Watch CBS News

Dominican Republic Tourist Deaths: Bodies Of Missing New York Couple Found, Police Say

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CBSNewYork) — Authorities in the Dominican Republic have announced that the bodies of a missing couple from New York have been found.

Police in Santo Domingo said Tuesday that Orlando Moore and his girlfriend Portia Ravenelle - who reportedly went missing in the Caribbean nation in late March - are believed to be the victims of a local auto wreck.

0410nycouplefound
Orlando Moore and his girlfriend Portia Ravenelle. (Credit: Cheryl Freeman and Carter Warrington)

"Evidence gathered up to now has surmised that the disappearance of U.S. citizens Orlando Moore, 40, and Portia Denisse Ravenelle, 52, was the result of a traffic accident at Kilometer 19 of the America Highway. The vehicle was rented by the couple. It was last seen at the Marbella booth at 1:41 a.m. in the early hours of the morning on March 27," police spokesperson Frank Felix Duran said.

A body resembling Moore was recovered from the sea near San Souci on March 31. Previously, on March 27 a woman with trauma to her body - believed to be Ravenelle - was found on a highway and taken to hospital. She later died from her injuries.

One body has a tattoo reading "MILANO" that corresponds to a tattoo on Moore, according to CBS News.

Authorities are waiting for tests on the bodies to confirm their identities.

List Of Recent American Deaths In The Dominican Republic

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.