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Another American Tourist Mysteriously Dies In Dominican Republic

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Another U.S. tourist died in the Dominican Republic under mysterious circumstances.

Leyla Cox, 53, of New Brighton, New York, was found dead reportedly of a heart attack in a hotel in June, according to her son William Cox, the Staten Island Advance reported.

“I am overwhelmed and confused and in shock,” William Cox, 25, told the news outlet Thursday. “I have a right to be suspicious.”

Leyla Cox joins a growing list of U.S. tourists who have died in the Dominican Republic under similar circumstances over the past year. She was vacationing at the Excellence resort in Punta Cana, according to her son, to celebrate her 53rd birthday.

“We can confirm the death of U.S. citizen Leyla Cox in the Dominican Republic on June 11. Out of respect for family members and loved ones we cannot comment further,” a State Department spokesperson confirmed to Fox News.

Victims have been otherwise healthy, and some were reported to have had a drink from their hotel minibar before falling ill. Several deaths occurred in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana and Bahia Principe resorts.

While an autopsy had been ordered for Leyla Cox, it is not known whether that would include a toxicology report. The family is waiting for her body to be released for transport back to the U.S., the Advance reported.

At least seven other individuals have been reported to have died in Dominican Republic resorts. (RELATED: Shark Tank Judge Barbara Corcoran’s Brother Dies In The Dominican Republic)

Dominican officials have asked U.S. authorities to help with an investigation, including the FBI, Fox reported.

Another U.S. tourist, Surely Miller, 42, died Tuesday after being swept away in a rip current, People reported. She was reportedly swimming near the coastal city Puerto Plata.

The U.S. State Department did not immediately return The Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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