EXCLUSIVE 'Murder victim', 60, who died ‘after fight broke out' on a luxury cruise ship 'was on a stag do': Man, 57, being quizzed over killing
The 'murder' victim, 60, was on the MSC Virtuosa when it left Southampton on Saturday evening for a two-night cruise to Bruges.
A fight allegedly broke out just hours into the journey, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
An army medic is said to have tried to save the man by undertaking CPR, but his efforts were tragically in vain.
Lynda Hardiman-Pearce, who runs a catering business, was onboard the liner when the horror unfolded.
Ms Hardiman-Pearce said there were 'hen and stag parties causing chaos' on the boat.
She went on to add that she met the father of an army medic who 'tried to help by doing CPR on a guy that had collapsed', with reports made at around 8.30pm that a man had died.
The man's body is believed to have been kept aboard the ship until this morning when the ship docked back in the Horizon terminal in Hampshire. He was from Sussex.
MSC Virtuosa is seen here berthed at the City Cruise Terminal in Southampton ahead of its first sailing on May 20 2021
A 57-year-old man from Exeter, who is thought to have been friends with the deceased, has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Ms Hardiman-Pearce added that she was on the ship for a trip to Zeebrugge in Belgium, and returned to Southampton on Monday.
She said: 'On Saturday night we were in a bar onboard and I was chatting to someone whilst waiting to be served.
'He told me his son was an army medic and had tried to help by doing CPR on a guy that had collapsed but unfortunately couldn't revive him.
'Apparently, the [man] was on a stag do.'
She described seeing five police officers at Southampton Docks this morning when she disembarked.
Ms Hardiman-Pearce added: 'The cruise was full of hen and stag parties causing chaos.
'Since getting home we talked to our family, and they all said it didn't sound like any cruise they had been on.'
Another source onboard the ship told MailOnline: 'There was a big police presence when we docked in Southampton this morning.
'What apparently happened is the man was killed on board.
'Three family members, two women who might be his daughters, and the son managed to get on to the quayside to try and gain entry on the ship. The family are demanding they release the body.'
According to a passenger onboard, the trip was a 'booze cruise' to Bruges.
The men involved in the incident were said to be among a party of 20.
According to the Maritime Injury Guide, most large cruise ships will have a morgue on board and which typically has space for between three to six bodies.
Hampshire Police told MailOnline a homicide investigation was launched following the death of the man aboard the MSC Virtuosa in British waters.
The ship left Southampton at 6pm on Saturday with the reports being made at around 8.30pm that a man, 60, had died following an altercation.
His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
Det Chief Insp Matt Gillooly, the senior investigating officer, said: 'We want to reassure you that this appears to be an isolated incident onboard, and we want to thank the crew for their cooperation and assistance with our enquiries.
'If anyone who was onboard has information that could assist, please contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary on 101 with reference 44250193676.'
A spokesperson for MSC Virtuosa said: 'Following an incident on board our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted, and we are co-operating fully with their investigations. We are providing full support to those impacted.'
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