Categories: World

Young crewmember murdered aboard luxury superyacht in paradise destination

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for July 10

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

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 3.

TOURIST WHO MISSED NORWEGIAN CRUISE SHIP DISCOVERED DEAD ON MOUNTAIN TRAIL IN ALASKA

Paige Bell, 20, of Johannesburg South Africa, was discovered unresponsive onboard a luxury yacht off the coast of Harbour Island in the Bahamas. (Crew & Concierge via Facebook)

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

Bell, 20, would have turned 21 just 11 days after her death. She was affectionately called “Paigey” by her family. (Crew & Concierge via Facebook)

“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.”

Bell had previously served as a stewardess onboard the Sweet Emocean. (Chelsey Jacobs via Facebook)

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 motive.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Royal Bahamas Police Force did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Jasmine is a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse. Stories can be sent to jasmine.baehr@fox.com or to @JasmineSBaehr via X. 

Share

Recent Posts

Texas man on probation allegedly chases ICE vehicle, damages it after enforcement raid

close Video Texas suspect who allegedly confronted ICE agents, damaged vehicle arrested Sergio Olivares was…

2 hours ago

Woman with ‘urgent message’ for President Trump arrested near Mar-a-Lago security checkpoint

close Video Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump due in federal court Suspect Ryan…

2 hours ago

WATCH: ICE agents fight off masked mob outside blue city immigration court

close Video Mob confronts ICE agents outside immigration court in San Francisco Video from U.S.…

2 hours ago

Trial date set for Austin Metcalf’s suspected killer in track meet stabbing

close Video Father of murdered Texas teen offers a message of faith, forgiveness in tragedy…

2 hours ago

Ohio boy crawls into claw machine, gets stuck, rescued with pride bruised but unharmed

close Video Surveillance video shows boy getting stuck inside claw machine before daring rescue A…

2 hours ago

Missing teen surfer found alive on remote island miles from shore: ‘Didn’t give up hope’

close Video Father accused of killing 3 daughters is ‘off the grid’; manhunt is underway,…

3 hours ago