Cruise ship employee found dead in cabin

[HostDave]

The American woman, believed to be the lead singer and dancer on board the Regent cruise ship Seven Seas Voyager, was found dead on Sunday morning in the ship, which was docked in Darwin.

Police initially treated the death as suspicious and an autopsy was carried out.

"The crime division are no longer treating the death as suspicious. However, a full brief will be provided to the coroner in due course," Detective Superintendent James O'Brien said in a statement.

"Further toxicology results will be analysed in due course to determine the exact cause of death," Supt O'Brien said.

Police said the US consulate had been told of the incident and the woman's next of kin had been notified.

Prior to the ship's departure today some passengers said they were shocked the woman, believed to have been from a dance group that boarded in Sydney, had died.

"It is a shame and you have to feel for the crew because they are the unfortunate ones," said John Harrold, a passenger from Los Angeles.
"They aren't letting any of them off the cruise ship. They are the ones being held captive," he said.

Fellow passenger Sue Depp, from New York, said it was rumoured that the dead woman had been scheduled to have a workout in the ship's gymnasium yesterday, but did not turn up.

"They sent someone to her cabin to see why, and they found her," Ms Depp said.

[HostDave]

Reports confirm that 24-year-old Massachusetts native Jackie Kastrinelis, a singer aboard the Regent Cruise Lines' Seven Seas Voyager, was found dead in her cabin while the ship was docked in Australia on Sunday, Feb. 3. The details surrounding Kastrinelis' unfortunate passing still remain a mystery, although authorities have ruled out any foul play. Kastrinelis' family members are in utter shock and disbelief, and hope that authorities are able to provide more revealing information about the young University of Hartford graduate's death sometime soon.

Regent recently released the following statement concerning the luxury cruise ship singer's death:

"The Regent Seven Seas Cruises' family is deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Jackie. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones."

According to several reports, Kastrinelis' lifeless body was discovered aboard the Regent Seven Seas Voyager after the ship docked in Darwin Harbor, Australia on Sunday morning. Authorities initially treated the young woman's cabin as a crime scene, but later determined that there was nothing suspicious and that murder was not a factor. Even so, Kastrinelis' death remains a total mystery. "The Crime Division is no longer treating the death as suspicious," said Det. Superintendent James O'Brien of the Northern Territory Police, according to the Daily Mail. "Further toxicology results will be analyzed in due course to determine the exact cause of death."

Cruise Law News claims that Kastrinelis, a lead singer for the talent cruise ship provider Jean Ann Ryan Productions, suffered a head injury during rehearsals on Saturday night and was given medication by a ship doctor. It could still take weeks for any conclusive news from the toxicology tests and autopsy report.

The website also claims that Kastrinelis was only aboard the Seven Seas Voyager for a short period of time, but had worked on other Regent ships since 2011. Jean Ann Ryan, who runs the production firm, said that Kastrinelis was a "ray of sunshine, a life force and a beautiful person."

The Seven Seas Voyager holds approximately 447 crew members and 700 passengers.

According to the Eagle Tribune, Kastrinelis' family was set to arrive in Australia on Thursday (Feb. 7) to claim the young woman's body. They are hoping to solve the mystery behind Kastrinelis' unexpected death, and aren't just relying on police work to do so. Chris Stein, Kastrinelis' uncle, has been named the family's spokesperson and is collecting tips and any further information that may help solve the mystery of the cruise ship singer's death.