A Quebec couple is trying to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of their 24-year-old son in the Dominican Republic two months ago.
William Garrow died after falling from a resort in Punta Cana, but the boy’s parents say local authorities aren’t cooperating.
The young man had been vacationing with his girlfriend and several of her relatives at the Bahia Principe Grand Luxury Amber All-Inclusive Resort in Punta Cana when his parents received a panicked phone call from his girlfriend on January 15.
“I got the phone call no parent ever wants to get at 2 o’clock in the morning,” said William’s mother, Sylvie Marcotte.
The couple was informed that their son had fallen from a third-floor balcony and was seriously injured. The boy’s mother tried to catch the next flight to Santo Domingo, but it was too late.
“I wanted to meet him,” she said, “touch him, see him and, if possible, talk to him.”
William Garrow’s parents received the phone call no parent wants to receive: their son’s girlfriend told them that he had fallen to his death on January 15, 2024. (Sylvie Marcotte)
His grieving parents noticed their son’s behaviour was abnormal and he appeared to be in distress before the fall.
“He wasn’t there. He was hallucinating and he called for help,” Marcotte said.
His mother said hotel security took him to his room rather than calling an ambulance or a doctor. His parents suspect their son may have been drugged, and that he may not be the only one to suffer from this condition; his girlfriend’s brother also had the same symptoms.
“My brother came into my parents’ room and was like, totally confused,” Marcotte said.
The coroner has requested autopsy and toxicology reports, but the parents will not have access to those results.
Police did not interview the other alleged victim or anyone else that night.
The family has hired an attorney to find answers.
“We have a young person who died under suspicious circumstances that local authorities can unravel,” said lawyer Conrad Lord. “It’s a complicated situation. Canadians are there every day, so that should make the investigation easier.”
The Canadian government has issued a travel warning for tourists traveling to the Dominican Republic, warning visitors to be especially cautious when accepting snacks, drinks, gum or tobacco from strangers.
The family’s lawyer said travel agencies and airlines also should have a role to play in warning travelers.
“I don’t think there’s enough information out there for people to clearly understand the risk factors,” Lord said.
The young man’s family has heard there have been other people made to drink alcohol against their will at the popular resort and have promised to continue to demand a full investigation.
