World Courant
Be part of Fox Information for entry to this content material
Plus particular entry to pick out articles and different premium content material along with your account – freed from cost.
Please enter a sound electronic mail tackle.
By coming into your electronic mail and pushing proceed, you’re agreeing to Fox Information’ Phrases of Use and Privateness Coverage, which incorporates our Discover of Monetary Incentive. To entry the content material, examine your electronic mail and observe the directions offered.
Having bother? Click on right here.
A retired American couple is “presumed lifeless” after three jail escapees from a Caribbean island seized their yacht to make a getaway, native authorities stated late Monday afternoon.
Ralph Hendry, 66, and his spouse, Kathy Brandel, 71, have been kidnapped on Feb. 18 when the escapees hijacked their yacht docked close to the shores of vacationer hotspot Grand Anse Seaside in Grenada, in accordance with Junior Simmons, superintendent of police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Blood was discovered among the many tattered ruins of the Virginia couple’s prized possession, nicknamed “Simplicity,” Simmons stated, which was deserted about 70 miles off of St. Vincent, a southern Caribbean nation.
“Whereas crusing from Grenada, the suspects dedicated a number of legal acts, together with bodily hurt to the couple,” he stated.
FRIENDS WHO SAILED WITH MISSING AMERICANS BEFORE YACHT HIJACKED ‘PRAY FOR MIRACLE’
Ralph Hendry, 66, and his spouse, Kathy Brandel, 71, are “presumed lifeless” after jail escapees kidnapped them whereas fleeing authorities on the Caribbean island of Grenada. (Nick Buro)
Earlier than the press convention, family members and authorities have been hoping that Hendry and Brandel can be discovered alive, however the outlook was bleak at greatest.
Don McKenzie, commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police, stated throughout an earlier press convention that the three jail escapees “disposed of the occupants” someplace between St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
NURSE HELPING AMERICANS IN ALLEGED BAHAMAS ATTACK WAS ‘SCARED’ BY WHAT WE SAW: ‘COULD’VE BEEN MY DAUGHTER’
Whereas he stated there was “no conclusive proof” that they have been lifeless, he additionally stated it was an extended shot they have been nonetheless alive.
“We nonetheless maintain out hope that, regardless of what may be a low chance, they might flip up alive someplace,” McKenzie stated early Monday morning.
Simmons stated the seek for Hendry and Brandel continued Monday night.
The suspects have been arrested in relation to the disappearance of the couple. (RSVG Police Power by way of Fb)
The suspects – recognized as Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25 – escaped from the South St. George Police Station on Feb. 18, in accordance with officers.
The subsequent day, they commandeered the couple’s boat by power and took off, police stated.
EXCLUSIVE: MOM OF AMERICAN IN ALLEGED BAHAMAS SEX ATTACK SAYS DAUGHTER TEXTED, ‘WE’VE BEEN RAPED’
On Feb. 21, the three suspects have been captured by St. Vincent legislation enforcement and are being held on a number of immigration prices because the joint investigations into the hijacking and the way they escaped proceed.
McKenzie stated throughout the Monday press convention that he personally checked the jail cells and stated there was nothing improper with the doorways or locks.
“I’m happy that the correct procedures have been adopted, and we must always not have had an escape,” he stated.
This map marks the placement of Grenada within the Caribbean the place the couple is feared lifeless. (Google Maps)
McKenzie stated he directed a senior investigator to “conduct an intensive overview” and discover out what occurred.
When requested if there was potential bribery or collusion, he stated, “All elements are on the desk.”
As of Monday morning, the supervisor overseeing the jail the place the inmates escaped was positioned on depart and reassigned, and he might be fired pending the result of the interior investigation.
TROPICAL RESORTS POPULAR WITH AMERICANS NO LONGER ‘OFF LIMITS’ FOR CARTEL KILLERS: ‘THE RULES HAVE CHANGED’
Extra jail personnel will doubtless be disciplined because the probe continues, in accordance with McKenzie.
“It’s with profound disappointment and heavy hearts that we share the devastating information of the mindless act of violence that tragically claimed the lives of husband and spouse, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel,” a household good friend wrote on a GoFundMe, which had raised almost $53,000 as of Monday night.
“Kathy and Ralph have been seasoned sailors who lived on their beloved catamaran, ‘Simplicity’ … Kathy and Ralph, skilled adventurers, spent their retirement crusing aboard ‘Simplicity,’ spending summers in New England and embracing the heat of Caribbean winters. Their last voyage with the Salty Dawg Crusing Affiliation crew took an unthinkable flip as Simplicity was discovered deserted in St. Vincent, bearing chilling proof of a violent battle.”
A Virginia couple having fun with their retirement by cruising the Caribbean on their yacht are feared lifeless after three escaped prisoners hijacked their vessel. (Salty Dawg Crusing Affiliation)
Sons’ newest statements
Over the weekend, the couple’s two sons – Bryan Hendry and Nick Buro – launched an announcement.
“We wish to attain out to your entire cruiser neighborhood to precise our gratitude for everybody that labored to collect info from eyewitnesses and supply search and rescue assist,” they wrote. “It means a lot to us that so many individuals cared for Ralph and Kathy as buddies and fellow cruisers that they’re keen to cease and assist in no matter manner potential.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Because of all this enter from this neighborhood we’re capable of develop a timeline of occasions. For the security of the cruising neighborhood we’re asking all cruisers, and anybody that’s not affiliated with the officers with presiding jurisdiction, to face down. The one manner we really feel this example might be worse can be if anybody was harm or endangered attempting to conduct searches,” they continued.
“We additionally wish to applaud the St. Vincent authorities for his or her fast actions in securing Simplicity and their courageous, swift response that led to the apprehension of three harmful fugitives. We drastically admire the coordination of the St. Vincent and Royal Grenadian Police forces and Coast Guards in investigating these occasions,” the sons wrote.
