Families outraged by ominous detail on death certificates of loved ones killed in nightclub roof collapse
A series of death certificates provided to the families of victims of the Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse showed that the name of the business was omitted.
The Ministry of Health, which is responsible for releasing the legal document, left line 16 blank on two death certificates, where Jet Set's name was expected to have been included.
One of documents, which were reviewed by Noticias SIN, did include the address of the popular nightclub on line 17.
It was on the certificate of a married 61-year-old male victim. The death certificate listed his name, date of birth, address and time of death.
His death was caused by a severe spinal cord fracture and blunt craniocervical trauma.
It is unknown what legal implications the exclusion of Jet Set on death certificates may present for families who decide to bring forward civil and criminal lawsuits against the owners of the nightclub.
At least 231 people were killed and more than 200 were injured after the roof collapsed while merengue icon Rubby Pérez was performing during the early hours of April 8.
Video footage showed Pérez singing alongside band vocalists, his daughter Zulinka Pérez and her husband, when the ceiling suddenly crashed over them and the attendees.
This aerial view taken April 9 of the cleaned area of the roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo a day earlier. At least 231 people were killed and more than 200 were injured
People mourn outside the funeral service for former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel, who died when the roof of popular nightclub Jet Set collapsed during a party on April 8
Rescue teams remove a body from the Jet Set nightclub
Videos showed what appeared to be a tile hanging from the ceiling as several attendees looked up before the roof caved in.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of Rubby, former MLB World Series winner Octavio Dotel and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Monte Cristi, who is the sister of former major league superstar Nelson Cruz.
During his weekly press conference Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said that his administration would not interfere in the legal process.
'We will respect that justice is done, as justice must be done, and we will respect that and you will not find any kind of influence from the government in the aspects of justice,' Abinader said.
Abinader, whose third cousin Eduardo Estrella was also among the fatal victims, stressed that his government has never intervened in any investigation during his time in office.
'If there is a government that has respected all legal processes, it is this government,' Abinader said.
Dominican merengue singer Rubby Pérez (left) performing on stage with his backup singers, his daughter Zulinka (center) and her husband (right), moments before the roof collapsed at Jet Set club
Retired MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel with his pastor wife, Massiel Dotel, who did not attend the nightclub
Jet Set first opened its doors in 1973 as a theater before it was later to converted to a club that became known for hosting some of the biggest names in merengue, a lively genre of music that originated in the Dominican Republic.
In 2015, the club went through a 21-day remodeling in which a second floor VIP area was added.
The nightclub was briefly shut down due to a fire on July 25, 2023, after its electricity room was struck by lightning.
In a statement, Jet Set said it is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Antonio Espaillat, the one of nightclub's owners, addressed the incident via a video, indicating that management has been communicating with the authorities.
