The family of a Virginia couple allegedly murdered by three escaped convicts in the Caribbean remains hopeful they will be found alive despite witnessing signs of a violent struggle on board their stolen yacht. ing.
Ralph Hendry, 66, and his wife Kathy Blundell, 71, were last seen in Grenada on February 18, on their way to a restaurant from their ship, Simplicity, on St. Vincent Island. was found “moored and abandoned”. According to the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, they will head to the Grenadines in a few days.
“The boat itself was ransacked, everything was strewn throughout the cabin,” Blundell’s son, Nick Brough, said. told CNN.
“It’s clear there was some type of altercation on the boat and they were likely injured, so that shows we’re concerned for their safety as a whole,” Bro said.
Bro said he and his brother, Brian Hendry, are “doing our best to find out what happens next in hopes of being found safely somewhere on the island.”
“But of course, we’re concerned because of the evidence found on the boat that they may not be with us.”
The couple arrived on the island two weeks ago and planned to stay for another week, but on the same day Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25, ) has fled the South St. George Police Department, authorities said.
The fugitives then made their way to the marina, from where they fled to other islands, where they were subsequently captured.
The Royal Grenada Police Force said all evidence indicated the couple were “killed in the process”.
The men were each charged several months ago with robbery with assault. Seaman Mitchell is also charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, and two counts of indecent assault and assault.
“As far as we are aware, three suspects allegedly connected to this horrific incident are in the custody of the St. Vincent Police Department and are being questioned,” Bro said.
His mother and her partner are experienced sailors who sold their home a few years ago to buy a yacht.
“It was their home. Everything they had, everything they owned was on that boat. It was their life,” Bro told CNN.
“Cathy worked all her life and then retired. Ralph worked in financial services and continued to work on ships. But all they really did was sell their house, sell their possessions, buy a boat, and… “We have made lifestyle choices that most of us cannot even imagine,” he said.
“And they loved every moment of it, seeing many parts of the world and just living a life full of joy and love,” their son added.
The Salty Dawg Sailing Association paid tribute to the couple.
“Cathy Blundell and Ralph Hendry are veteran cruisers and long-time members of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association since its early days. These kind-hearted and talented men helped found SDSA, and Cathy served on the association’s board for two years. ” said in a release.
The club also released a statement from the couple’s families.
Brian Hendry, Brough and Hendry’s son, said: “We are reaching out to the entire cruiser community to express our gratitude to everyone who gathered information from witnesses and worked tirelessly in search and rescue operations.” I want to take it,” he said.
“It means so much to us that so many people cared about Ralph and Kathy as friends and fellow cruisers and stopped to help in any way they could.” said in a statement.
The couple has been married for 27 years and have been sailing around the world for more than a decade. NBC Washington reported.
“They loved immersing themselves in different cultures, meeting people, and spreading love wherever they could,” Brian told the magazine.
“You will never meet more beautiful people than Kathy and Ralph. They made everyone feel happy and were so welcoming. They consistently made you feel like you were part of the family. It made me feel like that,” Bro told NBC.
Bob Osborne, president of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, expressed his condolences to the family.
“This is a very upsetting event, and although the details have not yet been confirmed by authorities, it certainly appears to be a tragic event. Our hopes and prayers are with Ralph and Kathy, and their love. “My thoughts are with the family,” he said in a statement.
“I have spoken to the families and offered them my utmost condolences and any support possible. In all my years of sailing in the Caribbean, I have never heard of anything like this,” he said. added.
