FAMILY FEUD OVER CRUISE SHIP DEATH
A bitter family feud has erupted in the mysterious disappearance of a Connecticut man during a luxury cruise four years ago — and the baffling case, which has made headlines around the world, is pitting his mother against his widow.
George Smith vanished from a royal Caribbean ship July 5, 2005, while honeymooning with his blonde wife Jennifer Hagel. Authorities believe he was a victim of foul play — but no one has been charged.
While his widow has never been suspected of wrongdoing, bombshell new court documents obtained exclusively by the ENQUIRER show the victim’s family believes she settled a wrongful death claim out of court to avoid the public airing of her wild antics during the ill-fated cruise.
“Jennifer settled ‘quickly’ and ‘cheaply’ to avoid further scrutiny and embarrassment,” Michael Jones, an attorney for the Smith family declared in a statement included in the court papers.
According to the startling documents from Greenwich (Ct.) Probate Court, Jennifer personally negotiated a private settlement with royal Caribbean president Adam Goldstein after meeting him on “the Oprah Winfrey Show.”
Had she gone to court, it’s possible she may have received a settlement between $3 million and $6 million, according to the documents.
Pick up the new ENQUIRER for more details!
Published on: 06/17/2009
