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Fox News
7 days ago
- Fox News
Young crewmember murdered aboard luxury superyacht in paradise destination
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 WHO MISSED NORWEGIAN CRUISE SHIP DISCOVERED DEAD ON MOUNTAIN TRAIL IN ALASKA 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 "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." 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 HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe Royal Bahamas Police Force did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
The Sun
10-07-2025
- The Sun
First pic of ‘superyacht slasher' accused of murdering stewardess in £9.5m vessel engine room days before 21st birthday
THE man accused of murdering young stewardess Paige Bell aboard a £9.5million superyacht in the Bahamas has been pictured for the first time. Crew member Brigido Munoz allegedly sexually assaulted and killed the South African in the 142ft vessel's engine room - just days before her 21st birthday. 8 8 8 Munoz appeared in court in capital Nassau, where Chief Magistrare Roberto Reckley denied him bail and remanded him in custody until a November 20 hearing. The Mexican national, who worked as an engineer on board the Far From It yacht, was not required to enter a plea. The magistrates court heard Paige 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, the New York Post reports. He was rushed to hospital before being charged. Bahamas police say they were alerted to the scene shortly after 1pm on July 3 and found Bell unresponsive in the engine room of the yacht. The boat was anchored just off the celebrity-studded Harbour Island – dubbed the 'Billionaires' Backyard' due to its ultra-wealthy clientele. According to reports, the crew had been preparing a lavish birthday celebration for Paige on July 14. Her boyfriend had reportedly been planning a huge party both at the marina and onboard Far From It, which charters for a staggering £120,000 a week. When Paige, from Johannesburg, didn't answer her phone or show up for duties, fellow crew members searched the luxury vessel before making the horror discovery in the engine room. Police confirmed they are investigating both a murder and a suspected suicide attempt. During her yachting career, Paige was described as a 'golden girl' by friends as she worked as a guest relations officer on Far From It. A former colleague from her former boat Sweet Emocean described her as more than just a crew member. They wrote: '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.' The tragedy has shaken not just the yachting world but also the tight-knit community back home in South Africa. 8 8 8 A heartbreaking statement from Paige's family said that the ordeal has left them grappling with overwhelming grief and mounting legal costs as they navigate a foreign justice system. Her parents flew out to Bahamas earlier this week to begin the painful process of bringing their girl back home as they want to seek justice for "the monster that took her life". A heartbreaking statement from the family read: "Our family is facing an unimaginable journey. "This evening [earlier this week] 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. "We are devastated beyond words and now we must also navigate complex and costly legal proceedings in a foreign country – something far beyond our financial means. "This heart-breaking loss has been deeply felt by everyone who knew and loved 'Paigey' – her former captain, the boat owner, all the crew on board and our entire community. "We are humbly asking for your support whether by sharing this message or contributing financially, every bit helps. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. "We are grateful for your love, support, and solidarity during this incredibly difficult time." Despite the horror, her loved ones are determined to honour Paige's memory – with her mum reportedly still planning to mark her daughter's birthday with red velvet cake, her favourite. Munoz remains behind bars as the investigation continues, with autopsy results and forensic analysis expected to further clarify the events that unfolded aboard Far From It. 8 8
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Daily Mail
'Devastated' family of crew member killed on £100,000-a-week superyacht fly to Bahamas to face 'the monster who took her life' as court hears 'killer' may have sexually assaulted her before her 'murder'
The 'devastated' family of a stewardess who was brutally killed on board a superyacht has flown out to the Bahamas to fight for justice as a crew member has been charged with her murder. Paige Bell, 20, from South Africa, was found dead in the engine room of the luxury motor boat Far From It last Thursday, when the boat was moored in the Harbour Island resort. Brigido Munoz, 39, a Mexican national who worked with Paige as an engineer on the yacht, appeared before magistrates in Nassau on Wednesday charged with her murder. The court heard that his alleged victim was found with slash wounds to her neck and partially undressed, suggesting she may have been sexually assaulted. She also had defensive injuries to her arms, the court heard, suggesting she tried to fend off her alleged attacker. Paige's distraught parents Michelle and John Bell flew out to the Bahamas earlier this week to 'begin the painful process of bringing their baby girl home', and potentially face the man suspected of taking their daughter's life. The family asked that people 'please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we fight for Paigey.' The yacht worker's heartbroken older sister Chelsey Jacobs said earlier this week that she was 'torn apart' by the loss of 'Paigey' and put out an emotional statement on behalf of the family. 'Our family is facing an unimaginable journey,' she said, adding that her family is 'seeking justice for the monster that took her life.' 'This heart-breaking loss has been deeply felt by everyone who knew and loved 'Paigey' – her former captain, the boat owner, all the crew on board and our entire community. She said the family is 'devastated beyond words and now we must also navigate complex and costly legal proceedings in a foreign country – something far beyond our financial means.' A GoFundMe appeal was launched on behalf of the family by former colleagues and friends of Paige to help with the financial burden on the family. Chelsey said the family are 'grateful for your love, support, and solidarity during this incredibly difficult time.' Paige was set to celebrate her 21st birthday on July 14, with friends having planned a big celebration to mark the day. In her honor, her mother is said to have asked that 'we all eat red velvet cake (her favorite) on that day and share a photo in remembrance of the beautiful soul she was'. Just after 1pm on July 3, police were alerted to an incident at the marina on Harbour Island, an exclusive resort 60 miles east of the capital Nassau. Cops boarded the 43-metre yacht Far From It, where they were told that Paige had not been seen for a short period of time. They found her unresponsive in the yacht's engine room with visible injuries, before a doctor attended the scene and confirmed she had died. She was found near Munoz who had severe injuries to his arm in what police described as a suspected suicide attempt. The man was apprehended, cautioned and taken to a nearby clinic for treatment, police said in a statement, before he was later charged with murder. The circumstances surrounding Paige's death are still under investigation, police said. Built in 2008, Far From It is a charter yacht comprising of five suites, charging wealthy clients between £100,000 and £120,000 per week for vacations. It can host up to 10 guests and is staffed by nine permanent crew, according to its website. Paige had previously worked on board the Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean as a crew member until December 2024. In their tribute to her, the crew said '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.' The fundraiser for Paige, which can be found here, has so far raised more than $44,000 of its initial $16,000 target.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
She Lived the Dream Life Aboard a Yacht — Until a Grisly Discovery in the Engine Room
According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, officers found a woman 'unresponsive with visible signs of injuries' in the engine room of the vessel shortly after 1 p.m. on July 3, which was docked at Harbour Island The victim was identified by a local outlet and her family on Facebook as Paige Bell The suspect is a 39-year-old Mexican nationalA 20-year-old South African woman was allegedly killed on board a luxury yacht in the Bahamas. According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, officers found a woman 'unresponsive with visible signs of injuries' in the engine room of the vessel shortly after 1 p.m. on July 3, which was docked at Harbour Island. Police said the woman was missing for a short period of time before she was discovered 'with the male suspect present," police wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. Police believe the suspect — a 39-year-old Mexican national — attempted suicide and was "suffering from severe injuries to his arms." A local doctor boarded the vessel and pronounced the woman deceased. The victim was identified by local outlet Our News and her family on Facebook as Paige Bell. 'It is with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beautiful Paigey's life was brutally taken from us last night,' the family wrote on July 4. 'As a family, we are doing our best to process this unimaginable loss … We will leave no stone unturned until the guilty is brought to justice. ' Police said the suspect was 'apprehended, cautioned, and taken to a nearby clinic for medical treatment.' He was arraigned on Wednesday, July 9 in the Magistrate Court, and charged with murder, police said. According to a GoFundMe page, Bell 'would have celebrated her 21st birthday on July 14th.' 'In honor of Paige, her mother has asked that we all eat red velvet cake (her favorite) on that day and share a photo in remembrance of the beautiful soul she was,' the fundraiser stated.'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.' Bell had previously worked on the Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean until December 2024. So far, the page has raised more than $42,000. The suspect appeared in court on Wednesday, July 9 and was denied bail, Our News reported. He will return to court on November 20. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Identity of superyacht engineer accused of slashing throat of 'golden girl' crew member in Bahamas revealed
An engineer from the Far From It superyacht appeared in court today after he was accused of slashing the throat of a pretty young stewardess during a Bahamas trip. Paige Bell, 20, was found dead in an engine room last Thursday when the boat was moored in tiny Harbour Island. Fellow crew member Brigido Munoz, 39, appeared before magistrates in Nassau, the Bahamian capital, charged with murder. The court heard his alleged victim was found partially undressed and may have been sexually assaulted. Prosecutors said the South African had slash wounds to her neck and defensive injuries to her arms, suggesting she tried to fend off her alleged attacker. Mexican national Munoz was not required to enter a plea. Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley denied him bail and remanded him in custody ahead of a November 20 hearing. Paige Bell, from Johannesburg, South Africa, was found dead on-board the luxury motorboat, Far From It, while the vessel was docked at Harbour Island last week, police confirmed. Paige, whose family live in Durban, was due to turn 21 on July 14, with a huge celebration planned to mark her milestone birthday. But on July 3, the popular stewardess lost her life in a tragedy which has shaken the exclusive Bahamian resort and the yachting world. Police were alerted to an incident at the marina just after 1pm that day and boarded the 43-metre yacht, where they were told that the young woman had not been seen for a short period of time. They found Paige unresponsive in the yacht's engine room with visible injuries, before a doctor attended the scene and confirmed she had died. She was found near Munoz who had severe injuries to his arm in what police described as a suspected suicide attempt. The man was apprehended, cautioned and taken to a nearby clinic for treatment, police said in a statement, before he was later charged with murder. The circumstances surrounding Paige's death are still under investigation, police said. Built in 2008, Far From It is a charter yacht comprising of five suites, charging wealthy clients between £100,000 and £120,000 per week for vacations. It can host up to 10 guests and is staffed by nine permanent crew, according to its website. Paige had previously worked on board the Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean as a crew member until December 2024. Her former colleagues paid tribute in a post shared with a GoFundMe page set up to help 'ease the financial burden' faced by the family. It said that she was set to celebrate her 21st birthday on July 14, just 11 days after she tragically died. In her honor, her mother is said to have asked that 'we all eat red velvet cake (her favorite) on that day and share a photo in remembrance of the beautiful soul she was'. 'Paige was more than a teammate, she was family,' wrote 'The Bells, and Sweet Emocean Family' in their tribute. '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.' A friend of Paige's described the young woman as a 'golden girl' and called what had happened 'despicable'. The GoFundMe page, which can be found here, has raised more than $42,000 of its initial $16,000 target already. The upmarket resort of Harbour Island is a 3-mile by 1.5 mile playground for the rich and famous and a mecca for superyachts. It lies 60 miles to the east of the capital Nassau and just off the larger island of Eleuthera. Bill Gates has a mansion on the tiny island and regular tourists who holiday there include Mick Jagger, Prince Harry, Tom Cruise, Kardashians, Harrison Ford and Tom Hanks. It is known as the 'Billionaires Backyard' as over 20 billionaires live there.
