Who Is Thomas Gigler? Passenger Who Jumped off Cruise Ship Is Doting Dad Who Was on Anniversary Trip With Wife and Sons

The Carnival cruise passenger who went overboard has been identified as a 56-year-old father of three who disappeared into the ocean while celebrating his anniversary with his wife. Thomas Gigler, who was celebrating the milestone with his wife, Michelle, 48, was aboard the Carnival Panorama when he reportedly jumped off the ship on Saturday.

The California-based computer programmer, who worked for Esri for 24 years, is believed to have gone overboard from the 11th deck while the ship was traveling from Mexico toward Long Beach, authorities said. His family reported him missing after he couldn’t be located on the ship. Authorities have continued searching for Gigler, who is presumed dead.

Family Searching for Answers

The U.S. and Mexican Coast Guards continued their efforts to locate Gigler, with the Coast Guard carrying out aerial searches while the Mexican Navy and nearby commercial vessels assisted in the operation. Despite the coordinated search, there had been no breakthrough in efforts to find the missing passenger.

Gigler’s disappearance has left his family searching for answers about what may have happened before he went overboard. His sister, Wendy Dowden, disputed a fellow passenger’s account that her brother had discussed marital problems during a conversation at the ship’s Alchemy Bar on the night before he disappeared.

Dowden told the Daily Mail that Gigler and his wife, Michelle, “were getting along quite well,” rejecting the suggestion that difficulties in their marriage may have contributed to his disappearance.

Instead, the family believes something unexpected may have affected Gigler shortly before he went overboard.

“We think something must have happened in his head. He wasn’t in his right mind to have done this,” Dowden said.

Mystery in Itself

The family also said Gigler had no known history of mental illness. He and Michelle lived in Redlands, California, with their three sons. The city is located roughly 64 miles east of Los Angeles.

As the search continued, a video posted on Facebook by another passenger showed a ship announcement updating those aboard about the missing man. A cruise official appeared to tell passengers that the company had still been unable to locate Gigler and that its fleet operation in Miami, along with the appropriate authorities, had been notified.

“We have yet to locate the missing guest. Our fleet operation in Miami and appropriate authorities have been notified,” the official appeared to say.

The announcement continued: “In the meantime, we continue for the family and friends. Our search efforts continue and we will keep you informed. Thank you again for the cooperation.”

The message appeared to ask passengers to remain cooperative while Carnival worked with authorities and continued its efforts to locate Gigler.

Another Facebook video, shared by passenger Misty Hernandez, showed fellow travelers gathering to remember him. A small memorial display had been arranged with handwritten notes, prayers and other messages of support for Gigler’s family and friends.

The tributes offered a glimpse of how passengers were responding to the disappearance while the search operation remained underway. For Gigler’s loved ones, however, the focus remained on finding answers about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.