Missing Cruising Sailors: Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel — Authorities Investigate After Abandoned Catamaran Found

The family of two experienced cruising sailors who disappeared and are feared dead has appealed to the cruising community to “stand down” and allow local authorities to carry out their investigation. Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were last associated with their 48-foot St. Francis catamaran, Simplicity, which was discovered anchored and abandoned off a beach on St. Vincent. Police have identified three young men who escaped from prison in Grenada and who reportedly traveled to St. Vincent; authorities say the men have since been recaptured.

The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) issued a statement saying preliminary investigative leads indicate the three escapees reached St. Vincent “via a yacht which was docked in the St. George area.” The RGPF added that early information suggests the two occupants of that yacht may have been killed. The statement said investigators believe the yacht’s occupants were American citizens. The RGPF emphasized that the inquiry is at an early stage and that senior investigators and a forensic specialist have been dispatched to St. Vincent to assist with the investigation.

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA), of which Hendry and Brandel were long-time members, reported that the boat’s tracking information last showed it anchored in Grenada before moving directly to its final anchorage off St. Vincent. That tracking data has helped establish a timeline that family members and investigators are using to coordinate their efforts.

In a statement released over the weekend, family member Bryan Hendry thanked members of the cruising community for their help. He acknowledged the many sailors and witnesses who provided observations and assisted with search-and-rescue efforts, saying their support meant a great deal. Bryan Hendry asked that, for the safety of everyone involved and to avoid compromising the official inquiry, independent cruisers and members of the public not affiliated with the authorities refrain from conducting private searches.

“Thanks to the input from the cruising community, we are able to develop a timeline of events,” the family statement said. “For the safety of the cruising community, we are asking all cruisers, and anyone who 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.”

Bryan Hendry also praised the response of St. Vincent authorities for securing Simplicity and for actions that led to the apprehension of the three fugitives. He expressed appreciation for the coordination among the St. Vincent and Royal Grenadian police forces and coast guards assisting in the investigation.

Grenada police identified the escapees as Ron Mitchell, 30; Trevon Robertson, 19; and Abita Stanislaus, 25 — all listed as residents of Paradise in St. Andrew’s Parish, Grenada. The three men had been held since December on charges including robbery with violence. The RGPF statement noted that Ron Mitchell faced additional charges, including rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, and causing harm. The men escaped lawful custody from the holding cell at the South St. George Police Station on Sunday, February 18, 2024, and were recaptured on February 21 by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadian Police Force.

On Wednesday, February 21, a cruising sailor alerted SDSA Executive Director Tatja Hopman that Simplicity had been found anchored and unattended off a beach on St. Vincent’s south coast. According to the SDSA, the Good Samaritan who boarded the boat reported that the owners were not on board and that there was evidence suggesting apparent violence.

Hendry and Brandel were veteran cruisers and longtime contributors to the Salty Dawg Sailing Association. The SDSA noted their early involvement in building the organization and that Kathy Brandel served on the association’s board for two years. The couple sailed Simplicity in the 2023 Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua and spent the winter cruising the eastern Caribbean.

Friends and community members have organized a fundraiser to assist the family with the financial burden that accompanies such a serious incident and the ensuing investigation. Those wishing to contribute may find the fundraiser at the address provided by the family.

The apparent tragedy has deeply affected the sailing and cruising community. “In all my years of cruising the Caribbean, I have never heard of anything like this,” said SDSA President Bob Osborn, calling the situation a “horrible tragedy.” He stressed that extreme violence against cruising sailors remains very rare and described the events as an unusual, random act of violence that could occur anywhere.

Authorities in both Grenada and St. Vincent continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel. Investigators are developing leads, forensics teams are processing the vessel, and police agencies are coordinating to determine exactly what happened and to bring clarity and justice for the families involved.