Billionaire's yacht tragedy: Autopsies reveal victims' true cause of death

At the end of August, news of the tragedy that unfolded off the coast of Sicily circulated worldwide. As a result of a waterspout, the yacht belonging to the "British Bill Gates" was sunk. On board, the Bayesian, owned by Michael Lynch, were 22 people, including the aforementioned billionaire's daughter. Unfortunately, after several hours of searching, the bodies of both the tech mogul and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, were found. Ultimately, rescuers managed to save 15 out of 22 people.

Among the seven people who lost their lives during the ill-fated celebration at sea were banker Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Judy Bloomer, as well as lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda Morvillo. On Thursday, the results of the autopsies on these four people were revealed. The BBC, citing Italian media, reports that none of the victims had water in their lungs, suggesting that death did not occur due to drowning. Investigators have disclosed that the cause of death was suffocation due to lack of oxygen.

Italian news outlets indicate that their bodies were found on the left side of the yacht. It was there that the victims most likely sought air when the yacht listed to the right. Initially, as water began seeping into the overturned boat, there were still air pockets trapped inside. After some time, the oxygen ran out, leading to death by suffocation. The bodies of the victims showed no injuries.

In the coming days, autopsies are to be conducted on other individuals, including Lynch and his daughter, as well as the chef Recaldo Thomas. Raising the yacht from the seabed is also planned.