The three Grenadian prisoners suspected of killing a Virginia couple on their yacht and dumping their bodies overboard appeared in court as the family desperately begged for answers.
Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel had been sailing around the Caribbean island and docked near Saint George's when their catamaran was hijacked on February 18.
Police fear they may have been murdered by suspects Trevon Robertson, Ron Mitchell and Atiba Stanislaus, who were seen leaving Kingstown Magistrate Court in St Vincent on Monday.
The trio were accused of entering the country by boat and disembarking without the consent of an immigration official, entering without a passport, entering at a location other than an official port of entry and landing as prohibited immigrants.
They were only charged with entering the country illegally and are expected to appear in court again on March 4. Ralph and Kathy's bodies have not yet been recovered, but “large amounts of blood” were found in their bedroom aboard the ship.
The trio were at South Saint George's police station on the island when they escaped and are believed to have killed the pair before traveling to St Vincent.
The couple, who were lifelong sailors and married for 27 years, were able to travel to “many parts of the world” due to their boating lifestyle and lived a “life full of joy and love.” Pictured together: Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel
The couple's family hoped they would be found, but evidence on their boat suggested “they were probably injured.”
According to investigators, each of the inmates was accused of robbery before they managed to escape. Mitchell was also previously charged with rape, attempted rape and indecent assault.
Brandel's son Nick Buro said the family was confident his parents would be found, but evidence on their boat suggested “they were probably injured.”
“The boat itself was searched and everything was scattered throughout the cabin, so clearly there was an altercation on the boat,” he told CNN on Sunday, adding: “We're doing our best to get answers.”
Police later said the couple were presumed dead and their remains were likely thrown into the sea. He added there was no proof they were dead but acknowledged there was a slim chance they were still alive.
The couple, who are in their 60s, live aboard the ship called Simplicity and enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip they had been planning for 12 years.
AIS data suggests the vessel left Grenada at Grand Anse Beach at around 10pm before being spotted in Wallilabou Bay the following Wednesday.
The Salty Dawg Sailing Association, of which the couple belonged, said a cruise ship skipper reported Simplicity abandoned off the coast of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The person “found evidence of violence” on the boat, it said.
It is believed the boat was found with bloodstains inside and the couple's personal belongings were ransacked, but no sign of the couple.
“The boat itself was searched and everything was scattered throughout the cabin, so clearly there was an altercation on the boat,” Buro told CNN.
“We are concerned for their overall safety as it appears they were likely injured.”
He said his mother and stepfather were “very careful” wherever they traveled and “safety was their top priority.” He suspects that the “unfortunate” and “terrible” event “probably came out of nowhere for them.”
Two of the three murder suspects hide their faces behind paper in the back of a pickup truck after leaving court. The person in the middle is another transported prisoner who has nothing to do with the case
Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel (pictured), who are in their 60s, live aboard the ship called Simplicity and enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip that they had been planning for 12 years
The boat was found 85 nautical miles from where the couple was last seen
“What's really, really disturbing is that that security has been taken away,” Buro told WJLA, calling the situation an absolute “nightmare.”
The couple have lived on Simplicity since 2013 after they decided to sell their home and most of their possessions to buy a boat.
They spent most of their time stationed in Florida but traveled to Rhode Island during hurricane season. This winter the couple sailed to the Caribbean for the first time.
Although Brandel “worked her whole life” and is now retired, Buro said Hendry – who works in the financial services industry – “continued to work from the boat.”
The couple, who were lifelong sailors and married for 27 years, were able to travel to “many parts of the world” due to their boating lifestyle and lived a “life full of joy and love.”
Bryan Hendry, Hendry's son, revealed that his parents simply wanted to “immerse themselves in different communities, share love and spread joy.”
He added: “If I see my parents again, it would be the happiest moment of my life.”
Authorities have not yet officially confirmed Brandel and Hendry as owners of the yacht, but the Salty Dawg Sailing Association released a statement naming them as owners.
The couple had been sailing on their catamaran yacht Simplicity and enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime excursion when the incident occurred
Atiba Stanislaus is seen leaving the courthouse with his head bowed and the button on his checkered shirt undone. The three inmates had previously been charged with violent robbery before escaping from prison
Ron Mitchell is seen covering his face with a green paper as he is loaded into the back of a truck. He was also previously charged with rape, attempted rape and indecent assault
The family of the missing couple met with authorities on Saturday in St. Vincent, where they were seen aboard the Simplicity. It was guarded by officers, one of whom wore latex gloves.
Hendry's family issued a statement Saturday thanking police, the local coast guard and everyone who helped authorities gather information.
“It means so much to us that so many people cared about Ralph and Kathy as friends and fellow travelers that they were willing to stop and help in any way they could,” the family said. They also called on anyone attempting to conduct independent searches to “stand down.”
“In our opinion, the situation could only get worse if anyone were injured or endangered during the search,” the family said.
Authorities in Grenada said they had dispatched senior investigators and a forensic specialist to the nearby island of St. Vincent, where the escaped prisoners were captured on Wednesday.
The prisoners, aged 19, 25 and 30, were charged with a robbery with violence a few months ago.
Mitchell, the oldest inmate, was also charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery, Grenada police said.
According to police, the three men escaped from their cell on February 18.
Authorities said a preliminary investigation showed the three men seized the yacht in Grenada's capital, St. George's, and traveled to St. Vincent.
Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel (pictured) had been sailing around the Caribbean island and docked near Saint George's when their catamaran was hijacked on February 18. Police fear the couple may have been murdered by three men who escaped from a prison in Grenada
Bryan Hendry (pictured with his father) added: “Seeing my parents again would be the happiest moment of my life.”
A family friend has since set up a GoFundMe page to help with the replacement of the boat and her belongings, as well as funeral expenses. Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel are pictured with their family
A family friend has since set up a GoFundMe page to help with the replacement of the boat and her belongings, as well as funeral expenses.
The page, which has already raised over $50,000, says: “Kathy and Ralph were experienced sailors who lived on their beloved catamaran Simplicity.”
“Their lives ended in an unimaginable tragedy on Sunday, February 19, off the coast of Grand Anse Beach, Grenada.
“Her final voyage with the Salty Dawg Sailing Crew took an unimaginable turn when Simplicity was found abandoned in St. Vincent, bearing horrifying evidence of a violent battle.”
“This heartbreaking tragedy has devastated not only the sailing community but also their families.”