Family of retired Virginia couple presumed dead reveal their haunting final movements before three escaped inmates from Grenada jail hijacked their yacht - leaving behind 'copious amounts of blood'

The family of a retired Virginia couple who are presumed dead after escaped inmates from a Grenada jail hijacked their yacht have revealed their haunting final movements.

Ralph Hendry and his wife, Kathy Brandel, had been sailing around the Caribbean island and had docked near Saint George's when the catamaran was taken last Saturday.

Police fear they may have been murdered by suspects Trevon Robertson, Ron Mitchell and Atiba Stanislaus after 'copious amounts of blood' were found in their bedroom aboard the vessel.

The trio were were being held at the South Saint George's Police Station on the island when they escaped and are believed to have killed the couple before travelling to St. Vincent.

But Hendry's sister Suellen Desmarais is holding out hope he and his wife are still alive as she shared their final known movements.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel are believed to be dead after their vessel was hijacked by three escapees from a Grenada jail

The couple had been sailing on their catamaran yacht 'Simplicity' and were enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime trip when the incident occurred

The suspects, Trevon Robertson, Ron Mitchell and Atiba Stanislaus (pictured), were being held at the South Saint George Police Station on the island when they escaped

'They went into town to have a little bite and to walk back (on Sunday),' she told WPTV. 'Somehow Ralph crossed paths in this teeny tiny town with these three men, what happened after that, we're not sure.' 

The couple, who are in their 60s, live aboard the vessel, named 'Simplicity' and were enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime trip which they had been planning for 12 years.

'This was their whole life, they didn't own another home, they didn't own cars they owned Simplicity.

'Ralph and Kathy are the kindest people in the entire world, and I just can't understand how a tragedy like this could happen to people as kind and nice as them,' Desmarais said. 

'It feels made up, and I just can't comprehend why someone would do this? Why didn't someone just take the boat?

'What happened in Grenada was a perfect storm. It was a perfect tragedy of a perfect storm of a perfect love story.' 

AIS data indicates that the vessel left Grenada around 10 pm from Grand Anse Beach before it was discovered the following Wednesday.

The St Vincent Times reported that the boat was found with bloodstains on the interior, but no sign of the couple.

Hendry's sister Suellen Desmarais is holding out hope they are alive

The boat was found 85 nautical miles from where the couple had last been seen on it 

The couple, from Virginia, had been sailing around the Caribbean island and had docked Simplicity near Saint George when it was taken

'Copious volumes of blood were discovered in the master stateroom. Numerous personal belongings were also lost. Passports discovered onboard allowed police to contact the victims’ emergency contacts,' a safety report filed on Caribbean Security and Safety Net said.

Local police released a statement on Thursday confirming that the three escapees had been caught.

Prior to this, officers had issued a warning that the trio may be armed and to approach them with caution.

While all were charged jointly with one count of robbery with violence, Mitchell was charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of indecent assault and causing harm.

The couple had been part of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association who said that a cruising skipper found Simplicity abandoned off a beach.

According to the association, the person boarded the boat and found evidence of apparent violence.

They added that they had been spending the winter cruising the Eastern Caribbean after sailing from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua.

The association described them as being 'veteran cruisers', who were both 'warm hearted'.

Bob Osborn, SDSA President, said: 'This is a very upsetting event and details are still unconfirmed by the authorities, but this does appear to be a tragic event – our hopes and prayers are with Ralph and Kathy and the family who love them.

'I have spoken to the families and have offered our deepest condolences and our assistance in any way possible.

'In all my years of cruising the Caribbean, I have never heard of anything like this.'