A woman’s fatal fall from a Carnival cruise ship balcony has drawn the FBI into a death investigation after the vessel docked at Catalina Island.
The woman, who was identified as 24-year-old Briana Miller, was traveling with relatives aboard the Carnival Firenze when she went over the railing of her stateroom early Monday and landed on a lower deck.
Her family notified crew members after the fall, and the ship’s staff contacted law enforcement.
Once the vessel reached Catalina Island, officers came aboard to gather statements and review what had happened during the voyage.
The FBI also responded because federal authorities have jurisdiction over certain incidents aboard cruise ships.
“The FBI responded to the ship when it docked in Catalina Island on Monday and is investigating an incident on board which resulted in death,” FBI spokeswoman Lourdes Arocho told The New York Post.
“More specific details are not being provided at this time as the investigation is ongoing,” she added.
Carnival spokeswoman Julie Leonardi confirmed that the passenger died after going over her balcony.
🪖Discover what it takes to turn defeat into victory in this FREE eBook on history’s “savior generals” 🪖 Learn how exceptional leadership can change the course of war!➡️➡️➡️ Download your FREE copy NOW!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
“As is customary following these kinds of incidents, law enforcement was on board while the ship was in Catalina Island on Monday to collect information,” Leonardi said.
A law enforcement source told the outlet that the woman’s body was taken off the ship that day, and her relatives also left the vessel to return home.
Authorities have not released the woman’s name, nor have they publicly said what led to the fall.
The case comes after another Carnival investigation involving 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a Florida student whose body was discovered aboard the Carnival Horizon late last year.
Kepner had been on a family vacation with her father, stepmother, grandparents and siblings when she was found dead in her cabin on Nov. 7.
Authorities later classified the death as a homicide caused by “mechanical asphyxiation.”
Investigators said Kepner was found beneath a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life jackets.
Her 16-year-old stepbrother, Timothy Hudson, has since been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
Hudson, who was initially charged as a juvenile in February, is scheduled for trial in Miami in June.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Kepner’s father, Christopher Kepner, has criticized the fact that Hudson has been allowed to live with a relative while the case moves forward.
“We’re upset that he’s still out. We’re six months in, and he should already have been arrested, and yet he’s free to do whatever he wants right now,” Christopher Kepner told the Daily Mail.
“That’s our problem. He’s been able to do whatever he wants and go where he wants, but the family’s been sitting here unable to do anything,” he continued.
Kepner said he wants Hudson detained while awaiting trial.
“I want to see him in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. He does not need to be free. He does not need to be in the general public, around any kids or women in general,” he said.
“He’s a danger to himself and a danger to others.”
The father also said Hudson has shown no remorse.
“He’s still saying that he can’t remember and that’s about it. He hasn’t apologized. He hasn’t shown any remorse for anything,” Kepner added.
Another case involving Americans at sea has continued in the Bahamas, where authorities are investigating the disappearance of 55-year-old Lynette Hooker.
Her husband, Brian Hooker, was arrested after she vanished during a nighttime dinghy trip from Hope Town to Elbow Cay on April 4, but police later released him without charges.
“The decision to release the individual was made following consultation with the Department of Public Prosecutions, which recommended that no charges be filed at this time pending the outcome of further investigations,” the Royal Bahamas Police wrote in a release.
Authorities still consider Brian Hooker a person of interest.
Police said Brian told investigators that Lynette fell overboard while the couple was on the dinghy and that she had the boat keys with her.
He allegedly paddled back to shore the next morning to report what happened.
“Strong currents … carried [Lynette] away, and [Brian] lost sight of her,” police said.
Brian’s attorney, Terrel A. Butler, has denied wrongdoing on his client’s behalf.
“Mr. Hooker categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing,” Butler told PEOPLE, adding that Brian is cooperating with investigators.
Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, has publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding her mother’s disappearance and called for a thorough investigation.
Aylesworth told PEOPLE that her stepfather was “strict” and had “anger issues.”
Before his arrest, Brian posted his own account on Facebook, blaming the disappearance on rough conditions.
“Unpredictable seas and high winds” caused Lynette to fall from the boat, he wrote.
“Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart,” Brian added. “We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus.”
