Mike Lynch, the tech entrepreneur known for founding Autonomy, went missing after his luxury yacht sank off Sicily amid a violent storm. Lynch, who built Autonomy from his Cambridge research and sold it to Hewlett-Packard (HP) for $11 billion in 2011, spent years defending himself against fraud allegations. HP accused Lynch of accounting fraud, leading to a $8.8 billion write-down of Autonomy's value and significant legal battles. Though Lynch was acquitted of all charges in the US, the legal fight, including a $5 billion claim by HP, marked a turbulent period in his career.

The yacht, named “Bayesian,” sank on Monday after being struck by a storm while anchored off Porticello. It was carrying 22 people, including Lynch and his daughter, of whom six are still missing. The yacht’s chef was found deceased, and Lynch's wife and a one-year-old girl were among those who survived. Rescue teams continue to search for the missing, and investigators are examining the vessel and crew's response to the storm. The incident is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather in the Mediterranean, following a period of intense heat.