American couple presumed dead after catamaran hijacked off Grenada by escaped prisoners

Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry vanished from their yacht after three escaped prisoners seized the vessel. Police in St. Vincent say the couple are presumed dead.

American retirees likely thrown overboard after yacht seized by escaped prisoners

Two American retirees are presumed dead after their catamaran, Simplicity, was seized by three escaped prisoners near Grenada, nbcnews.com reports. Police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines say Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry were most likely thrown overboard while the vessel was travelling north between islands.

"Based on the investigation thus far, it is presumed that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel are deceased," St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Superintendent Junior Simmons said in a video statement Monday afternoon.

Evidence of violence found aboard the yacht

The three men broke out of jail on 18 February before boarding the couple's boat the following day while it was docked in the St. George area of Grenada, Royal Grenada Police Commissioner Don McKenzie told reporters. The escapees then headed north toward St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

"Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, they disposed of the occupants," McKenzie said.

When asked whether investigators knew where the missing Americans might be, McKenzie was direct: "No."

He nonetheless left a sliver of hope open. "We have nothing conclusive to say that the individuals are dead. We still hold out hope that, in spite of what might be a low probability, they will turn up alive somewhere."

A good Samaritan discovered the abandoned vessel and contacted the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, whose flag was flying on the mast. The association then passed the news on to the couple's families. Simmons described conditions on board as "consistent with signs of violence."

"Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin, and a red substance that resembled blood was seen on board," Simmons said. "There was no discovery of bodies on board the yacht."

Suspects arrested and in custody

The three escapees were apprehended by police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday and remain in custody there, according to the couple's sons and officials. Authorities have questioned the suspects multiple times, and the family expects charges to be filed soon.

McKenzie extended his condolences to the family while maintaining a cautious tone. "What I can say to the family is my condolences and we are still hoping for what I consider a positive outcome — we still have the hope that our worst-case scenario will not be a reality."

Sons appeal for answers from the Caribbean

Brandel's son, Nick Buro, and Hendry's son, Bryan Hendry, said they first learned of their parents' disappearance when U.S. consular officials in Barbados contacted them. Both sons are currently in the Caribbean and have been in direct contact with police and coast guard officials from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Buro said they were told an "altercation of violence took place" on the boat, with the couple's possessions "strewn around all over" and several items stolen.

A friend of the couple, Rob Maher, who served as their emergency contact, described the situation in an interview on NBC Nightly News as "like a bad Hollywood movie."

"It's hard to think of their last moments with the idea that they might have been thrown overboard alive. It's difficult to conceive for a friend," Maher said.

The couple's sons called the disappearance "the rarest of the rare occurrences."

A life spent sailing the world

Brandel and Hendry met in Virginia and had been together for 27 years. They lived with their sons in Alexandria until 2013, when they sold their home to purchase Simplicity and commit to life at sea.

"They wanted to see the world. They wanted to experience life. They wanted to see what the world had to offer outside of their small window of living in one place," Buro said. "Being mobile and being able to have a different adventure every day — that's like the definition of living."

Hendry said his father and Brandel "loved immersing themselves in different cultures and meeting people and spreading their love wherever they could." Buro described the pair as an inspiration.

"You'll never meet more beautiful people than Kathy and Ralph," Buro said. "They were there for people when they needed it most."

US State Department monitoring the situation

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department confirmed that Washington is aware of the reports involving two citizens missing in the vicinity of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and that U.S. authorities are coordinating with local law enforcement.

"We are monitoring the situation and seeking additional information," the spokesperson said. "The Department of State has no higher priority than the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad."

Source: Google News GD — Crime