Woman who died after going over balcony on cruise ship near Catalina Island ID’d

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has identified the passenger who died on a Carnival Cruise Line ship near Catalina Island Monday morning.

Briana Miller, 24, fell from the balcony of her stateroom onboard the Carnival Firenze and landed on a deck below, according to the cruise line. It was not clear what caused her to go over the balcony.

Miller was traveling with her family, who alerted the crew of the incident.

An investigation was underway after a woman appeared to have fallen over the balcony of her Carnival Cruise Line room and died. This video was broadcast on the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

“Carnival’s Care Team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” spokesperson Julie Leonardi said in a Monday night statement.

Leonardi added that “all appropriate authorities have been alerted” and that law enforcement officers were scheduled to board the ship while it was docked at Catalina Island.

The FBI confirmed to NBC News it is investigating the death of the passenger.

The manner and cause of Miller’s death was not provided by the ME’s office.

The ship embarked on a four-night cruise that included stops in Catalina Island and Ensenada, but the tragedy occurred before it reached Catalina Island.

A passenger who was aboard the Carnival Cruise Line ship where a woman died after falling over her room’s balcony recalls learning of the tragedy. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Tuesday,

Amber Reinhold, a passenger on the cruise, said details were sparsely shared to other passengers.

“A couple of staff members said a young lady was with her family and had fallen from her balcony,” Reinhold said. “In order to fall over this railing, I’m 5’9 and it’s up to my rib cage, you would have to be sitting on the railing.”

The 1,000-foot-long Carnival Firenze is an Italian-themed ship with Italy-themed bars and restaurants. The company’s website describes the “Terrazza staterooms” as “a stylish, comfy place to unwind from all the fun,” and includes access to a private deck.