Eighth US Tourist Mysteriously Dies In Dominican Republic

An eighth U.S. tourist has died in the Dominican Republic under mysterious circumstances.

Leyla Cox, 53, of New Brighton, New York, was found dead in June in her hotel room reportedly of a heart attack, according to her son William Cox, 25, the Staten Island Advance reported.

Leyla Cox joins a growing list of U.S. tourists who have died in the Dominican Republic under similar circumstances over the past year. She was vacationing alone, according to her son, having arrived on June 5 to celebrate her 53rd birthday. It is not known what hotel resort she was staying in.

“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,” a State Department spokesperson confirmed to Fox News.

Victims have been otherwise healthy, and some were reported to have had a drink from their hotel minibar before falling ill. Several deaths occurred in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana and Bahia Principe resorts.

While an autopsy had been ordered for Leyla Cox, it is not known whether that would include a toxicology report. The family is waiting for her body to be released for transport back to the U.S., the Advance reported.

Other deaths include Robert Bell Wallace on April 14, Miranda Schaup-Warner on May 25, and Maryland couple Edward Holmes and Cynthia Day on May 30. In addition, David Harrison died almost a year ago, and Yvette Monique, 51, passed away June 2018.

Additionally, the brother of “Shark Tank” judge Barbara Corcoran passed away in April at an unknown resort, also of a heart attack although no autopsy had been performed yet, TMZ reported Wednesday.

Dominican officials have asked U.S. authorities to help with the investigation, including the FBI, Fox is reporting.

In addition to deaths under mysterious circumstances, another U.S. tourist, Surely Miller, 42, died Tuesday after being swept away in a rip current, People reported. She was reportedly swimming near the coastal city Puerto Plata.

The U.S. State Department has yet to change the travel advisory status of the Dominican Republic, according to its website. It did not immediately return The DCNF’s request for comment.