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IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Murder in the Bahamas: Everything we know about Paige Bell's death
Paige Bell, a 20-year-old KwaZulu-Natal woman was found dead aboard a luxury yacht in the Bahamas earlier this month Image: Facebook As investigations continue into the events that led up to Paige Bell's death, her family say they are still trying to process what happened to her. Bell, 20, was found dead aboard a luxury yacht in the Bahamas on July 3. Speaking to the Independent on Saturday, her parents confirmed that they were hoping to arrange a cremation and bring Bell's remains back to South Africa soon. IOL reported that Bell's body had been discovered aboard super yacht, Far From It, docked in Harbour Island. According to the preliminary report, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said police were alerted to the scene and once aboard, 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. The police report stated that as officers 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Durban's Paige Bell and the Mexican engineer Brigido Munoz who has been charged with her murder. Image: Facebook Meanwhile, a 40-year-old male was apprehended, and taken to a nearby clinic for medical treatment. The accused has since been identified as Brigido Munoz, a Mexican national, who has appeared in court. He is due back in court later this year. According to Daily Mail, Bell previously worked aboard the Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean until December last year. In a touching tribute, the Sweet Emocean crew said they were heartbroken by Bell's passing. "Paige was more than a team mate, 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," they said. Bell was due to return home on July 14 to celebrate her 21st birthday with loved ones. Bell's former high school, Hillcrest High School, paid tribute to her in a post, adding that she was a special young lady. IOL

IOL News
3 days ago
- 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.


The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
First picture of Paige Bell's Mexican killer emerges
The man accused of murdering South African stewardess Paige Bell aboard a £9.5 million superyacht in the Bahamas has been pictured for the first time . Mexican crew member Brigido Munoz allegedly sexually assaulted and killed Bell in the 142-foot vessel's engine room – just days before her 21st birthday. Munoz appeared in court in capital Nassau, where Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley denied him bail and remanded him in custody until a 20 November hearing. Munoz, who worked as an engineer on board the Far From It yacht, was not required to enter a plea. The magistrates court heard Bell was found partially clothed and bloodied, with slash wounds to her neck and defensive injuries on her arms – suggesting she fought for her life. Munoz was reportedly discovered lying close by with injuries on his arms, in what authorities suspect may have been a failed suicide attempt. He was rushed to hospital before being charged. Described by friends as a 'golden girl,' Bell was reportedly just days away from returning to South Africa to celebrate her 21st birthday on 14 July. Bell's former school, Hillcrest High School, in KwaZulu-Natal, paid tribute to her on social media. 'It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends, and all who knew and loved former Hillcrest High School pupil, Paige Bell. 'Paige matriculated in 2022 and is remembered by our HHS 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 and would like to ask for the support of the greater HHS community in bringing Paige home to her family. 'Please share and donate to the GoFundMe account that was set up, in her honour, to assist her family during this incredibly difficult time.' At the time of publishing, the GoFundMe page had raised $50 377 (R900 000). Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Paige Bell's former school pays emotional tribute
Paige Bell, a young South African woman working aboard a luxury superyacht, was found murdered just days before her 21st birthday, in a chilling crime that has shocked the global yachting community. Bell, 20, was discovered dead in the engine room of the 150-foot charter yacht Far From It , docked off the exclusive Harbour Island in the Bahamas. Described by friends as a 'golden girl,' Bell was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered by Brigido Munoz, a 39-year-old Mexican engineer who also worked aboard the vessel. Bahamas police confirmed that Munoz was found in the same room, bleeding heavily and holding a knife, in what authorities suspect was a suicide attempt. He has since been arrested and charged with her murder. Bell was reportedly just days away from returning to South Africa to celebrate her 21st birthday on 14 July. Bell's former school, Hillcrest High School, in KwaZulu-Natal, paid tribute to her on social media. 'It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends, and all who knew and loved former Hillcrest High School pupil, Paige Bell. 'Paige matriculated in 2022 and is remembered by our HHS 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 and would like to ask for the support of the greater HHS community in bringing Paige home to her family. 'Please share and donate to the GoFundMe account that was set up, in her honour, to assist her family during this incredibly difficult time.' At the time of publishing, the GoFundMe page had raised $50 377 (R900 000). Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Grieving family of murdered South African superyacht ‘golden girl' travel to Bahamas to face alleged killer
The grieving family of the South African 'golden girl' crew member found dead in the Bahamas have traveled to the Caribbean nation to face the superyacht engineer accused of sexually assaulting and murdering their daughter. Paige Bell was found partially undressed in the ship's engine room on July 3 — just days before her 21st birthday — with Mexican national Brigido Munoz, 40, charged with her murder before a Nassau court on Wednesday. 4 Paige Bell, 20, was considered a 'golden girl' crew member. Chelsey Jacobs/Facebook 4 The Far From It super4 yacht sailing in the Bahamas. motoryacht_farfromit/Instagram As the grizzly details of her death were recounted before the court, the victim's parents, Michelle and John Bell, were on the island to 'begin the painful process of bringing their baby girl home,' the Daily Mail reported. 4 Superyacht engineer Brigido Munoz, 39, is accused of murdering Paige Bell. 4 Paige Bell's family is grieving her death. Gofundme 'Our family is facing an unimaginable journey,' Bell's sister, Chelsey Jacobs, said in a statement, adding that her family is 'seeking justice for the monster that took her life.'