Carnival passenger who died after falling over balcony argued with family, source claims

The Carnival cruise passenger who fell to her death from her cabin balcony earlier this week had apparently been arguing with her family before the fatal incident, one source claims. 

Carnival Firenze, a 135,156 gross-ton ship, was near Catalina Island on a four-night cruise from California when the woman "jumped" off the balcony and landed on the deck below, The Mirror reported. 

The FBI later confirmed to Fox News Digital that, along with the cruise line and local authorities, it was also actively looking into the circumstances surrounding the cruiser's sudden death. 

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"The FBI responded to the ship when it docked in Catalina Island on Monday and is investigating an incident on board which resulted in death," FBI spokeswoman Lourdes Arocho said to The California Post. 

One source familiar with the case identified the passenger as  24-year-old Briana Miller, adding that she purposefully jumped from her stateroom balcony, according to The Post. This, however, has not been confirmed by authorities. 

Julie Leonardi, a spokesperson for Carnival, confirmed the passenger's death and that the victim was traveling with her family, who alerted the ship's crew members to her fall.

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"As is customary following these kinds of incidents, law enforcement was on board while the ship was in Catalina Island on Monday to collect information," Leonard said.

Kelly Duhs, a California-based private investigator, was aboard the Firenze ship when the incident happened, and told the news outlet that crew members had told her the victim was fighting with her family before going over the balcony. 

Another law enforcement source told The California Post that Miller's body was transported off the ship on Monday, and her family disembarked the vessel the same day. The cruise line also provided support services to assist them. 

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According to Cruise Mapper, Carnival Firenze departed from Long Beach, California, on Sunday, April 26. There were two ports of call on the four-night voyage: Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. 

The 4,126-passenger ship returned to California on April 30 before embarking on a five-night cruise to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. 

"Carnival’s Care Team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved one," Leonardi added. 

Read more: FBI investigates Carnival cruise death after passenger falls from balcony