Wife bludgeoned to death by husband aboard cruise ship: ‘She would not stop laughing at me’
(Updated June 6, 2021) Kenneth Manzanares, the Utah businessman who admitted to beating his wife to death aboard a cruise ship in Alaska in 2017 was sentenced on June 3, 2021, to 30 years behind bars.
Manzanares pleaded guilty in February 2020 to second-degree murder in the death of his spouse, Kristy Manzanares, aboard the cruise ship Emerald Princess off the southeast coast of Alaska.
The man’s motive for bludgeoning his wife to death? “She would not stop laughing at me.”
Also see: Investigation continues into cruise ship murder of Kristy Manzanares
Original article from July 28, 2017, appears below.
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Passengers aboard the Princess Cruise Ship, Emerald Princess, feared something was wrong when screams were heard coming from one of the cabins around 9 p.m. on July 25. Those fears were confirmed when passengers aboard the ship told authorities that they witnessed Kenneth Ray Manzanares, 39, of Santa Clara, Utah, dragging the body of his 39-year-old wife Kristy toward the ship’s balcony. Witnesses then say that Manzanares dragged Kristy back into their cabin by her ankles, according to a July 27 statement released by the District of Alaska U.S. Attorney’s Office. Witnesses also said they could see blood on Manzanares’ hands and clothing.
The ship was half-way through a seven-day Alaska cruise at the time of the incident. When the ship’s security personnel arrived at the scene, they entered the cabin and restrained the husband, handcuffing him and placing him in an adjoining cabin. One of the security officers stated that after entering the cabin, he could see Kristy lying on the floor and that she was covered in blood. The ship’s medical personnel were also on the scene along with security and stated that Kristy “had a severe head wound and blood was spread throughout the room on multiple surfaces,” according to the complaint filed by FBI. Kristy Manzanares was pronounced dead at approximately 9:20 p.m. by the ship’s medical staff.
Fox 13 reported an FBI agent’s investigation into the case as stating that Kenneth Manzanares, with blood on his hands and clothing, told a witness on the scene that he bludgeoned his wife because, “She would not stop laughing at me,” according to a search warrant affidavit. On July 27, Manzanares was charged with the murder of his wife in an Anchorage courtroom. Manzanares, currently being detained in Juneau, appeared in court via video teleconference.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt stated that Manzanares is looking at a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty, and a maximum fine of $250,000, according to The Alaska Dispatch News. Manzanares will remain incarcerated in the Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau until the case against him is resolved. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 10.
Portions of the Emerald Princess’ cruise had to be cancelled following the incident. Guests traveling aboard the ship will have portions of their ticket costs refunded. “Additionally, in light of the impact on guest’s cruise vacations, Princess Cruises has issued each guest a $150 onboard credit,” according to The Alaska Dispatch News.
Written by: Ace News Today Staff
Article Updated by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
