DAD OF THREE VANISHES FROM CRUISE SHIP DAYS BEFORE 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
DAD OF THREE VANISHES FROM CRUISE SHIP DAYS BEFORE 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
A California father of three has gone missing after going overboard from a cruise ship while travelling 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 disappeared during the ship’s return journey from Mexico to Long Beach.
His disappearance has triggered a major search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Mexican Navy and commercial vessels in the area.
HE DISAPPEARED DURING THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
The family had boarded Carnival Panorama in Long Beach on September 13 for a seven-night round trip to Mexico.
The itinerary included stops at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta before the ship was scheduled to return to California.
On September 18, as the vessel was travelling from Puerto Vallarta toward Long Beach, Gigler was reported missing.
His wife alerted the ship’s crew after she could not locate him.
Crew members made repeated announcements asking him to come forward and eventually carried out a ship-wide search.
Passengers were asked to remain in their rooms while staff checked cabins and verified passengers’ identities.
CCTV CONFIRMED HE WENT OVERBOARD
Carnival Cruise Line began reviewing security-camera footage as part of its investigation.
The footage confirmed that Gigler had gone overboard from the vessel.
Reports said he was believed to have gone overboard from the ship’s 11th deck while the Carnival Panorama was sailing off the coast of Baja California.
The ship temporarily altered its course while the search was conducted.
Authorities were then notified and the search operation expanded beyond the ship itself.
A MASSIVE SEARCH WAS LAUNCHED
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Rescue Coordination Center Alameda was notified and began coordinating the response.
Fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to search the area, while the Mexican Navy and nearby commercial vessels also assisted.
The Coast Guard said the search remained ongoing in its latest public update.
Carnival said its team had initiated search and investigation procedures after being notified of the missing passenger and was providing support to his family.
JUST DAYS BEFORE THEIR ANNIVERSARY
The timing has made the family’s ordeal even more heartbreaking.
Thomas and Michelle were due to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary on September 23, just four days after he went overboard.
Instead of celebrating together, Michelle and their three sons have been left waiting for news as authorities continue searching.
The family had reportedly been enjoying the cruise together before Thomas disappeared.
HIS FAMILY IS SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS
Thomas’ sister, Wendy Dowden, has spoken publicly about the family’s shock.
She said the family was struggling to understand why he went overboard and disputed speculation that marital problems had been responsible.
Dowden said the family believed something unexpected may have happened shortly before his disappearance.
However, authorities and Carnival have not publicly established why Thomas went overboard.
That remains an unanswered question as the search continues.
PASSENGERS CREATED A MEMORIAL ON BOARD
As news of the disappearance spread among passengers, people aboard Carnival Panorama created a small memorial for Thomas.
Handwritten messages, prayers and other tributes were left for his family and loved ones.
The gesture came as passengers watched the crew and authorities continue their efforts to locate him.
HIS FAMILY IS STILL WAITING
Thomas worked as a computer programmer and had reportedly spent many years working for software company Esri. He and Michelle live in Redlands with their three sons.
For his family, the priority remains finding him and understanding exactly what happened.
As of the latest available reports, Thomas Gigler has not been found.
The search and investigation remain ongoing, while his wife, children and wider family wait for answers.
What was supposed to be a special family holiday — ending just before their 15th wedding anniversary — has instead become a desperate search for a husband, father and brother.
