The family of the Virginia couple who disappeared after their yacht was found abandoned and looted in the Caribbean is speaking out and thanking those who have helped in the search efforts.
“We want to reach out to the entire cruising community to express our gratitude to everyone who worked to gather eyewitness information and provide search and rescue support,” Bryan Hendry and Nick Buro said in a statement released by the cruise group. the couple, Salty Dawg. Sailing Association (SDSA). “It means so much to us that so many people cared about Ralph and Kathy as friends and fellow travelers who are willing to stop and help in any way possible.”
Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were docked Sunday in the St. George’s area of Grenada, which they frequent annually during the winter months, when authorities said three fugitives ambushed them and stole their yacht named “Simplicity.”
Three escaped prisoners; Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; Trevon Robertson, an unemployed 19-year-old, and Abita Stanislaus, a 20-year-old farmer, were arrested on charges of violent robbery, and the older man is also being held on three counts of attempted rape, according to the report. Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF).
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The family thanked all the search and rescue teams for all their efforts in finding Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel. (Salty Dawg Sailing Association)
Police said the three prisoners are locals from Paradise in Grenada and had been locked up since December.
The RGPF said the three escaped prisoners were discovered near another Caribbean island on Wednesday, but there was no sign of the pair.
“For the safety of the cruise ship community, we are asking all cruise ships, and anyone not affiliated with the presiding officials with jurisdiction, to leave. The only way we believe this situation could get worse would be if someone were found injured or in danger trying to conduct searches,” the family said.
Investigators said the boat was looted and violence ensued.
“The RGPF is currently working on leads that suggest the two occupants of the yacht may have died in the process,” police said in a Facebook post on Thursday. “The occupants of the yacht are believed to have been American citizens.”
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A Virginia couple who were enjoying their retirement sailing the Caribbean on their yacht are feared dead after three escaped prisoners hijacked their boat, named “Simplicity.” (Salty Dawg Sailing Association)
A GoFundMe post from Jessica Mause, who said she is close friends with one of the couple’s children, wrote that they were dead.
“It is with deep sadness and great regret that we share the devastating news of the senseless act of violence that tragically claimed the lives of husband and wife, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel. Kathy and Ralph were experienced sailors living on their beloved catamaran. Simplicity. Their lives ended in an unimaginable tragedy on Sunday, February 19, off the coast of Grand Anse Beach, Grenada,” Mause wrote.
However, Hendry’s sister, Suellen Desmarais, told FOX 5 that she keeps faith that they are alive and is still trying to figure out what happened.
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Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; Trevon Robertson, an unemployed 19-year-old, and Abita Stanislaus, a 20-year-old farmer, were arrested in connection with the disappearance of Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel. (RSVG Police Force via Facebook)
“Why should I assume that someone is dead without a body or DNA? I want to remain positive. I want to believe that they are alive,” said Desmarais, who shared some details about the heartbreaking incident.
Bob Osborn, president of SDSA, speaking on behalf of the entire Salty Dawg family, said: “This is a very disturbing event and the details have not yet been confirmed by authorities, but it appears to be a tragic event – our hopes and prayers are with Ralph and Kathy and the family who love them. I have spoken to the families and offered our deepest condolences and help in any way possible. In all my years of sailing in the Caribbean, I have never heard of anything like this.”
As of Sunday, the GoFundMe page has reached nearly $45,000 and Mause said the funds will go toward recovering the boat and belongings, covering funeral costs and providing support to grieving families as they deal with the tragedy.
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The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) said the three prisoners were discovered near another Caribbean island on Wednesday, but there was no sign of the pair. (Salty Dawg Sailing Association)
The RGPF said in a statement released Friday that they were working on leads “that suggest” the yacht’s two occupants may have died.
“This investigation is in its early stages,” police said.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan and Christina Coleman contributed to this story.