Veteran advisor vanishes with wife while sailing Caribbean

A seasoned advisor and his wife’s leisurely holiday in the Caribbean has taken a tragic turn after the couple disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

The advisor, Ralph Hendry, has been enjoying a decade-long life at sea with his wife Kathy Brandel aboard their yacht, Simplicity.

According to Hendry’s BrokerCheck profile, he started in the industry in 1994 as an advisor with Edward Jones. From there, he worked at other firms, including Raymond James and Citigroup, before starting his own practice affiliated with Independent Financial Group, a San Diego-based firm, in 2009.

The Hendrys’ most recent trip began when they departed Virginia for the coast of Grenada at the end of last year.

It appears their getaway was cut short in violent fashion, as their yatch was discovered anchored and devoid of its crew on February 21 by a sailing captain who happened to be paddle-boarding near the Saint Vincent shore, according to an announcement by the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, a nonprofit for sailing enthusiasts.

“The good Samaritan had boarded the boat and noted that the owners, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, were not onboard and found evidence of apparent violence,” the statement said.

The incident was then reported to local authorities at St. Vincent, the Simplicity’s last anchorage point. A statement from the police posted shortly after the incident did not name the couple, but it identified three recent escapees from a prison in Grenada who fled by boat to St. Vincent.

Details remain unclear, but the three persons of interest – who have since been recaptured – may have killed the couple, according to the police statement posted on social media.

“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,” said Bob Osborn, president of Salty Dawg.