Three escaped convicts hijacked an American couple’s yacht in the Caribbean and likely threw the victims’ bodies overboard, leaving behind a trail of blood, police said Monday.
According to local authorities, Ralph Hendry, 66, and his wife, Kathy Blundell, 71, both of Virginia, were last seen on February 18th, and a few days later they were found dead on their abandoned boat. After being discovered, he was presumed dead.
Junior Simmons of the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police said at a press conference: Monday afternoon press conference Officers responding to the boat found a scene “consistent with signs of violence.”
“Several items were scattered on the deck and in the cabin, and a blood-red substance was observed inside the ship,” Simmons said.
“No bodies were found on the yacht.”
Last week, the Royal Grenada Police said there was evidence to suggest the couple were killed on board.
Royal Grenada Police Commissioner Don McKenzie said during a press conference The evidence shows that after they “commanded” the yacht, the bodies were “disposed of” while the boat was sailing at sea between Grenada and St. Vincent.
The three suspects, Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25, were arrested in St. Vincent hours after Wednesday’s boat search. The three escaped from police custody on February 18.
They each appeared in court Sunday and pleaded guilty to four immigration-related charges, officials said. Simmons said the three were taken into custody ahead of sentencing on those charges, which is scheduled for next Monday.
Each had previously been charged with robbery, and Mitchell was also charged with rape and attempted rape before fleeing earlier this month.
They are said to have boarded a boat called Simplicity, which is moored in the St George area of Grenada, but no charges have yet been brought in connection with Blundell and Hendry’s disappearance.
Authorities are searching for the couple, but their bodies have not been recovered.
Blundell and Hendry’s families remained hopeful over the weekend that their loved ones would be found alive.
One of her sons, Nick Bro, and her brother Brian Hendry said: “We are doing our best to find out what happens next, hoping that she will be found safely somewhere on the island.” .
