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

A father of three has vanished from a cruise ship returning to California after he was captured on onboard cameras going overboard — leaving his family devastated as a massive search across the Pacific has now been suspended.

Thomas Gigler, 56, from Redlands, California, disappeared from the Carnival Panorama on September 18 while the ship was sailing back toward Long Beach from Mexico.

He has still not been found.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Mexican Navy and other vessels spent more than 41 hours searching an area covering over 1,700 square miles before suspending the operation pending new information.

HE VANISHED DURING THE FINAL DAY OF THE CRUISE

The Carnival Panorama had departed Long Beach on September 13 for a seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise.

The itinerary included stops at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta before the ship began its return journey to California.

Gigler was traveling with his wife, Michelle, and their three sons, aged 13, 11 and 9.

The family was also approaching their 15th wedding anniversary, making the disappearance even more devastating for his loved ones.

According to authorities, Gigler was last seen at approximately 11:30 p.m. on September 18.

CCTV CONFIRMED HE WENT OVERBOARD

When Gigler was reported missing, Carnival’s crew began searching the ship and reviewing surveillance footage.

The footage ultimately confirmed that the passenger had gone overboard.

The ship was approximately 57 miles off the Mexican coast at the time, according to the Coast Guard.

The circumstances surrounding what happened immediately beforehand remain unclear.

Authorities have not publicly established why Gigler went overboard.

PASSENGERS WERE ORDERED BACK TO THEIR ROOMS

Passengers aboard the Carnival Panorama were placed under a temporary lockdown while crew members investigated the disappearance.

One passenger told ABC7 that guests were instructed to return to their rooms while the crew searched for a missing person.

The situation reportedly lasted around an hour as the ship’s team reviewed the available camera footage and coordinated with authorities.

A later announcement confirmed that the man had gone overboard and that his family had been notified.

MASSIVE SEARCH SPANNED MORE THAN 1,700 SQUARE MILES

The U.S. Coast Guard launched multiple fixed-wing aircraft to search from the air.

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

Authorities coordinated through the U.S. Coast Guard’s Rescue Coordination Center in Alameda and worked with Mexican maritime authorities to locate Gigler.

But after more than 41 hours of searching, crews had found no sign of him.

More than 1,707 square miles of ocean were covered during the operation.

SEARCH SUSPENDED — BUT INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

On September 23, the Coast Guard announced that the active search had been suspended pending new information.

That does not mean the investigation into Gigler’s disappearance has ended.

Authorities have not announced that he has been found, and no explanation has been given publicly for what led to him going overboard.

The Coast Guard’s search operation is currently paused, while investigators remain involved in the case.

FAMILY LEFT SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

Gigler’s disappearance has left his family struggling to understand what happened.

His sister has said the family is at a loss to explain why he went overboard.

Passengers aboard the ship also reportedly created a small memorial after learning about his disappearance, leaving handwritten messages and prayers for the family.

For Michelle and their three children, the devastating wait continues.

Thomas Gigler remains missing, and his loved ones are still hoping that new information could bring answers about what happened on the final night of their cruise.