Title: Sister of Missing Washington Man Speaks Out Against “Misinformation” Regarding Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Incident
By Deirdre Bardolf | September 2, 2023 | 6:38pm
The sister of a 19-year-old Washington man who went overboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship earlier this week is speaking out against “misinformation” amid her pleas for answers and desperate attempts to maintain hope in light of her family’s tragedy.
Savannah Ropich took to Facebook on Saturday to address a woman claiming to be a fellow passenger aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. The woman alleged that the captain had announced that video footage showed the young man jumping overboard. Ropich, who resides in Texas, dismissed these claims, stating that the woman “has no clue what is going on with the whereabouts” of her brother.
The woman, known as @brunausaflorida_official on TikTok, also asserted that a sick passenger had to be dropped off in the Cayman Islands during the search for Sigmund Ropich, 19, who fell off the boat off the coast of Cuba on Tuesday.
Savannah Ropich has been actively fighting against the spread of “misinformation” and “negativity” surrounding her missing brother. She urged people to report the woman’s claims and announced her intention to delete the post entirely to focus solely on her brother.
Sigmund Ropich, a college student, was vacationing with friends when he fell into the waters near Cuba during the second day of a 7-day cruise. The crew conducted an extensive three-hour search after the ship turned around and retraced its route, but unfortunately found no sign of him.
Savannah Ropich has been blocking “rude and insensitive” comments while sharing photos and stories about her brother’s disappearance in an effort to encourage authorities to continue searching for him. Alongside Ropich’s pleas for updates, she emphasized that her brother is not just a supposed jumper but a beloved family member and friend.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which will launch an investigation once the ship returns to the U.S., has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident. Royal Caribbean has stated that it is collaborating closely with local authorities while refraining from disclosing further details “out of respect for the family.”
As the Ropich family continues their desperate search for answers, they hope that their pleas will result in a thorough investigation and continued efforts to find Sigmund Ropich.