Brisbane woman “deliberately” fell off cruise, police say
The Brisbane woman who fell overboard from the Pacific Dawn and disappeared at sea has been identified as Natasha Schofield, but police have now confirmed the tragedy “wasn’t an accident”.
Ms Schofield, 47, fell from an upper level deck into the ocean around 150 nautical miles west of New Caledonia on Thursday afternoon. She is presumed dead thought her body has not been found. A search for Ms Schofield was called off on Friday morning.
The cruise ship docked in Brisbane on Sunday morning, where Queensland Police were waiting to board the ship and investigate.
Ms Schofield was travelling with her husband and three children, aged from 12 to 16.
Queensland Police Inspector Rob Graham said Ms Schofield’s death was intentional.
“This wasn’t an accident,” he said. “Let’s be open and honest about mental health.”
He added: “It’s a tragic end to what should’ve been a lifetime holiday experience for a loving family.
“Her husband was standing right next to her when she went over.”
Earlier reports she had been sick and fell due to a freak wave were incorrect, according to police.
“The missing person did make intentional actions and deliberately propelled herself overboard the ship,” Insp Graham said, after police had reviewed the incident which was captured on security cameras.
“What I saw was a couple of loving people on the top deck of a cruise ship,” he said.
“I saw them leaning on the rails and I saw the intentional actions of the missing person take two steps back and then propel herself over the railing.
“Her husband tried in vain to grab her when she went over ... grabbing onto her legs ... she was too far gone and subsequently she fell.
“You’ve got three kids who are never going to see their mum again.”
After the woman fell, her husband immediately raised the alarm and the ship began searching for the woman.
Insp Graham said there were no nearby ships to help in the search because of “the remoteness of the location”.
The cruise operator, Carnival Australia, said it was co-operating with the police investigation and counselling has been made available for passengers.
“We will be able to give police CCTV footage providing an unobstructed view of what happened and portraying an obviously devoted and loving couple,” Carnival said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and hope that they will find comfort in their grief.”