Cruise Ship Passenger Fell & Didn't Commit Suicide, Family's Lawyer Says

After Oasis of the Sea passenger Bernado Elbaz plunged from one of the cruise ship's balconies just hours ago, the Royal Caribbean released a statement insinuating the incident had been an act of suicide.

But the family's lawyer claims the tragic event was the result of an altercation, NBC reports.

"It was not a suicide," said Michael Winkleman, attorney for the Elbaz family. "Bernardo did not jump."

Winkleman alleged that homophobic comments—including "Hi, lipstick"—made by crewmembers to Elbaz and his husband of one year spawned the incident.

"Elbaz ended up in his cabin, where he is furious, and ultimately Royal Caribbean security comes on the scene," Winkleman claimed. "As a result of an altercation in his cabin, Bernardo ends up somehow falling off his balcony onto the life boat area."

Another passenger captured cellphone footage of the horrifying event.

Watch the Video on RadarOnline.com:

Winkleman said that the coast guard found a body "matching the description of Bernado" by an airplane, but they were unable to recover it.

Meanwhile, the Royal Carribean has issued an official statement denying Winkleman's allegations.

"Our onboard security team responded to the guest's stateroom after a neighboring guest complained about a domestic dispute on the guest's balcony," the company statement read. "Our staff did not have a physical altercation with the guest and were unable to prevent his jumping from the stateroom balcony."