Overview: The fiancée of 35-year-old Michael Virgil has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Royal Caribbean after Virgil died within an hour of being detained by crew during a drunken, threatening episode aboard the Navigator of the Seas on Dec. 13, 2024.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, alleges that crew members negligently over-served Mr. Virgil and used excessive force when restraining him. According to the complaint, the passenger had an all-inclusive drink package and was "negligently served" at least 33 alcoholic beverages beginning around 10:30 a.m. on the morning the ship departed from the Port of San Pedro en route to Ensenada, Mexico.
Passengers and video obtained by local media show Virgil becoming disoriented while looking for his cabin, then kicking a hallway door and shouting threats as security personnel surrounded him. One passenger, Christifer Mikhail, told reporters the incident began after Virgil exited an elevator on the wrong floor and began chasing people down the corridor.
"The gentleman that was drunk said that he was going to kill us and then he started chasing us down the hallway," Mikhail told Fox 11.
Allegations in the Complaint
The complaint describes the following sequence of events and allegations:
- Crew members tackled and pinned Virgil to the deck, allegedly standing on his body and applying prolonged prone restraint.
- The restraint allegedly compressed his chest and torso, impairing breathing and reducing venous return.
- At the request of the ship’s staff captain, crew members allegedly administered an injection of haloperidol and deployed multiple cans of pepper spray.
- Virgil reportedly stopped moving within an hour of being detained and was later pronounced dead.
Medical Examiner Findings
Los Angeles County authorities ruled Virgil’s death a homicide. The County Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as the combined effects of mechanical asphyxia, obesity, cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), and ethanol intoxication. The complaint argues that both the alleged over-service of alcohol and the force used by crew members directly contributed to these physiological conditions.
The complaint also alleges Virgil’s body was refrigerated aboard the ship while the vessel continued to Ensenada; the ship returned to Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2024.
Royal Caribbean Response
In a statement to PEOPLE, Royal Caribbean said it was "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."
Next steps: The wrongful-death suit seeks to hold Royal Caribbean accountable for negligent service of alcohol and for the alleged use of excessive force by crew. The matter is now in litigation and may include discovery, depositions, and further investigation by authorities and civil attorneys.
Note: This article summarizes the allegations and the medical examiner’s findings. The claims in the lawsuit are allegations and Royal Caribbean has limited its comments pending litigation.
