Grenada trio of escaped prison inmates are formally charged with murders of retired Virginia couple who went missing from blood-soaked yacht

A trio of inmates who escaped from prison in Grenada have been formally charged with killing an American couple after allegedly hijacking their yacht. 

Ron Mitchell, Atiba Stanisclaus and Trevon Robertson have each been charged with two counts of capital murder over the deaths of Ralph Hendry and Kathleen Brandel. 

The Virginia couple had been sailing around the Caribbean and were docked near Saint George's when their yacht was hijacked. 

It is believed the trio took over the boat and killed the couple before fleeing to St. Vincent. 

Grenada police commissioner Don McKenzie said last week in a news conference that the couple was likely thrown overboard. 

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel (pictured) had been sailing around the Caribbean island and had docked near Saint George's when their catamaran was taken on February 18. Police fear the couple may have been murdered by three men who escaped a Grenada jail

Ron Mitchell, Trevon Robertson and Atiba Stanisclaus (pictured) have each been charged with two counts of capital murder over the deaths of Ralph Hendry and Kathleen Brandel

Information suggests the suspects 'disposed of the occupants' while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, which is about 80 miles away.  

The men were previously charged with entering the country by boat and disembarking without the consent of Immigration officer, entering without a passport, entering at a point other than an official port of entry and landing as a prohibited immigrant.

They 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. 

Hendry and Brandel had lived on Simplicity since 2013, after they decided to sell their home and the majority of their possessions to buy a boat.

They spent most of their time stationed in Florida, but would travel to Rhode Island during hurricane season. This winter was the first time the pair had sailed to the Caribbean.

Although Brandel 'worked her whole life' and has since retired, Buro said that Hendry - who is in the financial services industry - had 'continued to work from the boat'.

The couple, who were lifelong sailors and married 27 years, have been able to travel to 'many parts of the world' due to their boat lifestyle and were living a 'life of joy and love'.

The couple, who were lifelong sailors and married 27 years, have been able to travel to 'many parts of the world' due to their boat lifestyle and were living a 'life of joy and love'. Pictured together: Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, (pictured) who are in their 60s, live aboard the vessel, named 'Simplicity' and were enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime trip that they had been planning for 12 years

Bryan Hendry, son of Hendry, revealed that his parents just 'wanted to immerse themselves in different communities and share love and spread joy'. 

Brandel's son Nick Buro confirmed shortly after the incident that the boat was 'ransacked' and it appeared to be a violent 'altercation'

Buro previously shared that the family was 'hopeful' that his parents would be found, but said evidence on their boat indicates 'they were likely injured'. 

'The boat itself was ransacked and everything was strewn about in the entire cabin so clearly there was an altercation of some type that took place on the boat,' he told CNN, adding: 'We are doing our best to try and get answers.'

He revealed the family was concerned 'there might be a possibility that they aren't with us,' which has likely proven to be true. 

He said that his mother and stepfather were 'super careful' and 'safety was their top, top concern' everywhere they travelled. He suspects the 'unfortunate' and 'horrific' event likely 'came out of nowhere for them'. 

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

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

Brandel's son Nick Buro revealed the family was concerned 'there might be a possibility that they aren't with us,' which has unfortunately proven to be true

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

The suspects, Trevon Robertson (left), Atiba Stanislaus (middle) and Ron Mitchell (right) are seen walking out of Kingstown Magistrate Court on Monday in St. Vincent. Police fear that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were murdered by the escaped inmates 

Two of the three murder suspects are seen hiding their faces with paper in the back of a pickup truck after they exited the court. The person in the middle is another prisoner being transported who is not related to the case 

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

'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.

The suspects made their first court appearance in St. George’s Magistrate’s Court in Grenada on Thursday.

The trio have also been charged with escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping.

Stanisclaus was separately charged with one count of rape, although it hasn't been made clear what incidents that relates to. 

They remain in prison and are due back in court on March 27.