Carnival Panorama passenger presumed dead after going overboard

Thomas Gigler, 56, is presumed dead after he was believed to have gone overboard from Carnival Panorama on September 20 while the ship was sailing from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, toward Long Beach.

Carnival Panorama turned around after surveillance footage showed Gigler entering the water. The ship conducted a search before resuming its voyage to Long Beach. The U.S. and Mexican Coast Guards, the Mexican Navy and nearby vessels also took part in the operation, but Gigler was not found.

Gigler’s family said they believe something unexpected occurred shortly before he entered the water. His sister, Wendy Dowden, disputed another passenger’s claim that Gigler had discussed marital problems at the ship’s Alchemy Bar the night before his disappearance.

The family said Gigler and his wife, Michelle, were getting along and that he was not in his normal state of mind when he went overboard. The couple had been traveling for their anniversary.

As of Monday morning, a crowdfunding campaign supporting Gigler’s family had collected just under $8,500 toward a $35,000 goal.