New information has surfaced in the death of a passenger on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. The passenger died in custody back in December 2024. The death was ruled a homicide, according to a wrongful death lawsuit.
Crew allegedly served 35-year-old Michael Virgil drinks at the bar on the cruise ship. Virgil later passed away the same day in custody. Now, his fiancée is filing a wrongful death lawsuit, according to TMZ. All that liquor drove Virgil into a rage, resulting in him threatening and attacking others on the ship.
Security restrained Virgil and took him into custody. However, he later passed away just a few hours later. His family alleges that the sedative caused a reaction that killed him. According to the lawsuit, the death was changed to a homicide. Virgil had been on the Royal Caribbean Cruise with his fiancée and 7-year-old autistic son.
Royal Caribbean Death
Their room wasn't ready, so crew directed them to the bar. Virgil's partner and son went to check on the status of the room while he stayed at the bar. He became angry and drunk and couldn't locate the room, causing him to lash out. Virgil tried to batter down a door before he was apprehended.
His fiancée alleged "the excessive force and fatal actions taken by crew members, including security and medical personnel" who "administered an injection of a sedative medication, Haloperidol, and used multiple cans of pepper spray" caused him to die.
Ultimately, the man died of "significant hypoxia and impaired ventilation, respiratory failure, cardiovascular instability and ultimately cardiopulmonary arrest, leading to his death which has been ruled a homicide," according to the lawsuit.
The family is suing for damages against the cruise company.
A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told TMZ, "We were saddened by the passing of one of our guests, worked with authorities on their investigation, and will refrain from commenting any further on pending litigation.
