ST. GEORGE’S, GD – Three escapees from a Grenada prison, who fled to the island of St. Vincent after allegedly hijacking a yacht, are now facing multiple charges, including capital murder, in connection with the presumed deaths of a retired American couple.
The accused, identified as Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25, are suspected of throwing Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel overboard during their escape. The couple, originally from Virginia, had retired and were living on their yacht, the “Simplicity,” which was found bloodied and in a state of disarray.
The trio was apprehended on St. Vincent and extradited back to Grenada. On Thursday, they were charged with two counts of capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery, and two counts of kidnapping. Additional charges of rape were leveled against Stanislaus.
The first court appearance for the accused took place at St. George’s Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They have been remanded in custody and are set to return to court on March 27.
Hendry and Brandel had sold most of their belongings to buy and live on their yacht, which was docked off Grand Anse Beach in Grenada. The couple’s bodies have yet to be recovered.
In previous interviews, the couple’s sons, Nick Buro and Bryan Hendry, remembered their parents as individuals who “lived a life most of us can only dream of.” They described their parents as friendly, adventurous, and full of life.
The Royal Grenada Police Force has yet to reveal how the prisoners managed to escape. An internal investigation is currently underway.