DAD-OF-THREE GOES OVERBOARD FROM CARNIVAL CRUISE DURING ANNIVERSARY TRIP — FAMILY LEFT DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS
DAD-OF-THREE GOES OVERBOARD FROM CARNIVAL CRUISE DURING ANNIVERSARY TRIP — FAMILY LEFT DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA — What was supposed to be a special family vacation marking a wedding anniversary has turned into a desperate search for a California father who went overboard from a Carnival cruise ship.
Thomas Gigler, 56, was traveling aboard the Carnival Panorama with his wife, Michelle, 48, and their three sons when he disappeared during the ship’s return journey from Mexico to California.
The ship’s surveillance footage later confirmed that Gigler had gone overboard, according to Carnival. A search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Mexican Navy and commercial vessels has continued.
HE DISAPPEARED DURING THE FINAL DAYS OF THE CRUISE
The Carnival Panorama left Long Beach on September 13 for a seven-night round trip to Mexico, with scheduled stops including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.
Gigler was reported missing on September 18 while the ship was sailing north from Puerto Vallarta toward Long Beach.
His family became concerned after they could no longer locate him aboard the vessel.
Cruise staff reportedly made repeated announcements asking him to come forward.
The ship also turned around as the crew searched for him.
Passengers were eventually asked to remain in their rooms while staff conducted a more extensive search of the vessel.
SECURITY FOOTAGE PROVIDED A CRUCIAL CLUE
Carnival employees reviewed hours of onboard security footage after Gigler was reported missing.
The footage indicated that he had gone overboard.
Carnival confirmed that its team initiated search and investigation procedures after receiving the missing-person report, including reviewing CCTV footage and notifying both U.S. and Mexican authorities.
The ship eventually continued toward Long Beach and docked on Sunday.
The investigation was then handed over to authorities working in the waters where Gigler is believed to have gone overboard.
COAST GUARD SEARCHES CONTINUE
The U.S. Coast Guard said it launched fixed-wing aircraft to assist with the search.
The Coast Guard has also been coordinating with the Mexican Navy and commercial vessels operating in the area.
As of the latest reports, Gigler has not been found and the search remains ongoing.
Authorities have not publicly announced a reason for why he went overboard.
That distinction is important because, although reports have described the incident as an apparent jump, the circumstances surrounding what happened immediately beforehand remain under investigation.
HIS FAMILY WAS PREPARING TO CELEBRATE THEIR 15TH ANNIVERSARY
The timing has made the disappearance particularly devastating for Gigler’s family.
Thomas and Michelle were due to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary on September 23, only days after he disappeared.
Instead of celebrating together, Michelle and their three sons are now waiting for news about what happened to him.
The family lives in Redlands, California.
Gigler worked as a computer programmer and had been employed by software company Esri, according to reports.
HIS SISTER SAYS THE FAMILY IS SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS
Gigler’s sister, Wendy Dowden, has spoken about the family’s shock following his disappearance.
She said relatives were struggling to understand what could have happened.
The family has also pushed back against speculation about problems in Gigler’s marriage.
His relatives have said they were not aware of a reason that would explain why he would suddenly go overboard.
However, neither Carnival nor authorities have publicly established what led to the incident.
PASSENGERS LEFT MESSAGES FOR THE FAMILY
The tragedy also affected other passengers aboard the Carnival Panorama.
According to reports, passengers created a makeshift tribute for Gigler, leaving messages and words of support for his wife and children.
The incident occurred during the final day of the cruise, when many passengers had expected to be completing a routine journey back to California.
Instead, the ship was placed under a temporary lockdown while crew members worked to establish what had happened.
CARNIVAL CONFIRMS THE SEARCH
Carnival said it was supporting Gigler’s family.
In a statement, the company confirmed that its onboard team responded immediately after receiving the missing-person report and worked with authorities.
The company also expressed its sympathy for the family and loved ones.
The U.S. Coast Guard has continued coordinating the search with Mexican authorities and vessels in the region.
NO ANSWER YET
For now, the biggest questions remain unanswered.
Gigler has not been located, and authorities have not publicly explained why he went overboard.
His family is left waiting for information while search teams continue working in the waters off Mexico.
What began as a family cruise and an upcoming 15th wedding anniversary celebration has instead become an agonizing wait for a wife, three sons and a wider family desperate to know what happened to Thomas Gigler.
The search remains ongoing.
