A Married Couple Goes Missing as Yacht is Stolen by Escaped Convicts
A married couple who sold their home in Virginia to retire to a life at sea is missing after authorities believe escaped convicts stole their yacht in the Caribbean.
A Shocking Mystery Shakes the Sailing Community
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Kathleen Brandel and Ralph Hendry has sent shockwaves through the family and the sailing community.
Yacht Found Abandoned, Couple Nowhere to Be Found
The couple was last seen in Grenada last week. Their yacht, Simplicity, was discovered abandoned on the island of St. Vincent, but there was no sign of Brandel and Hendry. The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association, of which Brandel and Hendry are members, reported the finding.
Prisoners’ Escape and the Hijacking
A preliminary investigation suggests that on February 18, three prisoners escaped their holding cell in Grenada and the next day hijacked the yacht from St. George’s, the capital. Afterward, they made their way to St. Vincent and were eventually recaptured on February 21, according to the Royal Grenada Police Force.
Fears of Their Fate
Grenada police believe that Brandel and Hendry may have been killed during the hijacking, but they cannot confirm this. Signs of a violent struggle, including blood and scattered possessions, were discovered aboard the vessel.
A Devastated Family Clings Onto Hope
Nick Buro and Bryan Hendry, the couple’s children, are devastated and struggling to come to terms with the situation. Despite the signs pointing to the worst, they still hold onto a glimmer of hope, refusing to accept their parents’ possible demise.
A Loving Couple with a Passion for Adventure
Kathleen Brandel and Ralph Hendry, married for 27 years, have spent over a decade sailing around the world. They immersed themselves in different cultures, spreading love and happiness wherever they went.
A Close-Knit Sailing Community in Shock
A tight-knit fabric in the sailing community is deeply shocked and devastated by the news of this tragic event. Friends and fellow sailors express disbelief and sadness.
The Escapees and the Charges Against Them
The three prisoners, aged 19, 25, and 30, faced charges of robbery with violence, with the eldest inmate facing additional charges of rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, and causing harm. Authorities have sent senior investigators and a forensic specialist to St. Vincent to investigate the hijacking.
