"The missing person did not accidentally fall ... (and) did not fall as a result of a freak wave," he said. "I can say that the missing person did make intentional actions ... "I can say that a male person, her husband, was standing right next to her when she went over. Inspector Rob Graham updates the media at the cruise ship terminal on the investigation into the woman's fall. Credit:Toby Crockford "I can also say that her husband tried in vain to grab her as she went over, by grabbing onto her legs, but she was too far gone.

"These are a tragic set of circumstances on what should have been a week-long holiday of a lifetime," he said. Inspector Graham said there were no indications that alcohol or seasickness were factors in the woman's fall. The Highgate Hill couple were travelling with their three children, aged between 12 and 16 years. It was understood the children did not witness their mother's fall. Investigators enter the cruise ship terminal at Hamilton on Sunday. Credit:Toby Crockford Jessie Ashe, 20, was a passenger aboard the liner, on her first cruise experience.

"The whole atmosphere really changed on the boat," she said. Jessie Ashe (middle) was greeted by her mother Julie and father Jeff as she disembarked from the Pacific Dawn. Credit:Toby Crockford/Fairfax Media "It was the night of the Gatsby party and there was like no one there. "Your whole body just kind of went numb (when we heard the alarm). "We went up on board, there was everyone looking and we just saw life rings but no one in them.

"After 40 minutes I think the realisation kind of hit." Ms Ashe said rumours spread like wildfire throughout the ship regarding who had fallen and how it had happened. "Within the first half-an-hour we heard it was a male, female or little girl - there was just so many rumours you didn't know what to believe." Ms Ashe said staff on board had been "really sincere" in the days after the death and offered all passengers counselling on the vessel. Inspector Graham said P&O had been "exemplary" in co-operating with police.

He said staff on board secured the victim's room immediately and controlled who entered and what was removed. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority co-ordinated a search for the woman, which included the cruise ship turning around immediately after the alarm was raised and retracing its path in the hope of finding the passenger. However, the search was called off on Friday morning, based on medical advice that it was unlikely the woman would be found alive. Detectives, scenes of crime officers and plain-duty police boarded the cruise ship on Sunday morning to investigate further. An AMSA safety officer was also expected to inspect the vessel. The ship had departed Brisbane on Saturday, April 7, and sailed to Vanuatu as well as New Caledonia.

Passengers had told News Corp the woman had gone outside to vomit and was thrown overboard when a wave hit the ship, but P&O said there was nothing to support that version of events. P&O Cruises spokesman David Jones said in a statement on Sunday that the surveillance footage provided an unobstructed view of exactly what happened. "We have done everything possible to respect and protect the privacy of the family," he said. "We remain concerned that much of the speculation and versions of events given in recent days are not supported by the facts. "The police inquiries on behalf of the Coroner will help put the speculation to rest.

"With Pacific Dawn’s arrival, we will be able to give police CCTV footage providing an unobstructed view of what happened and portraying an obviously devoted and loving couple. "We extend our deepest condolences to the family and hope that they will find comfort in their grief." Police said late on Friday that there were no suspicious circumstances. If you or someone you know needs support, help can be found at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.