The family of a 20-year-old who was murdered on a yacht has made a plea to the public following the tragic loss of their daughter.
Paige Bell's family has flown to the Bahamas to fight for justice after she was allegedly murdered on board the luxury superyacht Far From It, just days before her 21st birthday.
Paige, described by friends as “beautiful Paigey” with a “radiant spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless compassion,” was found dead and partially undressed in the yacht’s engine room on July 3 while the vessel was docked at the exclusive Harbour Island resort, a playground for the rich and famous located 60 miles east of Nassau.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said officers found a woman “unresponsive with visible signs of injuries” in the engine room shortly after 1:00PM, with a local doctor attending the scene and pronouncing her deceased.
Police said Paige “was missing for a short period of time before she was discovered with the male suspect present.”
The suspect, 39-year-old Mexican national Brigido Munoz, an engineer working alongside Paige on the £9.5 million ($13 million) yacht, was found near her body with severe injuries to his arms in what police described as a suspected suicide attempt.
The man was “apprehended, cautioned, and taken to a nearby clinic for medical treatment,” police said, before later being charged with murder.
Police noted Paige had slash wounds to her neck and defensive injuries to her arms, suggesting she had tried to fend off her alleged attacker, while prosecutors told the court she may have been sexually assaulted.
The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.
Munoz appeared before magistrates in Nassau on July 9 and was charged with murder but was not required to enter a plea. Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley denied him bail and remanded him in custody ahead of a hearing scheduled for November 20.
Paige’s distraught parents, Michelle and John Bell, flew out to the Bahamas this week to “begin the painful process of bringing their baby girl home," per the Daily Mail.
Her older sister Chelsey Jacobs releasing a heartbreaking statement: “Our family is facing an unimaginable journey,” she said, adding that they are “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,” Chelsey shared, adding that 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.
“We are grateful for your love, support, and solidarity during this incredibly difficult time,” she added, while the family also asked that people “please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we fight for Paigey.”
Paige was set to celebrate her 21st birthday on July 14, with friends having planned a big celebration to mark the milestone.
In her honor, 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," per PEOPLE.
A GoFundMe page launched to support the family’s legal and travel costs, and to help bring Paige home, has raised over $44,000, far surpassing its initial $16,000 goal.
The page reads: “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.”
Our thoughts are with Paige's loved ones during this difficult time.