JUST NOT RIGHT Facts of cruise death hidden from family

Posted on 11/06/2015

The family of a young woman who disappeared from the Disney Wonder over four years ago may never learn the outcome of the investigation into her disappearance. The family in the UK has been told that British police cannot investigate because the ship was registered in the Bahamas and is beyond their jurisdiction. The woman’s father has reported that UK authorities were told not to share the details of the Bahamian investigation with the family.

he body of 24 year old Rebecca Coriam has never been found since she disappeared from the Disney cruise ship near Mexico. When she didn’t report to work at 9:00 am on March 22, 2011 the crew unsuccessfully searched the ship. The US Coast Guard and Mexican Navy also searched for her to no avail.  She was listed as missing at sea.

Her family in Chester England were told that the Bahamian investigators ruled out foul play even though her credit card was not among her personal possessions and was used after her disappearance.

An MP has called for a new UK lead investigation.MP Chris Matheson said, “I believe there's sufficient evidence to indicate a crime may well have taken place. Something isn’t right about this case, something just doesn’t smell right about it, doesn’t feel right about it and we know that the original investigation wasn’t really sufficient."

He fears Corian was murdered.  “We need that investigation opened again and we need it to be thoroughly, thoroughly looked into.”

Corian’s father Mike told the BBC he was "totally baffled and it's upsetting as well," that UK authorities have been told not to release details to the family.

He said, "It's our daughter. There's been an investigation. Why hold it from us?"

Assistant Chief Constable Guy Hindle said, “Cheshire Constabulary has no jurisdiction over this investigation and it is a matter that needs to be raised directly with the Royal Bahamas Police. We cannot comment on another force’s investigation.'

Under the flags of convenience system, ships are registered to an offshore nation for tax purposes.  Crimes committed on board a ship are investigated by the country where the ship is registered. There is no little conflict of interest in that these countries depend on the revenue generated from the cruise lines.

Former deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott has called for an end to the flags arrangement saying there was "almost like a conspiracy of silence" surrounding the case, adding there should be a change in the law as we "should be looking after our citizens".

Lord Prescott suggests adopting the American system where the FBI has special maritime jurisdiction and is permitted to get involved in an investigation when a US citizen is the victim of a crime onboard a foreign flagged ship.