25-year-old actress dies mysteriously on board a cruise ship – her mother then calls for an investigation into her death

The mother of a 25-year-old actor has called for more thorough investigations into deaths at sea following the tragic death of her daughter.

On October 14, 2005, actress Ashley Barnett was found dead in her cabin aboard a Carnival Line cruise ship.

Ashley’s mother Jamie told the US Sun that even years after her daughter’s death, there is still no clarity about what actually happened.

Ashley’s boyfriend’s account of the evening states that they returned to their cabin together after going to a concert and a casino.

He left the cabin around 2:30 a.m. after an alleged argument broke out between the two, returned to the casino and left Ashley alone in the room.

The boyfriend claimed that he returned to the room less than two hours after leaving and slept with Ashley.

The next afternoon he woke up and went upstairs to his friends, assuming Ashley was still asleep.

When he returned to the cabin, he could not wake her and found that she was not breathing.

Ashley was an aspiring actress. (VanderBrug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Despite all rescue attempts by first responders, Ashley’s death was pronounced at the scene of the accident.

Jamie spoke openly about why it was difficult to find out exactly what happened to her daughter.

She said: “She was autopsied and before she could return to the United States her body had to be embalmed.

“When her body came back, every coroner had very little to work with to figure out what had happened. It was a long, dangerous journey that ultimately yielded no real answers.”

If someone dies on land, their death is investigated by the authority in the area where they died.

Ashley’s mother Jamie is still searching for answers. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

However, when someone dies at sea, determining how the death should be investigated is more complicated.

Jamie said: “I’ll never have all the answers. That’s one of the most heartbreaking things about losing someone like that on a cruise ship.”

“When it happens at sea, everything is different and people don’t notice it at all.”

Speaking about how much the loss had affected her, she added: “I wake up every morning and wish I could hold my daughter in my arms just one more time. And I pray that no other mother ever has to go through this nightmare.”

UNILAD has contacted Carnival Cruise Line for comment.