Southeast
Blood found on kidnapped Americans' yacht during Caribbean prison escape: 'Presumed dead'
A retired American couple is “presumed dead” after three prison escapees from a Caribbean island seized their yacht to make a getaway, local authorities said late Monday afternoon.
Ralph Hendry, 66, and his wife, Kathy Brandel, 71, were kidnapped on Feb. 18 when the escapees hijacked their yacht docked near the shores of tourist hotspot Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, according to Junior Simmons, superintendent of police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Blood was found among the tattered ruins of the Virginia couple’s prized possession, nicknamed “Simplicity,” Simmons said, which was abandoned about 70 miles off of St. Vincent, a southern Caribbean nation.
“While sailing from Grenada, the suspects committed several criminal acts, including bodily harm to the couple,” he said.
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Ralph Hendry, 66, and his wife, Kathy Brandel, 71, are “presumed dead” after prison escapees kidnapped them while fleeing authorities on the Caribbean island of Grenada. (Nick Buro)
Before the press conference, loved ones and authorities were hoping that Hendry and Brandel would be found alive, but the outlook was bleak at best.
Don McKenzie, commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police, said during an earlier press conference that the three prison escapees “disposed of the occupants” somewhere between St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
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While he said there was “no conclusive evidence” that they were dead, he also said it was a long shot they were still alive.
“We still hold out hope that, despite what might be a low probability, they would turn up alive somewhere,” McKenzie said early Monday morning.
Simmons said the search for Hendry and Brandel continued Monday evening.
The suspects were arrested in relation to the disappearance of the couple. (RSVG Police Force via Facebook)
The suspects – identified as Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25 – escaped from the South St. George Police Station on Feb. 18, according to officials.
The next day, they commandeered the couple’s boat by force and took off, police said.
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On Feb. 21, the three suspects were captured by St. Vincent law enforcement and are being held on several immigration charges as the joint investigations into the hijacking and how they escaped continue.
McKenzie said during the Monday press conference that he personally checked the prison cells and said there was nothing wrong with the doors or locks.
“I am satisfied that the proper procedures were followed, and we should not have had an escape,” he said.
This map marks the location of Grenada in the Caribbean where the couple is feared dead. (Google Maps)
McKenzie said he directed a senior investigator to “conduct a thorough review” and find out what happened.
When asked if there was potential bribery or collusion, he said, “All aspects are on the table.”
As of Monday morning, the supervisor overseeing the jail where the inmates escaped was placed on leave and reassigned, and he could be fired pending the outcome of the internal investigation.
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More jail personnel will likely be disciplined as the probe continues, according to McKenzie.
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the senseless act of violence that tragically claimed the lives of husband and wife, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel,” a family friend wrote on a GoFundMe, which had raised nearly $53,000 as of Monday evening.
“Kathy and Ralph were seasoned sailors who lived on their beloved catamaran, ‘Simplicity’ … Kathy and Ralph, experienced adventurers, spent their retirement sailing aboard ‘Simplicity,’ spending summers in New England and embracing the warmth of Caribbean winters. Their final voyage with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association crew took an unthinkable turn as Simplicity was found abandoned in St. Vincent, bearing chilling evidence of a violent struggle.”
A Virginia couple enjoying their retirement by cruising the Caribbean on their yacht are feared dead after three escaped prisoners hijacked their vessel. (Salty Dawg Sailing Association)
Sons’ latest statements
Over the weekend, the couple’s two sons – Bryan Hendry and Nick Buro – released a statement.
“We want to reach out to the entire cruiser community to express our gratitude for everyone that worked to gather information from eyewitnesses and provide search and rescue support,” they wrote. “It means so much to us that so many people cared for Ralph and Kathy as friends and fellow cruisers that they are willing to stop and help in whatever way possible.”
“Thanks to all this input from this community we are able to develop a timeline of events. For the safety of the cruising community we are asking all cruisers, and anyone that is not affiliated with the officials with presiding jurisdiction, to stand down. The only way we feel this situation could be worse would be if anyone was hurt or endangered trying to conduct searches,” they continued.
“We also want to applaud the St. Vincent authorities for their quick actions in securing Simplicity and their brave, swift response that led to the apprehension of three dangerous fugitives. We greatly appreciate the coordination of the St. Vincent and Royal Grenadian Police forces and Coast Guards in investigating these events,” the sons wrote.
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A new law in Florida will support the need to keep first responders safe while working a call.
Senate Bill 184 will go into effect on Jan. 1 and will prohibit a person, after receiving a warning, from approaching a first responder engaged in the lawful performance of their job.
The law is aimed at helping police, fire and EMS personnel stay focused while performing critical first aid.
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A new Florida law will keep first responders safe by prohibiting a person from approaching any police, fire or EMS personnel while working on a call. (Delray Beach Police Department)
It will create a 25-foot barrier around the responder, keeping the public at bay. It also includes keeping the public from threatening and harassing the responders while they are trying to do their jobs.
Violators will receive a warning initially, but could face criminal penalties if they don’t heed it.
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People who approach a first responder on the job will initially receive a warning, but could face a fine and up to 60 days in jail. (iStock)
The new law comes with a penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The bill also outlines that a violator could face a second-degree misdemeanor.
The law considers first responders to be law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
It also specifies the definition of “first responder” to include law enforcement officers, a correctional probation officer, firefighters and emergency medical care providers.
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reiterating the importance of hunting safety after a man was shot by a hunter who mistook him for a deer.
Law enforcement agents responded to a shooting involving two hunters on property in Zachary, a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, on Dec. 23, the department said on Facebook.
The two hunters were unknowingly hunting deer on the “same small private property” when one hunter mistook the other for a deer and accidentally shot him.
Both men had permission to be on the property, according to local media.
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A Louisiana hunter was cited for two violations after accidentally shooting another hunter, who he mistook for a deer, while they were both on the same “small” property, according to the state’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. (iStock)
He was hit with buckshot from a 20-gauge shotgun, the agency said. The shooter immediately called 911 for help once he realized he had shot a man and not a deer.
The wounded hunter was airlifted to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge with non-fatal injuries. Law enforcement did not state where the man was shot.
The hunter accidentally shot a man with buckshot from a 20-gauge shotgun. (iStock)
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When law enforcement investigated what took place, they discovered neither hunter was wearing orange or had deer tags in their possession. The shooter was cited for both violations.
LDWF said additional charges are possible as the investigation remains active.
The agency reminded all hunters to prioritize safety by always wearing orange, which is required by law, and positively identifying your target and surroundings before firing your weapon.
It is required by law to wear orange or pink when hunting deer during gun season in Louisiana. (iStock)
“Let’s work together to prevent incidents like this and ensure everyone enjoys the outdoors safely,” LDWF said.
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President-elect Donald Trump congratulated and thanked Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel after the Sunshine State lawmaker announced her decision to dump her Democratic Party affiliation and join the GOP.
“Today, I am announcing my decision to change my party affiliation from Democrat to Republican,” Cassel said in a statement. “I will be joining the Republican Conference of the Florida House of Representatives because I believe in their vision for a better, more prosperous Florida.”
In a statement hailing the move, Trump urged more Democrats to defect.
DESANTIS WELCOMES FLORIDA STATE LAWMAKER TO REPUBLICAN PARTY AS SHE DITCHES DEMOCRATS
Left: Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump smiles during a Hispanic roundtable at Beauty Society on Oct. 12, 2024 in North Las Vegas, Nevada; Right: Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel (Left: Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Right: flhouse.gov)
“Congratulations to Hillary Cassel for becoming the second State Representative from the Great State of Florida to switch her Party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, once more expanding the GOP Supermajority in the State House! I would further like to invite other Disillusioned Democrats to switch Parties, and join us on this noble quest to Save our Country and, Make America Great Again – GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. THANK YOU HILLARY!” Trump exclaimed in a Truth Social post.
Cassel’s announcement came after fellow Florida state Rep. Susan Valdés announced earlier this month that she was switching her registration from Democrat to Republican.
While seeking office in 2022, Cassel described herself as a “proud Democrat,” “pro-choice champion,” and “faithful ally of the LGBTQ+ community.”
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Florida state Rep. Susan Valdés (flhouse.gov)
She also pledged that she would “stand up to #ClimateChange deniers” and “stand up to the NRA and fight for a ban on military style assault rifles and the high capacity ammunition that make them so lethal.”
But now Cassel says the Democratic Party does not reflect her values.
“As a mother, I want to help build a world where our children are judged on their character and their actions not on their labels,” she noted in her statement. “As a proud Jewish woman, I have been increasingly troubled by the Democratic Party’s failure to unequivocally support Israel and its willingness to tolerate extreme progressive voices that justify or condone acts of terrorism. I’m constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians. I can no longer remain in a party that doesn’t represent my values.
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Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel (flhouse.gov)
“I know I won’t always agree on every detail with every Republican, but I do know that I will always have input, collaboration, and respect. The House Republican Conference empowers members to find common sense solutions to real issues facing all Floridians. They welcome different ideas and collaboration, which is the cornerstone of effective government. Those are my values,” Cassel noted.
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