A Canadian couple who had been married for more than three decades were found dead inside their vacation home in the Dominican Republic, authorities and family members confirmed.
Alain Noël, 56, and Christine Sauvé, 55, were discovered on Friday, Dec. 26, after one of their sons found their bodies at the residence, according to Radio-Canada and the Coast Reporter. The home is located in the El Indio Village residential complex in Villa Riva, as reported by Dominican newspaper El Nacional.
Family members said Christine Sauvé had experienced health issues in the days leading up to her death. Her niece, Patricia Sauvé, told the Coast Reporter that Christine had complained of dizziness and had fainted, prompting a hospital visit on Thursday, Dec. 25. She was reportedly discharged shortly afterward.
Patricia also said her uncle Alain mentioned that he was not feeling well around the same time. Despite this, both appeared well enough to video chat with family members on Christmas Day.
During the call, the couple appeared cheerful and in good spirits, Patricia said, adding that nothing suggested a serious medical emergency.
“It’s unimaginable — two people dying at the same time,” Sauvé said. “We absolutely don’t understand what happened, which is why there are so many questions.”
According to Patricia, the couple had been happily married for 30 years and were planning to retire permanently in the Dominican Republic.
Christine’s brother, Gilles Sauvé Jr., told Radio-Canada that his sister had been scheduled for additional medical tests on the same day the couple was found dead. He has since traveled to the Dominican Republic to handle arrangements.
“Everything is closed, including the embassies. We’re trying to move things forward, but everything is happening very slowly,” he said in French. “Even in Quebec, we can’t begin the process until we receive the death certificate from the Dominican Republic.”
Dominican authorities recovered the bodies and transferred them to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences in Santo Domingo, where autopsies are expected to be conducted, according to Diario Libre.
Global Affairs Canada confirmed the deaths in a statement to Global News, offering condolences to the family and stating that Canadian officials are providing consular assistance while coordinating with local authorities. The agency cited privacy considerations in declining to release further details.
An investigation into the couple’s deaths remains ongoing.
