Prominent New York Attorney Christopher Morvillo and Wife Neda's Bodies Recovered from Sunken Yacht in Sicily

Mar. 15, 2025

Neda Morvillo and Chris Morvillo on June 21, 2018 in New York City.Photo:Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty

Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty

New York City attorneyChristopher Morvilloand his wife, jewelry designer Neda Morvillo, died in aluxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicilyearlier this week, his law firm confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 59. She was 57.

The couple had been among six passengers who were missing after theBayesianwent down in the water early on Monday, Aug. 19, following a storm.

The final body from theluxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicilywas found, Italian coast guard sources told PEOPLE on Friday, Aug. 23. The discovery comes after four bodieswere recoveredon Wednesday, Aug, 21, while afifth body was foundin the wreckage.

The spokesperson adds, “We wish to express our deepest condolences and our love and support to Chris’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We also want to thank the Italian authorities and rescue teams for everything they have done."

Christopher J. Morvillo in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011.Scott Eells/Bloomberg/Getty

Scott Eells/Bloomberg/Getty

At the time of the disaster the yacht was carrying 22 people. Immediately after it sunk, 15 people were rescued and 1 body was recovered — lateridentifiedas chef Recaldo Thomas.

While the Italian authorities have not formally identified the six recovered bodies, an Italian interior ministry official confirmed that British tech entrepreneurMike Lynchwas one of the bodies found,reported Reuters. Hisdaughter Hannah remained missingat the time.

Christopher represented Lynch in alengthy legal sagathat dated back to the 2011 sale of Autonomy, a business software company Lynch founded, to Hewlett Packard.

Lynch was acquitted in the U.S. in June on 15 fraud and conspiracy charges, according to theAssociated Pressand theBBC.

Christopher and Neda then joined Lynch on the yacht “celebrating Lynch’s acquittal,” a source told PEOPLE.

Christopher was a partner at the law firm Clifford Chance.Prior to that, his extensive experience includedserving as a lead federal prosecutorwho worked on the criminal investigation of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Throughout his career, he specialized in healthcare fraud, insurance fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, counter-terrorism and narcotics.

“He was a genial and disarming guy,” said Preet Bharara, who worked alongside Morvillo and later became U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, according toThe Wall Street Journal. “He got as good results in his cases as people who present as hard hitting, scorched-earth lawyers.”

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Christopher came from a family of lawyers and credited his late father, Robert Morvillo, for teaching him in the field. “He was the best mentor I’ve ever had,” he toldAmerican Lawyerin 2018.

“I learned more during those years than at any other point in my career, largely from just watching my father skillfully navigate clients through some of the most complex challenges that this job can throw at you,” he said he said at the time.

Neda Morvillo.Neda Morvillo/Facebook

Neda Morvillo/Facebook

Neda was a jewelry designer in New York City and listed her company under the nameNeda Nassiri. According to her site, she trained with master goldsmith Cecelia Bauer and had been designing and hand-crafting fine jewelry for over 20 years.

source: people.com