Honeymooning couple claims Bahamas resort has been ‘hush-hush’ about 3 deaths
A honeymooning Arizona couple who stayed at the Bahamas resort where three American guests were found dead said Tuesday that everyone at the luxury getaway has been “kind of just hush-hush” about the matter.
Sydney Rosenquist and Chasen Toth, who traveled to the Bahamas after tying the knot on May 1, claimed the resort’s staff has not been open with guests about last Friday’s tragic, mysterious deaths and any continuing danger.
“I definitely think they should be more transparent,” Rosenquist said on “Fox and Friends First,” adding: “Everybody is kind of just hush-hush about it.
“It is a scary feeling being here right now,” her hubby told co-host Carley Shimkus. “And it’s a little uncomfortable for both of us … I want this to be the happiest time in my life, but it’s kind of hard, though, just with the situation that is going on.”
Tennessee couple Michael Phillips, 68, and his wife, Robbie, 65, died under mysterious circumstances in their villa at the Sandals Emerald Bay resort on the island of Exuma last Friday.
Florida resident Vincent Chiarella, 64, also was found dead in a separate villa, the same day, Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Paul Rolle said.
The three dead Americans had earlier sought medical treatment because they were feeling unwell, according to local authorities.
Rosenquist said they only found out about the deaths when Toth’s father texted his son a link to an article after they were already in the Bahamas.
“If we wouldn’t have known through other sources, then I don’t think we still probably would have suspected anything or even know what was going on,” she added, according to Fox News.
“If I would have found out from even other guests, and I wasn’t told by staff or other personnel, I would just kind of be … I would be shocked,” she said.
In a final Facebook just one day before their bodies were found, Robbie had posted a glowing review of the Emerald Bay resort and a handful of photos of the coastline.
“If you want the most beautiful long private beach with clear blue water and you like to hear the waves lapping, see sand dunes and hear the seagulls talking — this is it!” she wrote.
Robbie and Michael, who lived in Maryville, ran a Royal Travel agency together and were no strangers to the Sandals resorts, according to their social media pages.
In addition to their travel agency, Robbie ran a travel site called The Sand Lady, where she described herself as a “Certified Sandals Specialist” and “member of the elite Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.”
Chiarella’s wife, Donnis, was airlifted to a hospital in Florida and remains in serious condition, according to Rolle.
Samples extracted from the three dead tourists have been sent to a lab in Pennsylvania to help authorities understand what happened.
Officials have also collected samples from the rooms where they were staying and the surrounding property to determine whether any contaminants were present.
The Post has reached out to the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort for comment.
