services or foul play,” the statement continued.
(L-R) Mike Phillips and Robbie Phillips.Robbie and Mike Phillips/Facebook
Sandals Resorts said they have since taken additional safety measures, which includes placing carbon monoxide detectors in all guest rooms at Sandals Emerald Bay.
“Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members is and will always be paramount. It is for this reason that we have taken additional measures such as engaging environmental safety experts for a comprehensive review of all systems across the resort,” the company wrote.
“In addition, CO detectors have now been placed in all guest rooms at Sandals Emerald Bay and although not mandated in any Caribbean destination where we operate, detectors will be installed in all guest rooms throughout the portfolio,” the statement continued. “Our entire team is keeping the families in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
PEOPLE has not independently verified the report, and the Royal Bahamas Police Force, which has yet to issue an official statement about the cause of death for the three Americans, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Wednesday.
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Austin Chiarella, the son of Vincent, 64, and Donnis, 65, previously said he was “heartbroken” over his father’s death.
“My dad was everything to me,” he toldABC Newsof his late father.
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In a separate statement, Caroline Phillips Fortenberry said her parents — dad Michael, 68, and mom Robbie, 65 — will be dearly missed.
“Our hearts are grieving and broken but full of hope,” she toldCNN. “Our parents left a legacy of faith in Jesus and generously loved their family and friends.”
Michael and Robbie, who were “happily married for 43 years,” owned a Maryville travel agency together, according to theirobituary.
“They took great care of their clients and enjoyed traveling the world together,” the obituary stated.
Sandals Emerald Bay.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Police previously said authorities were informed on the morning of May 6 that three bodies had been found in two separate villas.
“On their arrival at the scene they were directed to the first villa. On entering a bedroom, they found a caucasian male laying on the ground unresponsive,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in astatement.
“The officers were then directed to the second villa, where they found a caucasian male slumped against the wall in a bathroom unresponsive. A caucasian female was also found in a bedroom on a bed. She too was unresponsive.” they continued. “Both individuals showed signs of convulsion.”
Police said that upon examination, none of the bodies showed signs of trauma.
Even before the initial autopsy was complete, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville toldEyewitness Newsthat the victims' families requested a second, independent autopsy.
source: people.com
