Ralph Hendry, 66, and Kathy Brandel, 71, are feared to have been killed after their boat was stolen in Grenada. The couple was last seen a week ago near a beach in the small island nation. Three escaped criminals who are believed to have stolen the catamaran were caught by police.
According to CBS News, Grenadan police are still searching for the couple, who are from Northern Virginia, and said no bodies have been found yet.
"Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St Vincent, (the suspects) disposed of the occupants," Don McKenzie, police commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said at a news conference.
The couple planned to spend the winter on a yacht in the Caribbean before being declared missing on Monday. Police now believe Hendry and Brandel were likely thrown into the ocean.
Criminal Investigation:
The Guardian reported that the escaped prisoners, ages 19, 25, and 30, were previously charged with one count of robbery with violence. The eldest was also charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, and two counts of indecent assault and causing harm.
McKenzie said police had launched an investigation into the escape and were looking into whether it was "a system failure" or a case of a "slip-up."
When pressed for details, he said, "We have nothing conclusive to say that the individuals are dead. We still hold out hope that in spite [of] what might be a low probability, that they would turn up alive somewhere."
He also stated that police are "quite limited" with what they can share with the public on the case due to the ongoing investigation and lack of information.
According to the non-profit Salty Dawg Sailing Association, the couple were "veteran cruisers" and longtime members of the association, describing them as "warm-hearted and capable."
A GoFundMe page created for Hendry and Brandel's families reads, "Kathy and Ralph, experienced adventurers, spent their retirement sailing aboard Simplicity, spending summers in New England and embracing the warmth of Caribbean winters."
