Investigators from Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines stand aboard the yacht “Simplicity”, that they say was hijacked by 3 escaped prisoners with two people aboard, now anchored at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard Service Calliaqua Base, in Calliaqua, St. Vincent, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Authorities in the eastern Caribbean said they were trying to locate two people believed to be U.S. citizens who were aboard the yacht that was hijacked by the three escaped prisoners from Grenada. (AP Photo/Kenton X. Chance)[/caption]

Authorities in the eastern Caribbean are currently working to locate two individuals who are believed to be US citizens and were on board a yacht that three escaped prisoners from Grenada hijacked.

The Royal Grenada Police Force has stated that they are following leads that suggest the two occupants of the yacht may have been killed.

According to the police, this investigation is still in its early stages. The Salty Dawg Sailing Association, a nonprofit organization, has identified the yacht’s owners as Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel.

They described them as experienced sailors and longstanding members of the association, emphasizing their warmhearted and capable nature.

Despite attempts to reach out for comment, a relative of Hendry has not responded.

The association has reported that a cruising skipper informed them about the yacht, Simplicity, which was found abandoned and anchored near a beach on St Vincent island.

Upon boarding the boat, the skipper discovered evidence of apparent violence and confirmed that the owners were not on board.

The association revealed that Hendry and Brandel had participated in last year’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua and were currently enjoying a winter cruise in the eastern Caribbean.

Bob Osborn, the president of the association, expressed his shock at the tragic event, stating that he had never encountered anything like this in all his years of cruising the Caribbean.

Family members of the missing individuals met with authorities in St. Vincent, where they were observed boarding the hijacked yacht, which was under guard by officials, one of whom was wearing latex gloves.

Hendry’s family released a statement expressing gratitude towards the police, local coast guards, and all those who assisted in gathering information.

They were deeply touched by the support shown by friends and fellow cruisers during this difficult time.