OAN’s Elizabeth Bolbelding
12:40 PM – Tuesday, February 27, 2024
An American couple is “presumed dead” after three escaped convicts hijacked their catamaran yacht and were apparently thrown overboard in the Caribbean Sea, authorities said.
advertisement
on monday, Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police An American couple disappeared from their yacht in Grenada and are presumed dead, leaving behind a trail of blood stains, it said.
Ralph Hendry, 66, and his spouse, Kathy Blundell, 71, were last seen near Grand Anse Beach in Grenada on February 18th.th.
Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police spokesperson Junior Simmons said the couple’s catamaran, known as Simplicity, was found abandoned in St. Vincent. There were signs of violence on board.
Hendry and Blundell were likely thrown into the sea after their ship was hijacked.
“Based on the investigation to date, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Blundell are presumed deceased,” Simmons said. Monday video statement.
Royal Grenada Police Commissioner Don McKenzie added that he sends his “condolences” to the families of the two American boaters who were likely “disposed of” at sea by escaped convicts. Mackenzie said it was “unlikely” that Henry and Blundell were still alive.
February 18thth, three criminals escaped from custody and “commanded” the couple’s boat before sailing north. Police said the fugitives boarded a yacht moored in St. George, Grenada.
“They headed to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Information suggests they disposed of the crew while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent,” McKenzie told reporters.
Simmons said the suspects have since been arrested and are being investigated for multiple criminal offenses, including “bodily harm to a couple.”
The Royal Grenada Police Force identified the escaped prisoners as Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25.
In December 2023, all three were taken into custody and charged with one count of violent robbery. Mitchell was also charged with two counts of indecent assault and criminal damage to property, three counts of attempted rape and one count of rape, authorities said.
Mr McKenzie said police had launched an investigation into the escape and were looking into whether there had been a “mistake” or “system failure”. He said the police lock-up where the three were being held provided “sufficient security to prevent such an incident from occurring” and added that “all aspects of the investigation are under consideration”. There is,” he added.
Simmons said the three men appeared in court in St. Vincent on Monday and each entered guilty pleas to four immigration-related crimes. One of the charges involves the men entering the island without passports, making them “prohibited immigrants.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March.
Created by relatives of the couple GoFundMe page In it, Hendry and Blundell are described as “seasoned sailors who lived on their beloved catamarans.” According to the GoFundMe page, the couple went sailing during their retirement.
“This heartbreaking tragedy has not only devastated the sailing community, but also their families,” the GoFundMe page reads, adding that Blundell recently welcomed her first grandchild.
Stay informed. Receive breaking news directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Please share this post!
