A Utah man has been charged with murder after his wife died aboard a cruise ship in Alaska this week, according to federal prosecutors and the FBI.
Kenneth, 39, of Santa Clara, Utah, was arrested on Wednesday, a day after his wife, Kristy, died aboard the Emerald Princess. The couple was reportedly traveling with a group of family and friends on a seven day round trip cruise from Seattle. The ship was scheduled to visit the Tracy Arm fjord near Juneau but changed course after the incident and docked in Juneau.
According to the New York Daily News and the FBI complaint, witnesses reported hearing screaming from the cabin below on Tuesday night. One witness said he saw a man near the balcony dragging a woman toward the edge and pulled her back into the cabin. The complaint states that when asked what happened, Kenneth said, “She would not stop laughing at me.” Security and medical staff found Kristy with a severe head wound, and she was pronounced dead a short time later.
Kenneth made his first court appearance by video on Thursday. He has been charged but has not been convicted, and the investigation is ongoing. Prosecutors said they could not confirm whether alcohol or drugs played a role.
Princess Cruises said in a statement Thursday that guests who had shore excursions booked for the Tracy Arm fjord would be credited automatically and that prepaid excursions would be refunded. The cruise line also gave each guest a $150 onboard credit.
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