So, we have a number of people each with their own agenda, and this poor woman is caught in the middle of it. 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. 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. 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?). Thanks so much, Cat. By this point, she had been missing for twenty-six days. A honeymoon cruise goes awry when the bride is allegedly blown off a balcony in the middle of the night. 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. People who are determined and serious about committing suicide are good at hiding sadness. Third parties use cookies for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalised ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. Why wouldnt the cruise-ship employees want to find out the truth? She had made her decision and once they make that decision they do seem happy. According to his own words in assorted testimonies and media reports, the grieving father met with roadblocks whenever he tried to get answers about what had happened to his daughter. To me, suicide is a silent because we dont always recognize the signs until theyve passed. 44min. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. But when the weather report comes in for the evening showing no wind, a murder investigation begins.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. Is it on TV yet? I agree, JD. The county closed it in June because of dwindling attendance. They believe he was murdered. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He was told the ships surveillance cameras automatically erase any footage after only three days. Fascinating story. Sadly, he passed away in December 2019 without ever finding out what became of Merrian. He later told the FBI he did not remember having a verbal argument, and stated that it was all him.. This includes using first- and third-party cookies, which store or access standard device information such as a unique identifier. Did she decide to skip out on her duties or did a terrible fate await her on-shore? She is survived by a son, her obituary said, according to the newspaper. Bring me to brig or security office and check my cabin R24.. Why wasnt the FBI or other authorities given the opportunity to speak to him? 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Her father reported her missing to the authorities on the cruise line, and the ship docked at Curacao, Antilles.[1]. Some theories claimed that he was thrown overboard by the men with whom he was arguing. A Topeka, Kansas, man was arrested this week for allegedly killing his girlfriend on a cruise ship in January, prosecutors said. Here are prices in 10 communities. If this happened as a cruise meme wr he probably knew every nook and cranny of the 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. But when the weather report comes in showing no wind, a murder investigation begins. 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. McGill is charged with killing his wife on July 14, the day of his birthday, as the ship steamed home after a stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The couple was on a five-day cruise to Mexico, and it was the husbands 55th birthday. He was the only one on that ship that genuinely cared, who raised an alarm, and who tried to find her. Robert McGill spoke briefly, saying he was remorseful. "On Oct. 15, 2005," Allred told a news conference, "Ashley's boyfriend ran into the hallway screaming for help. McGill told a Carnival investigator he had argued with his wife and punched her once in the stomach. They truly are the wild west. In court documents, his lawyers said that he had at least 20 drinks, including beer, hard liquor and mescal. 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. This is a very intriguing story but I cant help but think she committed suicide because of what she brought on the cruise with her. Thank you to Jamie Barnett, President of the ICV, for his assistance and support with this post. Merrian booked passage on the cruise only two days before it sailed, and brought two handbags, but no suitcases, on board. So she didnt raise her voice or yell/scream. But when shes found brutally murdered in a lower class cabin, questions revolve around who could have committed such a crime against her. He has never been named or located, though many believe he found work on a different ship. "The incident was reported to all proper authorities and CARE Team support was offered to fellow travelers and her family," Carnival said. 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. ever wonder why cruise ships are not registered in the united states? August 18, 2022. 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. In 2015, the FBI closed their investigation into the disappearance of Smith. The cruise lines are currently losing a massive amount of money daily, with their ships just sitting around. Authorities believe that she fell or was pushed overboard, but some strange facts emerged about her vanishing. How did she disappear? The lengths theyll go to are really shocking, even when its one of their own staff members who vanishes. How much he had is not known, but witnesses said he could barely walk when he returned to the ship. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. A blood-stained canopy is the only telltale sign of a young mans fate, leaving many more questions than answers to what happened. Maybe his concern wasnt that genuine and he knew something. When Ramiz woke up, Fariba still had not returned. If she walked to the observation deck to commit suicide, she did it in her underwear. Shirley McGill retired last week from the state Department of Motor Vehicles, and her husband had planned to retire soon as well, acquaintances said. Witnesses aboard the ship claim they saw someone jump overboard around 6:00 AM the day he went missing. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. What do you think happened to Merrian? The bartender said that Caldwell had appeared to be very drunk, but the barkeep did not help his customer back to his room. However, her steward insisted that shedid not seem upset, out of sorts, sad or angry. By that time, the trail had gone cold.[9]. But her family said she would have stayed away from there. Ashley. Shirley McGills children from a previous marriage and her elderly parents gasped in relief when the judge announced the sentence. Its a shame and I am shocked by how many disappearances occur on cruise ships. In 2010, Rebecca Coriam started working for Disney Cruise Line and spent months visiting several ports in the Bahamas. When she mentioned the same wish the following night, he suggested ordering room service, and then brought her two sandwiches at her request. A honeymoon cruise goes awry when the bride is allegedly blown off a balcony in the middle of the night. The attorney who handled the case did not immediately return a call seeking comment. But Barnett's friends and family say Carnival has been stonewalling them. 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. He did report that it was a short walk from Merrians room to an observation deck 100 feet above the waterline. The San Diego County medical examiner's office said she died of strangulation and blunt force injury to the head and torso. 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? Neither her family or International Cruise Victims, the organization her father founded, were notified. True-crime tales of people who never returned home after taking a holiday aboard a cruise ship. Thanks, Sherry. Please enter valid email address to continue. January 19, 2018. The Royal Caribbeandid contact the FBI, but not until Merrian had been missing for five weeks. There should have still been footage from the time his daughter disappeared when he first contacted them. Voters will soon get a say, California Republicans give a boost to Florida Gov. Moncrieff Breakthrough Entertainment 108K subscribers Subscribe 2.2K 222K views 1 year ago #BreakthroughEntertainment. An average of ten Americans disappear from cruise ships every year. 2. That was the last known sighting of Merrian alive. What a frustrating story. "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. Here are 10 times that people mysteriously disappeared from cruise ships. 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. I so appreciate your support and the lovely review! She disappeared without a trace. If you agree, well also use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie Notice. Barnett was just turning 25. 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U.S. District Magistrate William McCurine Jr. entered a plea of not guilty on McGill's behalf, as is common practice in federal court at initial appearances. Their marriage was the most important thing in his life," Paul White, a teacher at the school where McGill taught, told the AP. Ok so where the video. Happens every single day. Tenoriowas traveling with [], Katherine Kemp Notable Cruise Industry Death Murder Fred Olsen Cruise Lines EmployeeKatie Kemp Murdered On Monday, August 6, 2018, at approximately 0850 hours, Katherine (Katie) Kemp, 31, from Ipswich, Suffolk was murdered by [], Tamara Loraine Tucker, 50, fromLawson, Missouri, was allegedly murdered byher longtime love, Eric Duane Newman, 53, on Friday, January 19, 2018 during a celebration for her 50th birthday. The bottom line is if they had not been drinking, you can almost go to the bank that it would not have happened.. Almarosa Tenorio Passenger Death Aboard Royal Princess On Tuesday November 13, 2018, Almarosa Tenorio, 52, a teacher fromSpanish Fort, Alabama was aboard Princess Cruises shipRoyal Princess when she fell to her death. ), but why would someone kill her? The American woman was only 23 years old when she disappeared from the vessel on March 24, 1998. Caldwell was never seen again. I disagree. 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. Did someone aboard see her before she disappeared? 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. they would have too many lawsuits because they take responsibility for NOTHING. i read a lot of true crime, watch documentaries, id tv, forensic files.the criminal mind fascinates me. In bankruptcy papers, McGill listed assets of $50,000 to $100,000 and debts of $100,000 to $500,000. Shirley McGill was beaten and strangled to death on the bathroom floor of a cruise ship cabin at the hands of her husband. I think they are suffering and need to hear from me.". He took her body to a place he could hide it to dispose of it later. I wonder if she was in a relationship with the stewards supervisor and thats why he covered it up. It is believed that he went overboard due to an accident on the ship. Her poor dad. She wouldn't stay in the room. } A full search and rescue mission began after family members realized the couple was missing, but the mission failed to find anyone. Spending my holiday on a floating hotel never appealed, but even less so now. And if she planned on committing suicide, why the round-trip ticket? She embarked upon a seven-day cruise from Seattle, Washington to Alaska. 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. 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. i believe this is one of the reasons why. As her family hadnt known that Carver was on the ship, the police needed time to trace her there. Paul White, a friend of McGill who taught with him at three Los Angeles County schools for troubled teens, described the crime as unbelievable. McGill was divorced when he reconnected with Shirley through the Internet, colleagues said. Well seems to me she was having an affair with an unnamed cruise member. No one collected evidence. Several people have vanished aboard cruise liners, leaving their friends and families heartbroken and confused. Poor dad. No one secured her cabin. Maybe he was worried about losing his job so he covered up the suicide and took the suicide letter and money. On May 12, a ship employee found two passports, two pairs of flip-flops . He just always said to me, he said, theres more to this story than has been reported.. Everyone would assume she went overboard. I believe she left the large amount of tip for the gentleman who was concerned most about her disappearance. ", When she died, Barnett was working for composer John Debny, who remarked to Lagattuta: "No one is forthcoming. White said he worked with McGill for nearly 11 years and knew him to be calm and pleasant. A savvy poker player cleans up at the tables once at sea. Liability. 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. I admit that I killed Shirley Jean McGill, maiden name Longstreet, by beating her to death with my fists, in the bathroom, hed said to an FBI agent. 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Everyone has dark moments in their lives, and its a shame they can be used against us if we go missing. On the second day of the cruise, a cabin attendant noticed that the bed had not been used and reported it to the boss. But her body was never found. Allred asked at the news conference. After hanging up the phone, she walked away, never to be seen again.[3]. This is very cruel.' Ill tell you all about it.. "Bob and Shirley loved each other very much. She was last seen when the ship was around 48 kilometers (30 mi) off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico. Featuring interviews with family, friends, investigators and experts. A passenger stated that a nearby camera for that deck was covered, so there was no footage of her. But when the weather report comes in for the evening showing no wind, a murder investigation begins. display: none; The captain of the ship waited about three hours before finally turning around and dropping rescue boats to search for Mizener. So he killed her. On May 12, a ship employee found two passports, two pairs of flip-flops, two drivers licenses, medication, and a wallet containing cash and credit cards. Their son, Michael Pham, testified before Congress to urge tougher regulation of safety practices on cruise lines. When Monteiro checked on Merrians cabin the following morning, her bed had not been slept in. The couple had been high school sweethearts and then broke up. A social media maven takes a cruise she believes will put her public profile over the tipping point. In two years of letter writing, White said his friend has never explained why he killed his sweetheart. He was excited. Afterward, he changed clothes and went up to a deck, smoked a cigar and had more beer with another couple. Both had no history of violence or marital discord, according to court papers. The case went to trial in August 2005, which was when he at last saw a copy of the security report, which he felt clearly indicated a cover up. The entire set-up was a bit weird (why did she not have a suitcase?). Cruise Ship Murders A person that is killed by someone, the involvement of a perpetrator is required and where suicide is excluded. No, shes dead. Just saw the episode and it was a real eye-opener. Or was it something more sinister? While on a family cruise to the Caribbean, Amy Lynn Bradley mysteriously vanished from the Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines Rhapsody of the Seas. I really dont have the words to make anyone feel better, said McGill. "Are they ashamed of something?" The search for his body was called off after four days.[4]. Her dad returned to the balcony at 6:00 AM to check on Amy, but she was no longer there. Two years later, he married Shirley McGill in Las Vegas. He loved her with all his heart, White, a Ventura resident, said in an interview. Pull back the curtain and see how a suspense writer puts the thrills and chills together. Another passenger heard furniture being moved around inside the room, and Jennifer was later found passed out in a hallway.[2]. They had sailed on the Elation to celebrate their pending retirement. Ramiz alerted the crew about her disappearance shortly after arriving at port. He was initially charged with first-degree murder. This is a joke. Newlyweds board a cruise ship, but things take a turn for the worse when one disappears in the middle of the night. The investigator was allowed onto the ship, but wasnt permitted to speak to anyone, including the ships security officer. #inline-recirc-item--id-d44635f2-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-d44635f2-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Shirley McGill, 55, was killed on July 14, 2009, aboard the Carnival cruise ship Elation. When she failed to report for her shift, crew members started looking for Coriam. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son The FBI says the investigation is ongoing. Security officers found a privacy please sign on the locked doorknob. Why wouldnt the stewards supervisor have sounded an alarm when informed she was missingif he had nothing to hide? 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. She spent time by herself and didnt want to go to the dinner. 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. However, he only did this because he was ordered to do so by the coast guard. The stewards supervisor might have suspected and covered up the killing for that reason, or the cruise line could have instructed employees to cover up evidence of crimes to protect their reputation. I killed Shirley by accident, well not by accident. Hundreds of books have been written about Disney and the odd practices at their theme parks where they go to great lengths cover up medical episodes that are not their fault because they dont want to alarm people. He disappeared after reportedly either jumping or falling from a cruise ship. Tucker, of Lawson, Missouri, was a professor of social work at Park University in Missouri, The Kansas City Star said. Carver was never seen again. My overall impression is that more than one person is covering up, for reasons of their own. He also learned hed been lied to about the surveillance footage, which had been kept for onemonth, not three days. Was she OK? None of Merrians family members or friends had any idea shed gone on a cruise, but this wasnt out of character. (Names and other identifying details were changed on the show for legal reasons.). Shirley McGills children sounded a different note. This video is currently unavailable. Another guest on the cruise, a volunteer fireman, heard the boyfriend's screams and started CPR, and instructed him to call 911.". display: block; Later that night, he pummeled his wife inside the cabin, then strangled her. He was looking forward to it.". They might have erased the surveillance tapes when they saw the crime. McGill is charged with killing his wife on July 14, the day of his birthday, as the ship steamed home after a stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The couple were aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' [] Theres just not one industry to blame in that case. Definitely something fishy here, and I dont mean Alaskan salmon. Ashley Episode 1 - 44 mins Dana Bartholomew has been a general assignment reporter since 2000 for the Los Angeles Daily News. That said, this case really disturbed me, due to the cover up by the cruise line (one I happen to sail on). She had one pair of shoes and one dress, both of which were left in her room when she vanished.