The household of a lacking Louisiana dad who officers stated was filmed leaping off a Carnival cruise ship say they’ve now additionally seen the footage — and are satisfied he slipped over the sting in a tragic accident.
Officers informed The Publish on Wednesday that Tyler Barnett, 28, was seen on surveillance video climbing onto a lifeboat after which leaping off the aspect of the Jamaica-bound Carnival Glory within the early hours of Monday.
However his grandmother, Dirlean Tate Mason, stated members of the family who’ve seen the footage are adamant he slipped — reinforcing their perception that he wouldn’t have left behind his household, together with a spouse and 3-year-old twin daughters.
“By no means on function. No. I simply don’t imagine that. To not (die by) suicide or something,” Mason informed NOLA.com.
Mason stated a granddaughter confirmed that Barnett climbed over the sting of the rail and jumped on the lifeboat, however walked on it for a couple of minutes earlier than he appeared to slide and fall off.
“I can’t think about Tyler leaping,” Mason stated. “He had two twin women.”
Barnett’s mom, Elisha Reid, additionally stated the household had seen the video and that it confirmed he slipped off the enormous vessel.
“They hit a wave and he went down off the lifeboat,” Reid, who was not on the ship, informed Enterprise Insider.
“Tyler was my solely son, my firstborn. He was my every part in life. He was the air I breathed. He was the beat of my coronary heart. I really feel as if my coronary heart not beats,” she added.
Reid stated Carnival initially informed her daughter, who was on the journey, that there was no video of the incident – and she or he added that she didn’t discover out Barnett was lacking till a cousin messaged her.
“I’ve my moments the place I break, however I’m preserving the religion,” Reid informed the outlet. “What’s necessary to me is to know the place he’s at and to have him residence, whether or not he’s alive or not. I would like his physique to be residence.”
The US Coast Guard has been looking a 200-mile space in treacherous climate situations for Barnett, who was final seen by family members simply earlier than midnight as he stated he was heading to his room, however his mattress was by no means slept in.
His sister, Future Barnett, informed NBC Information that she and 13 different kinfolk additionally have been on the cruise.
“It makes you are feeling loopy to be caught on a ship the place everybody else is having a great time. It was speculated to be a trip, however for us, it’s hell,” she informed the outlet.
A Carnival spokesperson has informed The Publish that the ship’s care group has been supporting the household.
Mason stated her grandson, a dad of dual 3-year-old daughters, is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman who by no means backs down from an journey.
“I received’t surrender hope till they stop,” she informed NOLA.com concerning the search.
The Publish has reached out to Carnival for remark concerning the household’s newest statements.