Three escaped inmates from Grenada have been charged with capital murder in the killing of American couple Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel after hijacking their catamaran, Simplicity. The inmates, Ron Mitchell, Atiba Stanislaus, and Trevon Robertson, escaped custody on Feb. 18 and sailed to St. Vincent, where they were arrested on Feb. 21. The couple's bodies have not been found, and authorities believe they were thrown overboard. The inmates were also charged with escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery, and kidnapping. Stanislaus was additionally charged with one count of rape. The three men appeared in court and were ordered held in prison until their hearing in late March. They were then deported from St. Vincent.

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association described Hendry and Brandel as "warm-hearted and capable" sailors who had participated in last year's Caribbean Rally and had planned to spend the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean. A GoFundMe page raised over $75,000 for the couple, who were described as "veteran cruisers" who made friends easily and were remembered for their big hearts. Friends and family of the couple expressed sadness over the tragic event, with one friend stating that Brandel and Hendry had planned to make this their "last grand trip" on Simplicity.

The investigation into the disappearance of the couple is ongoing, with authorities noting signs of violence aboard the abandoned boat found in St. Vincent. The suspects, Robertson, Stanislaus, and Mitchell, were ordered deported from St. Vincent after pleading guilty to immigration charges. The Royal Grenada Police Commissioner and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Superintendent have both stated that the couple is presumed dead. Despite the tragic end to their lives, the family of Brandel and Hendry emphasized the positive impact they had on those around them and how they will be remembered for their adventurous spirits and loving hearts.