VICTORIA, Seychelles, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Police in the Seychelles provided an update Tuesday on the cause of death of two American former Navy SEALS who were found dead a week earlier aboard the container ship Maersk Alabama, the ship made famous in the Hollywood film Captain Phillips.
Autopsy results indicate that Jeffrey Reynolds and Mark Kennedy, both 44, died of respiratory failure and a possible heart attack. Investigators are conducting additional tests to determine if the men had consumed any narcotics. Trace amounts of heroin were found near their bodies.
"The police preliminary investigation report includes suspicion of drug use, as indicated by the presence of a syringe and traces of heroin which were found in the cabin."
The men were employed by Trident Group, a Virginia-based maritime security and training firm. They had boarded the Maersk Alabama as security contractors on January 29. The ship arrived in the Seychelles on February 16. A colleague discovered the bodies on February 18.
Following revelation that drugs may have played a part in the deaths, Trident Group has decided to conduct random drug tests of its employees.
The Maersk Alabama was the vessel that inspired the 2013 Captain Phillips film starring Tom Hanks. In 2009, the ship was hijacked by Somali pirates off the east coast of Africa.
[CNN]
