Dominican Republic Tourist Deaths: Some Travelers Rethinking Vacation Plans After Reports

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Recent news involving suspicious deaths in the Dominican Republic has some travelers rethinking their vacation plans.

Travel agent Gina Libretti-Costa told CBS2's Nina Kapur she's had to change a number of bookings in just the past few days.

In May, several tourists were found dead, apparently under similar circumstances, just five days apart at the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville Resort in La Romana.

CBS News: Another American Tourist Dies During Dominican Republic Vacation

Last October, a Brooklyn woman staying at that same report says she was nearly poisoned while drinking a Sprite from her hotel room minibar.

Libretti-Costa says while it's unfortunate, people are still going to travel to the Dominican Republic and there are other properties where visitors can stay.

"I wouldn't tell people not to travel there anymore. I feel like this is not a good reflection of the Dominican people," she said.

Libretti-Costa recommends always buying travel insurance, researching the resorts beforehand and never leaving the property ground, especially after dark.

List Of Recent American Deaths In The Dominican Republic

June 17, 2019: Vittorio Caruso, 56, from Glen Cove, N.Y.
Died after "drinking something," cause of death not officially determined.
June 13, 2019: Joseph Allen, 55, of Avenel, N.J.
Died at Terra Linda resort in Sosua, Dominican Republic. Cause of death yet to be officially determined.
June 10, 2019: Leyla Cox, 53, of Staten Island, N.Y.
Died at the Excellence Resorts in Punta Cana. Cause of death in DR ruled a heart attack.
May 30, 2019: Edward Nathaniel Holmes, 63, of Maryland.
Died at the Grand Bahia Principe in La Romana. DR officials ruled cause of death as respiratory failure, along with Cynthia Day.
May 30, 2019: Cynthia Day, 49, of Maryland.
Died at the Grand Bahia Principe in La Romana. DR officials ruled cause of death as respiratory failure, along with Nathaniel Holmes.
May 25, 2019: Miranda Schaup-Werner, 41, of Allentown, Pa.
Died at the Bahia Principe resort in La Romana. Cause of death ruled heart attack and respiratory failure.
March 27, 2019: Orlando Moore, 40, of Westchester County, N.Y.
Body recovered from the sea near San Souci on March 31, linked to a traffic crash on March 27 with Ravenelle.
March 27, 2019: Portia Ravenelle, 52, of Westchester County, N.Y.
Found alive on highway in DR, later died of injuries at a hospital, linked to a traffic crash on March 27 with Moore.
April 12, 2019: Robert Wallace, 67, of California.
Died at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana of a heart attack after being served a scotch at the bar.
April 2019: John Corcoran of Turlock, California
Death in DR reported by CNN through his sister, "Shark Tank" star Barbara Corcoran.
July 2018: David Harrison of Maryland.
Died at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana of a heart attack.
June 2018: Yvette Monique Sport of Pennsylvania.
According to CNN reports, she died after drinking from her hotel room's mini-bar at the Bahia Principe in Punta Cana.
May 2018: Donette Edge Cannon of Queens, N.Y.
Died at hospital of kidney failure after stay in Punta Cana.