Watch CBS News

FBI: Man Who Disappeared From Cruise Ship In 2005 May Have Been Killed By Russian Mob

GREENWICH, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- There are new developments in the case of a Connecticut newlywed who disappeared in 2005. Until now, it appeared that he fell off a cruise ship by accident.

But CBS 2's Pablo Guzman reported, the FBI now has evidence raising the possibility of foul play.

In July 2005, newlywed George Smith of Greenwich disappeared at sea, between Greece and Turkey. His family has always suspected he was murdered. However, three young Russian-Americans from Brooklyn who had been drinking with Smith have now caught the interest of the FBI's so-called "Russian Mafia" unit, CBS News reported on Wednesday.

The three are seen on an old video telling Turkish police they found Smith passed out, and took him to his room.

"I closed the door, never saw him again. End of story. That was it," one of the men said at the time.

But the new video, which was made from somebody's cell phone, allegedly shows the young Russians making fun of Smith, and incriminating themselves in the process.

"To me it was amazing that people would actually film themselves talking about somebody's death in such a fashion," Smith family attorney Michael Jones said.

The FBI has that new video, Guzman reported. George Smith's sister is clear on what the family is hoping for.

"We want to see arrests. We want to see indictments. We want to see convictions," Bree Smith said.

His mother said she thinks she knows exactly what happened.

"I believe it was a botched robbery that got out of hand and my son was murdered on that cruise ship," Maureen Smith said.

A girlfriend of someone with the Russians said they believed Smith had $50,000 in his cabin, and that his new bride, Jennifer, was seen gambling $200 hands of blackjack, Guzman reported.

George Smith's sister told CBS News the new video "could be the missing piece of the puzzle."

Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below ...

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.