LOS ANGELES COUNTY—On December 5, the family of Michael Virgil, 35, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Royal Caribbean cruise. On December 13, 2024, Virgil, his wife, and young child boarded the Royal Caribbean’s Navigator in Los Angeles on a family vacation enroute to Ensenada, Mexico.
It was a four-day cruise. When the family checked in, their room was not ready. The documentation on the case did not say if Virgil was extended an unlimited drink package for the inconvenience caused over the room not being ready, or if it was something he had purchased.
The 7-year-old child was getting restless, so his mother took him back to the room that was now ready. Little did she know that she would never see her child’s father alive again. She and Virgil were engaged to be married.
Reports indicate that within hours, Mr. Virgil was served 33 drinks. He was unable to locate his room and became increasingly agitated.
Surveillance footage depicts a belligerent Mr. Virgil, kicking doors in a violent rage trying to find his room. Security and crew members, directed by the staff captain, subdued Mr. Virgil. They reportedly compressed his body until the man stopped moving.
The lawsuit indicated that the security team used a combination of restraint, a sedative, and a significant amount of pepper spray causing hypoxia. Hypoxia is a condition caused by the body’s tissue not getting enough oxygen.
In addition, he had impaired ventilation, respiratory failure, and cardiovascular issues that eventually led to a cardiopulmonary arrest. Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is when the heart suddenly stops beating, breathing ceases causing a lack of blood and oxygen to the body. The patient is now unresponsive, has no pulse, and has little to no breath at all.
Mr. Virgil died aboard the Navigator with his family on board. Virgil’s body stayed refrigerated on board until the ship returned to Los Angeles on December 16, 2024.
The medical examiner’s office ruled his death a homicide. The cause of death stated, “Combined effects of mechanical asphyxia, obesity, cardiomegaly, and ethanol intoxication.”
The family of the deceased suffered an incredible loss. His fiancé and her attorney have indicated that Virgil was overserved alcohol. Bartenders do have an ethical responsibility to stop serving overly intoxicated patrons.
