Authorities now believe an American couple was thrown overboard and is likely dead after recovering their hijacked catamaran yacht.
Ralph Hendry 66, and his wife Kathy Brandel, 71, had been sailing the Caribbean Sea near Grand Anse Beach in Grenada. Police say they found evidence of violence aboard the yacht, named “Simplicity.”
“Based on the investigation thus far, it is presumed that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel are deceased,” Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force spokesperson Junior Simmons said in a video statement Monday.
The yacht was allegedly hijacked by three prisoners who escaped from the South St. George Police Station on February 18, Royal Grenada Police Force Don McKenzie revealed at a Monday news conference. The three sailed the yacht to St. Vincent, where they were arrested last week.
“Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St Vincent, they disposed of the occupants,” McKenzie said of Hendry and Brandel, adding that while they have “nothing conclusive,” the chances of the couple still being alive at this point are low.
The three escaped prisoners and alleged hijackers were identified by the Royal Grenada Police Force as Ron Mitchell, 30; Trevon Robertson, 19; and Abita Stanislaus, 25.