The 18-year-old daughter of British billionaire Mike Lynch, who went missing after the Bayesian superyacht sinking accident, has been found after extensive search and rescue efforts.
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Recently released news reports state that Hannah Lynch’s body has finally been located five days after she went missing following the Bayesian superyacht tragedy. Along with her dad—British billionaire Mike Lynch—Hannah had been one of the six people deemed missing after the yacht sank off the coast of Sicily.
Divers arrive with a third body at the back of the boat in Porticello harbor near Palermo on August 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
According to reports, the teen was the only person still unaccounted for after divers managed to locate five bodies, which had been brought to the shore of a small fishing village in Porticello.
Rescuers carry a body after divers return in Porticello harbor near Palermo on August 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
There were a total of 22 passengers and crew onboard, which included Hannah’s mom, Angela Bacares, who managed to escape onto a lifeboat before the yacht was completely submerged.
Rescue teams operate off Porticello harbor near Palermo on August 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
In addition to Mike Lynch and Hannah, International Bank Chair of Morgan Stanley, Jonathan Bloomer, his wife, Judy, New York lawyer Christopher Morvillo, and his wife Neda Morvillo, were among the people lost when the yacht sank around 5 am local time on Monday, August 19.
A coast guard vessel and a private sail boat assist the search for missing passengers in Porticello, Italy on August 19, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Additional details shared by a news outlet stipulate the reason Mike went on the Bayesian superyacht was to celebrate having been acquitted of fraud charges in the US.
Mike Lynch spotted leaving the Rolls Building in London, England on June 27, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Reports have also divulged that on the same day of the tragedy (Monday), Canadian-Antiguan chef, Recaldo Thomas’ body was recovered from the scene. According to an outlet, Recaldo was working on the Bayesian superyacht on the fateful day the tragedy happened.
Coast guard vessels assist the search for missing passengers in Porticello, Italy on August 19, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Since the accident claimed the lives of Recaldo, Mike, Hannah, Jonathan, Judy, Chris, and Neda, Italian authorities are now investigating the accident. Reportedly, they are also looking into “multiple counts of culpable homicide”—charges that are similar to manslaughter.
People stand with local authorities and rescuers on the pier of Porticello near Palermo on August 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Now that the last body of the missing six has been found, we are sending prayers of healing to Hannah’s mom and other loved ones during their time of grief. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the other families who lost their loved ones as a result of this tragedy.
People hug each other on the pier of Porticello near Palermo on August 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The sad news comes after we previously reported about the extensive search efforts made to find Hannah when she was still unaccounted for.
At that time, Simon Boxall, a senior lecturer in oceanography at the University of Southampton, shared that it was “probable” Hannah would be found inside the Bayesian.
While divers continued their search for the missing teenager, Simon noted that although there were theories that suggested her body might have been outside the yacht, this scenario was unlikely. “It’s probable she is somewhere in the boat. Sadly, I think this is a recovery rather than a rescue mission,” shared Simon.
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
He also mentioned that although there was a slim possibility that Hannah Lynch was thrown from the yacht and was in the water, the extensive search efforts made this doubtful. Simon reiterated, “The most likely thing is that she will be found eventually within the boat as they work their way through.”
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
Divers combed through the wreckage of the 184-foot yacht in search of Hannah. However, the effort met complications caused by debris that obstructed access to various parts of the vessel.
“It’s very difficult to move inside the wreckage. Moving just one metre can take up to 24 hours,” explained Luca Cari, a spokesman for the fire rescue service.
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
Carlo Dall’Oppio, the national head of the fire brigade also said that the operation was progressing slowly due to the need to ensure the divers’ safety.
He shared, “We have not yet inspected the entire boat, so we think it is possible that the body is still inside. These operations are proceeding slowly, because we must first preserve the health of our operators. It is a difficult job – there are about 40 divers.”
An Italian fire and rescue services vessel during search operations for the luxury yacht Bayesian which sank off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, on August 21, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Hannah, one of Mike’s two daughters, was a student at the exclusive Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, London. She had recently secured a place at Oxford University to study English. Her schoolmates were part of the concerned people who had been left in shock and anxiously awaited updates.
In a statement, Hannah’s school wrote, “We are all incredibly shocked by the news that Hannah and her father are among those missing in this tragic incident and our thoughts are with their family and everyone involved as we await further updates.”
The disappearance of Hannah alongside her tech tycoon father Mike Lynch, had left her peers desperate for any news as search efforts continued. The previous uncertainty surrounding her whereabouts had only intensified the concern among those who knew her, as they held on to hope for her safe recovery.
Divers of the Vigili del Fuoco carry a body bag off the boat off Porticello near Palermo, on August 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
In a heartbreaking twist of fate, this trip, which was supposed to be a triumphant sail into the sunset turned into a devastating tragedy for Mike 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 a tragic discovery in the wreckage of Mike’s luxury superyacht, Bayesian. The vessel sank off the coast of Sicily after being battered by a rare and violent black swan waterspout.
An Italian Coastguard boat heads out to the site of the Bayesian on the fourth day of the search and recovery operation off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, on August 22, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Per the Chief of Civil Protection, among the four bodies found were Mike himself, known as Britain’s Bill Gates, and Hannah. However, at that time, it had been confirmed that Hannah was still missing. Still, the two people who had been found between mattresses on the sunken superyacht were believed to be Mike 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
The 59-year-old mogul, who had just celebrated his US fraud trial win over the $10.9 billion sale of his tech company, Autonomy, to Hewlett-Packard, was not the only victim claimed by the sea.
Italian emergency services prepare to head toward the area off the Sicilian coast, taken on August 20, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Two other bodies—a man and a woman—were also recovered from the master bedroom, though their identities had yet to be confirmed. Adding to the sorrow, a fifth body had remained trapped within the watery grave of the once-grand vessel.
Meteorologist Jim Dale, who once served as a forecaster in the Royal Navy, described the waterspout’s impact on Mike’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. Jim 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.
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
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
One person boldly claimed that the tragedy was nothing short of “murder,” while another questioned the suspicious timing. This 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 February 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.
