An inquest into the deaths of British tech tycoon Michael Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, who died when the 56-metre Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily, officially opened today (Friday 4 October). The initial inquiry was held at The Coroner's Court in Ipswich, UK, near Lynch's home in Wickham Market, Suffolk.
The court is also investigating the deaths of Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer, who were also on board. BOAT International will be reporting live as the inquiry unfolds.
On 19 August 2024, Bayesian was hit by bad weather and sunk approximately 0.8 nautical miles off the coast of Porticello in Sicily, Italy. It is understood that the yacht was being used to celebrate Lynch's recent victory in a 13-year £8 billion fraud acquittal. Of the 22 persons on board, 15 were safely evacuated with a search and rescue mission later recovering the bodies of seven people.
An investigation is currently underway with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) to determine the cause of the incident.
Live updates
- The time of death for Michael Lynch, Hannah Lynch, Jonathan Bloomer and Judy Bloomer has been confirmed as 5.00am on 19 August 2024. The Bayesian was approximated to have sunk between 4.15 and 4.45am the same day.
- The cause of death for Michael Lynch has been attributed to "drowning", but the deaths for the other three parties are still under investigation. Detective Superintendent Mike Brown of Suffolk Police clarified that there is "often a need for further tests to be taken", citing the verdict as "not unusual" and something the authorities see "very often".
- Brown also confirmed the Italian authorities and Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) to be the principal investigators in the Bayesian case, with the UK courts reliant on both for "further evidential material".
- The court has been adjourned "for further work to be completed", according to senior coroner Nigel Parsley. The official hearing will be conducted on 15 April 2025.