FATHER OF THREE GOES OVERBOARD FROM CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP DURING ANNIVERSARY TRIP WITH WIFE

A California father of three disappeared from a Carnival cruise ship during what was supposed to be a family celebration of his 15th wedding anniversary — and despite an extensive search, he has not been found.

Thomas Gigler, 56, of Redlands, California, was traveling aboard the Carnival Panorama with his wife, Michelle, 48, and their three sons, aged 13, 11 and 9.

The family was nearing the end of a seven-night cruise from Long Beach to Mexico when Gigler went overboard on September 18 as the ship was traveling back toward Southern California.

Carnival Cruise Line later confirmed that its onboard cameras showed that the passenger had gone overboard. The U.S. and Mexican Coast Guards were notified and joined the search.

FAMILY TRIP TURNS INTO A DESPERATE SEARCH

According to reports, Michelle realized her husband was missing and alerted the ship’s crew.

His name was repeatedly announced over the vessel’s public-address system as crew members searched for him.

The situation became increasingly serious as the ship changed course and later instructed passengers to return to their rooms while staff carried out a shipwide search and accountability check.

Passengers were reportedly asked to remain in their cabins while crew members checked rooms and reviewed security footage.

Eventually, Carnival informed passengers that its “man overboard” cameras had confirmed Gigler had gone overboard and that authorities would continue the search.

The Carnival Panorama had departed Long Beach on September 13 and had visited Puerto Vallarta before beginning its return journey to California.

COAST GUARD SEARCHES MORE THAN 1,700 SQUARE MILES

The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated an extensive search operation involving aircraft, Mexican naval personnel and other vessels.

Officials said search crews spent approximately 41 hours searching an area covering more than 1,707 square miles.

Despite the large-scale operation, there was no sighting of Gigler.

The Coast Guard ultimately suspended the active search on September 22, saying decisions to end search operations were made after considering all available information.

“Our hearts are with those impacted by his loss,” Coast Guard Southwest District incident-management chief Capt. Jessica Davila said.

Gigler’s body has not been recovered.

HE WAS DAYS AWAY FROM HIS 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

The tragedy came just days before Thomas and Michelle were due to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary on September 23.

The couple lived in Redlands with their three sons.

PEOPLE reported that Gigler had worked as a computer programmer for software company Esri for about 24 years.

The family had apparently been enjoying a holiday together before the devastating incident.

One passenger told the Guardian that they had briefly seen Gigler with his wife and children and remembered hearing that the family was celebrating their anniversary.

The passenger described the atmosphere aboard the ship as suddenly becoming quiet and tense after the search was announced.

FAMILY LEFT SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

Gigler’s sister, Wendy Dowden, has spoken publicly about the family’s shock.

She told the Daily Mail that relatives were struggling to understand why he had gone overboard.

“We think something must have happened in his head,” she said, according to PEOPLE. “He wasn’t in his right mind to have done this.”

That was the family’s interpretation of what happened, rather than an official explanation.

Authorities and Carnival Cruise Line have not publicly established what led to Gigler going overboard.

There have also been reports and speculation about possible problems in the couple’s marriage, but Gigler’s sister has disputed those suggestions and said the family had no explanation for his disappearance.

The circumstances remain unclear.

CARNIVAL SAYS IT IS SUPPORTING THE FAMILY

Carnival Cruise Line said that once the missing passenger was reported, its crew immediately began search and investigation procedures.

The company reviewed CCTV footage and notified both the U.S. and Mexican Coast Guards.

Carnival also said it was providing support to the family traveling with Gigler.

For the Gigler family, however, the end of the cruise brought anything but the anniversary celebration they had expected.

A family holiday that was meant to mark 15 years of marriage instead ended with a father missing at sea — leaving his wife, three sons and relatives waiting for answers.

As of the latest reports, Thomas Gigler has not been found, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain under investigation.