According to police reports from Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday, a US couple whose catamaran was hijacked by three escaped prisoners in the Caribbean last week is presumed dead, with authorities suspecting that they were likely thrown into the ocean.
The revelation dealt a heavy blow to those involved in the independent search efforts for Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, who had held out hope for their survival.
Don McKenzie, the police commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, disclosed during a news briefing that the trio of prisoners had absconded from the South Saint George Police Station on February 18. They seized control of the catamaran named "Simplicity" the following day before sailing towards St. Vincent, where they were apprehended last Wednesday.
McKenzie indicated, "Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, they disposed of the occupants."
While concrete evidence of the couple's demise is lacking, McKenzie acknowledged a "low probability" of their survival based on the available information.
Subsequently, a spokesperson for the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force released a video stating that although no bodies had been recovered, the investigation thus far pointed to the couple's presumed death.
The suspects are under scrutiny for various criminal offenses, including inflicting harm on the couple, with signs of violence evident on the deserted boat discovered in St. Vincent.
The couple, described as seasoned sailors and longstanding members of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, had participated in numerous sailing ventures, including last year's Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua.
A GoFundMe campaign initiated to support the couple's family highlighted Brandel's recent transition into grandmotherhood and underscored the profound impact of the tragedy on the sailing community.
In response to queries about the circumstances leading to the escape, McKenzie noted that an inquiry had been launched to ascertain whether it resulted from systemic inadequacies or individual oversight.
Despite the tragic turn of events, investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being made to address the broader implications of the incident, including measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
