Hannah Lynch's loved ones are now sharing heartbreaking tributes for the teen after her body was pulled from the wreckage of the Bayesian.
As previously reported, the luxury yacht was caught in a storm just off the coast of Italy after 22 people - passengers and crew members - were out at sea celebrating British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch's acquittal following a fraud lawsuit that was brought about in connection with an accounting scandal.
However, while out on the harsh waves, the yacht was hit by a sudden and devastating waterspout tornado, causing it to capsize.
The Italian Coast Guard and local authorities launched an immediate rescue operation, managing to save 15 people, per Sky News.
Tragically, seven people have been confirmed to have died including the British tech entrepreneur, his teenage daughter Hannah, Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda Morvillo, and the boat’s chef Recaldo Thomas.
On Friday, the Lynch family released a statement after Hannah's body was recovered. Hers was the final body to be recovered of those initially announced as missing.
"The Lynch family is devastated, in shock and is being comforted and supported by family and friends," a spokesperson said. "Their thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy. They would like to sincerely thank the Italian coastguard, emergency services and all those who helped in the rescue.
"Their one request now is that their privacy be respected at this time of unspeakable grief," the statement added.
Since then, others have also been leaving heartfelt messages for the 18-year-old as per the Guardian.
Hannah’s sister Esme described her as “the most amazing, supportive and joyful sister”, adding: “Hannah often burst into my bedroom and lay down with me. Sometimes beaming with a smile, sometimes cheeky, sometimes for advice. No matter what, she brought boundless love to me.
“She was endlessly caring, passionately mad, unintentionally hilarious and the most amazing, supportive, and joyful sister and best friend to me," the heartbroken sibling continued. “And on top of all this, she had even more love to give endlessly to all her friends, and passion to give to her incredible studies and goals.
“She is my little angel, my star.”
Jon Mitropoulos-Monk, the head of English at Latymer Upper School in West London, where she studied, posted a heartfelt tribute to his late student.
“I’ve never taught someone who combined sky-high intellectual ability with warmth and enthusiasm in the way Hannah did. She lit up the classroom with her energy, passion for learning, and sheer intelligence (though never with a hint of arrogance)," he wrote.
He said Hannah was “one of the best English students in the country”, scoring 100% in her English literature GCSE.
“By age 16, she’d read Joyce, Faulkner and Nabokov... She loved literature, learning, and life. She was so excited to start studying English at Oxford, a goal she had worked so hard towards. When she got her place, she sought out every single member of the Latymer upper English department to thank them individually and give them a hug!"
Hannah’s friend Katya Lewis said: “The love Hannah had for everything she held dear was passionate and pure. She had a warm and beautiful soul.”
Another friend, Gracie Lea, said: “When I think of Hannah, I think of poetry, sunshine, and her beautiful eyes. She was easy to love: sincere, dedicated, fiercely intelligent, and genuinely kind. I’ll always remember her smiling."
The Italian Coast Guard has confirmed that a full-scale investigation has been launched into the matter, consisting of reviewing surveillance footage and speaking to witnesses as well as survivors, and other boating experts.
Our thoughts are with the victims' loved ones during this difficult time.
