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Royal Caribbean Sued After Medical Examiner Rules Cruise Passenger’s Death a Homicide

The federal complaint argues crew conduct caused the conditions the coroner listed.

Overview

  • Michael Virgil’s fiancée, Connie Aguilar, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida on December 8, 2025.
  • The filing alleges Royal Caribbean staff served Virgil at least 33 alcoholic drinks under an all‑inclusive package despite visible intoxication.
  • The complaint says security and medical staff used prolonged prone restraint, administered haloperidol, and deployed multiple cans of pepper spray.
  • The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, citing combined effects including mechanical asphyxia, obesity, cardiomegaly, and ethanol intoxication during a December 13, 2024 voyage on Navigator of the Seas from Los Angeles to Ensenada.
  • Royal Caribbean expressed condolences and said it worked with authorities but declined further comment during litigation, as passenger video shows Virgil threatening people and kicking a door before he was restrained.