Tragic Death Aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
A Royal Caribbean passenger, Michael Virgil, 35, died aboard the Navigator of the Seas shortly after it left San Pedro for Ensenada. Witnesses reported Virgil behaving aggressively and drunkenly, shouting threats and racial slurs. Christipher Mikail reported “The gentlemen that was drunk said he was going to kill us,”. Mikail and his family were aboard the Navigator of the Seas to celebrate his wedding anniversary, when not even one hour into the journey Virgil started behaving unruly. “He started chasing us down the hallway. I was kind of scared. I’m stuck in this hallway,” Mikail added.
Ship security subdued Virgil using pepper spray and restraints.
His family alleges he was given a sedative during detention, which they believe may have contributed to his death within the hour. The FBI is investigating the incident, which involves international jurisdiction issues. Royal Caribbean expressed condolences and pledged to cooperate with authorities.
Family and Investigation
Virgil’s family, shocked by his uncharacteristic behavior, seeks answers about the circumstances of his death. They assert that a sedative administered by ship security may have played a role in the outcome.
Royal Caribbean has committed to assisting the investigation and providing necessary support to authorities. The FBI is examining multiple sources of evidence, including:
- Passenger videos
- Ship surveillance footage
- Crew body camera recordings
The autopsy results are pending and may provide clarity on the cause of Virgil’s death. Until the investigation concludes, many questions remain unanswered, leaving the family in a state of uncertainty.
Background of Michael Virgil
Michael Virgil was a father to a 7-year-old son with autism and was engaged to be married. The cruise was intended as a family vacation. Those who knew him describe the reported behavior as inconsistent with his character.
"He didn't deserve to die over it," a relative told FOX 11.
The family awaits the autopsy results, which may provide insight into the cause of his death. The ongoing FBI investigation aims to reconcile the reported events with the person Virgil’s family knew him to be.
- FOX 11. Royal Caribbean passenger dies after allegedly threatening to kill others in ‘unruly’ outburst. FOX 11 Los Angeles. 2023.