Fatal Plunge From Cruise Ship Probed

FBI and Coast Guard officials Saturday night were investigating the drowning of a newlywed woman who fell off a cruise ship earlier in the morning, authorities said. The victim’s husband was detained for questioning.

Coast Guard Officer Elizabeth Fleming reported that investigators had found “a piece of scalp and some possessions” on the deck where the 27-year-old woman had fallen. Fleming said there was “a possible struggle.”

The victim’s identity was not being released until relatives could be notified, but Coast Guard officials said the woman was from the Los Angeles area. Fleming said the husband did not have a driver’s license and the Coast Guard was trying to ascertain his identity. No other details were available, and an FBI duty agent refused to comment on the investigation.

The victim fell overboard at approximately 2:50 a.m. 30 miles southwest of San Diego, officials said. The husband told ship officials his wife was blown overboard by a strong wind.

Coast Guard officials found her body at about 12:30 p.m. near where the incident occurred.

On Honeymoon

The couple were celebrating their honeymoon on board the Stardancer, a 550-foot luxury cruise ship owned by Admiral Cruises Inc. in Miami. The ship was on its way back to the Port of Long Beach after a weeklong excursion to three resort locations in Mexico. There were 900 passengers on board.

Passenger Dick Heinrich of Chicago said he had talked with the couple earlier in the week. “They seemed to be enjoying each other,” he said. “They had a cake delivered to their table and everyone sang ‘Happy Honeymoon to You.’ ”

Heinrich described the victim as 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing about 120 pounds and having strawberry blonde hair.

Because of the search and investigation, the Stardancer did not reach Long Beach until 1 p.m., five hours after its scheduled arrival.

The victim’s body was released to the San Diego County coroner’s office. Deputy coroner J. Larkie said an investigation into the cause of death would not begin until this morning.