Family Sues Royal Caribbean After Man’s Death on Cruise Ship Ruled Homicide
MIAMI, Fla. — The family of Michael Virgil, 35, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Royal Caribbean, alleging that the cruise line’s crew overserved Virgil 33 alcoholic drinks and used excessive force that led to his death aboard the Navigator of the Seas. The lawsuit comes seven months after an autopsy ruled Virgil’s death a homicide, citing mechanical asphyxia caused by restraint, combined with intoxication and underlying health conditions.
Virgil and his family boarded the Royal Caribbean vessel in Los Angeles on December 13, 2024, for a four-day trip to Ensenada, Mexico. What was intended as a celebratory vacation quickly turned tragic. According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Virgil was left alone while his fiancée and their young son, who has autism, went to check on their cabin. During this time, crew members allegedly served Virgil at least 33 alcoholic beverages, despite his increasing intoxication and agitation.
Security footage obtained by Fox News shows Virgil kicking a door in apparent distress before being subdued by ship security. The lawsuit claims that crew members tackled and restrained him, compressing his body until he stopped moving. Under orders from the ship’s staff captain, Virgil was injected with the sedative Haloperidol and subjected to three cans of pepper spray. The combination of these actions reportedly caused significant hypoxia, respiratory failure, and ultimately cardiopulmonary arrest.
The medical examiner’s report detailed that the cause of death was the “combined effects of mechanical asphyxia, obesity, cardiomegaly and ethanol intoxication.” It further noted that the injury resulted from “body compression during restraint by multiple ship security personnel” alongside the ingestion of a large quantity of alcohol. The ruling of homicide highlights the severity of the crew’s actions and raises critical questions about the cruise line’s protocols for handling intoxicated passengers.
This case has drawn attention to the broader issue of alcohol service and passenger safety on cruise ships. The U.S. Coast Guard, which oversees maritime safety, has guidelines regarding the treatment of passengers and the use of force by security personnel, emphasizing the need for restraint and medical evaluation in such incidents. The lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of negligence and failure to protect Virgil, calling for accountability in what the family describes as a preventable tragedy.
Royal Caribbean has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the family’s attorney has called for a thorough investigation and changes in cruise line policies to prevent similar deaths in the future. The case underscores the potential dangers of excessive alcohol consumption combined with aggressive security measures in confined ship environments.
For more information on maritime safety regulations, visit the U.S. Coast Guard. Details on passenger rights and safety protocols can be found through the Federal Maritime Commission. The use of sedatives and restraint in medical emergencies is governed by standards outlined by the Food and Drug Administration. For legal guidance on wrongful death claims, the United States Courts website provides resources.
As the lawsuit proceeds, the case of Michael Virgil serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities cruise lines bear for passenger welfare and the potentially fatal consequences when those duties are neglected.
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