Investigation Expands in Luxury Yacht Sinking Tragedy

Investigation into Yacht Sinking Expands

Prosecutors in Sicily have expanded their inquiry into the tragic sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian, now investigating the roles of two additional crew members, as confirmed by their lawyer on Thursday. The yacht’s captain, James Cutfield, is currently under a manslaughter investigation to ascertain whether his actions may have negligently contributed to the shipwreck, as disclosed by one of his attorneys on Tuesday.

The devastating incident occurred on August 19, when a pre-dawn storm off the coast of Sicily led to the drowning of seven individuals, including six passengers and one crew member. Among the deceased was Mike Lynch, a prominent British tech entrepreneur and the owner of the Bayesian, alongside his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.

On Wednesday, prosecutors officially placed Tim Parker Eaton, who oversaw the yacht’s engine room, and Matthew Griffiths, the crew member responsible for lookout duties that fateful night, under investigation. Both men are represented by Marco Scopesi, a lawyer based in Genoa, who confirmed their status in the ongoing legal proceedings.

It is important to note that in Italy, being placed under formal investigation does not automatically imply that criminal charges will be filed against the individuals involved.

The ill-fated cruise was organized to celebrate Mr. Lynch’s recent acquittal in June on charges related to orchestrating one of the largest frauds in the technology sector. He was accused of significantly inflating the valuation of a company he founded when he sold it to Hewlett-Packard for an impressive $11 billion in 2011. Following his legal victory, Mr. Lynch had planned a series of cruises to express his gratitude to the lawyers who supported him throughout the trial.