A drunken cruise ship passenger died after he allegedly threatened to kill fellow holidaymakers and attacked staff before he was restrained by security
A drunk passenger on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has died after a violent incident where he allegedly threatened to kill fellow travellers and assaulted staff.
The man, identified as 35-year-old Michael Virgil, began throwing punches and shouting profanities on the ‘Navigator of the Seas’ cruise liner shortly after the massive 1,000-foot vessel had set sail from Los Angeles on its way to Mexico. According to eyewitnesses, Virgil was causing chaos, punching one staff member and kicking another in the face. Then, the drunken man began attempting to kick in the door to a towel cupboard where one of the crew was hiding.
Family members allege that Virgil had been injected with a sedative before he passed away. Fox11 obtained a video showing Virgil’s alcohol-fueled frenzy, as he tried to kick down a door and stripped off his top.
Christifer Mikhail, a passenger who witnessed the terrifying ordeal, told the media: “The gentleman that was drunk said he was going to kill us. He started chasing us down the hallway.” He admitted: “I was kind of scared I’m stuck in this hallway.”
Throughout the harrowing event, passengers said Virgil spewed profanities and racial slurs. Later photos captured him on the ground, surrounded by crew members, handcuffed and zip-tied. He was pronounced dead within an hour after ship security detained and restrained him.
Speaking to US media outlets, a relative of Michael Virgil said: “He didn’t deserve to die over it.”
The family of the 35-year-old father claims he was injected with a sedative following his outburst, which they said was out of character. The FBI is now investigating the circumstances around his death aboard the Royal Caribbean’s #Navigator of the Seas’.
“The FBI responded to a Royal Caribbean cruise on Monday when it docked in Los Angeles and is investigating an incident on board that resulted in death,” they confirmed.
Left mourning are Michael Virgil’s young seven-year-old son and his wife, who accompanied him on the voyage.
The cruise operator has acknowledged the tragic incident. A Royal Caribbean representative expressed their condolences: “We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests. We offered support to the family and are working with authorities on their investigation.”
