Presumably dead, the US couple whose catamaran was abducted was probably tossed into the water

Authorities stated on Monday that a US couple whose catamaran was taken over by three fugitive convicts in the Caribbean last week is likely dead and was dumped into the sea.

Those who were independently assisting in the hunt for Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel and had believed they were still alive were devastated by the statements provided by the police in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The three inmates broke out of the South Saint George Police Station on February 18, according to Don McKenzie, the Royal Grenada Police Force’s police commissioner, who made this announcement at a press conference. The next day, he added, they took over the catamaran “Simplicity” and made their way to St. Vincent, where they were apprehended last Wednesday.

According to McKenzie, “information indicates that they disposed of the occupants while traveling between Grenada and St Vincent.”

McKenzie said that there was a “low probability” the couple was still alive but that he lacked concrete evidence to support their death.

A few hours later, the couple is believed to be dead based on the preliminary inquiry, according to a video released by the chief spokesperson for the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, even though no remains have been discovered.

According police spokesperson Junior Simmons, the suspects are being looked into for a number of crimes, including “bodily harm to the couple.” The short statement was recorded. According to him, the couple’s yacht, which was discovered abandoned at St. Vincent, had evidence of violence.

“A red substance that resembled blood was seen on board, and several items were scattered on the deck and in the cabin,” he claimed.

Hendry and Brandel were described as “veteran cruisers” and longstanding members of the charity Salty Dawg Sailing Association, which also called them “warm-hearted and capable.”

It said that the pair was spending the winter traveling in the eastern Caribbean after sailing the boat in the previous year’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua.

Hendry’s son and Brandel’s son did not respond to mails seeking comment at the time of writing.

According to a GoFundMe page set up to collect money for the couple’s family, Brandel had just become a first-time grandmother and the incident had “shattered” the sailing community.

The website said, “Kathy and Ralph were seasoned travelers who sailed aboard Simplicity during their retirement, enjoying the warmth of Caribbean winters and New England summers.”

Commissioner of Police for Grenada McKenzie indicated that a team of five members was sent to St. Vincent to assist with the inquiry.

“Who is really to be blamed for this massive failure to keep these prisoners under the control of the (Royal Grenada Police Force) which has now resulted in this tragedy?” was one of the questions posed to McKenzie and other police officials following his brief announcement on Monday.

According to McKenzie, the police have opened an inquiry into the escape and are trying to determine if there was a “slip up” or “a system failure.”

The police holding facility where the three individuals were being kept provides “sufficient safety to prevent an incident like that (from) occurring,” he said, adding that “all aspects of that investigation are on the table.”

In response to a question from a reporter on why the three detained men were being held in a holding cell rather than a jail, Assistant Police Commissioner Vannie Curwen said that the men needed to meet a magistrate before a decision was made over whether to give bail or remand them.

A few months ago, one case of robbery with violence was brought against the three escaped prisoners: Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; Abita Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and 19-year-old jobless guy named Trevon Robertson. According to Grenadan authorities, Mitchell was also accused of one rape, three attempted rapes, and two instances of indecent assault and harming.

According to Simmons, the three men entered into a plea agreement on Monday when they appeared in court in St. Vincent, where they were charged with four immigration-related offenses, including visiting the island without a passport and as “prohibited immigrants.” On those allegations, a sentencing hearing is set for March.