Ottawa woman among those killed in Dominican Republic nightclub collapse

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Sheila Berroa, a victim of the devastating nightclub collapse in the Dominican Republic on April 8, is being remembered as an “amazing person inside and out.”

Berroa, who worked as a manager at a Planet Fitness location on Merivale Road in Ottawa, was in the Dominican Republic to sort out visa issues, according to close friend Merissa May.

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“She would literally just light up the room when she walked in with her huge smile,” May said in a text message to Postmedia. “She was loved by everyone.”

According to May, Berroa was living with family in Ottawa, but had returned to the Dominican Republic in March.

Berroa was attending the concert at the infamous Jet Set Club in Santo Domingo when the concrete roof of the nightclub collapsed on the crowd. As of Thursday morning, 218 people had been confirmed dead, while 189 had been rescued.

Former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel — who once played for the Toronto Blue Jays — and Tony Cabrera were also killed

Merengue singer Rubby Perez and saxophone player Enrique Paulino, who were performing at the concert, were also found dead in the wreckage.

May heard the tragic news about Berroa from a close family friend. The family is currently undergoing a grieving process and not talking publicly.

“Sheila was the face of Planet Fitness,” May texted. “She was always glowing, always smiling, always happy and willing to help however she could.”

May said Berroa was 24 years old.

“She was such an amazing person, and we are all devastated by her loss.”

A Planet Fitness spokesperson called the news “tragic,” but offered no further comment.

“Out of respect for privacy, we are unable to comment on matters involving current or former employees,” said a statement attributed to Planet Fitness area director Chris Harper.

Search and rescue crews, including 300 firefighters, have been on the scene, working through the wreckage, looking for bodies.

“We’ve practically combed ground zero, there’s only a little bit left to look at,” Dominican Republic Emergency Operations Centre director Juan Manuel Mendez told Associated Press on Thursday morning.

The nightclub, a popular spot for athletes, politicians and business leaders in the Dominican Republic, was originally opened in 1973, according to the Associated Press. It underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015 and was struck by lightning in 2023.

Kwarren@postmedia.com