Last month, the superyacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, resulting in the deaths of seven people. Initial autopsy results for four victims indicated that they died from “dry drowning,” or “atypical drowning,” where there is no water in the lungs or stomach. The victims had apparently suffocated in an air pocket after the yacht sank, consuming all available oxygen before the air turned toxic due to carbon dioxide.
The autopsies were conducted on Chris Morvillo and Neda Morvillo, as well as Jonathan Bloomer and Anne Elizabeth Judith Bloomer, at the Forensic Medicine Institute of the Palermo Polyclinic. These findings suggest that the victims had no physical injuries, corroborating earlier theories that they had sought refuge in an air pocket.
The remaining victims, Mike Lynch and his daughter, are scheduled for autopsies on Friday. The autopsy of Recaldo Thomas, the ship’s chef, has been postponed due to difficulties in reaching his family in Antigua.
Superyacht Bayesian Sinks Off Sicily, Killing Seven in ‘Dry Drowning’ Incident
The investigation is scrutinizing the ship’s captain, James Cutfield, machine engineer Tim Parker Eaton, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who were on duty during the incident. They are under investigation for “multiple manslaughter” and causing the shipwreck, though no formal charges have been filed. These individuals have been permitted to leave Italy while the investigation proceeds.
The Bayesian sank within 16 minutes after being hit by a severe weather event, possibly a tornado. Efforts are being made to salvage the wreck to prevent environmental damage from the 18,000 liters of fuel onboard. Salvage operations are being organized, with the costs covered by Angela Bacares’ company, which owns the yacht.
Toxicology reports for the victims are expected soon, but no alcohol or drug testing was performed on the crew. The investigation also intersects with ongoing legal issues involving Mike Lynch, who, along with his business partner Stephen Chamberlain, was acquitted of fraud charges related to their company Autonomy’s sale to Hewlett Packard. Despite this, Hewlett Packard is still pursuing a $4 billion civil lawsuit.
