The tragic demise of a cruise ship passenger after allegedly being served a staggering 33 alcoholic beverages has sparked a wrongful death lawsuit against Miami-based Royal Caribbean. Michael Virgil's fiancée, Connie Aguilar, along with their family, including their young son, were aboard a voyage from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, when the incident occurred in December 2024. The lawsuit, obtained by WSVN, accuses the cruise line of negligence for continuing to serve Virgil alcohol despite his apparent intoxication.
The confrontation escalated when Virgil, reportedly lost and agitated while trying to find his cabin, was tackled to the ground by crew members. According to the lawsuit, crew members stood on him with their full body weight and applied a prone restraint that impaired his breathing. The details of the lawsuit state that at the captain's request, crew members also administered a sedative and sprayed Virgil with pepper spray before his death, which was subsequently ruled a homicide by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, attributing his death to mechanical asphyxia combined with obesity, an enlarged heart, and alcohol intoxication. Video footage captured by a passenger and obtained by The Los Angeles Times, shows moments of Virgil's confrontation with the crew.
In response to the incident, Royal Caribbean has refrained from commenting directly on the pending litigation. They issued a statement, expressing sadness for the guest's passing and noting their cooperation with the authorities' investigation. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages, including loss of support, inheritance, and costs covering medical and funeral expenses.
Kevin Haynes, representing Aguilar and her family, sharply criticized Royal Caribbean's handling of the situation. "Michael's family has suffered unimaginable heartache and torment caused by Royal Caribbean, a mega cruise line that prioritizes profit over passenger safety," Haynes said in a statement released by his office. The lawsuit also alleges that the overly accessible alcohol-serving stations on the ship are part of a design that encourages and facilitates alcohol consumption, contributing to circumstances such as Virgil's demise, as reported by The Los Angeles Times.
Following the incident, the cruise reportedly continued its journey to Mexico with Virgil's body kept refrigerated until its return to Los Angeles on December 16, 2024. As the case moves forward, the lawsuit is currently filed in federal court in Miami, where Royal Caribbean, the world's second-largest cruise company, has its headquarters.
