- Joint regional investigation into disappearance of two (2) U.S citizens
- US couple whose catamaran was hijacked were likely thrown overboard
A joint regional investigation between the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) and the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) is ongoing into the disappearance and presumed death of two (2) United States citizens namely, Ralph Hendry and his common-law wife, Kathy Brandel.
The main suspects in the investigations are three (3) male prisoners who escaped lawful custody on Sunday 18th February 2024 while being held at the South St. George Police Station in Grenada on charges of Rape, Robbery with Violence, and other serious offences.
The names of the suspects/escapees are – Ron Mitchell, 30 years, Trevon Robertson, 25 years and Atiba Stanislaus, 23 years, all of Paradise, St. Andrew, Grenada.
The investigation thus far indicates that after the escapees/suspects escaped, they hijacked a yacht named “Simplicity” that was moored at Grande Anse Beach in Grenada and kidnapped the couple. The investigation further reveals that while sailing from Grenada, the suspects committed several criminal acts including bodily harm to the couple.
On Monday 19th February 2024, the escapees/suspects illegally entered the South Western Coast of SVG, sometime in the afternoon and docked the yacht off Walliabou Anchorage.
On Wednesday 21st February 2024, the police received certain information concerning the escapees and the discovery of a yacht in the said area. A manhunt was immediately launched and the SVG Coast Guard and the Crime Scene Unit (CSU) were dispatched to the location where the yacht was found.
The scene was processed and found to be consistent with signs of violence. Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin and a red substance that resembled blood was seen on board. There was no discovery of bodies on board the yacht.
A team of investigators from the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday 22nd February 2024 and are assisting with the investigations. The escapees/suspects have been cooperating with the investigation.
The Regional Security System (RSS), and the Grenadian and Vincentian Coast Guards are conducting air and maritime patrols and surveillance across the borders of both islands but no bodies have been recovered.
Based on the investigation thus far, it is presumed that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel are deceased.
Earlier today (Monday 26th February 2024), the three suspects/escapees appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate Court on four (4) counts each of immigration-related charges, which include:
Entered the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines other than at a port of entry.
Entered the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by boat and disembarked without the consent of an Immigration Officer
Entered the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and knowingly and willfully allowed themselves to land as prohibited immigrants.
Being a prohibited immigrant, entered the state by boat without a passport.
They pleaded guilty to the charges. They were remanded in custody for sentencing which is scheduled for Monday 4th March 2024.
The investigation and search for the missing persons continue.
