Lynch yacht latest: Family ‘devastated’ as Hannah ‘taken on precipice of life’

As the rescue operation came to an end, attention switched to the official investigation into the disaster.

The public prosecutor’s office of Termini Imerese, headed by Ambrogio Cartosio, is looking into possible charges of negligent shipwreck and multiple homicide, judicial sources told Reuters.

The captain James Cutfield and the other survivors have been questioned by the coast guard on behalf of prosecutors. None of them have commented publicly on how the ship went down.

So far, nobody has been placed under formal investigation.

Cartosio is due to hold a news conference on Saturday.

A close friend of Mike Lynch has paid tribute to him as “the most brilliant mind and caring person I have ever known”.

Andrew Kanter, who was also a colleague of the British tech tycoon, said: “Mike was the most brilliant mind and caring person I have ever known.

“Over nearly a quarter century, I had the privilege of working beside someone unrivalled in their understanding of technology and business. There is simply no other UK technology entrepreneur of our generation who has had such an impact on so many people.

“His passion for life, knowledge and all those around him was instantly inspiring to everyone he met, and he will be sorely missed.”

The chief executive of a company Mike Lynch co-founded has said they “owe him so much.”

Poppy Gustafsson, the chief executive of cybersecurity company Darktrace, said: “Without Mike, there would be no Darktrace. We owe him so much.”

She continued: “Mike drove an unwavering focus in everything that he did. He was binary: there was no half Mike. His intelligence was, to me, what a galaxy is to a planet. That intelligence was intimidating.

“I am grateful to Mike for his support to me and to Darktrace, which continued long after his involvement. He leaves behind an enormous legacy with us, but also with the broader UK technology ecosystem.”

Two friends have paid tribute to their “sincere, dedicated and genuinely kind” friend.

Hannah Lynch’s life was cut short at just 18 when the Bayesian yacht sank while she was holidaying with her father Mike Lynch.

Gracie Lea, who went to Latymer school with her, said: “When I think of Hannah, I think of poetry, sunshine, and her beautiful eyes. She was easy to love: sincere, dedicated, fiercely intelligent and genuinely kind. I’ll always remember her smiling.”

Another friend, Katya Lewis, said: “The love Hannah had for everything she held dear was passionate and pure. She had a warm and beautiful soul. Being with Hannah made me feel whole and happy. She is the most special friend anyone could ask for and I will always love Hannah.”

The company which manages the Bayesian has sent its “deepest sympathies” to the loved ones of those who died during its sinking and confirmed with “deep regret” the recovery of bodies.

It added this would be the last public statement from the company on these events as it allows investigators “to understand with better clarity what happened that tragic night”.

A full statement says: “Camper & Nicholsons, managers of the sailing yacht Bayesian, deeply regret to confirm that the remains of all six individuals missing after the sinking of the vessel have now been recovered.

“SY Bayesian encountered severe weather conditions and tragically sank off Porticello, Italy, at approximately 04:30 local time on Monday, 19 August 2024, with 22 individuals on board.

“15 individuals were safely rescued shortly thereafter thanks to the tireless efforts of the Italian Guardia Costiera, Vigili del Fuoco, Aeronautica Militare and Carabinieri as well as nearby mariners and other public agencies. We thank all those who worked tirelessly on the search and recovery operations over the past week. T

“Those on board were valued colleagues, friends, and clients. Our deepest sympathies are with their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

“Our focus remains on fully cooperating with the authorities and offering unwavering support to the families affected by this tragic loss. Since 2014, SY Bayesian has been privately owned and has not been available for charter during this period.

“As we allow investigators to understand with better clarity what happened that tragic night, this will be the last public statement on these events issued by Camper & Nicholsons.”

All 22 people who were on Mike Lynch’s superyacht have now been accounted for with search and rescue operations officially concluded, the coast guard has said.

When the final search vessel made its way back to the marina “it was clear they’d found the final body” according to Sky News correspondent Ashna Hurynag.

She wrote that a “guard of honour of sorts began to assemble on the harbourside” with a poignant photo showing coastguard members, search and rescue squad and police officers standing shoulder to shoulder as the vessel pulled in.

A friend and colleague, Sushovan Hussain, of the Lynch family, said that he and his wife were “utterly devastated by the deaths of so many of our dear friends”.

Mr Hussain said he had known Mike since school and Hannah since her birth. He said for her to be taken “on the precipice of her life is cruel beyond belief.”

He said he also was friends with Mike Lynch’s co-defendant Stephen (calling him Steve) Chamberlain, who died after being hit by a car two days before the yacht tragedy.

He was also friends with bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy Bloomer, lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo who also died when the boat sank.

His full statement read: “My wife and I are utterly devastated by the deaths of so many of our dear friends. No words can express our sorrow. I have known Mike for over 40 years, since our school days, and for most of that time our lives have been inextricably linked.

“I was thrilled when he was acquitted and now his departure leaves an unfillable hole in my life. We have known Hannah since her birth, and for her to be taken on the precipice of her life is cruel beyond belief. Our hearts bleed for Angela and her remaining daughter. “Steve was by my side for many years, and I had the honour of calling him, Jonathan, Judy and Chris my good friends. It is truly impossible to fathom how they can all be gone over such a short period. It is tragic beyond words.”

The Lynch family has shared a photo of 18-year-old Hannah with the “famous” family dog.

The family has six dogs all named after engineering parts: two dachshunds and four sheepdogs. But it was Faucet they dubbed “famous” after being under house arrest with Mike Lynch in America.

The man once dubbed Britain’s Bill Gates was extradited from Britain last May and spent 13 months under house arrest, with armed guards, pending trial on charges he would eventually be acquitted of in June this year.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Lynch said of Faucet: “We spend all our time together. He still sleeps on the pillow next to me.”

Mike Lynch’s family have spoken of how they are in shock but have thanked everyone involved in the rescue.

A spokesperson for the Lynch family said: “The Lynch family is devastated, in shock and is being comforted and supported by family and friends.

“Their thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy.

“They would like to sincerely thank the Italian coastguard, emergency services and all those who helped in the rescue. Their one request now is that their privacy be respected at this time of unspeakable grief.”

Hannah’s former English teacher has said she was “one of the best English students in the country” having scored 100% in her English Literature GCSE.

Jon Mitropoulos-Monk, head of English at Latymer Upper School said by age 16, Hannah had read “[James] Joyce, [William] Faulkner and [Vladimir] Nabokov.” He taught her for four years and said he will remember her for what she taught him: “Kindness, compassion and commitment.”

His full statement read: “I’ve never taught someone who combined sky-high intellectual ability with warmth and enthusiasm in the way Hannah did. She lit up the classroom with her energy, passion for learning and sheer intelligence (though never with a hint of arrogance).

“One of the best English students in the country, she scored 100% in her English Literature GCSE. By age 16, she’d read Joyce, Faulkner and Nabokov. Beyond that, she devoured the writings of Angela Carter, Joseph Conrad and John Donne. She loved literature, learning and life.

“She was so excited to start studying English at Oxford, a goal she had worked so hard towards. When she got her place, she sought out every single member of the Latymer Upper English Department to thank them individually and give them a hug!

“She achieved everything she did with extraordinary levels of grace and fortitude that few others can say they possess. I taught Hannah for four years. I will remember her for what she taught me: kindness, compassion and commitment.”