REDLANDS, CA — The 56-year-old man who jumped overboard from a Carnival cruise ship returning to Long Beach has been identified as a Redlands father of three who was traveling with his family days before his wedding anniversary.
Thomas Gigler was aboard the Carnival Panorama with his wife, Michelle, and their three sons when he went overboard Saturday as the ship returned from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, toward Long Beach, according to the California Post.
Gigler's sister, Wendy Dowden, told the publication that his family is struggling to understand what happened and believes something unexpected occurred 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. The family said Gigler had no known history of mental illness. Neither authorities nor Carnival Cruise Line has publicly said why he went overboard.
Gigler and his wife lived in Redlands with their three sons, according to the California Post. A 2017 Spokesman-Review article about his parents' 50th wedding anniversary independently identifies Thomas III and Michelle Gigler of Redlands as members of the family and Dowden as his sister.
The identification comes after Patch reported Monday that U.S. and Mexican authorities were searching for the previously unidentified passenger. Carnival said Gigler was initially reported missing aboard the ship, prompting crew members to begin search and investigation procedures. The crew reviewed surveillance footage, which confirmed that he had gone overboard, and notified U.S. and Mexican authorities.
A video shared on Facebook captured the moment passengers aboard the ship were told the search for the missing guest was still underway.
The U.S. Coast Guard's Rescue Coordination Center Alameda was notified Saturday afternoon and began coordinating the search. Fixed-wing aircraft were deployed, while the Mexican Navy and commercial vessels in the area also assisted, according to NBC Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that the Coast Guard was still actively searching for Gigler, who had not yet been publicly identified at the time.
"Carnival is providing support to the family who was traveling with the guest, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones," the cruise line said in a statement. The Panorama returned to Long Beach on Sunday after completing its seven-night cruise, which departed the city Sept. 13.
Passengers aboard the ship also created a small memorial for Gigler after learning he had gone overboard, according to the California Post. Video shared by passenger Misty Hernandez showed handwritten messages, prayers and other tributes left for his family and friends.
The circumstances surrounding Gigler's actions remain unclear. Although Carnival has said he jumped overboard, neither the cruise line nor authorities have publicly provided an explanation for why he did so.
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