Initial autopsies of four of the seven victims who perished when the superyacht Bayesian sank during a violent storm off the coast of Italy last month have revealed that they likely died from “dry drowning,” authorities have reported. The victims showed no signs of water in their lungs, tracheas, or stomachs, which is consistent with what is sometimes referred to as “atypical drowning.”
“Dry drowning,” a term used colloquially but not widely recognized in the medical community, refers to cases where individuals die due to a lack of oxygen after being submerged in water, but without water entering their lungs. According to a spokesperson for the lawyer representing the yacht’s captain, the autopsy findings support the theory that the victims may have been trapped in an air bubble as the vessel sank, ultimately consuming all available oxygen.
Although terms like “dry drowning” or “secondary drowning” have been used in the past, organizations such as the American Red Cross have cautioned against these labels. The phenomenon is distinct from actual drowning, where water enters the lungs. While people who are rescued from drowning may suffer health complications later, it is not the same as dying from drowning itself.
The first autopsies were conducted on four of the victims: American lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda Morvillo, and Morgan Stanley banker Jonathan Bloomer along with his wife Anne Elizabeth Judith Bloomer. The results suggest they likely survived for a short time after the yacht sank, finding an air pocket in one of the cabins. However, they eventually suffocated when the oxygen in the pocket was depleted and replaced with toxic carbon dioxide.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths, with further autopsies scheduled, including those of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. Their autopsies are expected to take place in the coming days. The autopsy of Recaldo Thomas, the yacht’s onboard chef, has not yet been scheduled due to difficulties contacting his family in Antigua.
The ship’s sinking has prompted a criminal investigation into three crew members: captain James Cutfield, machine engineer Tim Parker Eaton, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who was on watch the night of the disaster. They are being investigated for multiple manslaughter charges and causing a shipwreck. However, no formal charges have been filed, and all three men have since left Italy with the approval of local authorities.
The Bayesian, a 56-meter luxury yacht, sank within 16 minutes of being struck by a powerful downburst or tornado in the early hours of August 19. The wreck lies off the coast near Porticello, a fishing village close to Palermo. Authorities have called for the yacht to be salvaged, not only to aid in the investigation but also to prevent the 18,000 liters of fuel onboard from leaking into the surrounding sea.
Efforts to recover the wreck are already underway, with bids for the salvage operation being submitted. The cost of the recovery is expected to be covered by the company owned by Mike Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who held ownership of the yacht.
As the investigation progresses, toxicology results on the seven victims are expected to be released in the coming days. No alcohol or drug tests have been conducted on the crew members, as the prosecutor overseeing the case confirmed during a press conference. While many details remain unclear, investigators are working diligently to piece together the events that led to the tragic sinking.
The sinking of the Bayesian came just two months after Lynch and his business partner, Stephen Chamberlain, had been acquitted of fraud charges in a U.S. court. The charges stemmed from the sale of their company, Autonomy, to Hewlett Packard. Chamberlain tragically died the same day the yacht sank, having been struck by a car. Hewlett Packard has continued its civil lawsuit against Lynch, seeking $4 billion in damages, with proceedings now taking place in the UK.
As families of the victims mourn their loss, questions remain regarding the circumstances that led to the disaster. Italian authorities will continue their investigation, and further findings from the wreck and ongoing autopsies are expected in the near future.