The family of a man who died in the Dominican Republic is speaking out about his death for the first time, in the wake of similar American deaths.
31-year-old Jerome Jester Jr. of Forsyth, Georgia was on weekend getaway with his sister when he became violently sick on March 17.
Jester’s mother said that her son was healthy and never had any health issues.
An autopsy later confirmed they had died of respiratory failure caused by pulmonary edema or fluid in the lungs.
She said she spoke with him on the phone the day before he died and that he seemed fine but he told her he had a soda to drink that didn’t taste right.
Jester’s body was returned to the U.S. on April 4.
Moore said she feels her son’s death is related to the spate of recent American tourists deaths in DR.
Thirteen deaths have been reported since June of 2016.
The most recent occurred on June 25 when a Colorado man reportedly died after falling critically ill while on vacation with his daughter.
The state department reportedly said there was no evidence linking Jester’s death to the other fatalities
.