Owner of Dominican Republic nightclub whose roof collapsed is arrested along with his sister
Antonio Espaillat y Maribel Espaillat have not been charged in the case, although authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge.
An attorney for them could not be immediately reached for comment.
An investigation into why the roof collapsed is ongoing.
Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors.
The victims included beloved singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz.
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a day ago
- Yahoo
Family of Irishwoman kidnapped in Haiti ask people to ‘keep her in your hearts'
The family of an Irishwoman who is one of eight people kidnapped in Haiti has asked people to keep the group 'in your hearts'. The family of Gena Heraty, who is from Westport in Co Mayo, also asked for discretion at this 'difficult' time. Ms Heraty and seven other hostages, including a three-year-old child, were kidnapped from an orphanage in Kenscoff on August 3. She oversees the orphanage, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers And Sisters). Ireland's deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris said he spoke by phone to Haiti's foreign minister, Harvel Jean-Baptiste, and asked that everything is done to ensure the release of Ms Heraty and the other hostages. Crowds of locals and siblings of Ms Heraty attended a Monday mass in her parish church to pray for her safe return. In a statement released by Department of Foreign Affairs, her family said they were 'still coming to terms with the awful news that Gena and seven others were kidnapped'. 'We continue to work closely with Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs (NPH) in Haiti and Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and international partners who have all assured us that everything possible is being done to get Gena, and those taken with her, safely released as soon as possible,' they said. 'Gena is loved and respected by so many people, as is evident in the outpouring of concern, support and prayers from everyone near and far. 'We are truly so grateful for all the messages of support we have received over the past few days.' They added: 'Given the sensitivity and evolving nature of what has happened, and mindful of the ongoing efforts to get everyone released safely, we are not in a position to share any further details at present. 'We echo NPH International in asking for discretion and patience throughout this difficult time. 'We continue to ask that you keep Gena, everyone taken with her, and their families in your hearts as we pray for their safe and speedy return.' Mr Harris said he had been in contact with Ms Heraty's family on Monday and officials in his department would remain in 'constant' contact with them. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Harris said the Haitian foreign affairs minister assured him of his support to ensure the release of the hostages. 'I welcome my engagement with Minister Harvel Jean Baptiste after what has been an extremely traumatic few days for the Heraty family, as well as the families of all those who were kidnapped,' he said. 'The minister assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals. 'We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive.' Viatores Christi, a lay missionary organisation, said that one of its members, Ms Heraty, was taken by armed individuals from her home at the NPFS compound in Kenscoff on Sunday morning. 'Gena has worked in Haiti for over 30 years, dedicating her life to children and adults with disabilities through her leadership of NPFS's Special Needs Programme,' it said. 'Her commitment, compassion and steady presence have made a lasting difference to many families in the region. 'Our organisation has supported NPFS's work for a number of years and has seen first-hand the impact of Gena's efforts. We are in close contact with our partners on the ground and remain hopeful for her safe return. 'We are thinking of Gena, her family and colleagues, and the adults and children in her care. We ask that her privacy — and that of those closest to her — be respected as efforts continue to clarify the situation.' A Westport parish priest said the local community was 'saddened and shocked' by Ms Heraty's kidnapping. Fr John Kenny said Ms Heraty's sister Mary spoke at the weekly Monday mass in her local parish church in Cushlough, which was attended by many people praying for her safe return. Fr Kenny said the mass 'would have generally a small attendance', but on Monday 'cars were everywhere'. 'People were gathered and quietly prayed and then met with the family afterwards,' he told RTE Radio. 'The evening was a nice evening, a quiet evening, so they had the opportunity to meet with her siblings and her extended family and console them and chat to them and reassure them of our prayers and support. '(Mary) was maybe a little bit nervous to speak, because it really is on tenterhooks that anything said or done or anything that would upset the situation in any way, even at this great distance, on social media and (media) coverage, you would be worried. 'The family are very appreciative of the support and very conscious that people are praying and supporting them as we can.' He described Ms Heraty as 'wonderful, generous and caring' and said several fundraising events have been held for her cause. 'She's not one for the spotlight or to highlight herself. It's always the work she does that she draws attention to and the people she works with,' he added. 'Any fundraising events that we support, the local schools, the local communities, are generous to her cause and the cause she works for. 'Reluctantly, as I said, she has to come forward to do that, but it's never for herself. It's never for her own benefit. It's always for the benefit of others. 'That's just the nature of the person she is, a wonderful, generous, caring, compassionate person, a great human being.' Ms Heraty survived a vicious assault while she worked at a Haitian orphanage in 2011. She was punched and hit a number of times with a hammer when men broke into the building. 'We wouldn't know all the ins and outs of what goes on there, but we are conscious that it's an area where there's a lot of unrest, and then all the storms and various terrible natural events that happen too over the years,' Fr Kenny added. 'We're worried about her physical concerns there, that there will be storm damage and flooding and all kinds of things. But then, yes, the unrest and the unease of the local situation.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Amy Bradley case hinges on 'somebody remembering' as investigators hunt for new leads 27 years later: expert
The disappearance of a recent college graduate from her cruise ship stateroom nearly 27 years ago continues to baffle investigators as a new documentary hopes to breathe fresh air into the search for a woman who seemingly vanished into thin air. In March 1998, Amy Bradley embarked on a Royal Caribbean International cruise with her family for a seven-day trip to the tropics. The 23-year-old had recently graduated from college and was preparing to pursue a master's degree in sports psychology. Her story is now being revisited in the new three-part Netflix documentary series, titled "Amy Bradley Is Missing." Parents Believe Daughter Who Vanished From Cruise Ship 27 Years Ago Is Still Alive On the evening before her disappearance, Bradley joined her brother Brad at the Rhapsody of the Seas nightclub, where the pair remained until the early morning hours of March 24. Bradley's father, Ron, last recalled seeing his daughter asleep on the cabin's balcony. Bradley vanished about a half an hour later, as the ship was preparing to dock in Curaçao. Read On The Fox News App An extensive search for the recent college graduate ensued, but authorities were unable to locate Bradley. The vessel continued its scheduled stops and ultimately returned to Puerto Rico four days later. New Person Of Interest Emerges In Documentary On Decades-old Disappearance Of Iowa News Anchor Countless rumors swirled around what happened to Bradley, including theories that she had fallen overboard and drowned, or that she had intentionally jumped to take her own life. Her parents, however, have never wavered from their belief that their daughter was kidnapped and could still be alive, according to the documentary. As the investigation into Bradley's death remained ongoing, Netherlands Antilles Coast Guard Lt. Sjoerd Soethout told reporters she could have fallen from the ship's balcony, The Associated Press reported. At the time, an FBI spokesperson said authorities had "no evidence of foul play," with the case ultimately running cold. Mystery Shrouds Case As American Tourist Still Presumed Missing In Popular Tourist Paradise "There is decidedly little evidence of a fall or push, nor would there be," Peter Valentin, chair of the Forensic Science Department at the University of New Haven and a former Connecticut State Police detective, told Fox News Digital. "There would be next to no evidence unless there would be a struggle prior to the push." One year after Bradley's death, her parents filed two lawsuits against Royal Caribbean. The family claimed the cruise line acted negligently in the handling of their daughter's disappearance, with Royal Caribbean releasing a statement at the time insisting they acted "appropriately and responsibly at all times." The lawsuits were subsequently dismissed in 2000. Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Young Crewmember Murdered Aboard Luxury Superyacht In Paradise Destination "The room was cleaned before the FBI agents had access," Valentin said. "Whether they realized it or not, they de-emphasized the value of physical evidence in that room." Years later, Bradley's family received a set of sexually explicit images of a woman from an adult website based in the Caribbean from an anonymous tipster, further solidifying her family's fears surrounding her being forced into sex trafficking. In the photos, the woman, identified as "Jas," posed provocatively while deliberately covering any identifiable markings, such as Bradley's tattoo of a Tasmanian Devil spinning a basketball. Investigators were also informed of alleged sightings of Bradley. Detectives' True Crime Podcast Helps Dig Up Breakthrough In Case That Haunted Family: 'Drew Audible Gasp' Tourist Judy Maurer told the documentary that she witnessed a woman she believed to be Bradley while in a restroom in Barbados, before three men allegedly escorted the woman away. David Carmichael also told filmmakers he may have seen Bradley while visiting Curaçao, adding that she was "flanked by two people." Another Curaçao sighting was reported by Navy veteran Bill Hefner, who believes he saw a distressed Bradley at a local bar. However, Valentin is skeptical of the potential sightings. "Eyewitnesses can become very convinced of what it is they say they saw, even though the forensic evidence makes it quite clear that they could not have seen what they said they saw," Valentin told Fox News Digital. 3 Chilling True Crime Cases Of Women Who Went On Vacation And Never Returned The former investigator added that the reported eyewitness accounts of Bradley should be compared to look for similarities. "Combine it with other forensic techniques and electronic evidence and it certainly suggests that investigative efforts should be focusing on a particular area," Valentin said. Additionally, investigators previously looked into Alastair "Yellow" Douglas, a member of the ship's band who Bradley was seen dancing with hours before her disappearance. Valentin points to roadblocks facing authorities regarding the lack of electronic evidence at the time of Bradley's disappearance. Madeleine Mccann Search Resumes As Suspect's Prison Release Looms After Years Behind Bars "Any connection between that musician and Bradley, however fleeting it might be, could be explored through the electronic evidence," Valentin said. "So this really is a generational leap in terms of what we're capable of doing now with electronic evidence." Throughout the years, Douglas has vehemently denied any involvement in Bradley's disappearance. While questions still swirl surrounding how Bradley vanished from her stateroom within such a short timeframe, Valentin highlights a potential point of interest in answering what happened to the young woman. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub "I would have been very keen to know if she was missing a pair of shoes, or did she take her shoes with her?" Valentin asked. "If all the shoes are accounted for, that's an interesting observation because that actually makes it a little less likely for some of the scenarios that were discussed about her leaving on her own accord." Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X In 2017, the FBI previously released age-progressing images of Bradley with the hopes of igniting new leads within the search. Despite the numerous leads, authorities have never charged anyone with a crime relating to Bradley's disappearance. Valentin suggests the passage of time since Bradley's disappearance could encourage anyone with information to speak up. "This case is one that I think is probably going to hinge on somebody remembering that they know something," Valentin said. "Because of this case reemerging in the public eye." Anyone who believes they have information pertaining to Bradley's disappearance is asked to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate. "Amy Bradley Is Missing" is now streaming. Fox News Digital's Stephanie Nolasco and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Amy Bradley case hinges on 'somebody remembering' as investigators hunt for new leads 27 years later: expert Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
American Sailing Couple Were Killed After Prison Break in Grenada. The Killers Just Learned Their Fate
Ralph Hendry, 66, and Kathy Brandel, 71, were described as experienced and beloved sailors, who were spending the winter cruising the TO KNOW Three prisoners escaped from a prison in Grenada in 2024 and hijacked a boat occupied by an American couple, and killed them before throwing the victims overboard The ringleader, Ron Mitchell, received two life sentences, and two other men received 50-plus year sentences The victims, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, were described as experienced and beloved sailors, who were spending the winter cruising the CaribbeanThree men who escaped from a prison on the island nation of Grenada and murdered an elderly U.S. couple aboard their boat while they traveled between Grenada and St. Vincent were sentenced to prison last week. Ron Mitchell, a sailor in his 30s and the ringleader of the attack, received two life sentences for the murders of Ralph Hendry, 66, and Kathy Brandel, 71, according to the AP. Trevon Robertson, a man in his early 20s, received 56 years for manslaughter and additional sentences for other crimes, the outlet reported. Atiba Stanislaus, a farmer in his 20s, received 60 years for manslaughter and an additional 18 years for the rape of Brandel, along with other sentences for other crimes including kidnapping. On Feb. 18, 2024, the three men escaped from prison and hijacked the boat the couple was on and threw them overboard, authorities said, the AP reported. The three men were arrested in St. couple, described by fellow sailors as devout Christians and experienced cruisers, were known to be cautious at sea. As longtime members of the tight-knit Salty Dawg Sailing Association, they had joined a rally in the fall of 2023, sailing from Hampton, Va., to Antigua. 'They were always willing to give help to anyone in need, they were very giving people,' family friend Will Knoll, who sailed with them on the rally, recalls in an interview with PEOPLE. 'It's just a tragedy that this would occur to them.' The bodies of Hendry and Brandel were never found. Read the original article on People
