Dominican Republic mystery deaths: US woman found dead at resort becomes fourth American to die in the country this year
A 53-year-old woman from New York, Leyla Cox of New Brighton, is the latest Amerian tourist to die in the Dominican Republic which is one of the top Caribbean tourist destinations for US travelers.
Cox had gone on vacation to the Dominican Republic on June 5 and was due to return on June 12. Cox, who has traveled alone before, was discovered dead in her hotel room after suffering from a heart attack, the Staten Island Advance reported.
A State Department official confirmed to Fox News, "We can confirm the death of U.S. citizen Leyla Cox in the Dominican Republic on June 11. Out of respect for family members and loved ones, we cannot comment further."
It is reported that, so far, at least six American tourists have died under mysterious but similar circumstances; four people died this year while two died last year. All the people were healthy at the time of their death.
Leyla's Cox's 25-year-old son William said, "I am overwhelmed and confused and in shock. With everything going on in the news right now, we think she’s a casualty of what’s been happening."
Cox's colleagues and co-workers took to social media to share their tributes.
Peggy McGinley Reilly shared, "She turned 53 on Saturday. I want the world to know, that another US Citizen passed away in this vacation destination, that as far as I know is not being held accountable for the past transgressions. Hopefully, this will be investigated."
On Wednesday, the Dominican tourism officials had shared that they wanted to reassure US tourists that the US federal agents and health specialists were actively and closely investigating the deaths. The tourism ministry said that it wanted to "extend its sincerest condolences to the families and friends of those affected in the tragic events that have been reported over the last few weeks in the country."
The FBI has been conducting a deeper analysis of the toxicology reports and has warned that the conclusions could take up to a month and urged "patience during this process."
Cox's son added that the family did not have the funds to figure out any mysteries over his mother's death.
"They’ve put me against a wall where I don’t have a choice. Our own toxicology report would cost copious amounts of money," he shared.