A Pennsylvania woman died in the same Dominican hotel five days before another couple.
Just five days before a Maryland couple was found dead in their hotel room in the Dominican Republic, a 41-year-old Pennsylvania woman named Miranda Schaup-Werner collapsed on after she had a drink from the mini-bar at the all-inclusive Bahia Principe Hotel in La Romana.
Five days later, Edward Nathaniel Holmes and his fiancée, Cynthia Day, were found unresponsive in their hotel room by staff.
The couple arrived the same day Schaup-Werner passed. The U.S. State Department on Tuesday confirmed the death to Fox News, saying: “We can confirm the recent deaths of three U.S. citizens in La Romana, the Dominican Republic – Nathaniel Edward Holmes, Cynthia Ann Day, and Miranda Schaup-Werner. We offer our sincerest condolences to the families for their loss. The U.S. Embassy is actively monitoring the investigations by Dominican authorities into these tragic deaths. We stand ready to provide assistance, as requested.”
“The U.S. Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad have no greater responsibility than the protection of U.S. citizens overseas. Out of respect to the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.” The hotel also confirmed Schaup-Werner’s death. “Mrs. Schaup Werner, who was a guest of Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville, was found unresponsive in her room on May 25,” the statement said.
“Following established protocols, the hotel doctor responded immediately and coordinated her transfer to Hospiten Santo Domingo. Unfortunately, Mrs. Schaup passed away in the room prior.”
“In the days that followed, we provided our complete support to Mr. Werner in collaboration with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy. We are deeply saddened by this situation and express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.” In all three cases, Dominican authorities performed an autopsy that ruled the cause of death as respiratory failure and pulmonary edema, which is caused by excess fluid in the lungs. The Regional Institute of Forensic Sciences say more testing is required for Day and Holmes. The story is still developing.
