Couple who retired on yacht allegedly hijacked in 'unimaginable' attack
A missing American couple who retired on a yacht in the Caribbean has been allegedly hijacked during an "unimaginable" attack, according to their heartbroken family.
The Virginia couple, identified by their sailing club as Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry, were aboard a yacht that was allegedly hijacked by three escaped prisoners from Grenada, according to the Royal Grenada Police Force. The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association said a cruising skipper had contacted the association about a member’s yacht, Simplicity, that was found “anchored and abandoned” off a beach on the island of St. Vincent.
“The good Samaritan had boarded the boat and noted that the owners … were not onboard and found evidence of apparent violence,” the association said in a statement Thursday.
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Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry sold their home to go sailing (NBC Washington)Ralph and Kathy had sailed the yacht in last year’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and were spending the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean. Devastated sons Nick Buro and Bryan Hendry said their parents sold their home in Alexandria, Virginia, years ago to be able to spend the rest of their days on their yacht.
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"This is something that is completely unexpected," Nick told NBC. "And wrapping our brains around it and trying to understand a senseless act of violence against two people while they were just living their lives in their home, essentially, because Simplicity was their home. They didn't have another home.... And having that safety and security taken away from them abruptly and have them attacked in where they live, it's just, it's unimaginable."
Devastated sons Nick Buro and Bryan Hendry have pleaded for their return (NBC Washington)Family members of those missing met with authorities in St. Vincent on Saturday, where they were seen boarding the yacht that was hijacked. It was being guarded by officials, one of whom was wearing latex gloves. Ralph's family issued a statement Saturday thanking police, local coast guards, and all those who helped authorities gather information.
“It means so much to us that so many people cared for Ralph and Kathy as friends and fellow cruisers that they are willing to stop and help in whatever way possible,” the family said. They also asked that all those trying to conduct independent searches “stand down", saying: “The only way we feel this situation could be worse would be if anyone was hurt or endangered trying to conduct searches."
They were captured on their "Simplicity" yacht, police believe (NBC Washington)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 arrested Wednesday. The prisoners, ages 19, 25 and 30, were charged several months ago with one count of robbery with violence.
The eldest inmate also was charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault and causing harm, police in Grenada said. The three men escaped from their holding cell February. 18, according to police. Authorities said a preliminary investigation suggested the three men seized the yacht at Grenada’s capital, St. George’s, and traveled to St. Vincent.
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