FBI investigates passenger death aboard Carnival Horizon cruise ship

The FBI is investigating the death of a passenger aboard the Carnival Horizon in what may be a “very complex” case, former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker told Fox News Digital.

Parker said the Bureau typically assumes jurisdiction when potential crimes occur aboard cruise ships in international waters.

“The FBI has jurisdiction to handle cases where a crime occurs in international waters,” Parker said. “It’s very complex – it falls under what’s called the special maritime jurisdiction laws that mandate this. For example, if a cruise departs from Miami, that gives jurisdiction to the FBI in Miami if it’s coming into or out of a U.S. cruise port. And if the alleged crime happened in international waters, then that’s the responsibility of the FBI.”

Carnival Cruise Line confirmed to Fox News Digital on Monday that it is cooperating with federal investigators following the death of the passenger during the ship’s final voyage. The ship returned to Miami as scheduled Saturday morning, Carnival said.

FBI INVESTIGATES DEATH OF PASSENGER ON BOARD CRUISE SHIP CARNIVAL AFTER RETURN TO MIAMI

The Carnival Horizon cruise ship docked at the PortMiami Cruise Terminal in Miami, Florida, United States on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“The death of a guest on the Carnival Horizon voyage, who returned Saturday morning, November 8, is the subject of an FBI investigation,” the company said in a statement. “As this is an ongoing matter that falls within the jurisdiction of law enforcement, it is up to the FBI’s Miami Public Affairs Office to provide further details. Our goal is to support our guest’s family.”

The passenger has not been publicly identified and authorities have not released any information about the circumstances of his death.

An FBI spokesperson confirmed that agents responded when the ship docked over the weekend and that the investigation was still ongoing.

80-YEAR-OLD AUSTRALIAN DIES ON ISLAND AFTER CRUISE SHIP DEPARTURE WITHOUT HER

Federal investigators are investigating a death that occurred during the 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 responded to the scene,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “As 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 was suspected.

Parker, who has spent years investigating maritime cases, said such investigations often require complex coordination between agencies and cruise line officials.

A passenger has died aboard 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 deal with them,” Parker added.

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“Actually, I talk about it 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 these cases covered several things – probably eight or nine different categories. The FBI has first right of refusal for these incidents, so cruise line security people were calling me at all hours of the night, and I had to listen and determine if we would take the case.”

Alex Koch of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.

Stepheny Price covers crime including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.