VA Couple Killed On Hijacked Yacht Leads To Murder Charges

VIRGINIA — After a Virginia couple was presumed dead when their yacht was hijacked in the Caribbean waters, three people have been charged with murder.

Royal Grenada Police Force charged Ron Mitchell, 30, Atiba Stanislaus, 25, and Trevon Robertson, 23, with capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. Stanislaus was also charged with rape, the Associated Press reported.

On Feb. 23, Ralph Henry and Kathy Brandel's yacht was docked in St. George when it was hijacked. After the missing couple was reported, news came out that three escaped inmates from Grenada prison were believed to have boarded the yacht.

Police say the three suspects threw Hendry and Brandel overboard and traveled to St. Vincent, where police arrested them on Feb. 21. The bodies of the victims have not been found.

Related:

• VA Couple Likely Dead After Yacht Hijacking In Caribbean: Police
• Falls Church Couple Missing After Fugitives Hijack Yacht: Police

ABC News had reported Hendry and Brandel were from Falls Church. The Salty Dawg Sailing Association said they were longtime members and sailed their yacht from Hampton, Virginia to Antigua in the 2023 Caribbean Rally and were spending the winter cruising the Eastern Caribbean.

The tracking map of the yacht found it was anchored in Grenada and moved to a location near St. Vincent.

The three suspects will be deported from St. Vincent, according to authorities.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the victims' family with funeral expenses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.