Authorities in Grenada are investigating a disturbing incident involving three Grenada fugitives who may have stolen a yacht and allegedly killed two passengers believed to be American citizens, according to CBS News.

The Royal Grenada Police Force reported on Thursday that the fugitives, Ron Mitchell (30), Trevon Robertson (19), and Abita Stanislaus (25), initially arrested in December on charges of robbery with violence, managed to escape custody on Sunday from the South St. George Police Station on the small Caribbean island.

Police suspect that the Grenada fugitives made their way to nearby St. Vincent on a stolen boat, setting off a cross-border search operation.

Evidence suggests they boarded a yacht docked in St. George, raising concerns about the safety of the vessel's occupants.

Authorities fear the two individuals on the yacht, believed to be American citizens, may have been killed during the process.

Missing American Couple Feared Victims

The couple, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, who were on the yacht named "Simplicity," disappeared under suspicious circumstances, per ABC 7.

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association, to which the American couple belonged, revealed that their boat was found anchored and abandoned off a beach on the south coast of St. Vincent, displaying signs of apparent violence.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were participating in the 2023 Caribbean Rally, sailing from Hampton, Va., to Antigua, and spending the winter cruising the Eastern Caribbean.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been initiated to assist the couple's children in covering various expenses, including the recovery of the vessel, funeral costs, and support for grieving families.

The Coast Guard successfully recovered the yacht, and authorities from St. Vincent, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and Grenada Police Department, are actively investigating the incident.

Disturbing Discovery and Ongoing Investigation

A good Samaritan reportedly boarded the abandoned yacht off the St. Vincent beach and discovered evidence of apparent violence, ABC News reports.

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association expressed condolences to the families and emphasized the unprecedented nature of the incident, pledging assistance in any way possible.

The investigation is ongoing, with a team of senior investigators and a forensic specialist dispatched to St. Vincent by the Royal Grenada Police Force.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel's two children, along with a family friend, are actively participating in the search efforts.

Despite the distressing situation, family and friends remain hopeful.

Denise Desmarais, a close friend, mentioned the American couple's love for life and island people, describing them as "good, basic people."

Until concrete evidence is found, there is still hope that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel may be found alive.

As the investigation continues, authorities in Grenada and St. Vincent are working diligently to piece together the events surrounding the escape of the Grenada fugitives, the theft of the yacht, and the potential tragedy involving the American couple.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the complexities of maintaining security and safety in the Caribbean region.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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