Tragedy struck last month off the coast of Sicily as the luxurious Bayesian superyacht sank during a violent storm, claiming the lives of seven individuals, including four who suffocated after being trapped in a pocket of air with depleted oxygen.
According to reports from the Italian news agency Ansa, banking executive Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy Bloomer, lawyer Chris Morvillo, and his wife Neda Morvillo were among the victims who tragically lost their lives in the incident. Post-mortem examinations revealed that none of them had water in their lungs, indicating they did not drown.
The group, which also included British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah Lynch, and the yacht’s chef Recaldo Thomas, was on board following Mr. Lynch’s recent acquittal of fraud charges in the United States.
Investigators believe that the four individuals suffocated as the cabin they were in filled with carbon dioxide due to the diminishing oxygen supply. Divers involved in recovering the bodies found the victims on the left side of the cabins, suggesting they were trying to reach the last remaining air pockets as the vessel tilted during the sinking.
The remaining post-mortems for Mr. Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and Mr. Thomas are scheduled to take place in the coming days. Mr. Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, was among the survivors along with 14 others on board.
As the investigation continues, Italian prosecutors have opened an inquiry into suspected manslaughter, focusing on the boat’s captain, James Cutfield, and two British crew members, Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffiths. Allegations of negligence, such as leaving external doors open, will be part of the investigation.
The superyacht will be raised from the seabed as authorities work to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident that has left many questions unanswered.
