Unruly Royal Caribbean cruise ship passenger accused of attacking crew member dies after detainment

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - A Royal Caribbean passenger who was reportedly drunk and unruly, attacking crew members, died shortly after being detained. 

Christifer Mikhail set sail for Ensenada to celebrate his birthday, along with his wife's, and their anniversary over the weekend with a dozen family and friends. Not even an hour outside of the port of San Pedro, the unruly cruise passenger started terrorizing other people on the boat.

"The gentlemen that was drunk said he was going to kill us," Mikhail told FOX 11's Hailey Winslow. "He started chasing us down the hallway."

Cell phone video showed the man, later identified by authorities as 35-year-old Michael Virgil, trying to kick down one of the doors in a fit of rage.

Passengers say he attacked two crew members. And attempted to kick down a door to try to get to one of the crew members. 

He was also seen spewing profanity and allegedly went on a racial tirade.

"I was kind of scared," Mikhail said. "I'm stuck in this hallway."

The cruise's security eventually placed Virgil in custody using zip ties, handcuffs, bear or pepper spray.

His family said security injected Virgil with some sort of sedative. Within an hour he died. 

Family said his enraged behavior is completely uncharacteristic of him. 

He leaves behind a 7-year-old son with autism and a fiancé, who were also on the cruise, a relative told FOX 11. 

"He didn't deserve to die over it," the relative said.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the passenger's death. The company issued the following statement on December 17:

"We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests. We offered support to the family and are working with authorities on their investigation."

The exact cause of death is unknown.