Preliminary autopsy results from the tragic sinking of British businessman Mike Lynch's yacht, Bayesian, off the coast of Sicily last month indicate that four of the deceased likely died from asphyxiation due to a lack of oxygen on board.
Trapped on Yacht
The incident occurred on August 19 during a sudden and severe weather event near the port of Porticello, close to Palermo.
The victims include Lynch, his daughter Hannah, their chef Recaldo Thomas, and four guests, according to digi24.
Among the first four victims to undergo autopsies were Jonathan Bloomer, president of Morgan Stanley International, his wife Judy, attorney Chris Morvillo, and his wife Neda.
Reports suggest that these individuals were trapped on the yacht and succumbed to suffocation while trying to find remaining air, according to judicial sources.
Attempted to Access Air
Additional forensic tests are currently being conducted, with results expected in the coming weeks. Autopsies for the yacht's chef and Mike Lynch are scheduled for Friday, while Hannah Lynch's autopsy will take place on Saturday.
Most of the recovered bodies, except for the chef's, were found in the left-side cabins of the yacht, where passengers appeared to have attempted to access any available air.
Italian authorities are investigating Captain James Cutfield and crew members Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffiths for potential manslaughter and negligence. Griffiths, who was on duty during the incident, claimed that the crew did everything possible to rescue those on board.
The sinking of the Bayesian has left maritime experts puzzled, as the 56-meter yacht, built by Perini, was expected to withstand such storms and should not have sunk so rapidly.
