What Happened to the British Woman Who Vanished from a Luxury Caribbean Yacht?

Sarm Heslop, a British woman, mysteriously vanished on the night of 7 March 2021 while in the US Virgin Islands, with her last known sighting captured on CCTV. Initially believed to have fallen overboard from her boyfriend Ryan Bane's yacht, her disappearance has raised numerous questions and suspicions, especially following inconsistencies in the timeline and Bane's actions. Despite extensive searches and investigations, Sarm's body has never been found, leading her family and friends to seek justice and answers about her fate.

Last updated: 28 October 2023 (BST)

Key Takeaways

• Sarm Heslop was last seen on 7 March 2021, captured on CCTV boarding a dinghy with her boyfriend.
• Ryan Bane, her boyfriend, claims she likely fell overboard, but his timeline has inconsistencies.
• Despite extensive searches, Sarm's body has never been located, leading to ongoing speculation and investigation.
• Sarm's case remains classified as a missing person, but her family advocates for it to be treated as a potential homicide.
• Ryan Bane has not cooperated fully with the investigation, using his legal rights to avoid questioning.

The Disappearance of Sarm Heslop

Sarm Heslop's journey to the Caribbean began in 2019 when she left the UK to sail across the Atlantic. Described by her friends as a "free spirit", Sarm embraced new challenges and adventures, which ultimately led her to meet Ryan Bane, a 49-year-old American boat captain, in the Caribbean. Their relationship developed, and Sarm began working as a chef on his luxury catamaran, Siren Song.

On the evening of 7 March 2021, Sarm vanished under mysterious circumstances. CCTV footage reveals the couple walking hand-in-hand along a dock before boarding a dinghy. Six hours later, Ryan reported Sarm missing, claiming she either fell overboard or drowned while swimming. However, his account has raised eyebrows due to various inconsistencies and a lack of cooperation with the authorities.

Timeline of Events

Understanding the timeline surrounding Sarm's disappearance is crucial for uncovering the truth. Here is a breakdown of the key events leading up to and following her reported disappearance:

1. 20:45 BST: CCTV footage shows Sarm and Ryan motoring away from the dock.
2. 21:00 BST: Estimated time of arrival back at the yacht based on travel time.
3. 02:00 BST: Ryan discovers Sarm is missing and contacts the police.
4. 02:44 BST: Ryan gives a brief statement to police upon reaching shore.
5. 11:46 BST: Nine hours after reporting her missing, Ryan contacts the coastguard.

A Closer Look at the Evidence

The CCTV footage provided to investigators is pivotal in understanding the events of that night. While it confirms Sarm boarded the dinghy, it does not clarify what transpired thereafter. The timestamp from the footage indicates a departure at 20:45 local time, conflicting with Ryan's claim that they returned to the yacht by 22:00. This inconsistency is troubling for investigators.

Questions Surrounding Ryan Bane

Despite being the only person of interest in the case, Ryan Bane has not faced formal questioning by police. His lawyer, David Cattie, argues that Bane's actions were merely reflective of the stress he was under after realising Sarm was missing. However, experts and local boat captains have raised concerns over Bane’s failure to announce her disappearance or call for help immediately, both of which are standard protocols during such emergencies.

The Coastguard's Role

When the US Coast Guard was finally alerted, it was 11 hours after Sarm was reported missing. Commander Jan League emphasises that timely action is critical in search operations, and delays can drastically reduce the chances of finding a person lost at sea. The initial search by the Coast Guard involved boats and helicopters scouring surrounding waters, but no traces of Sarm were found.

Legal Ramifications and Investigative Challenges

Ryan Bane has invoked his legal rights to avoid further scrutiny, which has hampered the investigation. He has blocked forensic searches of his yacht, and despite the police's commitment to pursuing leads, progress has stalled. Sarm’s case remains classified as a missing person due to the absence of concrete evidence of foul play, much to the frustration of her family and friends.

Calls for Reclassification

In light of the circumstances, Sarm's family advocates for her case to be treated as a no-body murder investigation. This classification would allow the police to pursue more aggressive investigative tactics. David Johnston, a former Metropolitan Police officer, points out that in the UK, such a case would likely have been treated with more urgency from the outset.

The Impact on Sarm’s Family and Friends

Brenda, Sarm's mother, has expressed her heartbreak over the situation, stating that the inability to grieve properly is a significant burden. The search for answers has become a driving force for her and Sarm's friends, who refuse to let her story fade from public consciousness. They continue to push for the investigation to be reclassified and for justice to be served.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Mystery

Sarm Heslop's disappearance remains an unresolved mystery, raising questions about the effectiveness of investigations in the US Virgin Islands and the legal protections that may shield those involved from thorough questioning. As her loved ones continue their quest for answers, the case serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding missing persons and the need for rigorous investigative practices.

What will it take for Sarm's case to receive the attention and urgency it deserves? The ongoing pursuit of truth speaks volumes about the resilience of those who seek justice. #MissingPerson #SarmHeslop #JusticeForSarm

FAQs

What happened to Sarm Heslop?

Sarm Heslop disappeared on 7 March 2021 while on a yacht in the US Virgin Islands. Her last known sighting was captured on CCTV, and her boyfriend, Ryan Bane, reported her missing several hours later.

Why is Ryan Bane a person of interest?

Ryan Bane is considered a person of interest due to inconsistencies in his timeline and his actions following Sarm's disappearance, including delays in contacting authorities and blocking searches of his yacht.

What are the legal rights invoked by Ryan Bane?

Ryan Bane has invoked the Fourth Amendment to block searches of his yacht and the Fifth Amendment to decline police questioning, which has complicated the investigation into Sarm's disappearance.

What efforts are being made to find Sarm?

Sarm's family and friends are actively campaigning for her case to be reclassified as a no-body murder investigation, which would enable law enforcement to pursue more aggressive investigative measures.

Why hasn't Sarm's body been found?

Despite extensive searches by the US Coast Guard, it is rare for someone who falls overboard to remain missing, leading to ongoing speculation and concern regarding the circumstances of Sarm's disappearance.