Hijacked catamaran in the Caribbean: Suspects probably threw a pair of US sailors overboard

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Hijacked catamaran: The yacht “Simplicity” is considered the scene of a crime

Photo: Robertson S Henry / REUTERS

According to police, three escaped suspected criminals in the Caribbean state of Grenada hijacked the yacht of two Americans - and probably threw them overboard.

There is no trace of the US citizens, a woman and a man, Grenada's police chief Don McKenzie said at a press conference on Monday.

According to investigators, three men aged 19, 25 and 30 escaped from custody at a police station south of Grenada's capital St. George's on February 18th.

They are accused of robbery, and one of the men is also accused of rape, among other things.

Three days later, last Wednesday, they were caught in the neighboring island state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it was said.

According to initial findings, the men went there on the catamaran that they stole on Monday.

Low hope

"The information indicates that they disposed of the occupants while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent," McKenzie said.

Hope is not given up that the Americans are still alive, even if this is unlikely.

According to US media reports, it was a couple from Virginia who had repeatedly sailed from the east coast of the USA to the Caribbean.

According to data from the automatic positioning system AIS, the yacht left the island of Grenada at around 10 p.m. local time last Sunday.

The ship's speed was therefore uncharacteristically fast for the couple, who were known as fair-weather sailors.

"Upon inspection, it was determined that the yacht had been looted and it was apparent that an act of violence had occurred," said the Caribbean Safety and Security Net (CSSN), which collects information on yacht-related crimes in the region .

"Large amounts of blood were found in the main cabin and the two owners were missing."

The US sailing organization Salty Dawg Sailing Association described the missing people as long-time members and warm-hearted people.

Their boat “Simplicity” was found anchored off a beach on the island of St. Vincent.

wit/dpa