An American retired couple was allegedly kidnapped and murdered while traveling on a yacht in the Caribbean. US authorities believe Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, 66 and 71, were killed after three escaped prisoners hijacked the ship.
The yacht was found on February 21, anchored and abandoned off the beach on the southern coast of Sao Vicente. However, previous GPS data showed the boat was in Granada. In accordance with CNN, evidence found on the vessel points to a violent crime scenario. “The boat itself was overturned and everything was scattered around the cabin, so there was clearly some kind of altercation on the boat,” said Kathy Brandel’s son, Nick Buro.
Royal Grenada Police said three men who escaped from prison on February 18 traveled by boat along the same route. The suspects were also detained on February 21. Authorities identified Trevon Robertson, Abita Stanislaus and Ron Mitchell, ages 19, 25 and 30, as being involved in the previous robberies.
said Katie Brandel’s son CNN that her mother and Ralph Hendry were experienced sailors and had sold their house several years ago to buy a boat.
“This was their home. Everything they had, everything they owned, was on that boat. This was their life,” he said.
The investigation into the discovery of the bodies of Ralph Hendry and Katie Brandel is ongoing.