FBI Investigating Passenger Death On Board Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

The FBI and local authorities are on board Royal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas investigating a death.

Broward Sheriff’s Office officials stated that their crime scene technicians were called out to Port Everglades to investigate the recent death of a woman on the ship. The 47-year-old woman, a U.S. citizen, died after missing a step and falling down a flight of stairs on the luxury liner, according to a cruise line representative. The ship was on its return route from a 4-night cruise vacation.

The ship’s medical staff reportedly provided initial care and assistance after the fall, but she did end up passing away onboard. Passengers were in the process of getting ready to arrive to the port and heard an alert over the ship’s speakers. Members of the cruise line’s “Care Team” remained with the woman’s family.

The death did occur in international waters, so the investigation will be in the jurisdiction of federal authorities; although the actual location cannot be pinpointed yet. No foul play is suspected.