Elderly couple disappear from cruise ship !

Dave the Wave · #1 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 11:02 AM

presumed over board as there cabin was locked from the inside and balcony unlocked!

Elderly couple disappear from cruise ship

LONG BEACH, Calif. - A missing elderly couple likely fell off a Carnival Cruise ship between Long Beach and Mexico, company officials said Friday.

A 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife were aboard the Carnival Paradise when it departed Monday from Long Beach, but they could not be found when it returned Friday morning.

Miami-based Carnival said the couple's cabin door was double-locked from the inside with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle. Their belongings remained inside, and the door leading from the cabin to the private balcony was unlocked.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the couple was last seen Tuesday night near their cabin.

She said federal agents were interviewing passengers and crew and processing evidence.

The Coast Guard has been searching for the missing couple since Friday morning, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Prentice Danner. The search is being conducted by plane, not boat, because the area is so large, he said.

The ship left Long Beach on Monday for a cruise to Santa Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.

Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said she did not know if the couple disembarked in Ensenada or Catalina.

The couple's names and hometowns have not been released.

Dave the Wave · #2 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 11:11 AM

Having been on two fantasy class ships, it seems impossible to fall off from a Verandah deck balcony. Perhaps the lower balconies midship.

REDWITCH 13 · #3 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 11:32 AM

What a way to go? So sad!

I will never understand jumping from a ship? Just so wrong in so many ways!

How can anything get so bad?

I think of their poor family, who may never have closure.

I hope they are found on the Island....now that I can understand. Way too cold here.

Darlene

Dave the Wave · #4 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 11:38 AM

Strange indeed. Would have thought they missed the ship in one of the ports except for the part about the cabin being locked from the inside. I am sure they can determine whether they got back on the ship or not. Or if they even got off in the first place.

REDWITCH 13 · #5 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 11:52 AM

At 90 and 79, I can't see them climbing over the railing to the next cabin. seeing that the door was locked from the inside.

I also agree that it looks like they left the ship and not by way of the normal exit that the rest of the passangers do.

Darlene

Dave the Wave · #6 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 11:55 AM

Perhaps they had connecting cabins and went out their neighbors door and were stranded in port. Perhaps they did go to next balcony. I rememner on Inspiration thet the Verandah deck cabins were over a deck and if you fell, would fall to the walkway below.

Dave the Wave · #7 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 11:57 AM

There are no conecting staerooms on the Upper deck...

Dave the Wave · #8 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 12:03 PM

They must have been in one of these cabins on the upper deck.

REDWITCH 13 · #9 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 12:07 PM

I doubt there would be an insurance payment for their kids. Suicide isn't accepted is it?

If they fell at that age...They were not getting up and walking away. I have seen broken bones from a fall on a carpet.

What we don't know is where their cabin was, are there ajoining balconies there, did they have any cash with them or was it ALL in the cabin with their belongings and did they know anyone else on the cruise?

I am so sure all of this is known by now.

Darlene
I am just baffled why anyone would leave a cruise ship by way of the side of the ship into the water?????

Dave the Wave · #10 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 12:09 PM

No connecting cabins on that deck. I will try and find an update.

REDWITCH 13 · #11 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 12:18 PM

Good work Detective Dave.

Darlene

richstacy · #12 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 12:56 PM

"If they fell at that age...They were not getting up and walking away."

Fell? Fell where? Who said anything about falling

Dave the Wave · #13 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 01:09 PM

LONG BEACH, Calif. - A missing elderly couple likely fell off a Carnival Cruise ship between Long Beach and Mexico, company officials said Friday.

REDWITCH 13 · #14 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richstacy

"If they fell at that age...They were not getting up and walking away."

Fell? Fell where? Who said anything about falling

I did say if.
No one will know if they fell by accident, if the jumped or if they left the ship by a connecting balcony.

That is why I sad if and not when.

Darlene

richstacy · #15 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 01:32 PM

You don't "fall" off a ship. That is not a possibility unless you climb onto the rail. The rail is chest high. This is especially true if you are 90 years old.

Why would you engage in speculation about leaving the ship "by connecting balcony?" Does that make any sense to you?

If we are going to speculate, let's at least keep it rational.

It does require needless speculation, (and I hate to engage in it) but elderly people especially those that old frequently have multiple severe health problems and some choose to hasten death in a variety of ways. When they do so ashore, it scarcely makes the news, when they do it at sea, the news-rats make a big deal out of it.

Dave the Wave · #16 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 02:06 PM

It is quite possible if the had friends in the cabin next to them and they were adjoining, that they could have entered that cabin, locked theirs from the inside and then missed the ship in port. That is quite possible.

Except after my investigation I have determined there are no connecting cabins on either the upper deck or here on the Verandah deck. If they fell from the Verandah deck, they would fall to the deck below. SO, they had to be on the upper deck and it appears the balconies do not open up to each other either. SO they either jumped, were having hanky panky and accidently fell over or were left in port somewhere. I am sure they already know if the left the ship and got back on or not.

Dave the Wave · #17 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 02:18 PM

The search has been suspended.

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search Saturday for an elderly couple believed to have fallen off a Carnival Cruise ship between Long Beach and northern Mexico.

Officials suspended the aerial search about 8:30 a.m. for the 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife after determining their chances of surviving in the frigid water were slim, said Chief Warrant Officer Scott Epperson, a Coast Guard spokesman. Officials also consulted with the couple's relatives, who agreed to suspending the search, he said.

"Factoring in their age and weights, their survivability in 59 degrees water was about 4 to 6 hours," he said. "The last time they were seen was 84 hours ago."

Crews searched throughout the night, tracing the route of the Carnival Paradise ship, which started in Long Beach and stopped in Santa Catalina Island and Ensenada. The couple were aboard the ship when it left Monday, but they could not be found when it returned Friday morning.

The FBI, which is investigating their disappearance, plans to interview passengers and crew and the couple's family, agency spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said Saturday.

Eimiller said the couple, whose names have not been released, were last seen Tuesday night near their cabin.

Miami-based Carnival said their cabin door was double-locked from the inside with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle. Their belongings remained inside and the door leading from the cabin to the private balcony was unlocked.

"(They) are missing and presumed to have gone overboard," Carnival said in a statement.

REDWITCH 13 · #18 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 02:35 PM

Thank you Dave. The follow up was informative.

I am one who don't like to believe that anyone, no matter their age, went over board. I was hoping that they left by other means.

It doesn't appear so. I think about their family.

I hope they were having "hankey pankey" It sure would have made it a little more pleasurable (sp) Even at 90 and 79.

Death by cruise ship. This just gives others ideas.
Like death by cop or subway.

Darlene

Kuki · #19 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 02:36 PM

From their key cards Carnival would know, and supply to authorities, the exact dates and times anyone entered or left their cabin.

The system would also show if they disembarked the ship in any port of call, and if so, if they came back onboard.

Since they were last seen Tues., and there was a do not disturb sign hanging on the door, and it was double locked, it does seem likely that they had a plan.

REDWITCH 13 · #20 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 02:43 PM

Yes, I agree they had a plan.

Is it "normal" for the Cabin Steward to let anyone go on for days without checking on them?

What is the rule for having a "Do not disturb sign" and a locked door for 3 or more days?

Just wondering?
Darlene

Pocono Pug · #21 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 02:44 PM

Unfortunately it does seem like they had a pact to end their lives. We dont know if they had health issues or financial issues, but one thing is for sure it does sound suspicious.

Trip · #22 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 05:16 PM

While it may be so hard for any of us to understand....The likelyhood of leaving this earth together, is seems to be the way they wanted it..maybe one just found out they had a serious illness, and didn't want to leave the other alone..maybe they had serious financial woes. Whatever it is it seems, dying together is what they wanted

richstacy · #23 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 05:53 PM

Or, maybe they had beginning alzheimers and had watched friends and family steadily decline into frail senility, and decided they'd rather go out as adults! If so, that's their decision

katlady · #24 (**permalink**) January 17th, 2009, 11:40 PM

I wish they would have left a note for their family and friends. This would have helped the investigation and closure to their loved ones. I agree with others this was a plan. I just don't understand why they did it the second day. Enjoy the cruise then do it on the last day back.

REDWITCH 13 · #25 (**permalink**) January 18th, 2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katlady

I wish they would have left a note for their family and friends. This would have helped the investigation and closure to their loved ones. I agree with others this was a plan. I just don't understand why they did it the second day. Enjoy the cruise then do it on the last day back.

That is exactly what I was thinking.
Why pay the money for the cruise, pack and then jump from the ship on the second day?

They could have sat on their balcony in the warm sun and just overdosed.

I still would like to know why no one entered their cabin until Friday?

Just me, thinking again

Darlene

Dave the Wave · #26 (**permalink**) January 18th, 2009, 10:11 AM

Yes, cabin boy should have thought something was up for sure.

Trip · #27 (**permalink**) January 18th, 2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

I wish they would have left a note for their family and friends. This would have helped the investigation and closure to their loved ones. I agree with others this was a plan. I just don't understand why they did it the second day. Enjoy the cruise then do it on the last day back.

Kat, I think you are missing the point though...This was not a cruise they took for enjoyment. They planned it, and, and probably needed to expidite it quickly to keep their courage up. If we ever do find out, it may be that a note was left to the family at their home.

I wonder how many honeymooners cabins the steward nevers sees, or gets to go into,till a day or two into the cruise.

richstacy · #28 (**permalink**) January 18th, 2009, 12:18 PM

I agree 100% with Trip. I am amazed at the degree to which others want to intrude into the lives and most private affairs of strangers. It's initially a matter for the criminal investigators and the coroner, then if no crime is found to have been committed, it is a matter solely for their family. Their private motivations for this are none of our business folks

REDWITCH 13 · #29 (**permalink**) January 18th, 2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richstacy

I agree 100% with Trip. I am amazed at the degree to which others want to intrude into the lives and most private affairs of strangers. It's initially a matter for the criminal investigators and the coroner, then if no crime is found to have been committed, it is a matter solely for their family. Their private motivations for this are none of our business folks

All I was saying is maybe they did leave the ship in some way. I am always thinking in the positive...like they didn't take their own lives.

No matter what the reason they may have had...it is still very sad for their family.
Darlene

richstacy · #30 (**permalink**) January 18th, 2009, 05:06 PM

We don't even know that they have a family. I think we are just from different planets. I'm from the one where I dealt with crime and tragedy for thirty years as a prosecutor and judge. I guess I see these things in a way that makes me respect privacy and seal the file from prying eyes. I sort of consider discussing the most private affairs of others akin to driving by the scene of an accident and seeking thrills. You know, "Move on folks nothing to see here."

But you are certainly entitled to see it as you see it. It's a free country.