RIP, Kendall Carver. The search for his body was called off after four days.[4]. Neither her family or International Cruise Victims, the organization her father founded, were notified. My theory: sailing was a last-minute decision to meet up with the crew member with whom she was having a relationship. Ill tell you all about it.. It sounds like something out of a movie: Teenage lovers break up and drift apart, only to reunite three decades later, fall in love again, and get married. Shirley McGill retired last week from the state Department of Motor Vehicles, and her husband had planned to retire soon as well, acquaintances said. Cruise Ship Killers | Season 1 | Episode 16 | Erica | John Barnard | J.H. Perhaps you can help us figure out what happened to Julie Weflen. She told him she planned to go upstairs later, but did not want to visit the dining room. So she didnt bring a lot of clothes with her. Please enter valid email address to continue. Her father reported her missing to the authorities on the cruise line, and the ship docked at Curacao, Antilles.[1]. Did the pressure of the kitchen make her take her own life or did foul play occur? Though there is no evidence she even attempted suicide in the past, this history gave the Royal Caribbean the ammunition it needed. So she didnt raise her voice or yell/scream. On May 12, a ship employee found two passports, two pairs of flip-flops . We also use these cookies to understand how customers use our services (for example, by measuring site visits) so we can make improvements. In fact, one of her friends told me, if she was ever in a room with anybody when they thought they would party a little bit, Ashley would leave the room. }, First published on July 20, 2009 / 11:30 AM. Eric Newman was on the Carnival Elation ship on a four-day cruise to the Bahamas when he allegedly killed 50-year-old Tamara Tucker on Jan. 19, the Justice Department said in a news release Thursday. She wouldn't stay in the room. The latest involves the sudden death of an aspiring actress during a Carnival cruise in October. ", When she died, Barnett was working for composer John Debny, who remarked to Lagattuta: "No one is forthcoming. [5], 10 People Who Mysteriously Vanished While Traveling. But he never returned to their cabin.[6]. Hundreds of books have been written about Disney and the odd practices at their theme parks where they go to great lengths cover up medical episodes that are not their fault because they dont want to alarm people. The entire set-up was a bit weird (why did she not have a suitcase?). This video is currently unavailable. Youre not the only one who has that theory, Alexgood call. But when the weather report comes in for the evening showing no wind, a murder investigation begins. Merrian was single, independent, and she had been known to take other trips when she needed to clear her head, without necessarily letting anyone know. 2023 J.H. The cruise ship was off the coast of Canada when the incident occurred. They had pleaded with Gonzalez to impose the maximum sentence. When the cruise ship docked the next morning, he was not in his room or anywhere else on the ship. He was the only one on that ship that genuinely cared, who raised an alarm, and who tried to find her. Did someone aboard see her before she disappeared? Her dad returned to the balcony at 6:00 AM to check on Amy, but she was no longer there. He did report that it was a short walk from Merrians room to an observation deck 100 feet above the waterline. It was not unusual for Merrian to go off on spur-of-the-moment trips without telling anyone, and since her daughter was staying with her ex-husband for the summer, it might have seemed like a good opportunity. In 2004 a 40-year-old lady named Merrian was taking a cruise to Alaska on board the Celebrity Mercury. They really enjoyed it. Cruise Ship Killers is a true crime series that tells the stories of people who never returned home after taking a holiday on a cruise ship,. Shirley McGills children sounded a different note. A passenger stated that a nearby camera for that deck was covered, so there was no footage of her. Cruise lines are notorious for covering up crimes and cases of negligence to avoid getting sued (or having their ship docked for weeks due to a crime-scene investigation). In two years of letter writing, White said his friend has never explained why he killed his sweetheart. But now I am that much less likely to ever subject myself to that pleasure. Though, I now think its a great setting for a thriller novel. Ramiz alerted the crew about her disappearance shortly after arriving at port. A risk-management manager for the cruise line told him that no alarm had been raised after his daughters disappearance, since it was normal for people to leave their belongings behind, and normal for them to suddenly change their rooms without notice. I really dont have the words to make anyone feel better, said McGill. Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Fascination was near Miami on the final night of the trip when Caldwell disappeared. In December 2004, 37-year-old Annette Mizener embarked on a nine-day cruise with her parents and daughter. But when the weather report comes in for the evening showing no wind, a murder investigation begins.Cruise Ship Killers is a true crime series that tells the stories of people who never returned home after taking a holiday on a cruise ship, featuring interviews with family, friends, investigators and experts.Stars: John Barnard, J.H. The cruise line took three more days to confirm to authorities that she had been on the vessel, which was 26 days after she disappeared. She had her whole life in front of her. Newman is charged with second-degree murder. Clues to her disappearance are detailed in a diary discovered in her cabin. Did she decide to skip out on her duties or did a terrible fate await her on-shore? Finally, feeling out of options, Carver filed a lawsuit against the Royal Caribbean. While on a family cruise to the Caribbean, Amy Lynn Bradley mysteriously vanished from the Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines Rhapsody of the Seas. I wonder if shed planned to buy some in one of the ports. Dont think Ill be going on any cruises. I havent read any comments so maybe others already brought up this theory. McGill made the confession after being informed of his Miranda rights and telling interrogators he was willing to answer questions without the presence of an attorney, FBI Special Agent James B. Stinnett wrote in a probable cause affidavit attached to the criminal complaint charging him with one count of murder. I wish I could have spoken to him before he passed away. By that time, the trail had gone cold.[9]. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { During questioning, the school teacher from Los Angeles told investigators he killed his wife "in the bathroom of their cabin with his bare hands," court documents revealed Friday. But not everyone returns home from these trips. They believe he was murdered. Court records show McGill was divorced from his first wife in 1998 after a 2-year proceeding and then filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Your email address will not be published. During the trial, the cruise line released an official statement to the media, claimingthat Merrian had severe emotional problems, had attempted suicide before, and appears to have committed suicide on our ship. (Suicide is often the excuse when passengers go missing.). I must tell you, no one that we talked with has been very forthcoming. Their marriage was the most important thing in his life," Paul White, a teacher at the school where McGill taught, told the AP. Here are 10 times that people mysteriously disappeared from cruise ships. Or was it something more sinister? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Yes, its safe to assume those were not her remains, as its never been confirmed. She was last seen on CCTV footage in the crews lounge talking on an internal phone. Carver went on to win his lawsuit, but it was a hollow victory. "The incident was reported to all proper authorities and CARE Team support was offered to fellow travelers and her family," Carnival said. The 40-year-old woman vanished from a Royal Caribbean ship that nobody in her family even knew she had boarded. I tend to doubt it. What do you think happened to Merrian? No, she didn't. It worked. Theyre floating petri dishes at the best of times. congratulations on the documentary. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison when sentenced Nov. 8. So, we have a number of people each with their own agenda, and this poor woman is caught in the middle of it. The case went to trial in August 2005, which was when he at last saw a copy of the security report, which he felt clearly indicated a cover up. I so appreciate your support and the lovely review! SIGN UP FOR SNEAK PEEKS OF MY NEXT BOOK + NEWSLETTER-ONLY UPDATES. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Shirley McGills children from a previous marriage and her elderly parents gasped in relief when the judge announced the sentence. Heres what we know, Governors declaration allows Los Angeles County to get reimbursed, Who will replace ex-LA councilmember Nury Martinez? Im not saying there wasnt a crime here, but it could just be money hungry corporate goons trying to eliminate hysteria to preserve the almighty bottom line. The FBI says the investigation is ongoing. They might have erased the surveillance tapes when they saw the crime. Halfords suitcases were found sitting outside his cabins door, which is required for guests on the last night of the cruise. Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murders of wife and son On the second day of the cruise, a cabin attendant noticed that the bed had not been used and reported it to the boss. The county closed it in June because of dwindling attendance. It was believed that he had fallen overboard, and the coast guard spent 36 hours looking for his body. However, he only did this because he was ordered to do so by the coast guard. Carvers living hell was about to begin. The amount of people who go missing or who are murdered on cruise lines is disproportionate. A savvy poker player cleans up at the tables once at sea. Hougardy said Shirley McGill planned to move to Oregon, where her family and her children from a previous marriage lived. A sous chef aboard a cruise ship leaves her shift unexpectedly and is never seen again. Im wondering, though: How does anyone know how many clothes Merrian brought on board? When Monteiro checked on Merrians cabin the following morning, her bed had not been slept in. A honeymoon cruise goes awry when the bride is allegedly blown off a balcony in the middle of the night. Wheres your wife, Shirley? ". McGill was divorced when he reconnected with Shirley through the Internet, colleagues said. Its so sad, and I also dont think she would have left her daughter. Me too, Birgit. May 3, 2021 | Unsolved Mysteries As some of you know, I was fortunate enough to be the writer-expert for a true crime documentary show called Cruise Ship Killers, which tells the stories of twenty-six people who vanished, died mysteriously, or were the victims of other crimes while on board a cruise. Included with Crime+Investigation PLAY on Amazon for 3.99/month after trial. There have been many theories about her disappearance, but none have been proven to be true. Poor dad. Authorities believe that he jumped into the water on purpose. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code. This includes using first- and third-party cookies, which store or access standard device information such as a unique identifier. Tamara Loraine Tucker Cruise Ship Passenger Murder Carnival Elation. Third parties use cookies for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalised ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. If she jumped off her balcony, its not that far fetched that she would not wear shoes or even many clothes (after all, shes committing suicide). Try again. A social media maven takes a cruise she believes will put her public profile over the tipping point. Maybe the supervisor steward thought he may get into trouble having to report a suicide. On Thursday, Robert McGill was sentenced to life in prison by U.S. District Judge Irma Gonzalez, who acknowledged that McGill had led a life dedicated to helping at-risk teens but had to be punished for the murder for which precise motives remain unknown. This is my theory. Frightening. Her father was a hero. He appeared without handcuffs and wore a white jumpsuit. Shirley McGill, 55, was killed on July 14, 2009, aboard the Carnival cruise ship Elation. The American woman was only 23 years old when she disappeared from the vessel on March 24, 1998. When he returned to their cabin, Fariba was not there. The ship had left Jacksonville, Florida, the day before. The 47-year-old mother of two from Canada disappeared on February 29, 2012, somewhere between the Bahamas and Florida. Wouldnt they want to find out the truth if someone disappears? The official cause of death was listed as toxic effects of methadone, but Barnett's family insists she never did drugs. How much he had is not known, but witnesses said he could barely walk when he returned to the ship. January 19, 2018. More questions than answers from my end as well! Moncrieff. The attorney who handled the case did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Mar 6th 600p DARLA Recently retired newly weds embark on their third tropical cruise in less than year. Shirleys dead and I killed her, he said, according to the court papers. Ramiz last saw her at the ships gift shop, and then he headed to the casino by himself. Barnett's family hired lawyer Gloria Allred in their search for answers. He noticed she only had two handbags (purses), one dress, and one pair of sandals. "I don't think it is for the best. Good questions. After finding out more about these cruise ships, I dont think Ill follow their example. They had sailed on the Elation to celebrate their pending retirement. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. } Afterward, he changed clothes and went up to a deck, smoked a cigar and had more beer with another couple. He made his initial court appearance on Thursday, prosecutors said, and his detention hearing is set for Sept. 12. Tucker fell from her "balcony to several decks below early on the morning of Jan. 19," Carnival said in a statement the day after her death. Carver was never seen again. A generous tip and a manilla envelope with unknown contents had been left behind, along with all of her belongings, including her only shoes. A full search and rescue mission began after family members realized the couple was missing, but the mission failed to find anyone. Fariba Amani was enjoying a cruise with her boyfriend, Ramiz Golshani, when she mysteriously vanished from the Bahamas Celebration cruise. But when a cruise line is at fault or a cruise line member is involved Im sure you get the brick wall. The cruise liner company most definitely withheld vital information if you were being charitable you could say through total incompetence on their part. Bring me to brig or security office and check my cabin R24.. The Royal Caribbeandid contact the FBI, but not until Merrian had been missing for five weeks. I also thought it odd that she brought so few things or that the cabin steward knew what she brought, its kind of creepy that he looked in her closet long enough to take inventory. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son Will we ever know the truth? They had been high school sweethearts who reunited through the Internet and married in 2003. The luggage contained gifts that he had purchased for his wife and children. Unfortunately, when Merrians marriage ended in divorce in 2000 and she lost custody of her daughter, she sank into a deep depression and threatened suicide. But Barnett's friends and family say Carnival has been stonewalling them. 10 Ships That Simply Vanished Without A Trace. As her family hadnt known that Carver was on the ship, the police needed time to trace her there. But when shes found brutally murdered in a lower class cabin, questions revolve around who could have committed such a crime against her. Everyone would assume she went overboard. I killed Shirley by accident, well not by accident. Others believe that he accidentally fell into the water after drinking too much. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says Cruise Ship Killers (2020- ) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Series Directed by Series Writing Credits Series Cast Series Produced by Series Music by Series Cinematography by Series Film Editing by Series Casting By Series Set Decoration by Series Makeup Department Series Production Management If you agree, well also use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie Notice. Why? No, shes dead. According to authorities, he was last seen at the ships bar drinking cocktails. Thesupervisor whod dismissed the stewards concerns was fired and ushered off the ship before the FBI could speak to him. After heading to Cabo with two couples and returning to the ship on the last leg of the cruise, McGill was so drunk "he could barely walk," a witness said. He was initially charged with first-degree murder. None of Merrians family members or friends had any idea shed gone on a cruise, but this wasnt out of character. Another guest on the cruise, a volunteer fireman, heard the boyfriend's screams and started CPR, and instructed him to call 911.". The guy she was in a relationship with panicked at her appearance (could have had another woman on board, could have thought the relationship had been a fling and freaked out when she showed up on his ship, who knows?). He later told the FBI he did not remember having a verbal argument, and stated that it was all him.. His reaction does seem strange. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Whatever decency Mr. McGill had, he left on the floor of that bathroom next to Shirleys beaten, bleeding and broken body, Forge said. And inside was Shirley McGills body in a pool of blood on the bathroom floor, with blood splattered around the cabin.