American Couple Found Dead In Dominican Republic Hotel Room After Respiratory Failure

An American couple was found dead in their hotel room while on vacation in the Dominican Republic; officials say the cause of death was a respiratory failure and pulmonary edema.

On Thursday, authorities found the bodies of Edward Nathael Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, in their hotel room at the Playa Nueva Romana resort in San Pedro de Macorís, on the southeast coast of the country, according to the Dominican Republic National Police. The couple arrived on May 25 and planned on leaving Thursday, police said.

According to a statement from the Bahía Príncipe hotel, the couple was found after they missed their scheduled check-out time. The hotel staff followed protocol by entering the room; there, they found the tourists unresponsive. Staff immediately contacted the police after finding their bodies. Authorities report that no signs of violence were found on the couples’ bodies. In the room, there were medicine bottles prescribed for high blood pressure. 

Their deaths are being considered suspicious, as Holmes complained about pain on Thursday but then refused to see a doctor. Officials are awaiting the toxicology and histopathology results. The autopsies were performed at the Regional Institute of Forensic Sciences, police said.

On Tuesday, the couple posted on Facebook celebrating their vacation. “Boat ride of a lifetime!!!” reads the caption. The U.S. Department of State confirmed the couple’s deaths in a statement to ABC News. “We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss,” a State Department official said. “We are in close contact with local authorities regarding their investigation into the cause of death. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. 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 said in a statement that it is “deeply saddened by the incident.”