World4 min(s) read
Published 14:38 22 Apr 2026 GMT
The final words of Suzanne Rees, before she was left behind by a luxury cruise ship on an island, have been revealed.
Suzanne, 80, was left behind by cruise company Coral Expeditions, following an excursion on Lizard Island in Australia.
Her family were left devastated by the loss, and an investigation was opened into the safety procedures of the company, after they failed to note her absence during their routine headcount.
This sad incident took place on October 25, 2025, on the second day of a 60-day circumnavigation of Australia aboard the Coral Adventurer cruise ship.
The island was the cruise's first stop, but Suzanne became separated from the group during a hike and would tragically pass away as a result.
Before her death, the elderly woman sent a text to her daughter, which proved to contain her final words.
The heartbreaking text to her daughter was an update on how the trip was going, as daughter Katherine even revealed that her mother had fallen ill during the organised hike up a mountain on Lizard Island.
Suzanne was reportedly asked to make her way down the mountain on her own, as well.
Speaking to 60 Minutes, Katherine revealed: “She sent me a text that morning with a photo of the deck, saying: ‘Arrived at Lizard Island, going for a hike, and then afternoon swim’,
“We had no reason to think that this wouldn’t be the most amazing experience. We had no reason to think anything bad would happen.”
Suzanne, from New South Wales, was on the once-in-a-lifetime trip when she went missing.
Her daughter admitted that she noticed something was wrong when police showed up to her house and asked if her mom was home.
She claims that the communication between Coral Expeditions and its owner, NRMA, had been "poor," as she asked for a refund after her mother's passing.
Katherine went on: “[Coral Expeditions] mentioned that they would be refunding everyone’s passage, but they didn’t refund Sue’s. I had to ask them to refund that money. For the trip that she didn’t actually get to go on,” Katherine said.
“I was pretty horrified that I actually had to ask. It’s like ripping the band aid back off again.”
The cruise ship only set sail a day prior to the passenger's death, with the Aussie grandma forking out around $21,600 for the two-month trip.
Lizard Island, located 90km northeast of Cooktown, is where many passengers enjoyed some hiking and snorkelling before heading off again.
Authorities say the woman was making her way to the island's highest summit, Cook's Look, when she lost the group after she had stopped to rest.
When the crew realised she was missing, it was evening, and they were already back at sea.
They turned around to get her, arriving around 2AM the following day, but Katherine told The Australian: “Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count. At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, Mom died, alone.”
Katherine admitted that the family were left “shocked and saddened” at what led to her mom's death.
She said there was a “failure of care and common sense,” as Suzanne had only been reported missing at 6PM the day they had left the island.
Coral Expeditions said in a statement to 60 Minutes: “We are deeply sorry to Ms Rees’ family for their loss and the distress and hurt her death has caused.
“While Coral Expeditions had comprehensive safety systems and procedures in place, we acknowledge some of these were not adequately implemented on this tragic day.
“Ms Rees’ death has shocked our people to the core, and we will continue to co-operate fully with the ongoing investigations.
“Coral Expeditions has introduced additional systems and procedures to further strengthen protections for our guests.”
