Esme Lynch, the eldest daughter of Mike Lynch is heartbroken by the loss of her sibling. She fondly recalled how her sister, Hannah Lynch, would often burst into her room, bringing with her an abundance of love and joy.
Gracie Lee, a classmate of Hannah Lynch, shares her tribute to the 18-year-old, from an Instagram post, dated August 24, 2024 | Source: Instagram/bbcnewsuk/
Whether Hannah was seeking advice or simply wanting to share a moment, she was always full of life. Esme shared that her sister was, “Endlessly caring, passionately mad, unintentionally hilarious and the most amazing, supportive and joyful sister and best friend to me.”
She was not only a beloved sister and best friend to Esme but also a source of laughter and warmth. Her sister emphasized, “And on top of all this, she had even more love to give endlessly to all her friends and passion to give to her incredible studies and goals. She is my little angel.”
Hannah Lynch’s family has also shared a statement via their spokesperson. The statement was released after divers recovered what is believed to be Hannah’s body from the wreckage of the luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily.
The spokesperson penned, “The Lynch’s family is devasted, in shock, and is being comforted and supported by family and friends. Their thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy.”
The family was grateful to the Italian coastguard, emergency services, and everyone involved in the rescue. They requested for their privacy to be respected as they grieved.
Tributes from other people have also poured in for Hannah, whose father, British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, also died when a storm swept across the Mediterranean on August 19, 2024.
The 18-year-old’s best friend, Angelica Read, said “Hannah lived, loved, cared, thought and felt more deeply than anyone I have ever known. Growing up with her and being best friends has been the greatest privilege of my life.”
Angelica expressed that Hannah had an immense love for poetry and the natural world. She believes that Hannah’s spirit will live on in these passions and their hearts forever.
Katya Lewis, a friend of Hannah disclosed that her love for everything she valued was passionate and pure. She added, “She had a warm and beautiful soul. Being with Hannah made me feel whole and happy.” Katya noted that Hannah was the most special friend anyone could ask for and that she would love her always.
Hannah’s classmate, Gracie Lee, from Latymer Upper School, also shared that she was “Easy to love: sincere, dedicated, fiercely intelligent and genuinely kind.”
Jon Mitropoulos-Monk, the Head of English at Hanna’s school, chimed in. He expressed his admiration for her remarkable combination of intellectual ability, warmth, and enthusiasm.
He noted that Hannah, “Lit up the classroom with her energy, passion for learning and sheer intelligence (though never with a hint of arrogance). One of the best English students in the country, she scored 100% in her English Literature GCSE.”
Jon also said that by age 16, Hannah had already read works by Joyce, Faulkner, and Nabokov. She was deeply passionate about literature, delving into the writings of Angela Carter, Joseph Conrad, and John Donne.
He revealed, “She loved literature, learning and life. She was so excited to start studying English at Oxford, a goal she had worked so hard towards.”
Rescuers carry a body after divers return in Porticello harbor near Palermo, on August 22, 2024, three days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images
Hannah’s mother, Angela Bacares, was one of 15 survivors rescued by a nearby boat, after the Bayesian, a 56-metre sailing boat, sank during bad weather.
The passengers and crew onboard were 22 in total. However, the tragedy resulted in the loss of seven lives, including Mike and Hannah.
Rescuers carry a body after divers return in Porticello harbor near Palermo, on August 22, 2024, three days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank. | Source: Getty Images
Others are the yacht’s chef Recaldo Thomas, Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, his wife Judith Bloomer, a charity trustee, and Clifford Chance lawyer Christopher Morvillo, along with his wife Neda Morvillo.
Rescue teams operate off Porticello harbor near Palermo on August 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Hannah’s body was discovered alone in her cabin after the superyacht sank 50 meters beneath the Mediterranean, according to rescue teams. Five other individuals, including her father, were found in a different part of the yacht.
Fire service commander Girolamo Bentivoglio Fiandra confirmed this during a press conference in Termini Imerese, near the sinking site off Sicily.
Divers arrive with a third body at the back of the boat in Porticello harbor near Palermo on August 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
An investigation is underway following the tragedy, with Italian authorities examining the shipwreck and potential charges of negligent manslaughter.
The Termini Imerese Prosecutor’s Office, led by Ambrogio Cartosio, is investigating the cause of the luxury vessel’s capsize near Porticello, close to Palermo.
People hug each other on the pier of Porticello near Palermo on August 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Additional details shared by a news outlet, as we previously reported, stipulate the reason Mike went on the Bayesian superyacht was to celebrate having been acquitted of fraud charges in the US.
Mike Lynch spotted leaving the Rolls Building in London, England on June 27, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Reports have also divulged that on the same day of the tragedy (Monday), the body of Canadian-Antiguan chef, Recaldo’ was recovered from the scene. According to an outlet, Recaldo was working on the Bayesian superyacht on the fateful day the tragedy happened.
Coast guard vessels assist the search for missing passengers in Porticello, Italy on August 19, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Italian authorities are now investigating the accident. Reportedly, they are also looking into “multiple counts of culpable homicide.”
People stand with local authorities and rescuers on the pier of Porticello near Palermo on August 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Now that the last body of the missing people has been found, we are sending prayers of healing to Hannah’s mom and other loved ones during their time of grief. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the other families who lost their loved ones as a result of this tragedy.