Inquest Reveals Mike Lynch Drowned in Superyacht Sinking; Further Deaths Being Investigated
Tech mogul Mike Lynch tragically drowned, and the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three other British nationals are still under investigation following the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht off Sicily’s coast, as detailed in a series of inquest openings in the UK.
The 59-year-old billionaire, along with his 18-year-old daughter Hannah Lynch, Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his 71-year-old wife Judy Bloomer, were aboard the ill-fated vessel.
Their demise occurred after the Bayesian “sank rapidly for reasons yet to be determined” between 4:15 AM and 4:45 AM on August 19, according to Detective Superintendent Mike Brown of Suffolk Police.
He stated that search efforts commenced in the hours that followed and “continued without interruption in the subsequent days,” with bodies later discovered in the vessel’s cabins.
Each of the four inquests was individually opened and subsequently adjourned in Ipswich, with a scheduled hearing on April 15 of the following year.
Mr. Brown noted that the Bayesian was 0.8 nautical miles from the shore of the fishing village of Porticello at the time of the incident, with 22 individuals on board—12 crew members and 10 guests.
The Bayesian sank amid stormy weather in August.
Seven of the passengers lost their lives.
Mr. Brown reported that Mr. Lynch’s preliminary cause of death was ruled as drowning, following a post-mortem conducted by Professor Antonia D’Argo.
His death was officially confirmed on August 22 after his body was recovered.
He added that the medical cause of death remains under investigation for Ms. Lynch and Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer, following post-mortem examinations conducted by Dr. Tomasso D’Anna.
Mr. Brown confirmed that the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer were acknowledged on August 21, while Ms. Lynch’s death was confirmed on August 23 after their bodies were recovered.
The officer indicated that an investigation has been initiated by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) to “determine how the Bayesian sank,” while Italian authorities have launched “their own independent criminal investigations.”
According to Mr. Brown, Mr. Lynch and his daughter both resided near London, whereas the Bloomers lived in Sevenoaks, Kent.
Other victims included American lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, as well as Canadian-Antiguan national Recaldo Thomas, who was serving as a chef on the yacht.
Suffolk’s senior coroner Nigel Parsley inquired of Mr. Brown if “in effect we’re in the hands of” the MAIB and the Italian authorities regarding “when we will receive any further information.”
The officer responded, “Yes.”
The coroner then adjourned the proceedings until April 15 “for further work” to be conducted.
Mr. Lynch established the software giant Autonomy in 1996 and was exonerated in June of this year from allegations of massive fraud related to the sale of the company to Hewlett-Packard in 2011.
The boat trip was intended as a celebration of his acquittal in the case in the United States.
