Family release first picture of Hannah Lynch after body is recovered

Tributes have flooded in for Hannah Lynch after divers found a sixth body following the tragic sinking of the Bayesian superyacht on Monday.

Tribute have poured in for the daughter of billionaire Mike Lynch after divers found a sixth body following the Bayesian boat tragedy.

The body, believed to belong to Hannah Lynch, was recovered around 12pm local time on Friday.

A spokesperson for the Lynch family said they are “devastated”, and “in shock” after the loss of Hannah and her father.

The statement read: “Their thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy.

Hannah Lynch with her father Mike Lynch.

Divers of the Vigili del Fuoco, the Italian Corps. of Firefighters leave Porticello harbour near Palermo, to resume research for a last missing person on August 23, 2024. Picture: AFP

Friends have paid tribute to Hannah Lynch.

“They would like to sincerely thank the Italian coastguard, emergency services and all those who helped in the rescue.”

The gifted teen, who was was set to study English at the University of Oxford, was described as “deeply considerate” and “genuinely kind” by friends.

Hannah’s school, Latymer Upper School, said staff and students were left “incredibly shocked” by news of her disappearance this week.

Her teacher Jon Mitropoulous-Monk, head of English, told The Times: “She loved literature, learning and life. She was so excited to start studying English as Oxford, a goal she had worked so hard towards.

“When she got her place she sought out every single member of the English department to thank them individually and give them a hug.”

Katya Lewis, Hannah’s friend said: “She had a warm and beautiful soul. Being with Hannah made me feel whole and happy. She is the most special friend anyone could ask for.”

The total number of people confirmed dead after the yacht tragedy is seven and no further passengers are missing.

Search teams recovered the four bodies of Jonathan and Judy Bloomer and Chris and Neda Morvillo, who were guests on the yacht, on Wednesday.

Recaldo Thomas – the yacht chef – was found dead on Monday near the boat.

Pictures showed rescue teams bringing the body said to be Mike Lynch ashore around 8.45am local time on Thursday.

Billionaire British businessman Mike Lynch. Picture: Getty

British chairman of Morgan Stanley International Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer posing in an unknown location. picture: AFP.

Jewellery designer Neda Morvillo. Picture: Supplied

New York lawyer Christopher Morvillo. Picture: Supplied

Fifteen passengers of the 22 on-board were rescued when the luxury yacht capsized and sank in a storm around 5am on Monday morning off the coast of Palermo near Porticello.

It plunged beneath the waves after being hammered by a rare “Black Swan” waterspout – a freak twister-like event.

According to witnesses from a small nearby boat, the 246ft tall mast was hit by a tornado, toppling the boat and causing it to capsize.

Lynch’s wife and Hannah’s mum – Angela Bacares, 57 – was one of those who managed to escape in a tiny life raft as the vessel capsized.

The couple’s eldest daughter is thought to be with her mother in Porticello.

Hannah was described by friends as gentle, kind and fun as well as a staunch feminist who hoped to become a writer.

Italian officials have yet to publicly comment on the latest development, which brings an end to five days of searching in the underwater wreck.

Captain of the doomed yacht James Cutfield, 51, was grilled by cops for over two hours after divers discovered the boat’s keel was raised – a structural backbone of the boat which could have affected its stability during the storm.

The Bayesian, which had 22 people aboard including 10 crew, was anchored some 700 metres from port before dawn when it was supposedly struck by a waterspout. Picture: AFP

And the CEO of the firm which manufactured the boat has spoken out – claiming the yachts are “unsinkable”.

Divers said on Thursday they may raise the sunken yacht, subject to both an Italian and UK probe.

Rescuers deployed an underwater drone robot to assist in the search mission on Wednesday with pictures showing divers operating it from a boat on the surface.

It can remain underwater for up to seven hours at a depth of 300m, recording helpful images and video.

Although the 184ft yacht is “practically intact” at the bottom of the sea, rescuers were struggling to get inside because of narrow entryways, floating debris and a 10 minute time limit per dive.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission