McGill's family, including two adult sons, declined to comment after the hearing, as did Assistant U.S. Attorney Joanna Curtis. A full search and rescue mission began after family members realized the couple was missing, but the mission failed to find anyone. 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. Seriously! Her family has hired its own investigator, and hopes for a meeting with officials from Carnival. 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. The death was reported to Carnival crew members around 8:20 p.m., but authorities have placed the time of Shirley McGill's death about two hours before, according to the court documents. But when the weather report comes in showing no wind, a murder investigation begins. She supposedly was having a relationship with an unidentified cruise member. They had been high school sweethearts who reunited through the Internet and married in 2003. Security officers found a privacy please sign on the locked doorknob. She was wearing mens clothing and seemed visibly distressed. Click Customise Cookies to decline these cookies, make more detailed choices, or learn more. Well seems to me she was having an affair with an unnamed cruise member. Will we ever know the truth? I wish I could have spoken to him before he passed away. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Genres Documentary Subtitles None Available Audio Languages English McGill told a Carnival investigator he had argued with his wife and punched her once in the stomach. A scratch and win ticket unveils an all-expense paid cruise for a young couple; but their luck runs out once aboard the ship as one of them ends up murdered. Required fields are marked *. Im sure Someone else theorized this, Your email address will not be published. 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. When she showed up he told her where to meet her or he had done something to keep her quiet. A social media maven takes a cruise she believes will put her public profile over the tipping point. I so appreciate your support and the lovely review! McGill was divorced when he reconnected with Shirley through the Internet, colleagues said. Such a tragedy that these crimes (I believe it WAS a crime) can be covered up so easily, leaving no closure or justice for the families. Sadly, well probably never know the answers. The manilla envelope and the money Merrian had left in her room disappeared with him, along with other personal belongings. The lengths theyll go to are really shocking, even when its one of their own staff members who vanishes. 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. I feel the same. No one collected evidence. The couple were aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' [] U.S. District Magistrate William McCurine Jr. entered. The official cause of death was listed as toxic effects of methadone, but Barnett's family insists she never did drugs. Moncrieff Breakthrough Entertainment 108K subscribers Subscribe 111K views 1 year ago #BreakthroughEntertainment. Caldwell was never seen again. Jennifer claimed that she did not remember much from the previous night, and nobody ever admitted to knowing anything about Smiths disappearance. What do you think happened to Merrian? Crystal then decided to head in for the night, but Caldwell chose to stay in the casino for a while. 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?). And if she planned on committing suicide, why the round-trip ticket? After they were unsuccessful, the United States Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy were alerted and joined the search. "He's a great friend, he's great with kids, he's a great dad, he's a great husband," White said. She spent time by herself and didnt want to go to the dinner. The attorney who handled the case did not immediately return a call seeking comment. We also use these cookies to understand how customers use our services (for example, by measuring site visits) so we can make improvements. Authorities believe that the couple committed suicide by jumping into the sea together. He eventually fell asleep. Eric Newman allegedly killed Tamara Tucker on the Carnival Elation in January. That night, Barnett's mother got a phone call she never could have imagined from the ship's nurse. I think they are suffering and need to hear from me.". His body was never found. Some theories claimed that he was thrown overboard by the men with whom he was arguing. During at least one of his visits, she was wearing a nightshirt and underwear. But after she witnesses a man overboard, many begin to wonder if it was accidental or on purpose - and who is next? He drank. In two years of letter writing, White said his friend has never explained why he killed his sweetheart. A detention hearing in the case is set for July 23, with a preliminary hearing on July 30. On the face of it, suicide does seem to be a likely option, but with the lack of evidence we will probably never know. 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. 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. 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. On Thursday, Robert McGill was sentenced to life in prison by U.S. District Judge Irma Gonzalez, who acknowledged that McGill had led a life dedicated to helping at-risk teens but had to be punished for the murder for which precise motives remain unknown. The couple was on a five-day cruise to Mexico, and it was the husbands 55th birthday. ". I tend to doubt it. She is survived by a son, her obituary said, according to the newspaper. This is a joke. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. When Ramiz woke up, Fariba still had not returned. This person jumped. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Jim Cross, spokesman for the Department of Justice in Kansas, identified Tucker as Newman's girlfriend but declined to comment further on the case. There was also an envelope which may have included a suicide note. Definitely something fishy here, and I dont mean Alaskan salmon. In August 2004, a 40-year-old red-haired poet and investment banker named Merrian Carver boarded the Mercury, one of Royal Caribbeans Celebrity cruise ships. He was placed in the brig and about 20 FBI agents intercepted the ship on a U.S. Coast Guard cutter late Wednesday and interviewed McGill and more than 50 witnesses while the Elation was still at sea. Robert McGill was not in the room when the body was found, but was taken into custody by ship security later on, authorities said. Heres what we know, Governors declaration allows Los Angeles County to get reimbursed, Who will replace ex-LA councilmember Nury Martinez? / CBS News. It wasn't immediately clear to what McGill was referring. Ramiz last saw her at the ships gift shop, and then he headed to the casino by himself. Sadly, he passed away in December 2019 without ever finding out what became of Merrian. "On Oct. 15, 2005," Allred told a news conference, "Ashley's boyfriend ran into the hallway screaming for help. 2023 J.H. No body was ever found. When Carver contacted Royal Caribbean to confirm his daughter had been on the ship, it took them three days to get back to him. Sometimes the obvious is the answer. The cruise line maintained theyd had no reports about his daughter during the cruise, and refused to reveal the name of Merrians steward. One thing I learned from Cruise Ship Killers: never use the casino, or tell people youre going to the washroom. "I saw Bob a couple days before they left. [5], 10 People Who Mysteriously Vanished While Traveling. By that time, the trail had gone cold.[9]. A honeymoon cruise goes awry when the bride is allegedly blown off a balcony in the middle of the night. 2 talking about this. The supervisor put her belongings in his own locker, except for her clothing, which was promptly donated to charity. Her dad returned to the balcony at 6:00 AM to check on Amy, but she was no longer there. He has never been named or located, though many believe he found work on a different ship. 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. They either gambled and won quite a bit of money, or they said they were going to the bathroom, and WERE NEVER SEEN AGAIN. I believe the key to this story is her lack of luggage, clothes etc Suicide is pretty likely. Everyone would assume she went overboard. A successful businessman takes a luxury cruise with two of his former classmates. When they asked about his wife, he told them he had killed her, according to court records. 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. "I don't think it is for the best. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. They said that his death could have resulted from an accident, but his family was never convinced. 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. Sorry for the late response. 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. Calls to McGill's attorney were not immediately returned. No, she didn't. McGill made the confession after being informed of his Miranda rights and telling interrogators he was willing to answer questions without the presence of an attorney, FBI Special Agent James B. Stinnett wrote in a probable cause affidavit attached to the criminal complaint charging him with one count of murder. The coast guard began an 84-hour search that spanned 25,900 square kilometers (10,000 mi2), but they were unable to find Fariba. This is my theory. A honeymoon cruise goes awry when the bride is allegedly blown off a balcony in the middle of the night. A former crew member contacted Carver and told him that Merrian had been having a relationship with another, unidentified crew member. He reported her missing right away and continued to report her missing for the remaining five days of the cruise, until his supervisor ordered him to do his job and forget it.. In 2010, Rebecca Coriam started working for Disney Cruise Line and spent months visiting several ports in the Bahamas. Several people have vanished aboard cruise liners, leaving their friends and families heartbroken and confused. Its a shame and I am shocked by how many disappearances occur on cruise ships. #inline-recirc-item--id-d44635f2-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { horror and suspense author J.H. A generous tip and a manilla envelope with unknown contents had been left behind, along with all of her belongings, including her only shoes. Liability. Thats why you cant show it. Theyre floating petri dishes at the best of times. "I know that she would never have knowingly or willingly ingested that," Jamie said. McGill was distraught during the brief hearing and argued with federal public defenders about whether he could make a statement to the court as his family members sobbed in the gallery. When she mentioned the same wish the following night, he suggested ordering room service, and then brought her two sandwiches at her request. Directors John Barnard Ian Bawa Writers Chris Charney (story editor) Carolyn Gray Stars John Barnard 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. Dont think Ill be going on any cruises. Meanwhile, Merrians13-year-old daughter, who lived with her dad, grew concerned when she couldnt reach her mother on the telephone. 112 The Disappearance of Merrian Carver, 10 People Who Vanished Only To Mysteriously Reappear, 10 Civilizations That Mysteriously Vanished, 10 Eerie Last Words Of People Who Then Vanished, Top 10 Remarkable Finds Involving Old Ships And Explorers, 10 Expeditions That Mysteriously Disappeared, Top 10 Secrets Of Life Aboard A Cruise Ship, 10 Fascinating Finds And Stories Involving Old Ships, 10 People Who Claim To Be Reincarnations Of Other People, 10 Controversial Toys You Might Already Have in Your Home, Ten Absolutely Vicious Fights over Inherited Fortunes, 10 Female Film Pioneers Who Shaped the Movies, Ten True Tales from Americas Toughest Prison, 10 Times Members of Secretive Societies and Organizations Spilled the Beans, 10 Common Idioms with Unexpectedly Dark Origins, 10 North American Animals with Misplaced Reputations, Top 10 Bloody 20th-Century Mysteries Well Probably Never Solve. Its not good publicity and results in very costly lawsuits. He was initially charged with first-degree murder. Life is mystery, McGill reportedly said. Poor dad. SAN DIEGO (CBS/ AP) They were former high school sweethearts who found each other decades later and renewed their love. 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. She easily could have been pushedor have jumpedfrom this deck. 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Robert McGill, 57, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in July, and his lawyers were seeking a sentence of slightly more than 11 years in prison. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. They really enjoyed it. I think it had some cover up because no cruise wants to be the latest in a lost guest. There are other explanations for that, though. In 2005, Hue Pham, 71, and Hue Tran, 67, took a seven-night Mother's Day cruise in the Caribbean with their daughter and granddaughter. And inside was Shirley McGills body in a pool of blood on the bathroom floor, with blood splattered around the cabin. In court, former colleagues of Robert McGill spoke of his talent and dedication as a teacher, and said they were baffled by what he had done. Robert McGill was arrested when the ship docked in San Diego. That last evening, he and his fiancee had gone to dinner with some friends they met on the cruise. In 2015, the FBI closed their investigation into the disappearance of Smith. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, Colombia wants to deport "cocaine hippos" to stop them from multiplying, Skeletal remains found in Pennsylvania identified as man missing since 2013, Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murders of wife and son. Newman is charged with second-degree murder. Cruise Ship Murders A person that is killed by someone, the involvement of a perpetrator is required and where suicide is excluded. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? There have been many theories about her disappearance, but none have been proven to be true. Cruise Ship Killers Season 1 (2) 2021 NR A true crime television 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. A 40-year-old disappears on the second night of a cruise, her family is left searching for answers and it ends up changing the way missing persons are reported at sea. That said, this case really disturbed me, due to the cover up by the cruise line (one I happen to sail on). Merrian booked passage on the cruise only two days before it sailed, and brought two handbags, but no suitcases, on board. Christopher Caldwell and his fiancee, Crystal Tinder, went on a Carnival cruise in July 2004 to Mexico. To me, suicide is a silent because we dont always recognize the signs until theyve passed. During the trial, the cruise line released an official statement to the media, claimingthat Merrian had severe emotional problems, had attempted suicide before, and appears to have committed suicide on our ship. (Suicide is often the excuse when passengers go missing.). Do you know anything about the claims by Canadian authorities that they thought the found Merrians bones? "And I said, 'No, she didn't. Halfords suitcases were found sitting outside his cabins door, which is required for guests on the last night of the cruise. By this point, she had been missing for twenty-six days. Merrian Carvers disappearance from a cruise ship around Alaska in 2004 is one of the more absurd stories. He loved her with all his heart, White, a Ventura resident, said in an interview. 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. He made his initial court appearance on Thursday, prosecutors said, and his detention hearing is set for Sept. 12. 1. She embarked upon a seven-day cruise from Seattle, Washington to Alaska. She threw a few things into a bag, intending to buy new things in port. Shirley McGill was beaten and strangled to death on the bathroom floor of a cruise ship cabin at the hands of her husband. But not everyone returns home from these trips. ", Carnival issued a statement saying, "The situation was handled appropriately and reported to all applicable law enforcement authorities.". Thats why she never said a word to anyone about he going in a cruise. The bartender said that Caldwell had appeared to be very drunk, but the barkeep did not help his customer back to his room. Im always skeptical of pulling the suicide card but it seems quite obvious here. And she had so many things yet to accomplish.". Carvers living hell was about to begin. He drank heavily in Cabo that day before re-boarding the ship for the trip home. I wonder if she was in a relationship with the stewards supervisor and thats why he covered it up. Its really scary. display: none; They truly are the wild west. A Carnival 'Elation' cruise ship in Nassau, Bahamas appears in this undated stock photo. Its so sad, and I also dont think she would have left her daughter. Neither her family or International Cruise Victims, the organization her father founded, were notified. Whatever decency Mr. McGill had, he left on the floor of that bathroom next to Shirleys beaten, bleeding and broken body, Forge said. I feel the same way, Kimberlythat it was a crime. Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Fascination was near Miami on the final night of the trip when Caldwell disappeared. Bring me to brig or security office and check my cabin R24.. Also, its the way these incidents tend to be handled that is of even greater concern. He spent an hour searching for her on the ship.[7]. Shirleys dead and I killed her, he said, according to the court papers. Perhaps you can help us figure out what happened to Julie Weflen. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, under fire recently for the way it deals with onboard crimes. Third parties use cookies for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalised ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. But when a cruise line is at fault or a cruise line member is involved Im sure you get the brick wall. Cruise Ship Killers (2020- ) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Series Directed by Series Writing Credits Series Cast Series Produced by Series Music by Series Cinematography by Series Film Editing by Series Casting By Series Set Decoration by Series Makeup Department Series Production Management The authorities werent notified that she was missing. I cant believe she left because she had a daughter, and unless she was drastically suicidal, no mom would do that.
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