US Coast Guard suspends search for Carnival Panorama passenger Thomas Gigler

The US Coast Guard has suspended its search for Thomas Gigler, 56, who went overboard from the Carnival Panorama off the coast of Mexico, after more than 41 hours of searching found no trace of him.

Coast Guard aircraft, a Mexican Navy vessel and six commercial vessels searched more than 1,707 square miles of ocean, per a Department of Homeland Security press release. The suspension was announced on Wednesday 23 September.

“Decisions to suspend search operations are never easy and are made with careful consideration of all available information. Our hearts are with those impacted by his loss,” said Jessica Davila, chief of incident management for the Coast Guard’s Southwest District.

Gigler, from Redlands, California, was travelling with his wife Michelle, 48, on the final day of a seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise. The couple had left Long Beach on 13 September, calling at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, and were marking their 15th wedding anniversary, set for 23 September. He was last seen on Friday evening and reported missing at about 1.30pm on Saturday; CCTV confirmed he had gone overboard.

Carnival’s own statement, reported by the New York Post, said the guest “jumped overboard”. Gigler, a computer programmer who spent 24 years at software firm Esri, was a father of three. His family said he had no known history of mental illness, Times Now News reported. He is presumed dead.

Anyone affected can call Samaritans in the UK, free, on 116 123 at any time, or in the US call or text 988.

Sources

• Hindustan Times, “Who was Thomas Gigler? Passenger who jumped off Carnival Panorama presumed dead as US Coast Guard ends search”: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-was-thomas-gigler-passenger-who-jumped-off-carnival-cruise-panorama-presumed-dead-as-us-coast-guard-ends-search-101790200577996.html
• Times Now World, “US Coast Guard suspends search for cruise passenger missing off Mexican coast”: https://www.timesnowworld.com/us-news/us-coast-guard-ends-search-for-missing-carnival-panorama-passenger-article-156212775
• Times Now News, “Who Is Thomas Gigler? Carnival Panorama Passenger Presumed Dead After Jumping Overboard Off Mexico Coast”: https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/who-is-thomas-gigler-carnival-panorama-passenger-presumed-dead-after-jumping-overboard-off-mexico-coast-article-156212812
• NY Post, “Passenger jumps overboard from Carnival cruise ship before SoCal stop”: https://nypost.com/2026/09/20/us-news/passenger-jumps-overboard-from-carnival-cruise-ship-before-socal-stop/