American Sailing Couple, Presumed Dead After Alleged Hijacking in Caribbean, Remembered as 'Special People'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel.Photo:Courtesy of Nick Buro

Courtesy of Nick Buro

Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendryleft behind their life in Virginia about a decade ago for what promised to be a tranquil existence at sea, their golden years spent wintering on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

But that dream lifeturned into a nightmarefor the couple last week, as they are nowpresumed deadand theirboat was found ransackedin middle of the ocean.

“Ralph and Kathy lived a life that most of us can only dream of,” their sons, Nick Buro and Bryan Hendry wrote in a statement released to PEOPLE Tuesday afternoon. “Sailing the eastern coast of the United States, living on their homeSimplicity, making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family – that’s who Ralph and Kathy were and that’s how they will be remembered in our hearts.”

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel with their sons Bryan Hendry and Nick Buro, who is pictured behind his partner, Kerri Fennelly.Courtesy of Nick Buro

Kathy – a retired real estate agent who would have turned 71 Feb. 21 – and Ralph – a 66-year-old financial advisor who worked from their yacht – had been cruising in Grenada when they suddenly stopped communicating with family on Feb. 18, according to their sons, who have been in touch with PEOPLE since before landing in the Caribbeanto search for their parentslast week.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Courtesy of Robert Osborn

“The entire interior of the vessel and its decks were ransacked,” the commanding officer reported.

The couple – whose bodies have not been found – are nowpresumed dead, authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines said Monday.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel.Jessica Mause/GoFundMe

Jessica Mause/GoFundMe

Married for 27 years, Kathy and Ralph brought to their second marriage children from prior spouses. Last year, Kathy became a first-time grandmother to 13-month-old Salvatore.

The close-knit blended family often traveled together, and Kathy’s son, Nick, and Ralph’s son, Bryan, are now searching together for their missing parents.

Ralph and Bryan Hendry (front) with Nick Buro, his partner Kerri Fennelly and mom Kathy Brandel.Courtesy of Nick Buro

“We live in a world that at times can be cruel,” they said in the statement. “But it’s also a world of profound beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith. Our parents encompassed all those values and so much more. If we have learned anything from this tragic event, it’s that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born.”

The threeGrenadian fugitives– Trevon Robertson, 19, Abita Stanislaus, 25, and sailor Ron Mitchell, 30 – were arrested Feb. 21 and havesince pleaded guiltyto four immigration-related charges connected to illegally coming ashore St. Vincent.

Ron Mitchell, Trevor Robertson, Atiba Stanislaus.Royal Grenada Police Force

Royal Grenada Police Force

The trio – who werepreviously arrestedfor a separate violent robbery in Grenada in December – have not been charged in the couple’s disappearance. (Mitchell was also previously charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of indecent assault, and causing harm in an unrelated incident.)

Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry, Nick Buro and his partner Kerri Fennelly and their 13-month-old son “Sal.".Courtesy of Nick Buro

“They were always willing to give help to anyone in need, they were very giving people,” family friend Will Knoll, who sailed with them on the rally, recalls in an interview with PEOPLE. “It’s just a tragedy that this would occur to them.”

“She understood my vulnerability and how nervous I was about it happening again,” Bruni tells PEOPLE.

Bryan and Ralph Hendry.Courtesy of Nick Buro

Bruni contacted PEOPLE last Thursday morning about the missing couple, hours before the Royal Grenada Police Forceconfirmed the escapeof the inmates and their alleged connection to the missing couple.

“They are special people to me,” she said. “And the silence is just killing me.”

source: people.com