Authorities have charged a trio of prison escapees for the murders of a beloved U.S. couple presumed dead after their yacht was allegedly hijacked in the Caribbean.
On Thursday, suspects Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25, were also charged with robbery, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, and kidnapping in connection with the deaths of retired American couple Ralph Hendry, 66, and Kathleen Brandel, 71, in late February, according to the Royal Grenada Police Force.
Additionally, Stanislaus was charged with rape.
It's unclear if the men entered pleas to the charges.
Mitchell, Robertson, and Stanislaus allegedly broke out of a holding cell at the South St. George Police Station on Feb. 18, said authorities.
From there, they allegedly hijacked Hendry and Brandel's yacht, Simplicity, while it was docked in St. George, Grenada - a popular tourist destination.
Police said a resident later found the abandoned watercraft off the coast of St. Vincent in the Caribbean and alerted authorities. Evidence of violence was allegedly discovered aboard the vessel, leading investigators to believe the couple was killed, however, their bodies have not yet been found.
Hendry and Brandel, of Virginia, were "veteran cruisers and long-time members of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association."
"Warm hearted and capable, they both contributed to building the SDSA and Kathy sat on the association's board for two years," the association wrote, announcing the deaths of the pair.
"Kathy and Ralph had sailed Simplicity in the 2023 Caribbean Rally from Hampton, VA to Antigua and were spending the winter cruising the Eastern Caribbean," when they were allegedly killed, according to the SDSA.
"This heartbreaking tragedy has left not only the sailing community, but also their families, shattered," a GoFundMe campaign organized to help the couple's sons retrieve the vessel and cover funeral costs, read. "Kathy, who had recently become a first-time grandmother, found immense joy in the presence of her grandson-joy that has now been abruptly taken away. As their families navigate the overwhelming grief and attempt to make sense of this unthinkable loss, we extend our collective support and sympathy."
