Maryville couple found dead at Bahamas resort succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning
The deaths of a Maryville couple and another American tourist who were staying at a Bahamas resort in May were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, Royal Bahamas Police Force said Tuesday.
Maryville's Michael and Robbie Phillips, 68 and 65, and Vincent Chiarella, 64, of Florida, were found dead in their rooms May 6 at the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort on Great Exuma Island. Resort staff found the Americans in their villas the morning after they had sought treatment for being sick.
Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement they died by asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The couples were staying in separate villas next to each other in the same building at the resort, according to officials.
Michael and Robbie Phillips owned and operated the Sand Lady, a "travel design" business specializing in Caribbean honeymoons, destination weddings and romantic getaways. The Sand Lady is a Preferred Sandals resorts agency, according to its website, and Robbie Phillips had posted photos on Facebook from the resort shortly before her death.
"Our hearts are grieving and broken but full of hope," the Phillips' daughter, Kali Hanson, said in a text to Knox News last month. "We know our mom and dad are experiencing fullness of joy in our heavenly father's presence. We already miss them terribly. Our parents left a legacy of faith in Jesus and generously loved their family and friends."
Chiarella, of Panama City Beach, Florida, was celebrating an anniversary with his wife, who also fell ill and was hospitalized in critical condition, said Bahamas Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle at the time.
Sandals Resorts spokesperson Stacy Royal said carbon monoxide detectors were installed in all of guest rooms at Sandals Emerald Bay since the deaths and that Sandals planned to install detectors in guest rooms across all locations.
The victims’ families have requested a private pathologist to conduct separate autopsies, according to the Nassau Guardian.
Hanson declined to comment Tuesday and said the family would not be sharing any additional information.
USA TODAY reporter Jordan T. Brown contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Maryville couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning at Bahamas resort
