A male passenger has died after being detained for allegedly assaulting crew members and threatening other passengers while intoxicated. The incident occurred an hour after the Navigator of the Seas departed San Pedro.
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Michael Virgil, 35, reportedly threatened to kill passengers, assaulted two crew members, and went on a racial tirade. According to FOX 11, Virgil allegedly kicked one crew member in the face and punched another, causing one staff member to hide in a closet to escape his rampage. Witness Christifer Mikhail told the outlet that Virgil chased him and other passengers down the hallway. Mikhail also recorded a video showing Virgil aggressively kicking a closet door while shouting and later removing his shirt.
Virgil was restrained by Royal Caribbean security, who used zip ties, handcuffs, and pepper spray to control him. His family claims that security allegedly injected him with a sedative during the encounter, and he died within an hour of being detained. His family described the incident as completely out of character for him, especially since he was traveling with his fiancée and their 7-year-old autistic son.
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The cause of Virgil’s death is unknown, pending an autopsy. An investigation was launched by the FBI and Royal Caribbean said in a statement that they were offering support to his family and working with authorities on the investigations.