SOSUA, Dominican Republic — A trip to the Dominican Republic by two friends turned into a nightmare when John Gagne, 41, of Quebec City, was murdered in his bed in a small private villa on Dec. 30 during an apparent robbery, according to Gagne's travelling partner. The friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, was tied up and robbed by two men before hearing the gunshots that killed Gagne in the room next door. "I was afraid of my life," his friend told reporters. The two men had decided on a whim to go to Sosua, on the north coast just west of Puerto Plata, a few days before Christmas. They were received in a small private house owned by another Quebecer. The house was enclosed by a 12-foot fence and protected by a security guard. "We had planned to scuba diving the next day and go celebrate the new year with other Quebecers in Cabarete," said the friend. But around 2 a.m., he was awakened by two men he believes were Dominican, who tied him up and took his wallet, credit cards, money and his cellphone. He was struck with the gun once, while the thieves demanded his PIN, but then left the room with him still tied to the bed. A few minutes later he heard two gunshots from the next room. | | Dive traveler, John Gagne, 41, was murdered while visiting the Dominican Republic with a friend. "I lost my best friend. It is a terrible incident. I never thought he could die in such circumstances, " said the friend, who had traveled with Gagne in the past, particularly in China. He told reporters that two men one of them a security guard at the villa-hotel have been charged with murder, but authorities on the island have yet to comment. Gagne's friend said he will stay a few days in the Dominican Republic to ensure the repatriation of Gagne's body. |
