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Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Miami Herald
Bahamian police investigate murder of yacht crewmember. Vessel now in Fort Lauderdale
Bahamian authorities have charged the engineer of a luxury yacht with the murder of a crew member colleague who was found stabbed to death in the vessel's engine room while it was docked in Eleuthera earlier this month. Bahamian police say the woman, 20-year-old Paige Bell, from South Africa, was reported missing for a short period of time before being found dead on the 142-foot yacht, Far From It, while it was in Harbour Island, Eleuthera, on July 3. Charged with her death is 39-year-old Brigido Muños, a Mexican national who also worked on the vessel, according to Our News Bahamas. Per the news outlet, a judge denied Muños' bond, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 20. The Royal Bahamas Police Force said that Muños had 'severe' wounds to his arms when they found him, and investigators think he tried to kill himself after he killed Bell. According to the ship tracking site the Far From It is docked at a Fort Lauderdale marina on the New River this week. Representatives from the company that books trips on the yacht could not immediately be reached for comment. Renting the yacht, which has a crew of eight and can accommodate 12 guests in its six cabins, costs between $140,000 and $165,000 a week, depending on the time of year, according to The Luxury Charter Group. It sails to destinations including the the Bahamas, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, the Windward and Leeward Islands and all the way to north to New England, the company says. Bell's former shipmates from another yacht, the Sweet Emocean, posted on a GoFundMe page set up to financially help her family, that she was going to celebrate her 21st birthday on July 14. 'Paige was more than a teammate, she was family. Her radiant spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless compassion made an unforgettable impact on everyone lucky enough to know her. Whether it was long days at sea or quiet moments under the stars, she brought light and warmth wherever she went,' her former colleagues wrote. 'In this difficult time, we want to come together to support the people she loved most, her family.'
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
She Lived the Dream Life Aboard a Yacht — Until a Grisly Discovery in the Engine Room
According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, officers found a woman 'unresponsive with visible signs of injuries' in the engine room of the vessel shortly after 1 p.m. on July 3, which was docked at Harbour Island The victim was identified by a local outlet and her family on Facebook as Paige Bell The suspect is a 39-year-old Mexican nationalA 20-year-old South African woman was allegedly killed on board a luxury yacht in the Bahamas. According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, officers found a woman 'unresponsive with visible signs of injuries' in the engine room of the vessel shortly after 1 p.m. on July 3, which was docked at Harbour Island. Police said the woman was missing for a short period of time before she was discovered 'with the male suspect present," police wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. Police believe the suspect — a 39-year-old Mexican national — attempted suicide and was "suffering from severe injuries to his arms." A local doctor boarded the vessel and pronounced the woman deceased. The victim was identified by local outlet Our News and her family on Facebook as Paige Bell. 'It is with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beautiful Paigey's life was brutally taken from us last night,' the family wrote on July 4. 'As a family, we are doing our best to process this unimaginable loss … We will leave no stone unturned until the guilty is brought to justice. ' Police said the suspect was 'apprehended, cautioned, and taken to a nearby clinic for medical treatment.' He was arraigned on Wednesday, July 9 in the Magistrate Court, and charged with murder, police said. According to a GoFundMe page, Bell 'would have celebrated her 21st birthday on July 14th.' 'In honor of Paige, her mother has asked that we all eat red velvet cake (her favorite) on that day and share a photo in remembrance of the beautiful soul she was,' the fundraiser stated.'Paige was more than a teammate, she was family. Her radiant spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless compassion made an unforgettable impact on everyone lucky enough to know her. Whether it was long days at sea or quiet moments under the stars, she brought light and warmth wherever she went.' Bell had previously worked on the Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean until December 2024. So far, the page has raised more than $42,000. The suspect appeared in court on Wednesday, July 9 and was denied bail, Our News reported. He will return to court on November 20. Read the original article on People
IOL News
11-07-2025
- IOL News
Durban parents bring home their slain 'baby girl' Paige Bell from the Bahamas
Durbanite Paige Bell was working as a stewardess on a superyacht in the Bahamas when she was murdered on July 3. Image: Sweet Emocean HEARTBROKEN Durban parents Michelle and John Bell are preparing to bring home the body of their 'baby girl' who was murdered in the Bahamas last week. Paige Bell was living the dream; working as a stewardess on a superyacht, surrounded by idyllic beaches and billionaires. Tragically, it ended in a nightmare. Last Thursday the former schoolgirl from Hillcrest High School in Durban was found dead in the engine room of the yacht where she was stationed, just days before her 21st birthday. Her throat was slit and there were signs that she had struggled with her attacker. According to reports it appeared as if Bell may also have been sexually assaulted. Police are currently investigating a homicide and a suicide attempt. Paige Bell with her parents Michelle and John Bell in happier times. Image: Facebook Speaking to the Independent on Saturday via Facebook, her dad John said they would be back home next week. 'We are in the Bahamas arranging a cremation and to bring Paige home. I don't want to comment any further at this stage. We are still trying to process what has happened and grieve our baby girl.' According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Bell was on board the superyacht, Far From It, in the waters off Harbour Island, Eleuthera, when she was killed. A 39-year old Mexican engineer Brigido Munoz was arrested and appeared in the magistrate's court on Wednesday. In their initial media release police said that shortly after 1pm on July 3, they were alerted to the incident and proceeded to the marina area. 'Once on board the vessel, officers discovered a woman unresponsive with visible signs of injuries and a man suffering from severe injuries to his arms. The local doctor visited the scene, examined the victim and pronounced her deceased.' Durban's Paige Bell and the Mexican engineer Brigido Munoz who has been charged with her murder. Image: Facebook Police say it also emerged that Bell had been missing for a 'short period' before she was found 'unresponsive' in the engine room with the suspect who was 'apprehended", and 'cautioned'. Following that he was taken to a nearby clinic for medical treatment. In a telephone conversation with the Independent on Saturday yesterday, Superintendent Leonard Ramsey, the deputy in charge of public relations for the Royal Bahamas Police Force said that while he couldn't reveal how many people were arrested, he could confirm that one person was charged. He said that the police have also met with the Bell family. 'It is the normal practice that if the family came into the Bahamas, they would have met with detectives at our criminal investigation department. That is a normal procedure for all homicide matters. We always meet with the family or both families. So if they came from Africa, or wherever they came from, automatically we would have given out a family meeting and to update them on the incident.' The initial media statement regarding the murder of Paige Bell which was released by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Image: Supplied News of Bell's death sent waves of grief through South Africa and yachting communities alike. Hillcrest High School (HHS) paid tribute to their former pupil on the school's Facebook page. 'Paige matriculated in 2022 and is remembered by our community as an incredibly special young lady who was the happiest, most bubbly person. We know that her untimely and tragic death is a great loss to all who knew Paige, and beyond devastating to her parents and family. As a school we will be holding them in our thoughts and prayers.' The school also called on the community to help bring Bell home by donating money to the GoFundMe account that was set up to assist her family financially. In a previous public message the family also appealed for assistance, saying that they were devastated beyond words. 'This heartbreaking loss has been deeply felt by everyone who knew and loved Paigey, and now we must also navigate complex and costly legal proceedings in a foreign country - something far beyond our family's financial means. We are humbly asking for your support. "Whether it's by sharing this message or contributing financially, every bit helps. 'Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we fight for Paigey. We are grateful for your love, support, and solidarity during this incredibly difficult time." Bell's murder has also highlighted the dark side of the yachting crew industry and members of various crew social media groups have advocated for more stringent background checks on crew members to prevent such violence. Captain Frank Prest from the motor yacht Sweet Emocean set up the GoFundMe account. Speaking on behalf of previous and current crew, he said that even though Bell had left their crew in December she would always be part of its family. 'Paige was more than a teammate, she was family. Her radiant spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless compassion made an unforgettable impact on everyone lucky enough to know her. Whether it was long days at sea or quiet moments under the stars, she brought light and warmth wherever she went.' So far the GoFundMe account has almost reached its target of $60 000 (R1m) and had just surpassed $50 000 yesterday. On Monday friends and family from across the globe will have a slice of red velvet cake (Paige's favourite) to commemorate her life. But this won't be a joyful celebration, instead it's a heartbreaking farewell to a young woman on the cusp of a promising life.
Fox News
10-07-2025
- Fox News
Young crewmember murdered aboard luxury superyacht in paradise destination
A 20-year-old South African woman was found dead aboard a luxury superyacht in the Bahamas, and a fellow crewmember has reportedly been charged in connection with her murder. The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) said the woman was discovered dead with visible injuries in the engine room of the vessel on July 3, while it was docked at a marina off Harbour Island. Paige Bell, a stewardess from Johannesburg, was identified as the victim by her family on social media. Authorities said Bell was reported missing shortly before 1:00 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found her unresponsive, along with a 39-year-old man who was "suffering from severe injuries to his arms," which police believe were the result of a suicide attempt. A local doctor pronounced Bell dead on board, according to the RBPF statement posted publicly on July WHO MISSED NORWEGIAN CRUISE SHIP DISCOVERED DEAD ON MOUNTAIN TRAIL IN ALASKA The man was later identified in court as Brigido Muñoz, a Mexican national and engineer aboard the vessel, according to Our News Bahamas. Police said Muñoz was taken into custody, treated at a medical clinic, and charged with murder on Wednesday, July 9, in Magistrate Court in Nassau. He was denied bail and is scheduled to return to court on November 20, the outlet reported. "This evening, Mom and Dad... are flying to the Bahamas to begin the painful process of not only bringing their baby girl home, but also seeking justice for the monster that took her life," her sister Chelsey wrote in a public post shared on Facebook on Sunday. In a separate family statement, Bell's relatives confirmed her identity and described her death as "brutal."COLLEGE SENIOR KILLED AFTER 'ACCIDENTALLY' FALLING FROM TROPICAL ISLAND HOTEL BALCONY DAYS BEFORE GRADUATION "It is with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beautiful Paigey's life was brutally taken from us," the family said on July 4. "We will leave no stone unturned until the guilty is brought to justice." Harbour Island, where the yacht was docked at the time of the incident, is a small but exclusive destination about 60 miles east of Nassau, known for attracting celebrity visitors and superyachts. Bell had previously worked on the motor yacht Sweet Emocean, where former crewmates described her as "more than a teammate — she was family." A GoFundMe page created by colleagues and friends has raised more than $42,000 to assist the Bell family with travel and legal costs as well as to retrieve her body. According to the fundraiser, Bell would have turned 21 on July 14. In her honor, her mother has asked supporters to eat red velvet cake, Paige's favorite, and share a photo in remembrance. The RBPF said the murder investigation remains active, and authorities have not released a potential HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Royal Bahamas Police Force did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- IOL News
Murder investigation launched after KZN woman Paige Bell found dead on luxury yacht in the Bahamas
Paige Bell was found murdered aboard a super yacht in the Bahamas. She had been employed as a stewardess on the luxury vessel. Investigations are under way after a 20-year-old KwaZulu-Natal woman was found dead on a luxury yacht in the Bahamas. At this stage, reports indicate that Paige Bell's lifeless body was found aboard the super yacht Far From It on July 3. In a police report, from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, police on the Island of Eleuthera are investigating a homicide and suspected suicide attempt that occurred on July 3 on a vessel docked in Harbour Island that left a female of South African nationality dead. According to the preliminary report, shortly after 1pm, police were alerted to the incident and proceeded to the marina area. "Once on board the vessel, officers discovered a female unresponsive with visible signs of injuries and a male suffering from severe injuries to his arms. The local doctor visited the scene, examined the victim and pronounced her deceased. "As police investigated further, it was discovered that the victim was missing for a short period before being found unresponsive in the engine room with the male suspect present. The suspect, a 40-year-old male of Mexican nationality, was apprehended, cautioned, and taken to a nearby clinic for medical treatment. The investigation continues," police said. Brigido Munoz has since appeared in court. The case was remanded to 20.
