Second arrest in connection with death on MSC Virtuosa cruise ship
James Messham died after an "altercation" on board the ship two and a half hours after it departed from Southampton last Saturday.
Sunday 11 May 2025 13:25, UK
A second person has been arrested in connection with the death of a 60-year-old man on board a cruise ship.
James Messham, from Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, died after an "altercation" on the MSC Virtuosa at around 8.30pm last Saturday.
A 57-year-old man from Exeter, Devon, was arrested on suspicion of murder by Hampshire Constabulary and released pending further inquiries.
The force has now confirmed a second man has been arrested.
A spokesman said: "A 56-year-old man from Richmond, London, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remains in custody at this time.
"We remain keen to hear from anyone who was aboard the ship, which had departed Southampton around 6pm on Saturday and was still in British waters at the time."
The cruise ship had left Hampshire for a two-night journey to Bruges, Belgium.
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Mr Messham, who operated the travelling show Messham's Wall of Death, has been described as a "great showman" by friends posting tributes on Facebook.