The FBI has launched an investigation into the death of a passenger aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship, which presents a particularly intricate challenge, according to former FBI special agent Nicole Parker, who shared insights with Fox News Digital.
Parker explained that the FBI typically takes charge of cases involving potential crimes on cruise ships navigating international waters. “The FBI has jurisdiction to handle cases when a crime occurs in international waters,” she noted. “These situations are very complex, governed by special maritime jurisdiction laws. For instance, if a cruise sets sail from Miami, the FBI’s Miami office has jurisdiction, provided the ship is returning to or departing from a U.S. port. If the alleged crime occurs in international waters, it falls under the FBI’s purview.”
Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed its cooperation with federal authorities in the wake of this tragic incident during the ship’s latest journey. According to Carnival, the Carnival Horizon returned to Miami as planned on Saturday morning, following the passenger’s death.
The company released a statement saying, “The death of a guest traveling on the Carnival Horizon voyage that concluded on Saturday morning, November 8, is under investigation by the FBI. As this matter remains under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, further details will be provided by the FBI’s Miami public affairs office. Our primary concern is supporting the family of our guest.”
The Carnival Horizon was seen docked at the PortMiami cruise terminal in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The death of a guest traveling on the Carnival Horizon voyage that returned on Saturday morning, Nov. 8, is being investigated by the FBI,” the company said in a statement. “Since this is an ongoing matter under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, it is up to the FBI’s Miami public affairs office to provide further details. Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest.”
The passenger has not been publicly identified, and authorities have not released any information about the circumstances surrounding the death.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed agents responded when the ship docked over the weekend and that the investigation remains ongoing.
Federal investigators are probing a death on Carnival Horizon’s recent voyage, as the cruise line cooperates with the FBI’s ongoing maritime investigation. (Getty Images)
“I can confirm that the FBI has responded to the scene,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Because this is an ongoing matter, no further information is available at this time.”
The FBI did not say what led to the investigation or whether foul play is suspected.
Parker, who spent years investigating maritime cases, said such probes often require complex coordination between agencies and cruise line officials.
A passenger died on Carnival Cruise Line’s Horizon ship. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
“Basically, Obama signed this law and if there are certain crimes or allegations that occur on cruise ships, then the FBI has jurisdiction to work them,” Parker added.
“I actually discuss this in my book — crimes on the high seas were part of my responsibilities at the Bureau,” she said. “It was a lot of work. I was the only one doing it, but those cases covered multiple things — probably eight or nine different categories. The FBI has the first right of refusal for those incidents, so the cruise line security officers would call me at all hours of the night, and I’d have to listen and determine whether we’d take the case.”
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
