Autopsies Determine Cause of Death for US Banker and Wife on Mike Lynch’s Yacht

Autopsies have been conducted on a couple who tragically drowned aboard Mike Lynch’s superyacht, which sank off the coast of Sicily last month.

Seven lives were lost when the British-flagged vessel, known as the Bayesian, went down during an unexpected storm while anchored near Palermo on August 19.

Among the deceased were British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 19-year-old daughter, Hannah Lynch. Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, managed to survive alongside 14 others.

On Monday, Italian officials announced that initial post-mortem examinations had been completed for Chris Morvillo, a US lawyer, and his wife, Neda. The findings confirmed that both individuals had drowned.

Further post-mortem examinations are scheduled for Wednesday to determine the cause of death for Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of Morgan Stanley’s London-based investment banking unit, and his wife, Judy. The examinations will also be conducted for the remaining victims: Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and the yacht’s cook, Recaldo Thomas.

Chris Morvillo played a significant role as one of Lynch’s legal representatives in a fraud case dating back to 2011. This case revolved around the controversial sale of Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard in a deal worth £8.3 billion, which subsequently became the subject of allegations that Lynch had inflated Autonomy’s value. He was acquitted of all charges in June.

Currently, prosecutors are investigating the captain of the yacht, New Zealander James Cutfield, alongside two crew members, to ascertain their possible responsibility regarding the sinking.

The 56-meter (184ft) luxury yacht reportedly sank following what appears to have been a sudden downburst—a localized, powerful wind from a thunderstorm that spreads rapidly across the water’s surface.

Prosecutors have indicated that recovering the Bayesian and inspecting the yacht for potential evidence will play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation.