Additional Coverage:
- American found dead on Bahamas vacation looked ‘beaten,’ mom says: ‘there is foul play’ (foxnews.com)
A Maryland family’s Bahamian vacation turned tragic after 23-year-old Dinari McAlmont was found dead just hours after arriving on Paradise Island. While Bahamian authorities have declared drowning as the cause of death, McAlmont’s mother, Michelle, suspects foul play.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force held a press conference on Wednesday, stating that a post-mortem examination pointed to drowning. Toxicology results are still pending.
However, Michelle McAlmont disputes this finding, citing bruises on her son’s body as evidence of a possible beating. She is demanding a full investigation and the release of any surveillance footage from the resort.
According to Michelle, police informed her that Dinari had been involved in an altercation at a restaurant earlier that evening, allegedly spitting on staff members. She believes this incident may have led to a robbery or other violent encounter.
The family, from Bowie, Maryland, arrived at The Reef at Atlantis resort on Friday for what they hoped would be a relaxing getaway. Dinari disappeared after leaving dinner to retrieve a jacket.
Unable to track him via his cellphone, his parents filed a missing person report. His body was discovered the next day.
The resort expressed its condolences and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. This incident comes as the State Department maintains a Level 2 Travel Advisory for the Bahamas, urging travelers to exercise increased caution due to safety and security risks. The advisory also applies to several other Caribbean destinations, including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands Antilles, and Turks and Caicos.