Thomas and Eileen Lonergan
Thomas and Eileen Lonergan were on a dive trip on the Great
Barrier Reef. When the boat returned to shore the Lonergans did not disembark.
Two days later the dive company realised that they had an extra dive bag
containing the couple’s dry clothes and Mr Lonergan’s glasses, wallet, and
papers. Realising that they were missing an air and sea search was launched but
it failed to find them. Eventually Mr Lonergans BCD was washed up along with
their dive slate stating that they had been left at Agincourt Reef. Mrs
Lonergans shredded wetsuit was also washed up. Rumours of suicide, a failing
marriage and reluctance to return to the US began to emerge leading to
speculation that they had faked their deaths. Their bank accounts were not
accessed after their disappearance and their insurance policies were never
claimed. Claims of pseudocide and suicide were rejected by the coroner and the
skipper of the dive boat was charged with their unlawful killing. 8 years later
a fin inscribed with the name ‘Lonergan’ was found by the Thong Man on a beach
south of Townsville.
A movie, Open Water (2003) is a dramatised account of their story.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_and_Eileen_Lonergan
Other events where pseudocide was mistakenly speculated: Steve Fossett
Pseudocides involving disappearance at sea: Bennie Wint, John Darwin, Patrick McDermott, Bruce Leyte, Harry Gordon, David Friedland
Unexplained boating disappearance: Kaz II
A movie, Open Water (2003) is a dramatised account of their story.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_and_Eileen_Lonergan
Other events where pseudocide was mistakenly speculated: Steve Fossett
Pseudocides involving disappearance at sea: Bennie Wint, John Darwin, Patrick McDermott, Bruce Leyte, Harry Gordon, David Friedland
Unexplained boating disappearance: Kaz II
