Italy Yacht Victims Died of ‘Dry Drowning,’ First Autopsies Reveal

Photo : AFP

Initial autopsies have identified "dry drowning" as the cause of death for four of the seven victims who perished when their superyacht sank off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, last month. This phenomenon, also known as “atypical drowning,” occurs when individuals drown without water entering their lungs or stomachs. 

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The four victims, who included American lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda Morvillo, Morgan Stanley banker Jonathan Bloomer, and his wife Anne Elizabeth Judith Bloomer, were examined on Wednesday at the Forensic Medicine Institute of the Palermo Polyclinic hospital. According to a spokesperson for the captain’s lawyer, the autopsies suggest that these individuals likely discovered an air pocket in the yacht’s cabin, where they consumed the oxygen before it became toxic due to carbon dioxide buildup.

Autopsies for British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter are scheduled for Friday, while the examination of Recaldo Thomas, the yacht's chef, has yet to be scheduled due to challenges in contacting his family in Antigua.

The investigation, which includes checking for injuries, has confirmed that none of the victims had broken bones or other physical trauma that might have contributed to their deaths. The prosecutor investigating the case had earlier speculated that the victims might have been searching for an air pocket before their deaths.

The criminal probe is focused on the yacht’s captain James Cutfield, machine engineer Tim Parker Eaton, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who were on duty the night of the accident. They are being investigated for "multiple manslaughter" and causing a shipwreck, though no charges have yet been filed. These individuals were permitted to leave Italy by the prosecutor overseeing the investigation.

The 56-meter yacht sank within 16 minutes after being struck by a downburst or tornado early on August 19. The vessel will need to be raised to prevent potential environmental damage from the 18,000 liters of fuel onboard. Salvage operations are being organized and funded by Angela Bacares, the wife of one of the victims, Mike Lynch.

Toxicology results for the victims are anticipated soon. The prosecutor has indicated that no alcohol or drug tests were performed on the crew members. This case has also attracted attention due to the recent acquittal of Lynch and his business partner Sushovan Hussain on fraud charges related to the sale of their company Autonomy to Hewlett Packard. Despite their acquittal, HP is pursuing a $4 billion damages lawsuit in a UK court.

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