Post by Graveyardbride on Aug 31, 2017 19:17:45 GMT -5
Passengers Thought Murder Part of ‘Music Murder Trivia’
Some passengers aboard the Alaska-bound Emerald Princess on which a Utah woman was brutally murdered thought the killing was make-believe, part of a musical Sherlock Holmes-themed murder mystery trivia program. Kristy Manzanares, 39, was found shortly after 9 p.m.,Tuesday, July 25, on the floor of her cabin with blood “spread throughout the room on multiple surfaces,” according to a federal arrest affidavit. Passengers who heard screams emanating from the cabin thought it was part of the show. One passenger, Vic Simpson, told Inside Edition that upon hearing the commotion, “most people thought it was just part of the dramatic effect of what they were doing,” A Princess Cruises spokesperson confirmed there was a “music murder trivia” game that evening. Kenneth Manzanares, the lady’s husband, was allegedly covered in blood.
Domestic Dispute. Mrs. Manzanares’ death was allegedly the result of a “domestic dispute,” a Princess Cruises spokesperson revealed. In addition to her husband, other family members aboard the ship were her three daughters, ranging in age from 13 to 22, family spokeswoman Miranda Barnard said.
According to the arrest affidavit, a witness told security he went into the couple’s cabin and saw a woman on the floor, covered in blood. When he saw her husband, with blood on his hands and clothing, he asked what happened, to which Manzanares allegedly replied, “She would not stop laughing at me.” According to the witness, the husband then grabbed his wife’s body and dragged it toward the balcony. This prompted the witness to grab the lady’s ankles and pull her back inside the cabin moments before security arrived. While he was being processed by the FBI, Mazanares reportedly said, “My life is over.”
‘Snapped.’ Kenneth Manzanares claimed he “snapped” after his wife mentioned divorce. A family member said the murder took place after several hours of marital tension that began when Manzanares became belligerent at dinner. “He had been acting terrible all night,” the witness insisted and at one point, Kristy asked for a divorce. The couple’s apparent marital discord surprised the witness who told People, “If they were having [marital issues] they never showed any of that to anyone else.”
‘I Want My Mommy.’ Natalie Beckstrom, a passenger, told the St. George News of Utah that amid the chaos on the night of the murder, she saw a 13-year-old girl “standing there wrapped in a blanket, just sobbing.” When a man emerged nearby in blood-covered clothing and said, “It doesn’t look good,” the girl “just lost it,” Beckman recalled. “She just started sobbing, ‘I want my mommy. I want my mommy,’” Beckman said.
Another passenger, Jen Larson, told ABC News that she saw the Kristy’s young daughter distraught and screaming after the incident. “She was just really scared,” Larson related. “She said, ‘I just want to go and see my mom! I just want to see my mom! What’s happening?’”
Head Wound. The federal affidavit describes a grisly scene: Mrs. Manzanares was found in a pool of her own blood and she had a severe head wound. After her death, Kristy’s family released a statement: “We are devastated over the loss of Kristy. She is the light of our lives – a devoted mother, daughter, sister and friend. Kristy led by example with her giving heart and we are inspired by the legacy of kindness and optimism she has instilled in her children.”
18th Wedding Anniversary. Kristy and Kenneth Manzanares were high school sweethearts and the cruise was a celebration of their 18th wedding anniversary, the family revealed. The ship set sail from Seattle Sunday, July 23, on a week-long trip, but was diverted to Juneau, where it docked hours early as a result of the death onboard. The Emerald Princess was carrying 3,400 passengers and a crew of 1,100. Following the incident, passengers were placed on lockdown for hours before being allowed to leave the vessel. Princess Cruises will issue $150 onboard credit to each passenger because of the inconvenience.
Trial Set. A federal judge has set Kenneth Manzanares’ murder trial for October 23 in Juneau. The defendant has pled not guilty to the charge. “Counsel are expected to calendar changes of plea and file a notice of intent to change plea at the earliest possible time prior to trial,” the judge wrote in the order. “All signed plea agreements must be filed no later than seven (7) days before the trial date.” It is possible the October trial date will be rescheduled because it is common for prosecutors and defense attorneys to seek delays. Federal prosecutors have not yet decided if they will seek the death penalty and a hearing is anticipated on this issue.
Sources: Steve Helling, People, July 28 and August 2, 2017; and Ben Winslow, KSTU, August 27, 2017.