A family cruise turned into a nightmare when a California man died following a violent outburst aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. Michael Virgil, 35, began acting erratically just an hour after the ship set sail from San Pedro, leaving stunned passengers and crew members reeling.
Virgil, who was traveling with his fiancée and their young son, reportedly became enraged after mistakenly getting off on the wrong deck, according to a report on FOX LA. Witnesses said the father of one appeared drunk as he unleashed a string of threats, including one to “kill” fellow passengers, while hurling racial slurs.
One bystander, Christifer Mikhail, captured shocking video footage of Virgil kicking and punching a door where a terrified crew member had barricaded themselves. “He was out of control,” Mikhail said, describing the chaos in the ship’s narrow corridors as onlookers froze in fear.
The situation spiraled out of control when Virgil allegedly assaulted two crew members, forcing security to intervene. According to reports, guards subdued him using pepper spray, zip ties, and handcuffs. Family members claimed he was also sedated with an injection, though the cruise line has not confirmed this.
Virgil’s sudden meltdown didn’t end there. Just an hour after being restrained, he was pronounced dead. Details about what exactly led to his death remain murky, as an autopsy is pending.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our guests,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement provided to PEOPLE Magazine. “We’re supporting his family and cooperating fully with the investigation.”
The FBI is now probing the incident, and questions are swirling about whether ship security used excessive force in handling Virgil.
Family members insist the behavior was completely out of character for him. “Michael was a good man, and he didn’t deserve to die over this,” said a relative, who was visibly shaken.
As news of the tragedy spreads, concerns are mounting over how cruise ships handle unruly passengers and whether the protocols in place are sufficient to protect both travelers and crew.
For passengers aboard the Navigator of the Seas, the dream vacation was overshadowed by a harrowing reminder of how quickly things can take a deadly turn at sea.