British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch found in Sicily yacht wreck

LONDON – The body of British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch, 59, has been recovered from the wreckage of a yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily, a source familiar with the matter told CNBC on Thursday, confirming earlier reporting by Sky News.

Lynch’s daughter, Hannah, is still missing according to the source, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the situation. Sky News reported this earlier that five bodies recovered from the wreckage had been identified by the Italian coast guard, and that Lynch was among the dead.

Lynch, who was reported missing on Monday, was one of 22 passengers on board the Bayesian superyacht, which capsized while anchored in the small fishing village of Porticello, in Italy’s Palermo province.

On Wednesday, Salvatore Cocina, the head of Sicily’s civil protection agency, confirmed to NBC News that five bodies had been recovered from the yacht’s wreckage. The only person reported dead by authorities so far is Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian-Antiguan chef.

CNBC has contacted the Italian Coast Guard and is awaiting a response.

Lynch was the founder of the business software company Autonomy. He became the target of a protracted legal battle with Hewlett Packard after the firm accused Lynch of inflating Autonomy’s value through an $11.7 billion sale. HP took an $8.8 billion writedown on the company’s value within a year of the purchase.

Lynch was acquitted of fraud charges in June after a surprise victory in US court following a three-month trial. He was charged with fraud and conspiracy for plotting to inflate Autonomy’s revenues. Lynch denied wrongdoing and told jurors that HP botched Autonomy’s integration.

Lynch was also the founder of Invoke Capital, a venture capital firm that backs European tech startups. He became a leading voice in support of the UK technology industry, backing key names such as cyber security companies Dark trail and legal technology company Luminance.

Tributes were paid to Lynch following news of his death. The Royal Academy of Engineering, which made Lynch a fellow in 2008, said its board, fellows and staff were “deeply saddened” to learn of his death and “extend our deepest condolences to his family”.

“We have fond memories of the active role he played [as a fellow] in the past as a mentor, donor and former council member. He was also one of the first members of the Works Committee,” the academy said on social media platform X. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

Lord John Browne, the former CEO of energy company BP, said in a post on His ideas and personal vision were a powerful contribution to science. and technology both in the UK and globally.”