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WALKING on board the ship with her boyfriend and friends, Ashley Barnett couldn’t wait to celebrate her 25th birthday on a three-day cruise through the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific ocean.
Less than 24 hours, however, the aspiring actress would be found dead in her cabin – and her tragic death still remains shrouded in mystery.
With the 20th anniversary of Ashley’s death next October, her heartbroken mum, Jamie, revealed to The Sun that she’s still searching for answers on what happened to her beloved daughter.
“It was a long, perilous journey, which had no real answers in the end,” she said.
“I’ll never get all the answers. That’s one of the most heartbreaking aspects of all… losing someone like that on a cruise ship.
“It’s just all different when it happens at sea – and people don’t realise that at all.”
After boarding Carnival Cruise Line’s Paradise in Long Beach, California on 14 October, 2005, Ashley’s boyfriend said they hit up the casino and a concert before returning to their cabin for the night.
But following an alleged disagreement, her boyfriend went back out – leaving her alone in the room.
He said he returned in the early hours after continuing his night out onboard, falling asleep next to Ashley, before waking up hours later to join pals upstairs.
Ashley remained in bed, her boyfriend believing she was still fast asleep from celebrations the night before.
After partying some more, he returned to the cabin once again – except this time he tried to wake her up.
When he was unable to rouse her, he went running into the hallway screaming that his girlfriend wasn’t breathing, with another passenger scrambling to call 911 after hearing his cries.
While a nurse began to perform CPR, the ship’s doctor arrived – but efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.
There were allegedly few defibrillators on the ship and no opioid-overdose inhibitors to aid medical staff.
Ashley was pronounced dead soon after.
Following Ashley’s shocking death, the boat docked in Ensenada on the Pacific coast of Mexico.
Here, authorities boarded the ship to determine if there were any suspicious circumstances, while the FBI back in the US were notified.
With Ashley’s body handed over to a Mexican morgue, instead of staying with her, the young woman’s boyfriend along with the rest of the group stayed on the party ship and, shockingly, returned to California.
Two decades later, Jamie is still outraged by the decision.
“They just left her body there,” she said.
“Not the boyfriend, not one of those other folks, not a representative from the cruise line.”
Jamie said she didn’t even hear from Ashley’s boyfriend – the last person to see her alive – until a full day after her daughter’s tragic passing.
He claimed he had no idea what had happened to her – but revealed that some of his medications was missing.
It was later concluded that Ashley had died from a methadone drug overdose – something that shocked her grieving family and friends who insist she was extremely anti-drugs.
Methadone is what’s dubbed a “legal high” drug, traditionally used to help addicts stop taking heroin – despite both being Class A.
Jamie says Ashley was “autopsied and, before she could come back to the United States, her body had to be embalmed”.
This meant that by the time her body was returned to her family, “any forensic pathologist had very little to go on to figure out what happened” – shrouding even more mystery over Ashley’s death.
With Jamie still desperate for answers, the family hired a private pathologist to carry out a forensic autopsy.
They found exactly what Jamie thought – healthy organs in a healthy body, with some evidence of alcohol consumption.
No signs of trauma were discovered either.
Still bewildered by her shocking passing – and the cause behind it – the family then requested a test of Ashley’s hair follicles.
The test confirmed that there were zero signs of habitual drug use.
Therefore the question remained: why was Ashley found dead having overdosed on methadone?
Ashley’s passing – and the reason behind it – has tormented her family for 20 years.
They are yet to receive real answers.
Despite the nightmare Jamie has endured over the last two decades, her trauma ignited a need to help others who have endured similar nightmares.
It’s just all different when it happens at sea, and people don’t realise that at all.
Jamie Barnett
Jamie has been pivotal in developing stricter laws surrounding crimes and deaths on cruises in her role as president of lobbying group International Cruise Victims.
The grieving mum believes cruise-goers are often “lulled into a false sense of security”.
She explained to The Sun: “Don’t get on a ship and think nothing could happen to you.
“It’s like a small city where anything can happen.
“You can’t let your guard down. You have to still be mindful and keep your eyes open.”
Jamie also described how difficult it is for authorities to investigate crimes that happen at sea and collect key evidence.
This means many cases on board ships remain unsolved – leaving grieving families with unanswered questions about their loved ones.
Jamie, who campaigns through International Cruise Victims, said: “We’re there to help folks who have found themselves victims of either some kind of crime at sea or some kind of negligence or traumatic event at sea.
“When that happens to people, because of laws being so wishy-washy, if they even exist on the high seas, they don’t know where to turn to or what to do.
“And most of us who are leading this organisation remember that vividly and how that feels.
“We do everything we can to take somebody’s hand and walk them through all of these things should they find themselves a victim in any way.”
The chancing of dying on a cruise ship were recorded as being roughly 1 in 6.25 million in 2019, according to Forbes – suggesting it as being one of the safest ways to travel for holidaymakers.
But the statistic misses out crimes committed on ships, or missing persons.
Jamie claims that some cruises only put out a “soundbite” on missing persons on board the ships, along with what could have happened to them.
She said families are often told their loved one was “depressed” or “this person had a fight with their partner”.
Jamie explained: “So right away you’re thinking it was intentional, when it’s very important for us hearing those reports to stay neutral, to wait.
“How do you know? What leads you to say that?”
Advocates have claimed that cruise lines have a “spotty” record of crime reporting, which makes actual statistics hard to determine.
But through her work at International Cruise Victims, Jamie looks to hold cruise lines more accountable for what goes on on their ships, while also protecting future cruise-goers on their holidays.
Jamie added: “The cruise industry loves to say ‘passenger safety is our number one priority’.
“We’re over here saying – put your money where your mouth is.”
AARON RAMSDALE is a surprise target for Turkish giants Galatasaray.
The Southampton keeper, 27, has a £20million relegation release clause in his contract having joined from Arsenal last summer.
Ramsdale is expected to leave St. Mary’s this summer, but a loan away while the club seek promotion back to the Premier League has not been ruled out.
Southampton do not have a pressing need to raise funds through large sales this summer meaning they would be open to allowing Ramsdale to leave on loan.
The former Arsenal and Bournemouth keeper earns around £100,000-a-week on the south coast and wants to play for a top flight club to boost his England chances.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel recently stated he would want his first choice goalkeeper playing European football.
Saints still have veteran keeper Alex McCarthy while Gavin Bazunu remains on their books, although his loan to Standard Liege this season was cut short after a knee injury.
West Ham hold some interest in Ramsdale but have also considered Chelsea pair Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic, while they also need to sell before buying.
Ramsdale impressed in a struggling Saints side last season, keeping three clean sheets and making a number of memorable saves across the Premier League campaign that saw him relegated for a third time.
Should a move to Galatasaray materialise, Ramsdale would link up with a number of former Premier League stars that have made the lucrative switch to the Turkish giants.
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Former Prem aces Davinson Sanchez, Alvaro Morata, Mario Lemina and Lucas Torreira were just a few of the stars on the Galatasaray books last term.
While they have already secured the services of former Man City and Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane ahead of the new campaign, convincing the German to pen a three-year deal worth a reported £7.7m-per-season.
Galatasaray aren’t stopping there either, with the Turkish champions also said to be keen on signing Ilkay Gundogan from Man City in the coming weeks and months.
A MUM-OF-TWO has come under fire for her unique summer play set-up.
The Instagrammer shared her hack for keeping her little ones entertained and her house tidy at the same time.
Instagram user Katy Birkelbach amassed a whopping 15.3 million views for her DIY alternative to an at-home sandbox.
She decided to substitue the sand to avoid her children trekking it through her home.
And while she said her replacement is “so much better than sand”, other parents were quick to point out a potential hazard.
Katy showed her audience how she used corn kernels to fill the pit for her toddler son and baby daughter.
She showed footage of the children playing in the corn, with her son even using his toy trucks to scoop up the kernels.
Instagram users voiced their concerns over the “dangerous” move in the comments section.
“I worry about them putting the corn up their nose or in their ears,” wrote one parent.
“Also the choking hazard possibility has me so stressed,” added another viewer.
“Huge chocking hazard! I’ve seen some really sad stories! Also attracts bees,” pointed out a third person.
“OMG, if the baby puts that in her mouth she’s going to choke,” agreed another follower.
“Bad bad idea, if the baby puts it in to the mouth she can choke. You must be more clever than this,” said one parent.
“Isn’t that a major choking hazard? I prefer to take the sand over corn,” commented another person.
One follower shared an additional way the corn could prove hazardour for children.
“In the Balkans that was considered a punishment, kneeling on corn, hurts like hell,” they said.
Other viewers pointed out additional issues with the unique play set-up.
IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place...
BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there’s nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: “Don’t feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun.
“Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time.
“Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, ‘What do you think you could do?’ and maybe have a list of ‘I’m bored’ activity ideas on the fridge.”
SCREEN OVERLOAD: It’s tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don’t let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen.
Liat says: “It’s unfair to expect older kids to power down but it’s important to set some ground rules.
“Set family tech rules together. If you’re often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren’t allowed any screen time until they’ve done set chores, some exercise, or a board game.
“Are there times when you’d like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit.
“Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.”
TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime.
Liat says: “If you’re juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it’s normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace.
“If you can’t afford or don’t want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids’ workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours.
“Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn’t make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.”
SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children.
Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of Helperbees.co.uk says: “Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken.
“Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea.
“We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood.
“Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.”
EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier.
Dr Bugembe says: “Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather.
“Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they’re wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun.
“Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They’ll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.”
“I was just thinking the squirrels would go nutsss!” wrote one Instagram user.
“This is cute, but the rodents it would attract,” said another concerned person.
And another viewer simply pointed out how the corn would limi the fun of a sandpit.
“‘I don’t want to build sandcastles anyway,’ said no kid ever,” they wrote.
AMERICA’S colossal bomb raid on Iran’s key nuclear sites was a masterclass in military might and strategy “months in the making”, officials said.
Covert tactics and the world’s biggest conventional bombs came together in a “spectacular success”, according to Trump, which caught the Iranians completely off-guard.
Iran has sworn “everlasting consequences” are coming, but Trump warned the US would not be afraid of striking again.
While the world now waits to see how Iran and its Axis of Evil will respond, the US has shared details of its daring Operation Midnight Hammer.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said: “This was a complex and high-risk mission carried out with exceptional skill and discipline by our Joint Force.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said: “Our B-2s went in and out and back without the world knowing at all.”
The mission was simple: to inflict serious damage on Iran’s nuclear programme so that it is unable to produce nuclear weapons.
Plans were worked for months, and the key groundwork was laid by Trump on Thursday when he announced a two-week delay to his decision about striking Iran.
It’s now clear that was a ploy to lull the regime into a false sense of security.
The full mobilisation began on Friday night when a unit of B-2 bombers took off from the US at midnight.
Some of the planes flew west towards the Pacific, leading analysts to suggest they might be heading to the UK’s Diego Garcia base – but that was a decoy.
Only “an extremely small number of planners and key leaders” knew the truth about the ruse, General Caine said.
The actual fleet comprised of seven B-2 spirit bombers, which quietly set off east over the Atlantic.
Each was manned by a crew of two, but the pilots were instructed to stick to minimal communication to avoid detection.
It was an 18-hour non-stop journey to reach the target area, so the bombers had to refuel multiple times in the air by linking up with escort and support aircraft.
Mid-air synchronisation is difficult enough, but crews had to maintain minimal comms whilst lining up.
At half past midnight Iranian time, a US submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles at the Isfahan nuclear site in east Iran.
This coincided with the bomber squad entering Iranian airspace – undetected.
Decoy and scout planes swooped out ahead of the main unit to scan for and distract any awaiting Iranian defence jets – but there were none.
The protection group stood ready to launch preemptive fire on any surface-to-air threats, such as air defence systems, but not a single shot was fired at the operatives.
Go-time was 2:10am – the midst of the Iranian night.
Over a period of just 25 minutes, the bombers released their powerful payload.
Officials revealed that about 75 precision-guided weapons were unleashed in total.
Amongst these were 14 of the famed “bunker-buster” bombs dropped on the mountain-fortress Fordow plant.
Israel had not even attempted to destroy this facility, buried beneath 300ft of rock and steel, because it knew only US’s superbombs could do the job.
The B-2s were programmed to drop one bomb, followed by another shortly afterwards onto the exact same point of impact.
It was the first time that the 30,000-pound GBU, 57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) had been deployed in a live combat situation.
Caine said: “Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice.
“We will defend ourselves. The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority.
“This mission demonstrates the unmatched reach, coordination and capability of the United States military.
“In just a matter of weeks, this went from strategic planning to global execution.
“This operation underscores the unmatched capabilities and global reach of the United States military.”
FLIGHTS to tourist hotspots have been cancelled following Donald Trump’s bombing raid on Iran.
Following the US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, all scheduled flights from London to Dubai and Doha have been axed.
This comes as a British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Dubai was diverted to Zurich on Saturday night.
All of the airline’s flights to Dubai and Doha from London Heathrow were cancelled on Sunday, including return flights, according to the company.
In the wake of the US attacks, Israel has announced that its airspace is closed to both inbound and outbound flights.
Tehran launched retaliatory missile strikes after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran overnight.
In a statement, British Airways said: “As a result of recent events, we have adjusted our flight schedule to ensure the safety of our customers and crew, which is always our top priority.
“We are contacting our customers to advise them of their options while we work through this developing situation.”
For those already booked onto flights to Dubai and Doha between Sunday and Tuesday, the airline is offering a flexible booking policy if they wish to change their date of travel.
But according to London Gatwick’s website, flights to and from Dubai and Doha are continuing as scheduled.
AN URGENT alert has been issued over a popular kitchen gadget that was recalled due to “a potential fire hazard”.
The Range & Wilko is carrying out a recall of the Haden 11L Stackable Air Fryer.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission issued the recalls for the air fryer after discovering the product presents a risk of burn injuries.
It was discovered that when the product is used for prolonged periods on the highest heat setting, the heating element can cause the outer plastic casing to warp or melt.
This may result in burn injuries if touched and presents a potential fire hazard.
The brand is Haden. The SKU is 387933.
All batch numbers are affected.
There are approximately 52 affected products in the Republic of Ireland.
Consumers who own the air fryer are urged to discontinue use immediately.
They return it to any The Range store for a full refund or store credit.
Those who want further information regarding this recall are encouraged to contact The Range customer care team on the website.
The spokesperson for The Range said: “The safety and satisfaction of our customers is important to us, and we wish to thank you for your cooperation and apologise for any inconvenience.”
Separately, the Utskho Suneli spice mix is being recalled due to elevated levels of ethylene oxide, as health bosses warn that its continued use over a long period may be linked to “health issues.”
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued the advisory about a batch of Utskho Suneli.
The product identification is Utskho Suneli in a pack size of 50g with the best before date of September 20, 2026.
A spokesperson for the FSAI said: “The above batch of Utskho Suneli spice mix is being recalled due to the presence of elevated levels of ethylene oxide.
“Although the consumption of the contaminated batch does not pose an acute risk to health, there may be health issues if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide over a long period of time.
“Therefore, exposure to this substance needs to be minimised. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.”
Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.
LEAGUE of Ireland fans were left stunned on Sunday afternoon after the shock news of Damien Duff’s departure from Shelbourne.
The former Chelsea star shocked the Irish football community as he confirmed his exit from the LOI champions.
The Republic of Ireland legend Damien Duff decided to step down as boss, just weeks before their Champions League qualifier against Linfield.
Duff confirmed to RTÉ Sport that he handed in his resignation earlier today.
Shels currently sit sixth in the table, 15 points adrift of leaders and rivals Shamrock Rovers.
Duff has been unable to replicate that success so far this year as tension escalated with a number of opposing mangers.
His unexpected departure comes just 24 hours before the reigning Premier Division champions face Waterford.
One said: “Jesus, that’s a bit of a shocker!!”
While another penned: “You have to admit one thing , Damien Duff brought attention to the league that was never there before, got the feeling he was going through same thing as Roy keane at Sunderland, extremely high standards but didn’t have the players to match . Would assume Joey steps in now”
A third wrote: “Damien Duff gone? we never get any luck in Europe…”
While another commented: “Damien duff is most definitely in my head right now.”
And one fan said: “Damien Duff told his Shelbourne players this morning he’s leaving, 24 hours before tomorrow’s visit to Waterford and a fortnight out from their Champions League first round v Linfield. Barring a U-turn, LOI is losing its golden goose…”
