Escaped prisoners in the Caribbean hijacked a yacht, presumably killing Virginia couple Ralph Hendry, 66, and Kathy Brandel, 71.
Experienced cruisers disappeared near Grenada. Authorities discovered their abandoned yacht in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on February 21.
Charges and Allegations
Ron Mitchell, 30, Atiba Stanisclaus, 25, and Trevon Robertson, 23, face charges for murder, escape, burglary, robbery, and kidnapping.
Additionally, Stanisclaus faces a rape charge related to assaulting Brandel, confirmed by the Royal Grenada Police Force. Authorities originally detained the men on robbery charges before they escaped.
Investigation and Court Proceedings
Hendry and Brandel’s bodies are missing; blood on their ransacked boat indicates violence.
Investigators believe the escapees threw the couple’s bodies overboard while sailing to St. Vincent.
Authorities arrested the suspects in St. Vincent on February 21, extradited them to Grenada, arraigned them, and they are due back in court on March 27.
The Couple’s Legacy
The couple’s children have released a statement honoring their parents’ values of beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith.
They said their parents made the world better and people will remember them for their positive impact.
Community Response
The loss has deeply affected the sailing community, including the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, where the couple were members.
The association described Hendry and Brandel as “veteran cruisers” and noted their participation in the previous year’s Caribbean Rally.
A GoFundMe campaign supports the family, reflecting the community’s support.
The Royal Grenada Police Force is investigating the escape, hijacking, and custody breach. This tragedy has darkened the close-knit sailing community.