An elderly American couple who were brutally murdered while yachting in the Caribbean have finally seen justice served. Three escaped prisoners from Grenada, who hijacked the couple’s vessel and drowned them, have been handed lengthy prison sentences—including life imprisonment.
The Sentences
According to multiple reports, Ron Mitchell, the alleged ringleader in his thirties, received two life sentences. Atiba Stanislaus, a farmer in his late twenties, was sentenced to 60 years for manslaughter, along with an additional 18 years for rape and kidnapping. The third convict, Trevon Robertson, was given 56 years for manslaughter and other related crimes.
The Brutal Crime
As detailed by local newspaper The New Today, the victims—Ralph Hendry, 66, and Kathy Brandel, 71—were experienced sailors living on their catamaran, Simplicity. In February 2024, while cruising the scenic Caribbean waters, their journey took a horrific turn.
On February 18, 2024, the couple encountered three escaped prisoners who had fled from a holding cell in St. George’s, Grenada—the same island where the couple was last seen. The fugitives, originally jailed for robbery, hijacked the yacht.
Prosecutors revealed that the assailants gagged the couple and threw them overboard. Mitchell, a sailor, was accused of steering the yacht over Hendry, ensuring his death. The killers then sailed the stolen vessel to St. Vincent, where they were later captured on February 21, 2024.
Aftermath and Trial
The abandoned yacht was discovered days later, bearing bloodstains and signs of a violent struggle. Although the couple’s bodies were never recovered, authorities confirmed that Brandel had been raped before her murder.
The three men were extradited to Grenada, and their trial began in late March 2024. After over a year of legal proceedings, the sentences were finalized in late July 2025, bringing a measure of closure to the victims’ grieving families.
A Tragic Loss
Hendry and Brandel were beloved members of the sailing community, known for their adventurous spirit. Their shocking deaths have highlighted the dangers of piracy and crime in Caribbean waters, prompting calls for increased security measures.
CWEB Crime News will continue to follow this case for any further developments.
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