The family of a Gatineau, Quebec, couple discovered deceased during their stay in the Dominican Republic is challenging the official explanation of their passing provided by local authorities. Alain Noël and Christine Sauvé were found deceased inside their holiday residence in Villa Riva on Boxing Day by their son Jonathan. Initially, Dominican officials attributed the cause of death to respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus. However, Gilles Sauvé Jr., Christine’s sibling, is skeptical that both individuals would succumb to natural causes simultaneously and suspects carbon monoxide poisoning.
Sauvé Jr., a construction contractor, brought a gas-detecting device to the room where his sister and her spouse were discovered. Upon sealing the doors, the detector alarm activated, and he began to feel unwell. This experience led Sauvé Jr. to believe that they were exposed to carbon monoxide. He expressed regret, mentioning that if Alain had been aware, he would have promptly rectified the issue. Neither CBC nor Radio-Canada can confirm the carbon monoxide poisoning theory.
Canadian pathologist Dr. Yann Dazé from the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal also raised doubts about the Dominican authorities’ conclusions. He found it highly unusual that the deaths were deemed natural and non-violent, especially given the identical causes of death for both individuals. Dazé emphasized that it is uncommon for people to die from the same illnesses simultaneously.
Luc Courtemanche, the developer of Tropical Paradise Liberté Résidentiel in the Dominican Republic where the couple’s residence is situated, indicated that carbon monoxide detectors are presently not mandatory on the property. However, he mentioned plans to install detectors as a preventive measure moving forward. An autopsy and a comprehensive report are awaited in the coming months, according to Sauvé Jr.