Catamaran hijack victims likely 'thrown into Caribbean sea' by escaped prisoners
Alarm bells were sounded when the vessel was found abandoned in St. Vincent and the Grenadines a few days after Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel set off for dinner.
An American couple whose catamaran was hijacked are likely dead after being thrown into the Caribbean sea, police say.
Ralph Hendry, 66, and wife Kathy Brandel, 71, were last seen in Grenada on February 18 en route to a restaurant aboard their boat Simplicity.
Alarm bells were sounded when the vessel was found abandoned in St. Vincent and the Grenadines a few days later with no sign of the pair.
Investigators now believe three escaped prisoners from South Saint George Police Station hijacked the catamaran before heading to St. Vincent, where they were arrested last Wednesday.
It is their belief that Mr Hendry and Ms Brandel were killed and their bodies were thrown into the ocean.
READ MORE: Retired couple dead in Caribbean after fugitives steal yacht in 'bloody' heist
Don McKenzie, police commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said: "Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St Vincent, they disposed of the occupants."
McKenzie said he had no conclusive proof that the couple is dead, but cited a "low probability" that they are alive.
Junior Simmons, spokesman for the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, posted a video saying the couple is presumed dead based on the investigation so far.
He added that the suspects were being investigated for several criminal acts, including "bodily harm to the couple."
"Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin, and a red substance that resembles blood was seen on board," Simmons said.
The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association described Hendry and Brandel as "veteran cruisers".
It said the couple had sailed the yacht in last year's Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and were spending the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.
Don't miss... Popular holiday destination is so crowded people feel like sardines [REPORT]
A GoFundMe page created to raise money for the couple's family noted that Brandel had recently become a first-time grandmother, and that the sailing community was "shattered" by what happened.
The page says: "Kathy and Ralph, experienced adventurers, spent their retirement sailing aboard Simplicity, spending summers in New England and embracing the warmth of Caribbean winters.
"Their final voyage with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association crew took an unthinkable turn as Simplicity was found abandoned in St. Vincent, bearing chilling evidence of a violent struggle.
"This heartbreaking tragedy has left not only the sailing community, but also their families, shattered. Kathy, who had recently become a first-time grandmother, found immense joy in the presence of her grandson—joy that has now been abruptly taken away.
"As their families navigate the overwhelming grief and attempt to make sense of this unthinkable loss, we extend our collective support and sympathy."
