New details have emerged about the final moments of a California father of three who disappeared Saturday after jumping from a cruise ship bound for Southern California.
Thomas Gigler, 56, was aboard the Carnival Panorama with his wife, Michelle, 48, when he went overboard Saturday as the ship sailed from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, toward Long Beach.
The couple, who live in Redlands with their three sons, were reportedly celebrating their anniversary when Gigler disappeared. The computer programmer, who spent 24 years working for Esri, is presumed dead.
A passenger staying in a cabin near the Giglers told the Daily Mail that the family’s accommodations were on the ship’s second deck — meaning Gigler would have ascended roughly nine floors before reaching the 11th deck, where he is believed to have jumped.
The 11th deck includes passenger cabins toward the front of the ship, including balcony staterooms, interior rooms and Cloud 9 Spa accommodations, according to the Cruise’s website.
Toward the middle and rear of the vessel on the 11th deck are family-oriented venues including Camp Ocean, Dr. Seuss Bookville and outdoor playground areas, as well as specialty restaurants Cucina del Capitano and Ji Ji Asian Kitchen.
There had been no updates on the incident as of Wednesday, Carnival told The California Post.
Lorrie Freed-Silva, who was staying on the ninth deck, told The Post she was in her cabin around 4:30 p.m. Saturday when an announcement instructed passengers to return to their rooms.
The announcement did not initially explain what had happened, other than saying the crew needed to conduct a passenger count. Freed-Silva said the message was repeated several times.
Two people she believed to be officers then came to her cabin and asked for the names of everyone inside.
About 45 minutes later, the loudspeaker announced that a passenger was missing. Roughly 15 minutes after that, passengers were told that a man had gone overboard and that security footage had confirmed the incident.
The ship turned around as crews searched the waters for Gigler, with the Coast Guard also involved in the effort, according to Freed-Silva.
Neither authorities nor the cruise line has released information or confirmed details about where the man may have gone overboard.
Carnival confirmed that its crew launched search and investigation procedures after being notified of a missing guest, including reviewing CCTV footage and notifying the US and Mexican Coast Guards. The Mexican Navy and nearby commercial vessels also joined the search.
The ship eventually resumed its journey to Long Beach after searching the surrounding waters.
A video shared on Facebook by another passenger captured a cruise official addressing those aboard as the search continued.
“We have yet to locate the missing guest. Our fleet operation in Miami and appropriate authorities have been notified,” the official appears to say.
“In the meantime, we continue for the family and friends. Our search efforts continue and we will keep you informed. Thank you again for the cooperation.”
Another passenger, Misty Hernandez, shared video showing passengers creating a small memorial for Gigler, leaving handwritten messages, prayers, rubber ducks, teddy bears and other tributes for his family and friends.
“Last night, passengers on this ship came together in a quiet but powerful way,” Hernandez wrote.
“A small remembrance wall was created for the passenger who went overboard, giving people a place to leave prayers, messages, and words of love for him and for the family and friends who are carrying an unimaginable loss,” she added.
Gigler’s family has rejected a fellow passenger’s claim that he had discussed marital problems at the ship’s Alchemy Bar the night before his disappearance.
His sister, Wendy Dowden, told the Daily Mail that Gigler and Michelle “were getting along quite well.”
The Post contacted Dowden for further comment.
