Aruban police say a U.S. man jumped from the top-floor balcony of the St. Regis hotel in Noord on Jan. 4 and was pronounced dead. Officers who searched the couple's room later found the man's wife dead; authorities identified them by initials as B. Jozic, 45, and C. Jozic, 52, both U.S. residents. Local reporting indicates investigators are treating the deaths as a probable murder‑suicide. A GoFundMe for Cristina Gatia, whose image resembles photos linked to the couple's social media, has raised more than $30,000.
U.S. Tourist Falls to Death From Aruba Hotel Balcony; Wife Found Dead in Room — Police Probe Possible Murder‑Suicide
GoFundMeCristina Gatia
A U.S. tourist died after jumping from a top-floor balcony at the St. Regis hotel in Noord, Aruba, on Jan. 4. When investigators searched the couple's room, they discovered the man's wife dead inside, prompting an ongoing police investigation into the circumstances surrounding both deaths.
The Aruba Police Force responded to a report of a fall at the St. Regis and pronounced the man dead at the scene. Officials say the man jumped from the high-rise property; officers later searched the couple's room and found a deceased woman.
In a statement, authorities identified the pair only by initials: B. Jozic, 45, originally from Bosnia, and C. Jozic, 52, originally from the Philippines. Police said both were U.S. residents and described the case as "regrettable and unusual." Full first names were not released by the Aruba Police Force.
Local newspaper Diario reported that investigators are treating the incident as a likely murder‑suicide while forensic and investigative work continues. Aruba police have not released further details about a motive or the exact timeline leading up to the deaths.
Social Media And Fundraiser
A Facebook account under the name "Boris Cristina Jozic" posted photos on Jan. 1 geotagged in Palm Beach, Aruba — an area close to the St. Regis hotel — and appears to belong to a couple who own a gym in Illinois. Investigators have cited media reports linking the account to the victims, though official confirmation has been limited.
A GoFundMe has been set up for a woman named Cristina Gatia, whose photo resembles images tied to the Jozic Facebook account. The fundraiser lists a Jan. 4 date of death and, at the time of this report, had raised more than $30,000 to assist the family.
From the GoFundMe: "She was a proud mother of five, a loving grandmother, a devoted daughter, loving sister, cherished aunt, and a dear friend to so many. She poured her heart into her family and was deeply passionate about health and fitness."
Aruba police continue to investigate and have appealed for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Authorities have not publicly released additional identifying details or a confirmed cause of death pending the results of the investigation.
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