The pair have been identified by their sailing club as Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry, a couple from Virginia who were spending the winter cruising the Eastern Caribbean after sailing their yacht, Simplicity, from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua. “Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry are veteran cruisers and long-time members of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association from its earliest days. According to the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, the club’s executive director was contacted after a passing “good Samaritan” came across an abandoned yacht and found the club’s contact information. “The good Samaritan had boarded the boat and noted that the owners, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, were not onboard and found evidence of apparent violence. Contact information for the SDSA was posted and the skipper contacted the Association.” The sailing association said the skipper also contacted the coast guard, who notified St. Vincent police.

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Persons: Kathy Brandel, Ralph Hendry, “ Kathy Brandel, Kathy, Ralph, Nick Buro, Bryan Hendry, St, Vincent, “, Tatja Hopman, ”, Bob Osborn, ” Osborn, O, Simmons Organizations: CNN, Authorities, Sailing Association, Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guards, Association, US State Department, U.S Locations: Grenada, Virginia, Hampton , Virginia, Antigua, Brandel’s, Caribbean, St, Royal St