Grenada CoP still hopeful US couple will be found

Commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, Don McKenzie remains hopeful that the US couple “presumed dead” allegedly at the hands of three escaped Grenadian prisoners, will eventually turn up.

During a press conference hosted by the Royal Grenada Police Force on Monday February 26, 2024, Commissioner McKenzie said that he would like to adopt Assistant Commissioner of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Trevor Bailey’s designation that the US couple “presumed dead”, are still “missing persons.”

Ron Mitchell, 30; Trevor Robertson, 25; and Atiba Stanisclaus, 22; are suspected to have murdered a husband and his companion in an attempt to steal their yacht to escape the island.

The missing couple has been confirmed as veteran sailors Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry.

McKenzie was accompanied by Officer In Charge of Crimes, ACP Vannie Curwen; Officer in charge of the Community Relations Department, ASP Simon Douglas; among other representatives from the police force who addressed matters concerning the men who escaped from a Grenada Police Station.

Officer Mckenzie said that the investigation is still ongoing, and he is remaining hopeful that the sad situation will take a positive turn.

“We have nothing conclusive to say that the individuals are dead. We are still holding out hope that in spite of what may be a low probability that they would turn up alive somewhere, that they’re alive,” Officer Mckenzie said.

Information from the Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA), of which Kathy and Ralph were members, report that a tracking map shows that their yacht, Simplicity, was anchored in Grenada and then the boat moved directly to its last anchorage off St. Vincent.

The vessel was found beached in Wallilabou on Wednesday February 21, 2024, with no one on board; however blood stains and signs of violence were discovered on board.

The RGPF said that a joint regional investigation is being undertaken between them and the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force into the disappearance and presumed death of the two United States citizens.

The three men escaped custody on February 18, 2024, while being held by the Grenada police on charges of rape, robbery with violence, and other criminal offences.

They were captured in Petit Bordel on February 21, 2024, and appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John on Monday, February, 26, 2024, where they pleaded guilty to four immigration charges.

The charges read that being a prohibited immigrant the men did enter the state by boat without a passport; did enter the state of St Vincent and the Grenadines other than at a port of entry; did enter the state by boat and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer; and to wit knowingly and wilfully allowed themselves to be landed as a prohibited immigrant.

Senior Magistrate, John adjourned the matter to next Monday March, 4, 2024, for the reading of the facts. The men are remanded into custody until then.