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. A honeymoon cruise goes awry when the bride is allegedly blown off a balcony in the middle of the night. 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). Its horrible that cruise lines have so much power to do whatever they please and cover up anything that is questionable. Poor dad. I must tell you, no one that we talked with has been very forthcoming. 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. About The Author: Im just another bearded guy trying to write my way through life. In 2004 a 40-year-old lady named Merrian was taking a cruise to Alaska on board the Celebrity Mercury. None of Merrians family members or friends had any idea shed gone on a cruise, but this wasnt out of character. They believe he was murdered. I disagree. She was last seen when the ship was around 48 kilometers (30 mi) off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico. They eventually called off the search, and Caldwell was presumed to be dead. The same thing happened with Elisa Lam. Its just my theory. Cruise Ship Murders Archives - Cruise Ship Deaths 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. But after she witnesses a man overboard, many begin to wonder if it was accidental or on purpose - and who is next? Maybe the supervisor steward thought he may get into trouble having to report a suicide. Why wasnt the FBI or other authorities given the opportunity to speak to him? My theory: sailing was a last-minute decision to meet up with the crew member with whom she was having a relationship. It worked. There have been many theories about her disappearance, but none have been proven to be true. "That's putting more financial burden on top of the pain and horror that I've caused this family," he added before the hearing resumed. Top 10 People Who Mysteriously Vanished From Cruise Ships True-crime tales of people who never returned home after taking a holiday aboard a cruise ship. Watch Cruise Ship Killers Season 1 A true crime docuseries that chronicles the unfortunate events that take place as unsuspecting travelers board cruise ships and never return home from vacation; interviews from family, friends and experts detail each case. "Cruise Ship Killers" Gordon (TV Episode) - IMDb 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. Given the last minute cruise reservation, one outfit, the divorce and losing custody of her daughter, I believe Merriam committed suicide. The family says Barnett's boyfriend told them he had no idea what happened. Ramiz last saw her at the ships gift shop, and then he headed to the casino by himself. 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. Crystal then decided to head in for the night, but Caldwell chose to stay in the casino for a while. 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. Shirley McGill, 55, was killed on July 14, 2009, aboard the Carnival cruise ship Elation. Two years after that fateful evening of July 14, 2009, the Winnetka schoolteacher pleaded guilty Thursday in a San Diego federal court to second-degree murder on the high seas. 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. Sadly, well probably never know the answers. A surprise cruise holiday for a husband and wife from Olympia, Washington ends up with one of them going overboard. The American woman was only 23 years old when she disappeared from the vessel on March 24, 1998. The 63-year-old man disappeared while on a holiday cruise in Egypt. So, we have a number of people each with their own agenda, and this poor woman is caught in the middle of it. I wish I could have spoken to him before he passed away. Happens every single day. Her steward, Domingo Monteiro, found her to be personable, relaxed, and looking forward to the cruise. Hougardy said Shirley McGill planned to move to Oregon, where her family and her children from a previous marriage lived. 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. In bankruptcy papers, McGill listed assets of $50,000 to $100,000 and debts of $100,000 to $500,000. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. She noted Shirley McGill likely did not die right away, and said the actions of Robert McGill after the beating showed he had some awareness of what he was doing and was not completely out of it from his excessive drinking. No one secured her cabin. Wheres your wife, Shirley? 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. They had been high school sweethearts who reunited through the Internet and married in 2003. And she had so many things yet to accomplish.". i believe this is one of the reasons why. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison when sentenced Nov. 8. Frustrated, Carverhired one of the largest private investigation firms in the country, but this resulted in more questions than answers. Shirley McGills children sounded a different note. Trending News 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.). Their son, Michael Pham, testified before Congress to urge tougher regulation of safety practices on cruise lines. But their luck changes drastically and the friends who are on board celebrating with them now aid in the search for the farmer who is now missing at sea. But when the weather report comes in showing no wind, a murder investigation begins. The supervisor put her belongings in his own locker, except for her clothing, which was promptly donated to charity. When she showed up he told her where to meet her or he had done something to keep her quiet. When she mentioned the same wish the following night, he suggested ordering room service, and then brought her two sandwiches at her request. Seriously! Everyone would assume she went overboard. Thanks, Sherry. Security officers found a privacy please sign on the locked doorknob. Its so sad, and I also dont think she would have left her daughter. Watch Cruise Ship Killers Streaming Online | Peacock Finally, feeling out of options, Carver filed a lawsuit against the Royal Caribbean. The cruise line maintained theyd had no reports about his daughter during the cruise, and refused to reveal the name of Merrians steward. The 47-year-old mother of two from Canada disappeared on February 29, 2012, somewhere between the Bahamas and Florida. And inside was Shirley McGills body in a pool of blood on the bathroom floor, with blood splattered around the cabin. The cabin steward only looked in her closet once shed been missing and when he was trying to figure out what had happened to her. 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. Did the pressure of the kitchen make her take her own life or did foul play occur? 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. The lengths theyll go to are really shocking, even when its one of their own staff members who vanishes. How did they come to the conclusion that if she jumped, it would have been done in her underwear? Almarosa Tenorio Passenger Death Aboard Royal Princess, Katherine Kemp Notable Cruise Industry Death Murder, Tamara Loraine Tucker Cruise Ship Passenger Murder Carnival Elation, Kristy Manzanares Cruise Ship Passenger Murder Emerald Princess, Simone Scheuer Souza Crew Cruise Ship Murder MSC Musica, Adriana Morales de Florencio Crew Cruise Ship Death Murder Navigator of the Seas, Li Yinglei Passenger Cruise Ship Death MSC Magnifica, Shirley Timmons Cruise Ship Passenger Death, Mary Louise Amzibel Cruise Ship Passenger Death. I would bet he was married and wanted to keep it hush. In August 2004, a 40-year-old red-haired poet and investment banker named Merrian Carver boarded the Mercury, one of Royal Caribbeans Celebrity cruise ships. If you agree, well also use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie Notice. Watch Cruise Ship Killers S1 | Prime Video - Amazon In 2005, Hue Pham, 71, and Hue Tran, 67, took a seven-night Mothers Day cruise in the Caribbean with their daughter and granddaughter. On a whole other topic I really enjoyed Mask of Ghosts, J.H. On the second day of the cruise, a cabin attendant noticed that the bed had not been used and reported it to the boss. That night, Barnett's mother got a phone call she never could have imagined from the ship's nurse. He was the only one on that ship that genuinely cared, who raised an alarm, and who tried to find her. No, she didn't. 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. Her family hasnt received any answers as to why or how she went missing while aboard the cruise ship. Shirley McGills children from a previous marriage and her elderly parents gasped in relief when the judge announced the sentence. Ramiz alerted the crew about her disappearance shortly after arriving at port. What a fascinating, yet scary, and helpless story! She embarked upon a seven-day cruise from Seattle, Washington to Alaska. Good questions. 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. Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Fascination was near Miami on the final night of the trip when Caldwell disappeared. Sadly, he passed away in December 2019 without ever finding out what became of Merrian. A millionaire widower and her teenaged daughter take a fivestar cruise together. Yes, its safe to assume those were not her remains, as its never been confirmed. He spent an hour searching for her on the ship.[7]. A detention hearing in the case is set for July 23, with a preliminary hearing on July 30. Was it revenge, jealousy or a murderous impulse at sea? She is survived by a son, her obituary said, according to the newspaper. It is believed that he went overboard due to an accident on the ship. 7 The Murder-Suicide Couple Salem couple found dead on cruise ship Darla J. Mellinger-Banner, 56, and John C. Banner, 56, of Salem, a suburb of Youngstown, Ohio, were known to Salem police after a December 21, 2014, incident where Darla Banner was injured in a knife accident. This was when Carver learned that someonehadcared about his daughter, and he was even more distressed when he discovered that a cruise-line supervisor had brushed off her stewards fears. I believe she left the large amount of tip for the gentleman who was concerned most about her disappearance. Genres Documentary Subtitles None Available Audio Languages English . My overall impression is that more than one person is covering up, for reasons of their own. Dana Bartholomew has been a general assignment reporter since 2000 for the Los Angeles Daily News. Robert McGill sat on deck atop the Carnival cruise ship Elation, smoking a cigar and drinking out of a bucket of beers. This person jumped. I honestly think someone killed her; I dont believe it was suicide. He also learned hed been lied to about the surveillance footage, which had been kept for onemonth, not three days. They had sailed on the Elation to celebrate their pending retirement. No body was ever found. Everybody loved her. Rapid reversal of price growth: San Diego home prices declining more quickly than other cities, Fernando Tatis Jr. disciplined at the top of Padres stacked lineup and still learning in right field, Demand for freshmen admission at UC San Diego drops for first time in roughly 20 years, Two women suffer major injuries after head-on collision in Lake Murray-area, Aztecs assistant coach Ron Gould hired by NFLs Rams less than a month into role at SDSU, Spring training recap: Padres no-hit by Cubs, After mans death ruled a homicide, sheriff says jails are working to better meet needs of mentally ill inmates, Opinion: Being a DJ is about music but its also about common ground, companionship and knowledge. That last evening, he and his fiancee had gone to dinner with some friends they met on the cruise. July 20, 2009 / 11:30 AM 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 know Ive done a horrible thing.. Husband confessed to killing wife on cruise ship, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at 61, 7 house fires prompt fears about gas meters buried in snow. Aztecs to honor 8 on Senior Night against Wyoming, but are all of them leaving? All told, hedspent $75,000 on investigators and lawyers and still had no idea what had happened to his daughter, though he believed her to be deceased. 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. But Barnett's friends and family say Carnival has been stonewalling them. #inline-recirc-item--id-d44635f2-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { The latest involves the sudden death of an aspiring actress during a Carnival cruise in October. Your email address will not be published. Bring me to brig or security office and check my cabin R24.. 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,. Cruise Ship Killers | True Crime Network McGill was divorced when he reconnected with Shirley through the Internet, colleagues said. Theyre floating petri dishes at the best of times. When a crime is committed on a cruise ship, it rarely is investigated properly or promptly reported. After the ship docked, her possessions were packed away. The cruise ship was off the coast of Canada when the incident occurred. Whatever decency Mr. McGill had, he left on the floor of that bathroom next to Shirleys beaten, bleeding and broken body, Forge said. He killed her and tossed her overboard. Moncrieff, Damian Turner #CruiseShipKillers #CrimeTV #BreakthroughEntertainment When Monteiro checked on Merrians cabin the following morning, her bed had not been slept in. He just always said to me, he said, theres more to this story than has been reported.. On the final day of the trip, she disappeared from Carnivals ship The Pride. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Liability. Required fields are marked *. Cruise Ship Killers - Facebook The supervisor said, Just forget it, and do your job. The attendant did as she was told, although nobody ever used the room.