Found Deceased Dominican Republic - Orlando Moore & Portia Ravenelle, from NY on vacation, April 2019

[human]

Were they not able to get a closer flight to the resort?

My friend goes every year to Punta Cana. Is that close? They take a taxi to the resort.

People from other countries are scared to come to the US.

 

[bradfordsleuth]

They need to get their cell records and see where they last pinged and then start a search.

These people were very aware of the dangers of travelling there at night without a local guide. I would love to see it confirmed whether or not they checked out of their hotel...which narrows down when they went missing.

I don't think that they shut their phones off themselves...I think that they either had an accident and ended up in water, or they were victims of foul play.

I hope this turns out with a positive outcome but I am doubtful. So sad, it sounds like these are two amazing people who love adventure.

JMO

 

[Shin Masamura]

This reminded me of a local story :
Family's frustration grows after body found in case of woman missing in Costa Rica

 

[GraceG]

This isn’t looking too good. I mean......driving at night in a 3rd world country....100 miles. What could go wrong?
Praying for them.

Driving at night even on major highways not recommended for safety. Tips on Staying Safe in the Dominican Republic

 

[ilovechili]

I wondered why they rented a car and drove and I guess the articles above state why. I would never do that in some of these countries and particularly late at night and for that long distance. While some may worry about taxis, at least the legitimate taxis from the hotels to the airport, as well as the shuttles, have jobs they are concerned about, would be accounted for, and are far more apt to be trustworthy. However, with a motel 100 miles from the airport, their options were very likely limited or quite expensive.

I do not like the conflicting articles in the beginning, with one saying they did not check out of their motel and another saying they did.

If this was not random, my guess would be someone at the motel tipped off a "buddy". Their last day, although such side trips are awesome, and a deal at $20 per head, they encountered someone else who realized they would be driving and were tourists with $$ as you have to have for any trip. It also could be someone who just looks for this opportunity with rental cars towards the airports late at night. Someone from the rental car company could have even tipped off a friend. It also could have occurred when they were out in town that night. If she was worried and talking about her concern of the drive all day, it could have easily been overheard as well. Finally, if they were driving a rental car while there, which they were, any number of people may have known that over the course of the days there. This in no way is meant at the couple, just theories on what happened. Your hotels generally in such destinations know your airport, the day you are leaving and the time of your flight. They also should be able to provide the checkout time.

I do not know what happened here and I hope they are found safe. It does not bode well. The Dominican Rep has become a population tourist destination but like so many, one needs to realize that safety you feel is inside the tourist areas and even then, it can be a thin veneer.

I hope they are found and answers come. Both have children and that is heartbreaking as well.

This is totally jmo.

 

[Inthedetails]

The car ride to the airport sounds like such a scary idea.

jmo

 

[swedeheart]

This reminded me of a local story :
Family's frustration grows after body found in case of woman missing in Costa Rica

WTF. the one person i would be inclined to instinctually (most likely) trust is the security guard! horrible. hope we hear more news about this couple soon and that they are ok, but not looking good.

 

[dotr]

Wondering if the couple made a bathroom pit stop on the way to the airport?

 

[swedeheart]

Wondering if the couple made a bathroom pit stop on the way to the airport?

ohhh....that's likely if they were drinking!

 

[MOTORUNNER]

Sometimes makes me wonder why people want to travel to these places. Not victim blaming, obviously they are very beautiful and fun but the amount of danger and caution having to be practiced makes it much less attractive to me. I really hope this turns around and they are found safe. The fact Portia was so worried and cautious makes this even worse.

 

[LadyL]

Were they not able to get a closer flight to the resort?

My friend goes every year to Punta Cana. Is that close? They take a taxi to the resort.

People from other countries are scared to come to the US.

in the article it said they didn't realize how far away the resort was from the airport

do other countries have travel warnings/bans on the U.S.?

 

[dyannaON]

Ohhhh. I was a travel agent/manager for many years. I was always fearful to send clients here based on the reviews of others.

I haven’t read all the comments yet. I feel scared for this couple.

 

[MOTORUNNER]

in the article it said they didn't realize how far away the resort was from the airport

do other countries have travel warnings/bans on the U.S.?

25 Foreign Travel Warnings for Visiting the U.S. interesting read lmao

 

[LadyL]

25 Foreign Travel Warnings for Visiting the U.S. interesting read lmao

interesting ... this is a good one though

#12. DON’T JOKE ABOUT BOMBS (UK)

 

[Plo_Koon]

Sure would be crucial to know if they actually checked out of the hotel. IMO, if they did check out of the hotel, then I'm apt to think any myriad of possibilities could open up (car accident, lost, robbed, taken advantage of by locals), as we know they would have been on that long drive at night since they would have checked out and been on their way to the airport.

If they didn't check out, then that means they hadn't left on that journey to the airport and I believe that offers up more foul play-related scenarios (save a drunken nightswim that ends up with both people drowning).

 

[swedeheart]

who was the couple to each other? friends? lovers? any locals or insiders here?

 

[dyannaON]

I wonder if the couple was telling or asking hotel staff about the drive to airport as well. She seemed very concerned for the drive (rightfully so) and it put something sinister into someone’s mind.
Jmo

 

[MOTORUNNER]

who was the couple to each other? friends? lovers? any locals or insiders here?

According to a post on Instagram the couple were dating. I don't think I'm allowed to link to it, but if you google her name and instagram it will come up.

 

[Inthedetails]

Sure would be crucial to know if they actually checked out of the hotel. IMO, if they did check out of the hotel, then I'm apt to think any myriad of possibilities could open up (car accident, lost, robbed, taken advantage of by locals), as we know they would have been on that long drive at night since they would have checked out and been on their way to the airport.

If they didn't check out, then that means they hadn't left on that journey to the airport and I believe that offers up more foul play-related scenarios (save a drunken nightswim that ends up with both people drowning).

Exactly. Whether or not they checked out is crucial info. My hunch is that they left the hotel (maybe didn't "check out" as many hotels handle that - you just leave without having to stop at the front desk) and then attempted to drive to the airport. If they didn't check out, I'd assume their rental car would still be at the resort? Did they have the rental car their whole stay or did they get it just for the drive to the airport?

It could be an accident or it could be they encountered criminals along the way. If it were an accident, you'd think the car would be found by now?

Is there a tracking device on the rental car? You'd think so?

I do not think this is a couple who "ran away," but perhaps it's worth considering just to rule it out?

jmo

 

[PrairieWind]

25 Foreign Travel Warnings for Visiting the U.S. interesting read lmao

Good grief! The mentioning of expensive health care is good. But most of the rest are just ridiculous!