Newlywed Pleads Guilty To Florida Wife's Death At Sea

MIAMI, FL — A South Florida man whose distress call to the Coast Guard touched off a massive search for his newlywed wife, pleaded guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter in connection with her lonely death at sea. Lewis Bennett, an experienced seaman, left his inexperienced wife alone at the helm of his catamaran without a life jacket, harness or positioning beacon. Federal prosecutors said they were prepared to show that Bennett intentionally scuttled the vessel to make the death of his wife, Isabella Hellman, look like an accident the day after Mother's Day in 2017.

“Although nothing can ever erase the pain and suffering caused by Lewis Bennett’s criminal acts, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners hope that the defendant’s admission of guilt is a step toward justice for the victim, Ms. Isabella Hellman, and her family,” explained U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan of Miami. “The federal government remains committed to the safety and security of our U.S. citizens, whether they are at home in South Florida or traveling on the high seas.”

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Bennett, a dual citizen of Australia and the United Kingdom, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Federico A. Moreno in Miami at 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 10. Bennett faces a maximum statutory sentence of eight years in prison.

“Lewis Bennett will now be held accountable for his wife's death while on the high seas” said acting Special Agent in Charge, Tom Jones of the FBI in Miami. "We commend the U.S. Coast Guard for their professionalism and close cooperation throughout this case."

The case was also investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service in addition to the FBI.

When asked what efforts he undertook to locate Hellman, Bennett said that he did not do anything, according to court documents.

"When asked if he used any of the flares on board the life raft to illuminate the area to facilitate a search, Bennett stated that he did not. When asked if he had yelled for Hellman while in the life raft, Bennett indicated that he did not," court documents said.

Watch standers with the Coast Guard Seventh District Command Center received notification at approximately 1:30 a.m. on May 15, 2017 from an emergency position indicating radio beacon that was registered to the 37-foot catamaran, "Surf Into Summer."

Bennett suspiciously told investigators that he did not look for his wife in the water around the catamaran, which was approximately 26 nautical miles west of Cay Sal Bank in the Bahamas.

"In fact, Bennett stated that once on board the life raft, he cut the line that tethered the life raft to the vessel," court documents asserted. "Bennett explained that he did this because he was afraid of being pulled under water if the vessel were to sink."

The search was suspended for Hellman on May 18, 2017 at 8:45 p.m. Bennett was taken to Marathon, Florida with no reported injuries or medical concerns. He told rescuers at that time that his catamaran struck an unknown object and began taking on water. He and his wife were both 41 at the time of the incident.

"Bennett stated that he had retired below to sleep, leaving Hellman on watch, and was awoken by a crash," according to court documents. "Bennett claimed that he moved topside and Hellman was not there. Bennett indicated that he eventually realized the catamaran was taking on water, gathered his belongings and abandoned ship to his life raft."

An expert who was consulted by the FBI told investigators that it appeared as though the catamaran was intentionally scuttled.

According to federal prosecutors, there were a number of red flags.

For one, Bennett did not activate a satellite phone and register his Personal Locator Beacon until the couple arrived in Cuba in mid May. By then, he and Hellman had already traveled from St. Maarten to Puerto Rico, and from Puerto Rico to Cuba without them.

They were on their way to Florida from Cuba when Hellman went missing.

"The voyage from St. Maarten would have warranted having an activated satellite phone and registered Personal Locator Beacon as life-saving devices," court documents said. "However, Bennett allegedly waited to activate those devices until the final leg of his voyage to ensure his own rescue and survival after murdering his wife and intentionally scuttling his catamaran."

The FBI has authority to investigate certain violent crimes against Americans overseas, including crimes on the high seas, according to prosecutors.

The Coast Guard covered more than 4,980 square miles searching for Hellman.

Bennett, who received his sailing certification from the Royal Yachting Association in the United Kingdom as a Coastal Skipper, was trained in emergency procedures such as man overboard protocols and night sailing safety. Moreover, he also had hands-on sailing experience, including a three-month voyage from St. Maarten to Australia.

Prosecutors said that Bennett attempted to have his wife presumed dead after just seven months. Typically, a person is presumed dead once they have been absent from their homes for five years.

"Bennett would be entitled to the residence Hellman owns in Delray Beach, Florida if Hellman is presumed to be deceased," court documents charged. "This would be a monetary incentive benefiting Bennett. Further, bank accounts in either the name of Hellman and/or Bennett would be payable upon Hellman's death to Bennett."

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt K. Lunkenheimer and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Rose.

The FBI also examined Coast Guard video and photographs taken on the catamaran. They showed two areas of the hull that were breached during the incident.

"A review of the video and photos of the vessel appears to show that the damage to the hull comes from inside of the vessel," according to court documents, which said that pieces of the vessel appeared to spray outward.

Moreover, the damage was suspiciously located in nearly the same spot on both hulls.

"Based upon interviews of the [U.S. Coast Guard] personnel familiar with boating accidents and search and rescue procedures, who viewed photographs of the vessel, this damage was not catastrophic," according to court documents.

Prosecutors said that the escape hatches in both hulls were open, which would have caused water to flood the cabin.

In addition to the involuntary manslaughter case, Bennett was sentenced to seven months in prison for transporting stolen gold and silver coins. He also pleaded guilty to that offense.

Photo of "Surf Into Summer" courtesy U.S. Coast Guard