Initial autopsies of four out of the seven victims who perished when the luxury superyacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Italy last month indicate that they died from “dry drowning,” according to authorities. The phenomenon, also referred to as “atypical drowning,” occurs when no water is found in the lungs, trachea, or stomach.

A spokesperson for the lawyer of the yacht’s captain explained that this unusual form of drowning suggests the victims may have inhaled toxic air in a small air pocket. The Bayesian sank on August 19 near the Sicilian port of Porticello during a storm.

Understanding “Dry Drowning”

Although there is no universally accepted medical definition for “dry drowning,” the term is often used to describe cases where victims experience respiratory failure after a near-drowning incident but have little or no water in their lungs. According to the American Red Cross and other health organizations, this phenomenon can cause health complications, but it is not the same as traditional drowning.

In this case, reports suggest the victims may have found a temporary air bubble inside the yacht’s cabin, where five of the seven bodies were discovered. However, they are believed to have consumed all the oxygen, eventually succumbing to carbon dioxide poisoning as the air turned toxic.

Autopsies of the Victims

The autopsies of American lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda Morvillo, and Morgan Stanley banker Jonathan Bloomer along with his wife Anne Elizabeth Judith Bloomer were conducted on Wednesday at the Forensic Medicine Institute in Palermo. The cause of death for all four victims was consistent with the “dry drowning” scenario.

Autopsies for British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter are expected to take place soon, while no date has been set for the autopsy of Recaldo Thomas, the ship’s chef, due to difficulties in reaching his family in Antigua.

No Physical Injuries Detected

Earlier scans of all seven victims revealed that none had suffered physical trauma, such as broken bones, that could have contributed to their deaths. This reinforces the theory that the victims may have died from asphyxiation after seeking refuge in an air pocket within the sinking vessel.

Criminal Investigation Underway

A criminal investigation has been launched, focusing on the ship’s captain, James Cutfield, its machine engineer Tim Parker Eaton, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who was on duty the night the yacht sank. The three men, none of whom are currently in Italy, are being investigated for multiple manslaughter and causing a shipwreck. However, authorities have emphasized that these investigations do not imply guilt or imminent charges.

The Tragic Incident

The 56-meter Bayesian sank within 16 minutes of being hit by a sudden downburst or tornado during the early morning hours of August 19. The yacht will need to be raised from the seabed for further investigation and to prevent the potential leakage of its 18,000 liters of fuel into the waters near Porticello.

Efforts to salvage the ship have already begun, with the cost of the operation to be covered by the company owned by Angela Bacares, wife of Mike Lynch and the owner of the yacht.

Awaiting Toxicology Results

Toxicology results for the seven victims are expected in the coming days, though no alcohol or drug tests were performed on the crew. The prosecutor overseeing the case announced this at a press conference after all the victims’ bodies were recovered from the wreckage.

Lynch’s Legal Battles

The tragic death of Mike Lynch and his business partner Stephen Chamberlain, who was killed in a car accident on the same day the yacht sank, adds another layer of complexity to the story. Both men had been acquitted of fraud charges in June 2024, related to the sale of their company Autonomy to Hewlett Packard. Despite their acquittal, Hewlett Packard has not withdrawn its $4 billion civil lawsuit, which is still ongoing in the UK.

Conclusion

The deaths of the seven victims aboard the Bayesian have sent shockwaves through the luxury yacht community and beyond. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full circumstances of the tragedy, while families and loved ones of the victims continue to mourn their loss. The sinking of the yacht, coupled with Lynch’s legal troubles, adds a tragic and complex backdrop to this devastating event.