www.CostaRicaTicas.com

'Sandman' sculpted castles out of Jacksonville's beaches


Man who "was always there helping others" died recently; wife blames food poisoning.


By JESSIE-LYNNE KERR, The Times-Union


The man who raised the building of sand castles to an art form for the enjoyment of Jacksonville-area beachgoers for more than a decade built his last one out of the black volcanic sand of a beach at a Costa Rica resort shortly before dying there this month.


Alan R. Morris, who came to be known as the Sandman for his artistic sculptures, died May 9 of what his wife, Nancy, said was food poisoning while vacationing at an oceanfront hotel in the tiny community of Jaco. He was 53.

Be careful where ever you eat or drink.

This is disturbing, because death from food poisoning is fairly rare. Usually, food poisoning sets in within five hours of eating the tainted food and most often results in vomiting and diarrhea; the symptoms only become physically dangerous to an otherwise healthy person if dehydration results from massive fluid loss, or from rupturing the esophagus during the act of vomiting.

So....



1. Where was the guy staying, and more importantly, where did he eat his last meal?

2. Is there any mention of the specific bacteria or toxin that killed him?

During my one and only, twelve day trip to Costa Rica, I didn't get sick once. From my first meal at Luka's in El Pueblo through my last C.R. meal (breakfast at my hotel, the Don Carlos), I enjoyed great food from very clean kitchens. Normal precautions, the same ones I'd take in the States were used of course; hand-washing before meal, checking silverware and dishes for obvious contaminants etc. but otherwise I felt completely safe, from the lowest-down small-town soda to the patio restaurant at the Hotel Grano d'Oro.

Wonder what happened and where? Provide more details if you have them, please.

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Here is the full story

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/s ... 7859.shtml

Looks like a sensationalized story to me. The food poisoning is just the wifes opinion. It doesn't say where the autopsy was conducted, but I'd trust their assesment more than hers.

Briefinc,

Thanks for the link to the whole story.

It would appear that the wife is in denial and looking to place blame anywhere she can. Not that unusual in unexpected family deaths.

The article indicates they stayed at a "resort" in Jaco area. That would indicate a fairly large hotel and restaurant which would lead to the conclusion that others most likely had the same meal as he had and there should have been others who presented symptom's. This would have triggered an investigation by the health department and subsequent news stories in Costa Rica.

I do not recall any news like that.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Briefinc,

After reading the story, it would seem that nancy Morris' story is credible.

The onset of symptoms of food poisoning is consistent with medical fact. The autopsy findings of ruptured esophagus is consistent with severe food poisoning, as is the hotel doctor's treatment of mr. Morris.

The fact that the hotel's electrical supply was interrupted the day that Morris got sick might indicate failure of the hotel's refrigeration; this may have contributed to his death.

Thanks Briefinc. I would still like to know which hotel/restaurant was involved?

Something we should all keep an eye on.

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

I hate to always be a negating voice on these issues...but I would say equivocally that food poisoning is NOT a major occurance or risk in Costa Rica. I dont have time to look for data, but I would suggest there is probably more of it in USA than here per capita. In addition, if it WAS food poisoning, it could have been purposeful by the wife or another party...OR...the gentleman could have eaten from some vendor in the street with less standards of food quality or sourcing. This article does NOT mean than Jaco hotels have big problems with food poisoning. Please be reasonable gentlemen...and as Admin 2 said in another thread, lets keep "chirping" to a minimum on this board. ("Chirping" my definition: Unknowledgeable agreement or promotion of negative news or views mentioned on this board...)

Sir,

If you have thoroughly read this thread, you'll realize that I was the first to imply that there might be other explanations than food poisoning. It was after reading the article from the Jacksonville paper that I made my speculations and asked my questions. And BTW, while not a physician, I have sufficient knowledge to state symptoms of food poisoning. Hell, I've been poisoned a few times.


Secondly, you're right. There's more to worry about food eaten at a U.S. county fair than in Costa Rica...but even excellent restaurants occasionally have problems; if the restaurant has a food contamination problem etc., the traveling public has the right to know that and to take precautions. Right?

No we certainly don't know the whole story (although I find it curious that you would imply that one plausible theory might be that Mrs. Morris had something to do with hubby's unfortunate demise).


No one doubts that this (Morris') case is isolated and uncommon in Costa Rica; I don't believe anyone here has said otherwise.

You'll also note that I was the first to say that in twelve days of travel in Costa Rica, and having eaten at small sodas and fine restaurants, and everything in between save fast foodthat I never once got sick. That's overly negative?



That being said, isn't it wise to keep track of potential health risks? That's why the questions, research, theorizing and concern which constitute this thread.

And you call that chirping? Hmmm.

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Tman;
My intent was not to raise red flags, only to inform what was in my hometown newspaper. I have been to and eaten in Jaco over ten years. The man could have died of anything. Also she had him creamented???
I don't know what happened exactly, and will never know, but only hope it doesn't happen again. My apologies, if my report was construed as anything but information.

By The A M Costa Rica Staff;

May 22, 2005

The wife of Ryan Norris of Vonte Fedra Beach who died May 6th. 2005 at a resort in Jaco Beach was arrested for murder after she confessed to police of poisoning her late husband.
Nancy Norris told investigators that she was distraught after Ryan informed her that he wanted a divorce.

Nancy said that she was wondering why Ryan all of a sudden started sculpturing torsos of beautiful women, out of the black sand of Jaco Beach,
when all he ever had done before were castles ???


His sculptures of the women were a "true work of art" exclaimed his wife.
" I've never ever seen him so passionate. "
He never got that excited over his damn castles ???

Nancy went on to say that, after she demanded to know why, her husband told of his many outings away from her during there trip and visiting such places as the Blue Marlin and the Beatle Bar.
Where he said he now "saw the light" and decided he was moving to Costa Rica without her.

She told of how she bought a piece Mahi Mahi and placed it in the toilet all day and during dinner that night, when her husband went to the bathroom, she switched the filets.
He did say the fish "didn't taste quite right" so she just poured some Lizano salsa on it and Ryan ate it all gone.

During the last few hours of life, Ryan was quite delirious, and Nancy told of him saying strange things like "Tica, Tica" and "Que Rico Papi",, Que Rico Papi "
over and over again and "Pura Vida" which she did not understand.

Ya Nucknfuts

_________________
Throughout the history of mankind there has never been one shred of evidence that supports that life is serious..........
Don't believe everything you think ............

Okay

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Nucknfuts,No doubt you are entertaining.We haven't had such humor since Circus was a frequent poster. I had similar thoughts to your story that it might not be what it seemed when I first saw the post. When I first visited Costa Rica I was cautuious about where I ate but not now.After ten trips traveling all over the country I have eaten at the nicer resaurants and rural roadside sodas all over the country as well as all kinds of places in all parts of San Jose and have yet to be sick from anything I have eaten.rbc100

_________________
In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

RBC,


Yes me too.
The only time I really get sick to my stomach is when I'm at the Airport leaving.

Oh and thanks much for the compliment as it is a grand honor to
be even remotely compared to the great Circus.

I am but a humble toad in his shadow.

Just Nucknfuts

_________________
Throughout the history of mankind there has never been one shred of evidence that supports that life is serious..........
Don't believe everything you think ............

While a bit..ahh..excessive.. not unheard of in general,and I will bet the truth is somewhere in between. No age on the missus?

Nucknfuts,

Have no idea what your chosen profession is amigo but you certainly should check out a career in writing. Your style reminds me of Carl Hiaasen.

Great stuff, thanks for posting it.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine