Americans whose yacht was hijacked in Grenada were likely thrown overboard and died, police say

Source: NBC News

Americans whose yacht was hijacked in Grenada were likely thrown overboard and died, police say

Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry have been missing since their boat was apparently taken by three escaped prisoners in Grenada on Feb. 19

Feb. 26, 2024, 11:04 AM EST / Updated Feb. 26, 2024, 4:34 PM EST
By Rebecca Cohen, Mauricio Casillas, NBC Washington and David K. Li

Two Americans "are presumed deceased" after they vanished from their yacht in Grenada, leaving behind evidence of a bloody struggle, police in nearby St. Vincent and the Grenadines said Monday.

While loved ones of Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry are holding out hope that the American retirees and sailing enthusiasts could still turn up alive, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Superintendent Junior Simmons offered a more somber assessment.

"Based on the investigation thus far, it is presumed that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel are deceased," Simmons said in a video statement Monday afternoon.

Hours earlier, police in Grenada said there's still hope to find the couple.

But Royal Grenada Police Commissioner Don McKenzie also said he's offering “condolences” to family of the two American boaters, who were most likely “disposed of” at sea by escaped prisoners. McKenzie said there's a “low probability” Brandel and Henry might be alive.

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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/family-holding-hope-safe-return-2-americans-whose-yacht-was-hijacked-g-rcna140436