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Fourth American Dies in the Dominican Republic Prompting FBI Investigation

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A fourth tourist has mysteriously died at a Dominican Republic resort prompting the FBI to join local authorities in the investigation. 

Robert Bell Wallace, 67, became ill and urinated blood after he consumed one whisky from his hotel room minibar at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana. His heartbroken niece, Claire Arnold told Fox News  “He started feeling very sick, he had blood in his urine and stool right afterwards.”

He died three days later in Hospital on April 14th. 

Dominican authorities have yet to give the family a cause of death, Ms Arnold said.

“We have so many questions,” she said. “We don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”

Robert Wallace was allegedly in good health and an avid skier. Credit: Fox News

His mysterious death comes after three other Americans were found dead in their hotel rooms in another hotel on the Caribbean island.

Miranda Schaup-Werner, 41, from Pennsylvania, died on May 25 after she had a drink from her minibar at the Bahia Principe La Romana.

Miranda Schaup-Werner died while holidaying in the Dominican Republic
Miranda Schaup-Werner died on vacation in the Dominican Republic. Credit Twitter

Five days later a couple from Maryland, Edward Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Day, 49, were both found dead in their hotel room at the same resort. 

Engaged Maryland couple Edward Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Day, 49, died in their room
Engaged Maryland couple Edward Holmes and Cynthia Day died at the Bahia Principe La Romana. Credit: Facebook

An initial investigation by Dominican Republic authorities into the three deaths at the Bahia Prinicipe La Roman offered a glimpse into the conditions of their bodies.

The couple had internal bleeding, including in their pancreases. Holmes had an enlarged heart and cirrhosis of the liver -- both signs of significant pre-existing disease. Day also had fluid in her brain. The couple also had fluid in their lungs.

Authorities said they won't be able to provide more details on the causes of death until toxicology results are complete. Investigators found “several pill bottles” of medications, including oxycodone, in the couple's room, the attorney general's office said.

 

The resorts said they are cooperating with authorities. There are no medical connections linking the deaths as of yet. The resorts said they are feeling the economic impact from the negative publicity. Nearly seven million tourists visit the Dominican Republic and most are from the U.S.

Last week another American Tourist, Tammy Lawrence-Daley went public with her account of a brutal beating and being left for dead at the Majestic Elegance resort in the Dominican Republic.