Suspicions grow after newlywed's disappearance

US lawyers are investigating the disappearance of a man from his Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.

George Smith, of Greenwich, Connecticut, had been on a 12-night cruise celebrating his wedding when he vanished somewhere between Greece and Turkey.

He was reported missing on July 5 when the ship docked at Kusadasi, in the Aegean region of Turkey.

Blood stains running from the balcony of Smith’s cabin to life boats, as well as a hand print on the side of the ship, prompted a Turkish prosecutor to ask Smith’s family to provide blood samples for comparison.

“I certainly think it’s fair to characterise this as suspicious,” said US Attorney Kevin O’Connor, Connecticut’s top prosecutor.

“I don’t think anyone has reached a definitive conclusion that a crime was committed. However, I believe we are all operating under the assumption that a crime could have been committed here.”

O’Connor’s comments are the first by an American prosecutor on the case and the strongest indication so far that Smith’s disappearance may involve foul play. His remarks come days after Turkish authorities handed the case over to American officials.

A Turkish prosecutor said several passengers had been questioned – but none of them, including Jennifer Hagel, Smith’s wife – was suspected of foul play.

Hagel was allowed to leave Turkey, but was helping with the investigation.