A Royal Caribbean cruise took a tragic turn when a passenger died following a series of alleged violent incidents and threats just hours after setting sail.
Michael Virgil, 35, died on December 13 aboard the Navigator of the Seas, where he was traveling with his fiancée and 7-year-old son, according to reports from FOX LA.
The cruise had just departed from the port of San Pedro, near Los Angeles, when Virgil reportedly became aggressive and threatening. Christifer Mikhail, a fellow passenger, told FOX LA that the ordeal began when Virgil got off an elevator on the wrong floor and began acting unruly.
Mikhail, who recorded parts of the incident, said Virgil issued alarming threats, including one to “kill” people around him.
“The gentleman that was drunk said that he was going to kill us, and then he started chasing us down the hallway,” Mikhail recounted to FOX LA.
Incident Escalates with Racial Slurs and Attacks
Passengers alleged that Virgil used racial slurs during the outburst and assaulted two crew members. Video footage obtained by FOX LA shows Virgil in a narrow corridor, kicking a door and attempting to punch it while crew members stand a few feet away, visibly concerned.
According to Mikhail, Virgil tried to force his way into a towel room where a crew member had sought refuge, all while making frantic statements and asking for forgiveness. “He was asking for God to forgive him,” Mikhail said.
It remains unclear what prompted the erratic behavior.
Royal Caribbean Issues Statement
Royal Caribbean issued a statement expressing their sorrow over Virgil's death and their commitment to supporting his family and authorities.
“We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests. We offered support to the family and are working with authorities on their investigation,” the cruise line told PEOPLE.
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office has confirmed to PEOPLE that it are investigating "an incident that resulted in death", citing the ongoing nature of the case as the reason for withholding further details.
A Departure from Character, Family Says
Virgil’s family have told FOX LA that his actions were out of character. “He didn’t deserve to die over it,” one relative remarked.
His family said security aboard the ship injected Virgil with a type sedative. Within an hour he had died.
The investigation into Virgil’s death continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident.