Quebec parents want son's mysterious death in Punta Cana investigated fully
A Quebec couple is trying to get answers following the mysterious death of their 24-year-old son two months ago in the Dominican Republic.
William Gareau fell to his death at a resort in Punta Cana, and the boy's parents say local authorities aren't cooperating.
The young man, his girlfriend and some of her relatives were vacationing in the Bahia Principe Grand Luxury Ambar all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, and on Jan. 15, his parents received a panicked call from his girlfriend.
"We got the call that no parents ever want to receive at two o clock at night," said William's mother Sylvie Marcotte.
The couple was told that their son fell off the third-floor balcony and was critically injured. His mother jumped on the next flight to Santo Domingo, but it was too late.
"I wanted to see him," she said. "I wanted to touch him, see him, and maybe talk to him."
The grieving parents then discovered their son's behaviour was bizarre before he fell and that he was in distress.
"He was not there, he was hallucinating, so he called for help," said Marcotte
His mother said hotel security picked him up and dropped him in his room rather than calling an ambulance or a doctor. His parents suspect he was drugged and that he may not have been the only one. They say his girlfriend's younger brother had the same symptoms.
"The younger brother came in his parent's room and was like absolutely not making sense," said Marcotte.
The medical examiner did call for an autopsy and a toxicology report, but the parents can't access the results.
Police never questioned the other alleged victim or anyone else that night.
The family hired a lawyer to help them find answers.
"We have a young man that died after suspicious circumstances that could be enlightened by local authorites," said lawyer Conrad Lord. "It's complicated. It should be easier because Canadians are there on a daily basis."
The Canadian government issued a travel alert for tourists travelling to the Dominican Republic, specifically saying that tourists should be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from strangers.
The family lawyer says travel agencies and airlines should also play a role in warning travellers.
"I don't think there's enough information out there to enable people to clearly understand the risk factors," said Lord.
The young man's family said they've heard of others who were also intoxicated against their will in popular resorts, which is why they promise to keep pushing for a full investigation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Montreal Canadiens to get fifth overall pick in NHL draft
The Montreal Canadiens retained the fifth pick in the upcoming NHL lottery draft on Tuesday night.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.