FATHER OF THREE GOES OVERBOARD FROM CARNIVAL CRUISE DAYS BEFORE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA — A California father of three has gone missing after going overboard from a Carnival cruise ship while returning from Mexico — just days before he and his wife were due to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

The missing passenger has been identified as Thomas Gigler, 56, of Redlands, California.

Gigler was traveling aboard the Carnival Panorama with his wife, Michelle, and their three sons when he went overboard during the ship’s return journey from Puerto Vallarta toward Long Beach.

His disappearance triggered a major search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mexican Navy and commercial vessels operating in the area.

A FAMILY HOLIDAY TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE

The Gigler family had been enjoying a seven-night cruise that departed from Long Beach on September 13.

The Carnival Panorama was scheduled to visit several destinations in Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, before returning to Southern California.

But on September 18, during the journey back toward Long Beach, Thomas Gigler was reported missing.

Carnival crew members immediately began search and investigation procedures.

They reviewed the ship’s surveillance footage, including its man-overboard camera system.

The footage ultimately confirmed that Gigler had gone overboard.

THE COAST GUARD LAUNCHED A SEARCH

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Rescue Coordination Center Alameda was notified and began coordinating the search.

Fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to assist, while the Coast Guard worked with the Mexican Navy and commercial vessels in the area.

The search operation was taking place off the coast of Mexico as authorities attempted to locate Gigler.

As of the latest reports, he had not been found and the search remained ongoing.

Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that the company was supporting Gigler’s family.

A spokesperson said the cruise line’s team had initiated search and investigation procedures after the passenger was reported missing and had notified both U.S. and Mexican authorities.

JUST DAYS BEFORE THEIR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

The tragedy came at an especially painful time for Gigler’s family.

Thomas and his wife Michelle were due to celebrate their wedding anniversary on September 23, only days after he disappeared from the ship.

The couple had been traveling with their three sons as part of the family holiday.

His sister, Wendy Dowden, spoke publicly about the family’s devastation and their struggle to understand what had happened.

She said the family believed something unexpected had occurred before Gigler went overboard.

However, neither Carnival Cruise Line nor authorities have publicly established why he went overboard.

PASSENGERS LEFT MESSAGES FOR THE FAMILY

The incident also deeply affected other people aboard the cruise.

Passengers reportedly created a small memorial for Gigler after learning that he had gone overboard.

Handwritten messages, prayers and tributes were left for his family and friends.

For many passengers, the holiday had suddenly turned into an unsettling reminder of how quickly an ordinary family vacation can change.

A FATHER REMEMBERED BY HIS COMMUNITY

Gigler lived in Redlands, California, with his wife and their three sons.

His disappearance has drawn attention from the local community as relatives and friends wait for news.

The family has been left facing an agonizing period of uncertainty while search teams continue working across the waters where the incident occurred.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

Authorities have confirmed what happened aboard the ship through surveillance footage, but they have not publicly explained what led to Gigler going overboard.

THE SEARCH CONTINUES

The Carnival Panorama eventually returned to Long Beach on September 20 after completing its scheduled seven-night voyage.

But for Gigler’s family, the journey ended without the answer they were desperately hoping for.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Mexican authorities and other vessels continued efforts to locate the missing father.

For his wife Michelle, their three sons and the rest of his family, the search has become a desperate wait for answers — coming just days before the anniversary that Thomas and Michelle had expected to celebrate together.

Thomas Gigler was 56 years old. He was traveling with his wife and three sons when he went overboard from the Carnival Panorama during its return voyage from Mexico. The search remains ongoing.