DAD-OF-THREE VANISHES FROM CRUISE SHIP DAYS BEFORE 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AS MASSIVE SEARCH IS SUSPENDED

A California father of three has disappeared after going overboard from a cruise ship while traveling with his wife and children — just days before the couple were due to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary.

Thomas Gigler, 56, from Redlands, California, was aboard Carnival Panorama with his wife Michelle, 48, and their three sons when he went overboard during the ship’s return journey from Mexico.

The U.S. Coast Guard has now suspended the search for Gigler after more than 41 hours of search operations covering over 1,700 square miles of the Pacific Ocean.

He has not been found.

FAMILY OF FIVE WAS ON A WEEK-LONG CRUISE

Thomas and Michelle had been traveling with their three boys, aged 13, 11 and 9, aboard the Carnival Panorama.

The seven-night cruise departed Long Beach, California, on September 13 and included stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta before the ship began its journey back toward California.

The family was also approaching a major personal milestone.

Thomas and Michelle were due to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary on September 23, only days after he disappeared.

According to reports, Thomas had worked as a computer programmer for Esri for around 24 years.

His family has described the circumstances surrounding his disappearance as extremely difficult to understand.

CREW CONFIRMED HE WENT OVERBOARD

Thomas was reported missing while the Carnival Panorama was sailing north from Mexico toward Long Beach.

Carnival Cruise Line said its crew immediately began search and investigation procedures after being notified that a passenger was missing.

That included reviewing CCTV footage and contacting both the U.S. and Mexican Coast Guards.

The ship also carried out room-to-room accountability checks while passengers were instructed to return to their staterooms.

After reviewing surveillance footage, the crew confirmed that Thomas had gone overboard.

The ship temporarily changed course while efforts were made to locate him.

MASSIVE SEARCH ACROSS THE PACIFIC

The Coast Guard launched a large-scale search operation involving aircraft and surface vessels.

A Mexican naval vessel and six other vessels also participated in the search.

According to the latest Coast Guard information, crews searched more than 1,707 square miles of ocean during an operation lasting more than 41 hours.

Despite the extensive effort, there were no reported sightings of Thomas.

The U.S. Coast Guard ultimately suspended the active search pending new information.

Officials stressed that the investigation remains ongoing.

‘WE ARE AT A LOSS’

Thomas’s family has been left struggling to understand what happened.

His sister, Wendy Dowden, told reporters that the family could not explain why he went overboard.

She said they believed something must have happened that caused him to act in a way they did not expect.

Importantly, the family has not publicly identified a confirmed reason for his actions, and authorities have not announced a cause or motive.

The circumstances remain under investigation.

A FAMILY LEFT WITHOUT ANSWERS

The disappearance occurred during what was supposed to be a special family trip.

Thomas was traveling with Michelle and their three children, and the couple’s 15th anniversary was only days away.

Instead, the family returned to California without him.

Passengers aboard the Carnival Panorama reportedly created a small memorial after learning what had happened, leaving handwritten messages, prayers and other tributes.

Carnival said it was providing support to the family and expressed its sympathy for Thomas’s loved ones.

SEARCH SUSPENDED — INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The Coast Guard’s decision to suspend the search does not mean the investigation has ended.

Authorities said the search was suspended pending new information, while the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

Thomas has not been located.

For Michelle and their three sons, the most painful part may now be the uncertainty surrounding what happened during what was supposed to be a celebration of 15 years of marriage.

A husband.

A father of three.

A man who boarded a cruise with his family.

And a family now facing an anniversary marked by unanswered questions.

Thomas Gigler remains missing as investigators continue to piece together what happened aboard the Carnival Panorama.