A Canadian couple’s idyllic holiday in the Caribbean took a tragic turn when they were found dead, leaving their family in shock and mourning.

Alain Noël, 56, and Christine Sauvé, 55, were discovered lifeless in their rented vacation home in Villa Riva, Dominican Republic, late on December 25. The heartbreaking news was shared by Christine’s brother, Gilles Sauvé Jr., in an emotional Facebook post.

The couple, parents to two children, had embarked on their journey from Gatineau, Quebec, to enjoy the sun-soaked allure of the Dominican Republic.

Details around the timing of their arrival or planned return remain unclear. However, Gilles mentioned that his sister and brother-in-law passed away peacefully in their sleep.

In his poignant Facebook message, Gilles wrote, “It is with great sadness that I announce the deaths of my sister Christine Sauvé and my brother-in-law Alain Noël, who passed in their sleep on the night of December 25th to 26th,” alongside a heartfelt selfie of the couple.

While the exact cause of death is still undetermined, Gilles told CTV News that there was “absolutely no suicide or murder” involved.

‘They were a very respected family, very close-knit, a really good family. They were loved by everyone and were planning to retire in the Dominican Republic with their new house,’ Gilles added. 

He told the outlet his family has to wait 10 to 30 days to receive autopsy results and to have their bodies returned to Quebec. 

Alain Noël, 56, and Christine Sauvé, 55, were found dead inside their rented vacation home in Villa Riva, Dominican Republic, on the night of December 25

The husband and wife traveled from their home in Gatineau, a city in Quebec, to Villa Riva, Dominican Republic, for the holidays. They were staying at a rented home in the small town 

Global Affairs Canada, the country’s government department, told the Daily Mail it is ‘aware’ of their deaths and that ‘Canadian officials are providing consular assistance and communicating with local authorities to obtain more information’.

‘Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed,’ an agency spokesperson added.  

A Facebook post made by Noël just two days before the couple died showed the exterior of a rental property. He went on to tag Tropical Paradise Liberté Résidentiel, a vacation home rental company.

The Daily Mail contacted Global Affairs Canada, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, and Tropical Paradise Liberté Résidentiel for comment. 

Noël also shared snaps of meals they enjoyed during their travels, along with loving selfies of himself and his wife.

Following their deaths, Gilles has asked for privacy for himself and his family. 

‘Out of respect for our family and in order to experience this grief privately, we ask for your time and understanding,’ he wrote in his post. 

‘We will not be answering questions at this time. We are waiting for more answers to our questions before telling you more. 

The couple shared two children together, according to their daughter, Sabrina Noël

‘Thank you for respecting our silence and keeping us in your thoughts.’ 

The couple shared two children together, according to their daughter, Sabrina Noël. 

‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our parents, Christine Sauvé and Alain Noël, occurred in their sleep on the night of December 25th to 26th,’ she wrote on Facebook. 

Villa Riva is a small town in the Dominican Republic that is under typical travel caution. The country is at a Level 2 for crime. 

Level 2 tells tourists to exercise increased caution when traveling there.