Mike Lynch’s body is fifth found in yacht wreckage; daughter is last missing

Billionaire businessman Mike Lynch and his teen daughter are believed to have been found days after their superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

In a heartbreaking twist of fate, what was supposed to be a triumphant sail into the sunset turned into a devastating tragedy for British tech billionaire Mike Lynch and his family.

Mike Lynch, former chief executive officer of Autonomy Corp., departs after the day of a court hearing at The Rolls Building in London, U.K., on Monday, March 25, 2019. | Source: Getty Images

On August 21, search teams made the tragic discovery in the wreckage of Lynch’s luxury superyacht, Bayesian. The vessel sank off the coast of Sicily after being battered by a rare and violent ‘black swan’ waterspout.

Rescuers carry a body after divers return in Porticello harbor near Palermo, on August 22, 2024, three days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images

Rescuers carry a body after divers return in Porticello harbor near Palermo, on August 22, 2024, three days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images

Per The Chief of Civil Protection, among the four bodies found were Lynch himself, known as ‘Britain’s Bill Gates,’ and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah—turning what was meant to be a “victory trip” into an unimaginable loss. Two people found between mattresses on the sunken superyacht are believed to be Lynch and his teen daughter.

Rescuers carry a body after divers return in Porticello harbor near Palermo, on August 22, 2024, three days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images

Rescuers carry a body after divers return in Porticello harbor near Palermo, on August 22, 2024, three days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images

The 59-year-old mogul, who had just celebrated his US fraud trial win over the $10.9 billion (£8.3 billion) sale of his tech company, Autonomy, to Hewlett-Packard, was not the only victim claimed by the sea.

Rescuers carry a body after divers return in Porticello harbor near Palermo, on August 22, 2024, three days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images

Rescuers carry a body after divers return in Porticello harbor near Palermo, on August 22, 2024, three days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images

Two other bodies —a man and a woman—were also recovered, from the master bedroom though their identities have yet to be confirmed. Adding to the sorrow, a fifth body remains trapped within the watery grave of the once-grand vessel.

Still missing are Morgan Stanley’s top executive, Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy, and a U.S. couple, Chris and Neda Morvillo, with authorities racing against time to locate them. Earlier on Monday, the body of Bayesian’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered, further deepening the layers of this unfolding maritime catastrophe.

Italian Coast Guards (Guardia Costiera) carry a body in Porticello near Palermo, on August 21, 2024 two days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images

Italian Coast Guards (Guardia Costiera) carry a body in Porticello near Palermo, on August 21, 2024 two days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images

Meteorologist Jim Dale, who once served as a forecaster in the Royal Navy, described the waterspout’s impact on Lynch’s yacht. He stated that the incident had “anaemology written all over it” due to the presence of multiple waterspouts in the area.

On the day of the tragedy, reports indicated around 19 waterspouts within the local region, making conditions especially dangerous. Dale believes the yacht’s captain likely took precautions after receiving weather warnings.

However, anchoring the vessel at sea rather than in port may have accidentally put them in greater danger. He also suggested that some survivors might have received earlier warning signs, which helped them escape the storm’s worst.

Divers of the Vigili del Fuoco carry a body bag off the boat off Porticello near Palermo, on August 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Divers of the Vigili del Fuoco carry a body bag off the boat off Porticello near Palermo, on August 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

The maritime catastrophe has sent shockwaves around the globe, sparking widespread speculation and raising eyebrows over the true nature of the incident. Many believe there might be more to the story than meets the eye, with social media buzzing with theories and opinions.

Divers of the Vigili del Fuoco carry a body bag off the boat off Porticello near Palermo, on August 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Divers of the Vigili del Fuoco carry a body bag off the boat off Porticello near Palermo, on August 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

One person boldly claimed that the tragedy was nothing short of “murder,” while another questioned the suspicious timing. The person wrote “The sinking of Mike Lynch’s yacht has raised serious suspicions—especially given his company’s pivotal role in the 9/11 investigations. Now, his body has been discovered. Was it a tragic accident, or something far more sinister? What do you think?”

Mike Lynch, former chief executive officer of Autonomy Corp., following an interview in London, U.K., on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 | Source: Getty Images

Mike Lynch, former chief executive officer of Autonomy Corp., following an interview in London, U.K., on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 | Source: Getty Images

Adding to the swirling mystery, someone else pointed out “Just so I’m clear. Everyone associated with Mike Lynch is currently winding up dead in mysterious circumstances?” The internet is ablaze with questions, leaving many to wonder if this was truly an unfortunate accident —or if darker forces were at play.

A fan comment dated August 20, 2024 | Source: X/nolittleman

A fan comment dated August 20, 2024 | Source: X/nolittleman

A few days ago, still shaken up and reeling from the catastrophic event , Angela Bacares, Lynch’s wife shared her account of what happened on the day the Bayesian superyacht sank. At the time, she disclosed the shattering details as she awaited an update on the whereabouts of her husband, and their 18-year-old daughter, Hannah Lynch.

Bacares, who is in a wheelchair after having to walk on broken glass to escape the sinking $18 million (£14 million) yacht, recounted how she and Lynch were woken up after feeling an unsteady shift onboard.

She told La Repubblica (an Italian news outlet) that they were stirred awake at 4 am on Monday, August 19, after she felt a “slight tilt” right before chaos ensued.

A photo of another boat named Sir Robert Baden Powell in the same location where the Bayesian superyacht sunk in Porticello near Palermo, taken on August 20, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

A photo of another boat named Sir Robert Baden Powell in the same location where the Bayesian superyacht sunk in Porticello near Palermo, taken on August 20, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Initially, Bacares and Lynch were not fearful or worried. However, that soon changed after she got up from bed to investigate and was startled by the sound of glass shattering, which then prompted panic.

Rescue boats seen off the coast of Porticello near Palermo on August 20, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Rescue boats seen off the coast of Porticello near Palermo on August 20, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

About an hour after Bacares and Lynch had woken up (5 am local time), the superyacht sank over 160 ft off the coast of Sicily after the mast collapsed and the boat capsized.

Italian emergency services headed out to sea towards the area off the Sicilian coast where the Bayesian superyacht sunk, taken on August 20, 2024. | Source: Getty Images

Italian emergency services headed out to sea towards the area off the Sicilian coast where the Bayesian superyacht sunk, taken on August 20, 2024. | Source: Getty Images

Speaking to another outlet, Bacares recounted how “everything was falling” around her. Adding to the intense fear she felt at that moment is the fact that she said she was nearly “carried away” before she managed to make it out to safety.

Italian emergency services prepare to head toward the area off the Sicilian coast, taken on August 20, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Italian emergency services prepare to head toward the area off the Sicilian coast, taken on August 20, 2024. | Source: Getty Images

According to another outlet, since Bacares’s narrow escape, she and other survivors of the yacht tragedy have been receiving assistance from a team of Palermo Health Authority and civil protection psychologists.

The survivors have also been given accommodation at the Domina Zagarella Hotel. Bacares was transferred to the hotel after receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Termini Imerese.

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