ABC news - American woman attacked in the Dominican Republic... Update 6/3
- Thread starter LovesTimone
- Start date
nkereina
Last chance to lose your keys.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2009
Just saw a story on the three separate Dominican Republic incidents on the Today show.
A total of three people died at two different, but neighboring, Bahia Principe resorts in La Romana. A woman traveling with her husband was enjoying a drink from their minibar in their room shortly after she arrived when she suddenly became distressed and collapsed. The other two deaths were a couple discovered unresponsive in their room by staff when they missed their checkout time. All three causes of death were reported as respiratory failure and pulmonary edema. To me, they were either intentionally poisoned (not sure what would cause that though) OR the DR's Medical Examiner is inept and uses this cause of death as a generic one when the cause isn't apparent. Another comment I saw on Facebook thought perhaps a poisonous gas, but I would guess more would be sick or have died. Plus, they are two separate resorts even though they are adjacent and owned by the same parent company.
Regarding the woman who was attacked in Punta Cana (about an hour's drive on the other side of the island from La Romana), the Majestic Elegance resort where this occurred released a statement saying this woman went public with her story when her demands for $2.2 million from the resort were not met. They also said when she was found after the incident occurred, she had bruises on her face, a broken fingernail, and still had her purse and cell phone with her. I'm not sure what these statements are implying - perhaps she fell or passed out from drinking? I don't know, but the photos of the woman's face tell a different story. The Today show also reported that the woman has not since responded to them when they requested her comment on the hotel's response to the situation. So, the story is now having holes poked in it.
A total of three people died at two different, but neighboring, Bahia Principe resorts in La Romana. A woman traveling with her husband was enjoying a drink from their minibar in their room shortly after she arrived when she suddenly became distressed and collapsed. The other two deaths were a couple discovered unresponsive in their room by staff when they missed their checkout time. All three causes of death were reported as respiratory failure and pulmonary edema. To me, they were either intentionally poisoned (not sure what would cause that though) OR the DR's Medical Examiner is inept and uses this cause of death as a generic one when the cause isn't apparent. Another comment I saw on Facebook thought perhaps a poisonous gas, but I would guess more would be sick or have died. Plus, they are two separate resorts even though they are adjacent and owned by the same parent company.
Regarding the woman who was attacked in Punta Cana (about an hour's drive on the other side of the island from La Romana), the Majestic Elegance resort where this occurred released a statement saying this woman went public with her story when her demands for $2.2 million from the resort were not met. They also said when she was found after the incident occurred, she had bruises on her face, a broken fingernail, and still had her purse and cell phone with her. I'm not sure what these statements are implying - perhaps she fell or passed out from drinking? I don't know, but the photos of the woman's face tell a different story. The Today show also reported that the woman has not since responded to them when they requested her comment on the hotel's response to the situation. So, the story is now having holes poked in it.
LovesTimone
Christmas Day 2017
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2009
No worries... I agree... Now there was another woman the died at Bahia Principe the week or so before of the same causes as the couple did... and she had only been there a few hours...as well as a couple in Fiji died of the same thing withing hours of each other...
I really think that there is so type of cover up going on...
Our friends had planned to go down to the Dominican for their 30th anniversary, and stay a Majestic Mirage which the newest hotel, and sits right next to Majestic Elegance, shares the property and is part of the group... It was going to be a family trip with all the their kids, and grandkids, and some of their brothers and sister and families.... They cancelled 15 rooms... and are having trouble getting there deposits back even though it is within the guidelines... Like our friend said... "Family safety first".... Now I helping them plan for a family Christmas trip and celebration to WDW...
Cannot_Wait_4Disney
The Colombo of Cippolini.
- Joined
- May 18, 2005
Go easy on the Dominican Republic Police. They're very busy working on all the cases of human trafficking to not solve. Looking the other way is taking up all their time and energy.
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LovesTimone
Christmas Day 2017
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2009
Op here .... why would they release a statement about bruise's and a broken fingernail, and her purse and cell phone... It feels like they are blaming her for the attack..... like well someone just tried to kill me and beat and choke me to death... and I am in out of consciousness, so of course I should be able to think clearly and call for help... as well if she did have these thing would an attacker have left them with her to use? more than likely not... Normally as a woman I don't like to take my cell phone or handbag out with me especially to grab some snack you would want to be hands free... We lock up my handbag, Dh's wallet and anything with any value in the room safe.... take room key card yes of course... ... and she was going to get snacks why would she need it a purse or cell phone... all inclusive are cash free, and there would be no reason for her to carry it... From the picture both of her eyes are black, her whole face is swollen, there are marks around her neck... this doesn't look like some that just fell down... she looks like someone beat the neck out of her... as well in the 1st report they said that a broken broom or mop handle was covered in blood...in the room that they found her in, as well it took 3 tries to get security to help them look for her... as well did they make the assumption she had her purse and cell with her, or did someone bring it to the hospital... If it was with her, it should have been bagged as evidence.... right... They would not have just let that go with her and back to the states.. There are holes in both sides... The resorts bring big money to the island, and with that they have alot to lose...
Hikergirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2016
She said something about going to the lounge near the beach because she thought she could get some pictures of the moon, so she probably did have her cell, or a camera or a purse. I have my cell on me always, especially if I'm going somewhere alone. Are they releasing that info to get people to think she is lying about something? I don't think that is so unusual even in an all inclusive resort, people are rarely without their phones.
I would guess the reason she didn't use it was because after being beaten so bad she was in and out of consciousness and had no idea that she did still have her stuff near/with her. Even if she did, didn't she say her eyes were swollen shut? How would she be able to call anyone. Even if she didn't say it, the pics from the hospital are worth 1000 words.
Her injures look far more severe than some face bruising and a broken fingernail.
I think they are trying to paint a picture so that people do second guess the victim instead of the resort and the law there. Sorry, it's not working for me.
I don't think we can assume what the police there would do there as far as evidence is concerned.
--ETA I wanted to quote nkereina too but it didn't work--
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Pea-n-Me
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2004
The way I read that was that they’ve been trying to get answers and legalities about this resolved since January and all they’re getting are lies and feet dragging. Sometimes the only way someone can get answers is by getting a lawyer. I don’t hold that against them in any way; it’s probably just what they were forced to do - and it might’ve even helped expose more and bigger issues, too. The press
is making it out to be something bad.
Pea-n-Me
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2004
Also re pictures of attack: The white parts of her eyes were blood filled because she was forcefully strangled. She said it caused her to pass out, so presumably it nearly killed her. I had not read about the bloodied broom but can only imagine was that was used for, and if so, she likely had some very severe internal injuries. She’s been through a living nightmare and is fortunate she lived to tell about it. I’m glad she is able to finally get her story out and I hope her attacker can eventually be brought to justice. I’d say there was very little chance of that happening had her story not gone viral. Now, at least, with all the financial pressure and worldwide exposure, hopefully there is - even though it’s sad it had to come to that. But make no mistake about it, without a lawyer this would still be in oblivion.
pezgirlroy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2016
We are going to an all inclusive in Punta Cana in August. I thought about canceling but I am not going to. It is not this hotel. (Not saying it cannot happen anywhere but still). I will say that I will not be going anywhere by myself at night (probably not during the day either).
nkereina
Last chance to lose your keys.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2009
Right, that's how I took it too. As in they were implying she's a drunk or that the injuries from a domestic dispute or something like that. The statement from the resort was peculiar - defensive and blaming rather than apologetic and even toned.
The statement from the resort said something about her being reported missing after 11pm and being found the next morning at 6:30am, from what I remember hearing on TV this morning. I don't know how much time elapsed from the time she actually was taken to the time she was reported missing.
Hikergirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2016
This is a direct quote from what the resort posted on their twitter
According to her testimony, she was intercepted by a stranger shortly after 11 o'clock that night, but Mr. Daley reported her missing at 2:30 in the morning, and in a few minutes a search operation began all throughout the property, she was found at 6:40 in the morning at a restricted area of the hotel.
She showed bruises on her face and had a broken fingernail, without presenting any other signs of violence on her body, and still being in possession of her purse, cell phone and other belongings.
They go on to say other things like they did pay for her hospital visit and offered a complimentary extended stay at the resort. Also that they prepared her special meals because she had a hard time swallowing.
This really rubs me the wrong way, that "but" about the time her dh reported her missing.
According to him and their friends they asked 3 times for help finding her. I see the resort failed to mention that in their statement.
The part about failing to present violence on other parts of her body- what does that even mean?
I think what is more important is what was found when she was at the hospital being that the staff that found her probably didn't do a medical exam on her.
Also, what does her time being attacked have to do with what her dh did or said to them?
They weren't together so it isn't like they need to match their "testimony".
According to her testimony, she was intercepted by a stranger shortly after 11 o'clock that night, but Mr. Daley reported her missing at 2:30 in the morning, and in a few minutes a search operation began all throughout the property, she was found at 6:40 in the morning at a restricted area of the hotel.
She showed bruises on her face and had a broken fingernail, without presenting any other signs of violence on her body, and still being in possession of her purse, cell phone and other belongings.
They go on to say other things like they did pay for her hospital visit and offered a complimentary extended stay at the resort. Also that they prepared her special meals because she had a hard time swallowing.
This really rubs me the wrong way, that "but" about the time her dh reported her missing.
According to him and their friends they asked 3 times for help finding her. I see the resort failed to mention that in their statement.
The part about failing to present violence on other parts of her body- what does that even mean?
I think what is more important is what was found when she was at the hospital being that the staff that found her probably didn't do a medical exam on her.
Also, what does her time being attacked have to do with what her dh did or said to them?
They weren't together so it isn't like they need to match their "testimony".
TeresaBelle
<font color=magenta>Still sleeps with a security b
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2005
Her post on fb says 8 hours. I believe her.
Tammy Lawrence-Daley is with Diane Banecker Doering.
May 29 at 1:04 PM ·
My story...please no negative comments, this is my truth as I lived it.
How do you explain to your kids you were almost killed by some random stranger and that ‘Mommy is coming home, but I don’t look like myself’? How do you look into your parents eyes as they gaze upon your battered face telling them, ‘I’m okay, I’ll be okay’. Seeing friends break down in tears as they look at you. Everyone asking, ‘why?’, ‘how?’ You tell them a story. You recount every detail very matter of fact so that you don’t break down, that you stay strong… so they don’t see how you are crumbling inside with fear, disappointment, and weakness.
Now that I’ve had some time to heal, it’s time to tell my story, in the hopes that women will be more aware, and hopefully prevent what happened to me. I also want people to understand that the resorts will claim NO liability or responsibility and you will have no recourse for any reimbursement of expenses.
I went on vacation at the end of January with my husband and our best friends, Diane and James. We went to an all-inclusive resort, Majestic Elegance, in the Dominican Republic. We arrived on a Monday night. After checking out the resort, we went to bed relatively early (10ish), because let’s face it… it was a long day and we aren’t so young anymore!
Tuesday brought sunshine and beach-time! That night we met up with our friends for the theatre show. It was all about 80's music…right up our alley.
The show ended somewhere around 10:30pm and we went back to our rooms. I had worked up an appetite dancing so I called down to room service. I received a ‘busy’ message so I tried calling again. At that time I got a message that they were no longer serving (I can’t remember the exact message). I told my husband I was going to run downstairs to the lounge in our building for a snack and I’d be back in 5 minutes. I ended up bypassing the lounge in our building, and opted to go to the lounge in the next building. which was on the beach. I thought I could get some pictures of the moon on the water, but I never made it to the beach.
As I went through the rotunda between buildings, I noticed there wasn’t anyone in the hallway. Not majorly odd, but still eerily quiet. I took about 10 or so steps just swinging my wristlet back and forth, not a care in the world. That's when I heard it. Heavy footsteps... one, two, three, four, then they sped up, and then before I could react I was plowed into from behind and immediately immobilized. His arms wrapped around me and he started pulling me immediately into an unlocked maintenance room...
I’m not going to go into the gory details of everything, however, please know that I fought with everything I had at that moment. He was too strong. The next 8 hours brought me pain and fear. I was strangled multiple times to unconsciousness. My lifeless body was drug down concrete stairs to an underground waste water area. I was kicked in the head, I was beaten with a club. And then strangled again for the kill; at which time he disposed of my body into an area I refer to as the ‘hole’. I was unconscious multiple times during this savage attack, so I have no idea what else was done to me during that time. Somehow I survived. Again, I won't go into all of the hell that I went through being basically 'buried' in that hell hole for so many hours.
I spent 5 days in the medical clinic (an offsite hospital) and had surgery to repair my injuries. I am still dealing with several issues, including nerve damage, as well as, all of the medical expenses since being home. Majestic Elegance claims no responsibility for the attack since I couldn't identify the attacker (even though he was wearing a uniform WITH the resort logo and hit me directly in front of the unlocked maintenance room and dragged me down concrete stairs to a basement so that no one could hear or find me.) Police did find evidence of the blood smeared mop handle and a maintenance hat in the area I was found, but this means nothing in these countries.
There are no cameras, no bright lighting, etc. My husband and friends went to the front desk at least 3 times throughout the night before security even agreed to look for me. This consisted of them taking a quad to the beach and looking on the beach. The security at Majestic Elegance thought I was drunk somewhere. I went missing at 10:30 and was found over 8 hrs later. It was hell.
This man thought he killed me, but he failed. He is still out there, a predator, waiting for his next victim. Only the next woman may not be so fortunate. Please, please do not walk alone. These attacks are happening too frequently and the criminals are NOT being prosecuted even though evidence is found. Victims are not being compensated for medical or pain and suffering, and the resorts are not held liable. Majestic Elegance didn't offer to reimburse us for our vacation, let alone my current medical bills. Litigation went nowhere. Stories are being squashed.
When you are in unfamiliar places, or even in familiar places, please remember…be smart, be safe.
The pictures are from prior to the attack and after they cleaned me up at the hospital.
#majesticelegance #cnn #abcnews #cbsnews #nbcnews #GMA #TODAY
Tammy Lawrence-Daley is with Diane Banecker Doering.
May 29 at 1:04 PM ·
My story...please no negative comments, this is my truth as I lived it.
How do you explain to your kids you were almost killed by some random stranger and that ‘Mommy is coming home, but I don’t look like myself’? How do you look into your parents eyes as they gaze upon your battered face telling them, ‘I’m okay, I’ll be okay’. Seeing friends break down in tears as they look at you. Everyone asking, ‘why?’, ‘how?’ You tell them a story. You recount every detail very matter of fact so that you don’t break down, that you stay strong… so they don’t see how you are crumbling inside with fear, disappointment, and weakness.
Now that I’ve had some time to heal, it’s time to tell my story, in the hopes that women will be more aware, and hopefully prevent what happened to me. I also want people to understand that the resorts will claim NO liability or responsibility and you will have no recourse for any reimbursement of expenses.
I went on vacation at the end of January with my husband and our best friends, Diane and James. We went to an all-inclusive resort, Majestic Elegance, in the Dominican Republic. We arrived on a Monday night. After checking out the resort, we went to bed relatively early (10ish), because let’s face it… it was a long day and we aren’t so young anymore!
Tuesday brought sunshine and beach-time! That night we met up with our friends for the theatre show. It was all about 80's music…right up our alley.
The show ended somewhere around 10:30pm and we went back to our rooms. I had worked up an appetite dancing so I called down to room service. I received a ‘busy’ message so I tried calling again. At that time I got a message that they were no longer serving (I can’t remember the exact message). I told my husband I was going to run downstairs to the lounge in our building for a snack and I’d be back in 5 minutes. I ended up bypassing the lounge in our building, and opted to go to the lounge in the next building. which was on the beach. I thought I could get some pictures of the moon on the water, but I never made it to the beach.
As I went through the rotunda between buildings, I noticed there wasn’t anyone in the hallway. Not majorly odd, but still eerily quiet. I took about 10 or so steps just swinging my wristlet back and forth, not a care in the world. That's when I heard it. Heavy footsteps... one, two, three, four, then they sped up, and then before I could react I was plowed into from behind and immediately immobilized. His arms wrapped around me and he started pulling me immediately into an unlocked maintenance room...
I’m not going to go into the gory details of everything, however, please know that I fought with everything I had at that moment. He was too strong. The next 8 hours brought me pain and fear. I was strangled multiple times to unconsciousness. My lifeless body was drug down concrete stairs to an underground waste water area. I was kicked in the head, I was beaten with a club. And then strangled again for the kill; at which time he disposed of my body into an area I refer to as the ‘hole’. I was unconscious multiple times during this savage attack, so I have no idea what else was done to me during that time. Somehow I survived. Again, I won't go into all of the hell that I went through being basically 'buried' in that hell hole for so many hours.
I spent 5 days in the medical clinic (an offsite hospital) and had surgery to repair my injuries. I am still dealing with several issues, including nerve damage, as well as, all of the medical expenses since being home. Majestic Elegance claims no responsibility for the attack since I couldn't identify the attacker (even though he was wearing a uniform WITH the resort logo and hit me directly in front of the unlocked maintenance room and dragged me down concrete stairs to a basement so that no one could hear or find me.) Police did find evidence of the blood smeared mop handle and a maintenance hat in the area I was found, but this means nothing in these countries.
There are no cameras, no bright lighting, etc. My husband and friends went to the front desk at least 3 times throughout the night before security even agreed to look for me. This consisted of them taking a quad to the beach and looking on the beach. The security at Majestic Elegance thought I was drunk somewhere. I went missing at 10:30 and was found over 8 hrs later. It was hell.
This man thought he killed me, but he failed. He is still out there, a predator, waiting for his next victim. Only the next woman may not be so fortunate. Please, please do not walk alone. These attacks are happening too frequently and the criminals are NOT being prosecuted even though evidence is found. Victims are not being compensated for medical or pain and suffering, and the resorts are not held liable. Majestic Elegance didn't offer to reimburse us for our vacation, let alone my current medical bills. Litigation went nowhere. Stories are being squashed.
When you are in unfamiliar places, or even in familiar places, please remember…be smart, be safe.
The pictures are from prior to the attack and after they cleaned me up at the hospital.
#majesticelegance #cnn #abcnews #cbsnews #nbcnews #GMA #TODAY
OhMari
WDW PreTrip and Trip Moderator
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2000
My dd’s co-worker lives a block over from her, near the cemeteries, when he got home, he heard a noise, bullets flew throw his back window. He thought he was being targeted, but it was a retailiation at the cemetery: She was on the train that runs along Kennedy, and she said shots were being fired into the train. They caught them, and when police questioned them, they just said they only wanted to scare people on the train. They thought the train had bullet proof windows. I agree something needs to be done, but it seems like they clean a section of town up, but the crime just moves to a different section of the city.
OhMari
WDW PreTrip and Trip Moderator
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2000
This totally is not about her suing the hotel. This is her story and the resort is trying to down play what happened. I have friends on a Facebook that have been to this resort and they are all telling stories of being followed and presued by an employee of that same resort. Many said a maintenance person would knock on their door and claim to need to fix the toilet or air conditioning, one even said he let himself in with a key and,luckily her husband was there. When they complained, the resort said, the person had the wrong room or floor and apologized. To me, this was not a one time random attack.
nkereina
Last chance to lose your keys.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2009
I used to work in the travel industry and have experience staying at and working with Majestic resorts (they're also in Mexico). In my own experience, they've always been great and on par with other resorts in the same price point. But these statements from what I presume is corporate PR are very surprising to me. One would expect a larger corporation, especially one in the service industry that relies on guests and guests' reviews to succeed, would take a more neutral stance or refrain from saying anything at all. But their response is defensive, which is unusual in these circumstances. And the fact they didn't settle with her also seems unusual. It makes me wonder if there's more to the story that they're taking such a hard and risky approach on the whole thing. Very bizarre.
PlainJane
<font color=teal>It was wonderful both times<br><f
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2005
From the point that the hotel claimed she had some “facial bruising and a broken fingernail” and then I looked at the picture, I have no reason to believe what they have to say on the matter.
I’ve read some Monday morning quarterbacking (on news sites) on how she should have handled the situation, but really she just got beaten up, she probably wasn’t thinking with great clarity. It’s always amusing to read the “international law” experts on Yahoo who can’t understand why she didn’t do this or that perfectly in a foreign country.
I’ve read some Monday morning quarterbacking (on news sites) on how she should have handled the situation, but really she just got beaten up, she probably wasn’t thinking with great clarity. It’s always amusing to read the “international law” experts on Yahoo who can’t understand why she didn’t do this or that perfectly in a foreign country.
Another mysterious death in the DR 
https://wgntv.com/2019/06/11/califo...tch-at-dominican-republic-resort-family-says/
https://wgntv.com/2019/06/11/califo...tch-at-dominican-republic-resort-family-says/
monica9
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 3, 2011
Agreed. Some things you can't avoid but I can certainly pick a different island to vacation. Also, for me personally, I'm more worried about getting poisoned than being shot. You can't avoid eating or giving food to your children. You never know if it's going to be tainted. Scary!
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