How did they come to the conclusion that if she jumped, it would have been done in her underwear? He loved her with all his heart, White, a Ventura resident, said in an interview. 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. 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. The cruise ship was off the coast of Canada when the incident occurred. Bring me to brig or security office and check my cabin R24.. To help others avoid the pain and suffering hed gone through, Carver founded International Cruise Victims, an advocacy and support group, in 2006. But when she doesn't check in with her family members back home, they begin to suspect something bad has befallen her. "I saw Bob a couple days before they left. Thanks so much, Cat. Again. The same thing happened with Elisa Lam. i believe this is one of the reasons why. Sadly, well probably never know the answers. But at one of the many stops along the way, a grizzly discovery is made when crew membersfind the widower's body crammed into her own suitcase. This person jumped. Dana Bartholomew has been a general assignment reporter since 2000 for the Los Angeles Daily News. "I don't think it is for the best. Shirley McGill retired last week from the state Department of Motor Vehicles, and her husband had planned to retire soon as well, acquaintances said. During at least one of his visits, she was wearing a nightshirt and underwear. Wheres your wife, Shirley? Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. But Barnett's friends and family say Carnival has been stonewalling them. "They were childhood sweethearts.". No body was ever found. 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?). Good questions. Paul White, a friend of McGill who taught with him at three Los Angeles County schools for troubled teens, described the crime as unbelievable. She didnt tell anyone she was going (even if that was uncommon, she had recently gone through a divorce and custody battle), she took next to nothing with her as if she doesnt need much. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. There should have still been footage from the time his daughter disappeared when he first contacted them. So he killed her. But when a cruise line is at fault or a cruise line member is involved Im sure you get the brick wall. This is a joke. display: block; McGill was divorced when he reconnected with Shirley through the Internet, colleagues said. 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. True-crime tales of people who never returned home after taking a holiday aboard a cruise ship. The lengths theyll go to are really shocking, even when its one of their own staff members who vanishes. Why wouldnt the stewards supervisor have sounded an alarm when informed she was missingif he had nothing to hide? This includes using first- and third-party cookies, which store or access standard device information such as a unique identifier. A husband and wife take a cruise to celebrate their good luck in business. They eventually called off the search, and Caldwell was presumed to be dead. While on a family cruise to the Caribbean, Amy Lynn Bradley mysteriously vanished from the Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines Rhapsody of the Seas. She wouldn't stay in the room. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Forge said the brutal death of Shirley McGill overshadowed her husbands career. The authorities werent notified that she was missing. A passenger aboard Brilliance of the Seas claimed that he heard men arguing in the Smiths room. 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 American woman was only 23 years old when she disappeared from the vessel on March 24, 1998. Hey RandeeI believe that information came from the steward, who spent a fair amount of time speaking to her and preparing her room for bedtime, etc. On May 12, a ship employee found two passports, two pairs of flip-flops . Her father reported her missing to the authorities on the cruise line, and the ship docked at Curacao, Antilles.[1]. Colleagues said McGill spent years teaching at-risk teens, became burned out by the job a decade ago but was revitalized when he came to work at the West Valley Leadership Academy in Canoga Park, a county-run alternative high school to help at-risk youth. A new mystery on the high seas is the latest to plague the cruise ship industry, which has been under fire recently for the way it deals with onboard crimes. I wonder if shed planned to buy some in one of the ports. Shirley McGill, 55, was killed on July 14, 2009, aboard the Carnival cruise ship Elation. In court, former colleagues of Robert McGill spoke of his talent and dedication as a teacher, and said they were baffled by what he had done. The San Diego County medical examiner's office said she died of strangulation and blunt force injury to the head and torso. First published on April 5, 2006 / 8:22 AM. ), but why would someone kill her? #inline-recirc-item--id-d44635f2-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-d44635f2-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Im sure Someone else theorized this, Your email address will not be published. She had made her decision and once they make that decision they do seem happy. They had been high school sweethearts who reunited through the Internet and married in 2003. After they were unsuccessful, the United States Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy were alerted and joined the search. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It took 26 days after Merrian's disappearance for her to be reported as a missing person and for the search for her to start. My theory: sailing was a last-minute decision to meet up with the crew member with whom she was having a relationship. They had pleaded with Gonzalez to impose the maximum sentence. I tend to doubt it. Her poor dad. After he admitted killing his wife, the other couple reported him to Carnival Cruise Lines security, who confronted the man on deck, according to court papers. A Topeka, Kansas, man was arrested this week for allegedly killing his girlfriend on a cruise ship in January, prosecutors said. Poor dad. "It's unconscionable that they won't give up their records and give Ashley's parents the answers they are seeking. Early that morning, Bradley went missing. In 2005, Hue Pham, 71, and Hue Tran, 67, took a seven-night Mother's Day cruise in the Caribbean with their daughter and granddaughter. Court records show McGill was divorced from his first wife in 1998 after a 2-year proceeding and then filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Learn how your comment data is processed. They truly are the wild west. The couple had been high school sweethearts and then broke up. But her body was never found. But the end of the late-in-life romance between Robert and Shirley McGill turned out to be something from a horror film. She left the band around 1:00 AM, and her father noticed her sleeping on their cabin balcony around 5:30 AM. Maybe his concern wasnt that genuine and he knew something. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. A honeymoon cruise goes awry when the bride is allegedly blown off a balcony in the middle of the night. That was the last known sighting of Merrian alive. The captain of the ship waited about three hours before finally turning around and dropping rescue boats to search for Mizener. There are simply too many cooks stirring this particular pot of murky broth. Afterward, he changed clothes and went up to a deck, smoked a cigar and had more beer with another couple. Some theories claim that she was swept overboard while at the pool. The supervisor said, Just forget it, and do your job. The attendant did as she was told, although nobody ever used the room. What a fascinating, yet scary, and helpless story! When Ramiz woke up, Fariba still had not returned. Is it on TV yet? When the cruise ship docked the next morning, he was not in his room or anywhere else on the ship. Just saw the episode and it was a real eye-opener. A detention hearing in the case is set for July 23, with a preliminary hearing on July 30. Friends and neighbors said they were shocked to learn of the charge. If the manilla envelope contained a suicide note, why didnt the cruise line release it, since it would have proven their theory? 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. Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murders of wife and son 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. Later that night, he pummeled his wife inside the cabin, then strangled her. Frustrated, Carverhired one of the largest private investigation firms in the country, but this resulted in more questions than answers. A millionaire widower and her teenaged daughter take a fivestar cruise together. But he never returned to their cabin.[6]. ". 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,. }, First published on July 20, 2009 / 11:30 AM. 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. Your email address will not be published. ", Jamie, crying, told reporters: "I wake up every morning wishing I could hold her just one more time. Her family was not contacted and her items were removed from her cabin. Sorry, there was a problem saving your cookie preferences. Try again. Barnett was just turning 25. The amount of people who go missing or who are murdered on cruise lines is disproportionate. I know Ive done a horrible thing.. 2. Well seems to me she was having an affair with an unnamed cruise member. Sadly, he passed away in December 2019 without ever finding out what became of Merrian. He killed her and tossed her overboard. Thats why, not knowing the details of her murder, it just seems inconceivable. Maybe he was worried about losing his job so he covered up the suicide and took the suicide letter and money. 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. It worked. Carvers living hell was about to begin. What a frustrating story. Robert McGill sat on deck atop the Carnival cruise ship Elation, smoking a cigar and drinking out of a bucket of beers. A social media maven takes a cruise she believes will put her public profile over the tipping point. In July 2005, George Allen Smith IV and his wife, Jennifer, were celebrating their two-week-long honeymoon on a cruise from Greece to Turkey when he mysteriously disappeared. I havent read any comments so maybe others already brought up this theory. The attorney who handled the case did not immediately return a call seeking comment. They are not thinking of the the pain and devastation they are going to leave behind. They had sailed on the Elation to celebrate their pending retirement. Newlyweds board a cruise ship, but things take a turn for the worse when one disappears in the middle of the night. He disappeared after reportedly either jumping or falling from a cruise ship. A professors assistant goes missing at sea near the end of a long voyage. Though there is no evidence she even attempted suicide in the past, this history gave the Royal Caribbean the ammunition it needed. The coast guard began an 84-hour search that spanned 25,900 square kilometers (10,000 mi2), but they were unable to find Fariba. i too believe she was murdered. But when the weather report comes in showing no wind, a murder investigation begins. Witnesses aboard the ship claim they saw someone jump overboard around 6:00 AM the day he went missing. Her family has hired its own investigator, and hopes for a meeting with officials from Carnival. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I ask all commenters to keep in mind that Merrians daughter and other family members are still alive and may see this post and the comments. Yes, its safe to assume those were not her remains, as its never been confirmed. Shes dead, said McGill, then 55, according to court papers. Also, its the way these incidents tend to be handled that is of even greater concern. Definitely something fishy here, and I dont mean Alaskan salmon. A German college student working aboard on a cruise ship goes missing at an Alaskan port. He later told the FBI he did not remember having a verbal argument, and stated that it was all him.. The couple were aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' [] 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. Authorities believe that she fell or was pushed overboard, but some strange facts emerged about her vanishing. But their luck takes a turn at the apex of their journey, with many wondering what happened aboard the ship. He noticed she only had two handbags (purses), one dress, and one pair of sandals. 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. A sous chef aboard a cruise ship leaves her shift unexpectedly and is never seen again. Do you know anything about the claims by Canadian authorities that they thought the found Merrians bones? That doesnt explain why the steward who was concerned for her was told to keep his mouth shut, or why her belongings were disposed of and her family was not notified. I really dont have the words to make anyone feel better, said McGill. Barnett's family hired lawyer Gloria Allred in their search for answers. 2023 J.H. But somebody outside that company knows something. 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He was placed in the brig and about 20 FBI agents intercepted the ship on a U.S. Coast Guard cutter late Wednesday and interviewed McGill and more than 50 witnesses while the Elation was still at sea. Me too, Birgit. That last evening, he and his fiancee had gone to dinner with some friends they met on the cruise. But after she witnesses a man overboard, many begin to wonder if it was accidental or on purpose - and who is next? Was she OK? What a tragic story. She was last seen on CCTV footage in the crews lounge talking on an internal phone. Robert McGill, 57, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in July, and his lawyers were seeking a sentence of slightly more than 11 years in prison. Their marriage was the most important thing in his life," Paul White, a teacher at the school where McGill taught, told the AP. Youre not the only one who has that theory, Alexgood call. She had danced all night with members of Rhapsodys band, Blue Orchid. And if she planned on committing suicide, why the round-trip ticket? The supervisor probably knows what happened. Merrian booked passage on the cruise only two days before it sailed, and brought two handbags, but no suitcases, on board. The couple was on a five-day cruise to Mexico, and it was the husband's 55th birthday. "They're suffering now," McGill was heard saying as he gestured to his family. McGill was distraught during the brief hearing and argued with federal public defenders about whether he could make a statement to the court as his family members sobbed in the gallery. She ordered 2 sandwiches and to me its kinda strange. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie Preferences, as described in the Cookie Notice. I believe she left the large amount of tip for the gentleman who was concerned most about her disappearance. 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. Moncrieff. Aztecs to honor 8 on Senior Night against Wyoming, but are all of them leaving? I think it had some cover up because no cruise wants to be the latest in a lost guest. A full search and rescue mission began after family members realized the couple was missing, but the mission failed to find anyone. Her family believes foul play was involved, but her case remains unsolved.[8]. Crystal then decided to head in for the night, but Caldwell chose to stay in the casino for a while. McGill told a Carnival investigator he had argued with his wife and punched her once in the stomach. They really enjoyed it. asked the couple who had just spent the day with them in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, after noticing blood on his hand. White said he worked with McGill for nearly 11 years and knew him to be calm and pleasant. SIGN UP FOR SNEAK PEEKS OF MY NEXT BOOK + NEWSLETTER-ONLY UPDATES. In court documents, his lawyers said that he had at least 20 drinks, including beer, hard liquor and mescal. "I know that she would never have knowingly or willingly ingested that," Jamie said. Its horrible that cruise lines have so much power to do whatever they please and cover up anything that is questionable. Robert and Shirley McGill were marking their 55th birthdays just days into their luxurious Mexican cruise when she was found beaten to death in their cabin. Li Yinglei, 36, embarked on a MSC Cruises MSC Magnifica 10-day Mediterranean cruise with her husband Daniel [], Shirley Timmons, Cruise Ship Passenger Murdered, Terrorist Attack in Ft Lauderdale, Airport January 6, 2017, Time of Death 12:50 On January 6, 2017, at approximately 12:56 p.m., Shirley Timmons, 70, a cruise ship passenger from [], Terry Andres, Cruise Ship Passenger Murdered, Terrorist Attack in Ft Lauderdale Airport January 6, 2017, Time of Death 12:50 On January 6, 2017, at approximately 12:56 p.m., Terry Andres, 62, a cruise ship passenger from [], Terrorist Attack in Ft Lauderdale Airport January 6, 2017, Time of Death 12:50 On January 6, 2017, at approximately 12:56 p.m., Mary Louise Amzibel, 69, from Dover, Delaware was in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport [], Tammy Grogan Passenger Cruise Ship Death Overboard Carnival Imagination Calica Mexico, Julie Kay Maxwell Golden Passenger Cruise Ship Death Adventure of the Seas, James C Harte Passenger Cruise Ship Death Veendam, Monique Teresia Van der Steenstraeten Passenger Cruise Ship Death Overboard Discovery Sun, Anna Louise Legner Brunetti Foster Passenger Cruise Ship Death Aboard Carnival Inspiration, Chandraprakash Beersee Norwegian Joy Crew Heart Attack Death, Cliford B. Minej Aurora Cruise Ship Crew Member Overboard, Holland America Chef, Professor Nina Landgraff Cruise Ship Passenger Death, Joan Krohn Passenger Cruise Ship Death Aboard Carnival Destiny Puerto Rico, 2022 Cruise Ship Wave - The Cruise Ship Wave Network. I believe the key to this story is her lack of luggage, clothes etc Suicide is pretty likely. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The luggage contained gifts that he had purchased for his wife and children. She had her whole life in front of her. A passenger stated that a nearby camera for that deck was covered, so there was no footage of her. He spent an hour searching for her on the ship.[7]. Eric Newman appears in this 2013 mugshot provided by the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. She never got off the boat via record. MoncrieffWebsite By Elise Epp Design and Amanda Weber. Because you dont have that. 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cruise Ship Killers Season 1 (2) 2021 NR A true crime television 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. Jennifer claimed that she did not remember much from the previous night, and nobody ever admitted to knowing anything about Smiths disappearance. Tucker, of Lawson, Missouri, was a professor of social work at Park University in Missouri, The Kansas City Star said. A former crew member contacted Carver and told him that Merrian had been having a relationship with another, unidentified crew member. However, he only did this because he was ordered to do so by the coast guard. He took her body to a place he could hide it to dispose of it later. Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Fascination was near Miami on the final night of the trip when Caldwell disappeared. By that time, the trail had gone cold.[9]. congratulations on the documentary. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Their son, Michael Pham, testified before Congress to urge tougher regulation of safety practices on cruise lines. Its really scary. Pull back the curtain and see how a suspense writer puts the thrills and chills together. Both had no history of violence or marital discord, according to court papers. Shirley McGills children from a previous marriage and her elderly parents gasped in relief when the judge announced the sentence. Its so sad, and I also dont think she would have left her daughter. The judge agreed. Click Customise Cookies to decline these cookies, make more detailed choices, or learn more. In two years of letter writing, White said his friend has never explained why he killed his sweetheart. One thing many tourists dont realize is that American cruise ships sail under foreign flags, which allows them to circumvent US lawsand taxes. Shirley McGill was beaten and strangled to death on the bathroom floor of a cruise ship cabin at the hands of her husband. Its not good publicity and results in very costly lawsuits. A successful businessman takes a luxury cruise with two of his former classmates. He drank. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Whatever decency Mr. McGill had, he left on the floor of that bathroom next to Shirleys beaten, bleeding and broken body, Forge said. Merrian didnt use the cruise ships currency card during the two days she was on board. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. Moncrieff, Damian Turner #CruiseShipKillers #CrimeTV #BreakthroughEntertainment Just wanted to comment, I see so many people disparaging cruise lines here, but really how many crimes happen every day to people on land- based vacations? Voters will soon get a say, California Republicans give a boost to Florida Gov. 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. Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSign Up For Our NewslettersSite Map, Copyright 2023, The San Diego Union-Tribune |, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit now from its own insurance company, Reporters Notebook: Newsoms criticisms of judges dont earn same scolding as Trumps, Lawsuit accuses Roman Catholic Diocese of fraudulently transferring assets to foil sex abuse liability, Sheriffs Department wont ban maximum restraints but alters training following lawsuit, Number of windows in San Diego courthouse that broke within industry norms, state agency says, San Diego jury rejects claim that patient awakened during surgery, San Diego rent increases are slowing.
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