London, November 23, 2025
Hewlett-Packard (HP) is pursuing a $1.7 billion claim against the estate of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch following his death in the sinking of the superyacht Bayesian off Sicily in August 2024. The claim arises from allegations of financial misrepresentation tied to HP’s 2011 acquisition of Lynch’s company Autonomy Corporation.
HP’s $1.7 billion civil claim targets Lynch’s estate, including assets managed by his wife Angela Bacares and Invoke Capital. The lawsuit, which predates Lynch’s June 2024 acquittal on criminal fraud charges in a U.S. federal court, alleges that Lynch and Autonomy executives inflated sales figures and misled HP about the company’s value prior to the $11 billion acquisition. While Lynch was acquitted criminally, HP’s pursuit of civil damages continues, reflecting different legal standards and routes for recovery.
The sinking of the 184-foot superyacht Bayesian on August 19, 2024, resulted in seven deaths, including Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah. The vessel capsized rapidly during a violent storm off Porticello, Sicily, with winds exceeding 70 knots (81 mph). The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found the yacht’s design made it vulnerable to sudden capsizing, even when under engine power with sails down. Recovery of the wreckage in November 2025 permits ongoing investigations into the disaster.
This legal action underscores the complex, high-stakes nature of cross-border litigation in major technology mergers and acquisitions. It highlights the financial and reputational risks facing both tech entrepreneurs and their acquiring firms amid post-deal disputes. The case also raises significant questions about corporate governance, accountability, and the boundaries of posthumous liability in civil claims.
Mike Lynch, known as “Britain’s Bill Gates,” founded Autonomy and Invoke Capital. His widow Angela Bacares survived the yacht tragedy and now stands at the center of estate-related legal matters. Hewlett-Packard remains the primary corporate actor seeking restitution. Other victims of the tragedy include Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, Christopher and Neda Morvillo, and Recaldo Thomas.
Further developments are expected as Italian authorities continue investigating possible manslaughter charges linked to the sinking. The civil lawsuit relies in part on evidence from the Bayesian’s recovered wreckage. The eventual outcome could establish legal precedents on corporate fraud claims brought after a defendant’s death, amplifying its significance for global business and legal communities.