Ashley Barnett
Ashley was removed from the ship in Mexico, but Geoff remained onboard. He says he was prevented from leaving the ship, because investigators needed to interview him. It was the next day before he called Ashley's mother, Jamie, to tell her what happened. But, her mother found out right after the death, when ship's staff called her to tell her Ashley was dead.
The nurse was on the phone and Jamie sayss he asked to talk to Geoff and was told, that she couldn’t talk to him right then, he was being questioned. The nurse called later and said that Geoff had been cleared to talk to her, but that he had so far declined to do so. That is when Jamie became concerned that Geoff knew something about how her daughter had died.
When he did call Jamie, and she asked what happened to Ashley he said, " I have no idea. She went to sleep and that’s all I know. The only thing I know is some of my methadone and some of my Vicodin was missing.' And I said, 'You know, Geoff. What does that mean? What are you saying? She wouldn’t have taken it.' He went, 'I know. I know,'" Jamie recalls.
Asked if he gave Ashley the methadone, Geoff insists, "No way. Never I would never ever, ever done that."
NOTE: It is interesting to note that, methadone is a controlled substance, a narcotic, but can be brought on a cruise ship, no problem, as long as it is in a prescription container, clearly marked with the name of the passenger. It is one of the few drugs that can be brought on a cruise ship and can be given to a victim, thereby disabling them, much like the way Fantasy and Ecstasy is used, as the drug causes drowsiness, especially in an overdose quantity.This means it will be passed through when embarking, unlike other drugs caught and stopped by drug sniffing dogs, and poses a risk to passengers, even where drug dogs are present. Given that the most popular use of the drug is by recovering heroine addicts, a passenger warning is advised.
Methadone, formerly known as dolophine, is a psycho-active drug, meaning that it affects the mind or behavior. It belongs to the class of opioids, drugs that share some of the analgesic properties, and mimic the action of some of the body's naturally occurring chemicals called peptides, such as endorphins and enkephalines.
Methadone is used to relieve chronic pain in cancer patients and as a maintenance drug to control withdrawal symptoms in people undergoing treatment for opiate addiction.
Methadone magnifies the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, such as antihistamines, cold medicines, sedatives, tranquilizers, other prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, barbiturates, seizure medications, muscle relaxants, and certain anesthetics including some dental anesthetics.
Methadone is a powerful narcotic. It can cause some people to feel drowsy, dizzy, or light-headed. Intentional or accidental overdose of methadone can lead to unconsciousness, coma, or death. The signs of methadone overdose include confusion, difficulty speaking, seizures, severe nervousness or restlessness, severe dizziness, severe drowsiness, and/or slow or troubled breathing
Ashley Barnett Case Details: 1 2
Ashley Barnett
Cruise Ship Passenger Drug Overdose Results In Death
Carnival Cruise Lines - October 15, 2005
