Disappearance of George Smith
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George Allen Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 August 1960 |
| Died | 7 May 2005 (aged 0) |
| Cause of death | Unknown |
| Occupation | Store manager |
George Allen Smith was an American man who disappeared overboard the MS Brilliance of the Seas in 2005 under suspicious circumstances.[1]
The story has been made into two documentaries, on Dateline NBC and 48 Hours, and a television film.
Story
George Smith was on his honeymoon, having married bride Jennifer Haden Smith eleven days before. The cruise was a two-week Mediterranean tour, stopping at Greece, Turkey, Italy, and other locations. Smith was reported as having greatly enjoyed the tour, even meeting actress Tara Reid when the boat stopped off in Greece.[2]
Foul play
Smith disappeared on the night of July 5th. Although the cruise line claims that his death was the result of an accident[3][4], evidence suggests that foul play may have been involved. Blood was found in his cabin and on the side of the ship where he allegedly fell overboard and drowned. Thus, murder has been speculated.
The FBI announced that they were investigating the disappearance on July 29, 2005[5]. Geraldo Rivera aired a news story interviewing Josh Askin, one of the last people seen with George Allen Smith, along with two men of Russian origin, Greg Rozenberg and Zach Rozenberg[6]. On June 29, 2006, it was announced that Royal Caribbean International had agreed to pay compensation to Smith's estate[7]. Investigation of the death continued in 2012. The New York Post reported that the matter has been referred to the Mafia division of the FBI. The 2012 Dateline TV program shed new light on the theory that the death was likely a robbery gone bad.
Smith's wife, Jennifer Hagel Smith, who was criticized in certain quarters–particularly by Smith's family–for her conduct on the night, has contended that she believes it was an accident caused by her husband's intoxication. In June 2006, Hagel Smith accepted compensation set at $1.1 million from Royal Caribbean. However, Smith's family later challenged the terms of the settlement, as well as the amount of monetary compensation[8].
References
- ^ "New leads in 2005 cruise ship disappearance of newlywed George Smith IV as FBI's Russian mafia team joins investigation". www.dailymail.co.uk. Daily Mail. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "Cruise Ship Tragedy: The Tara Reid Connection". Gawker. 2012-06-10. Retrieved 2006-01-25.
- ^ "Press Release: Royal Caribbean International Responds To Allegations Involving George Smith's Disappearance With Factual Chronology". Royal Caribbean International. 2006-01-05. Retrieved 2008-05-10. [dead link]
- ^ "Press Release: Top 10 Myths Regarding Royal Caribbean's Handling Of The Disappearance Of George Smith". Royal Caribbean International. 2006-01-27. Retrieved 2008-05-10. [dead link]
- ^ "Statement of U.S. Attorney Kevin J. O'Connor and FBI Special Agent-In-Charge Michael J. Wolf on the George A. Smith IV Investigation" (PDF). US Attorney statement. US Department of Justice. 2005-07-29. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
- ^ "Interviews with Josh Askin, Greg Rozenberg and Zach Rozenberg". Geraldo. 2006-05-23.[dead link]
- ^ "Judge uphold widow's settlement". AP/AOL. 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-05-10. [dead link]
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/14/george-smith-iv-royal-caribbean_n_716416.html/ Royal Caribbean Amends Settlement With Family Of George Smith IV, Who Disappeared 5 Years Ago– huffingtonpost.com]