Family members of a passenger who died on a cruise boat after allegedly being served 33 drinks, stood on by crew and injected with a drug used to treat psychotic disorders have launched a lawsuit over the incident.
Michael Virgil, 35, died aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas that sailed from Los Angeles to Mexico in December 2024. The 35-year-old’s fiancée, Connie Aguilar, and their son were also aboard the ship.
Virgil’s family filed the suit in Miami Monday, where the travel giant is based.
Aguilar’s complaint accuses Royal Caribbean of negligently serving him alcohol and hiring employees who were inadequately qualified. At the time of the incident, news outlet Fox11 Los Angeles broadcast video showing a clearly inebriated Virgil - in a video that quickly went viral.
At one point, the video shows Virgil trying to kick down one of the doors, as passengers told Fox11 he threatened to kill people and attacked two crew members.
In response, crew members and security approached Virgil, tackled him to the ground, and stood on him, the family claimed.
The crew members then injected Virgil with medication called Haloperidol, which is a prescription medication used to treat psychotic disorders. The captain had allegedly requested this be used. Multiple cans of pepper spray were also allegedly used on Virgil.
“Royal Caribbean crew members, including security personnel, approached [the deceased] in an attempt to subdue him,” the complaint read, according to CBS News.
“Royal Caribbean crew members, including security personnel, then tackled decedent to the ground, stood on decedent’s body with their full weight, and compressed decedent’s body, causing decedent to stop moving.”
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At the time, Virgil’s death was ruled as a homicide according to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner because of the “combined effects of mechanical asphyxia, obesity, cardiomegaly and ethanol intoxication.”
Virgil’s lawyers also argued that Royal Caribbean had the right to refuse alcohol but alleged that the company failed to do so. Lawyers claimed the cruise line's marketing of “all you can drink” beverage packages was a factor.
“Michael’s family has suffered unimaginable heartache and torment caused by Royal Caribbean, a mega cruise line that prioritizes profit over passenger safety,” lawyer Kevin Haynes said.
“Crew members, including security and medical personnel, are required to undergo rigorous competency training; it is very clear that Royal Caribbean is completely negligent in the hiring, training and supervision of its vast fleet of maritime employees.
“What was supposed to be a beautiful family vacation came to an unimaginably tragic end due to the reprehensible way the situation – that should have never occurred – was handled.”
The cruise line’s parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, told USA Today the death of Virgil was a tragedy.
“We were saddened by the passing of one of our guests, [we] worked with authorities on their investigation, and will refrain from commenting any further on pending litigation,” the spokesperson said.
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