Dominican Republic: 10th American Tourist Dies

UPDATE (10:00 a.m. ET): The Hard Rock Hotel in the Dominican Republic is removing liquor from its mini bars in all guest rooms. (NBC News)

A 10th American tourist has died while vacationing in the Dominican Republic.

56-year-old Vittorio Caruso, a pizza shop owner from Long Island, New York, died at the Boca Chica Resort in Santo Domingo. His family says he went into “respiratory distress after drinking something” and claims that he was “very healthy” before leaving for his trip. The results of an autopsy are expected back today.

The FBI is in the Dominican Republic investigating the circumstances of at least six of the mysterious deaths which have taken place since last summer. (WCBS-TV)

Hot Takes:

  • Despite the media coverage of these mysterious deaths, tourists keep visiting the popular island.
  • A number of deaths reportedly occurred after people drank something.
  • The DR worries that the media’s coverage is hurting tourism there.