California Father of Three Presumed Dead After Going Overboard During Anniversary Cruise

Thomas Gigler, left, and his wife Michelle Gigler.Facebook/Michelle Gigler

A California father of three is presumed dead after going overboard from a cruise ship during what was reportedly an anniversary trip with his wife, as new accounts shed light on the sequence of events aboard the vessel.

Thomas Gigler, 56, was traveling with his wife, Michelle, 48, aboard the Carnival Panorama on Saturday. The ship was sailing from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, toward Long Beach, California, when Gigler disappeared.

The couple lived in Redlands with their three sons and were reportedly celebrating their anniversary. Gigler was a computer programmer who had worked for Esri for 24 years.

New Details About Gigler’s Movements

The Gigler family live in Redlands with their three sons.Facebook/Michelle Gigler

One of the most striking new details concerns where Gigler and his family were staying aboard the ship.

A passenger whose cabin was near the family’s said their accommodations were on Deck 2. Gigler is believed to have later reached Deck 11, meaning he may have traveled roughly nine floors upward before going overboard.

However, neither authorities nor Carnival has publicly confirmed exactly where on the ship Gigler went overboard.

Deck 11 contains several different areas. Passenger cabins, including balcony and interior rooms, are located toward the front, while family attractions and restaurants occupy other parts of the deck.

Passengers Ordered Back to Their Cabins

A Carnival Panorama cruise ship is docked in Long Beach, California.AFP via Getty Images

Passengers initially had little indication of what was happening.

Lorrie Freed-Silva, who was staying on Deck 9, recalled being in her cabin at around 4:30 p.m. when an announcement instructed everyone to return to their rooms.

No explanation was immediately given beyond the need for a passenger count, and the announcement was repeated several times. Two people Freed-Silva believed were officers later came to her cabin and asked for the names of everyone inside.

Around 45 minutes later, passengers heard an announcement that someone was missing. Approximately 15 minutes after that, they were informed that a man had gone overboard and that security footage had confirmed the incident.

The Carnival Panorama then reversed course while crews searched the surrounding waters.

Large-Scale Search Launched at Sea

Thomas Gigler, far right, is pictured.Facebook/Michelle Gigler

Carnival said its crew initiated search and investigation procedures after learning that a passenger was missing. Those efforts included reviewing CCTV footage and contacting both the U.S. and Mexican Coast Guards.

The Mexican Navy and nearby commercial vessels also joined the operation. After searching the area, the Carnival Panorama eventually resumed its voyage to Long Beach.

A video recorded by another passenger showed a cruise official updating those onboard during the search. The official said the missing guest had not yet been located and that the appropriate authorities had been notified.

Passengers Create a Memorial

As the search continued without news of Gigler, passengers aboard the ship began leaving tributes.

Passenger Misty Hernandez shared footage of a small memorial containing handwritten messages, prayers, rubber ducks, teddy bears and other items intended for Gigler and his loved ones.

Hernandez described the gesture as a quiet way for passengers to come together and leave messages of support for the missing man’s family and friends.

Family Pushes Back on Claim About the Couple

The Carnival Panorama cruise ship is seen in the Pacific Ocean in Los Cabos, Baja California state, Mexico,.AFP via Getty Images

Questions also emerged over Gigler’s circumstances before his disappearance.

His family disputed an account from another passenger who claimed Gigler had spoken about marital difficulties at the ship’s Alchemy Bar the previous night.

Gigler’s sister, Wendy Dowden, pushed back on that characterization, saying her brother and Michelle “were getting along quite well.”

No official information has established what led to Gigler going overboard, and authorities and the cruise line have not publicly confirmed the precise location where it occurred.