What started out as a once-in-a-lifetime vacation for one healthy couple from Texas became a nightmare beyond comprehension after the pair died while in Fiji last month from an unknown illness.

David and Michelle Paul of Fort Worth landed on the tropical island on May 22 but got sick just one day before they were expected to return home. Both experienced similar symptoms, and Michelle's father, Marc Calanog, said she contacted him to let him know they had fallen sick and planned on going to a local clinic after she was experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, and numbness in her hands.

"Nobody's telling me what was the cause of the death," he told Today, "And that's very hard for me."

Michelle was a former college athlete and David was an Air Force veteran, so both were "very physically fit," Tracey Calanog, Michelle’s sister-in-law told KVUE, making their case even more confusing.

The couple's health rapidly deteriorated though after falling ill. It is believed the couple contracted a deadly virus, as the Fiji government had issued warnings about a dangerous flu season in the region.

Despite receiving medical care, the two died days apart. Michelle died first and David was going to be taken to Australia for further treatment but passed away before he was transported.

David and Michelle left behind their son, Ayden, 2, and David’s daughter from a previous relationship. Tracey told KVUE the couple’s bodies will remain on the island until it is confirmed by health officials that the illness is not infectious. If it is, they will be cremated.

"That is very hard for me. Very hard," said Calanog.

andaman island
This aerial photograph taken on Sept. 22, 2018 shows Boat Island in the Andaman Islands, a remote Indian archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. Getty Images/Hari Kumar
RELATED STORIES
Australia