A 20-year-old stewardess was discovered dead on a superyacht after allegedly being murdered in the engine room.
Paige Bell, 20, from Johannesburg, South Africa, was found dead and partially undressed in the engine room of the £9.5million charter yacht Far From It, per The Sun.
Her throat was reportedly slashed, and defensive injuries on her arms suggested she tried to fight back against her attacker.
A party had been planned for Friday to celebrate her 21st birthday, but instead, her family is now facing what they call an “unimaginable journey” to bring their daughter home and seek justice.
The 39-year-old engineer, a Mexican national working alongside Paige below deck, has been charged with her murder after being found beside her body covered in blood with a knife in his hand and with both his wrists slashed, in what police believe was a suspected suicide attempt.
The Bahamas police confirmed officers were called to the vessel at 1:00PM on July 3 and found the suspect still alive but bleeding heavily beside Paige’s body, as reported by the Mirror.
A Bahamas police spokesman said: "We are investigating a murder and a suspected suicide attempt after a woman from South Africa was found dead on a yacht at Harbour Island. According to a preliminary report shortly after 1:00pm on July 3, the police were alerted to an incident on a yacht and proceeded to the marina area and went aboard Far From It.
"Once on board the vessel officers discovered a female unresponsive with visible signs of injuries and a Mexican national close by suffering from severe injuries to his arms. The local doctor who had been called to the scene pronounced the victim deceased.
"As police 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.
"We can confirm that a 39-year-old Mexican national will be arraigned before magistrates today charged with murder which stem from the death of a 20-year-old South African. She was found on board a vessel at Harbour Island, Eleuthera, on Thursday, July 3."
The engineer appeared at New Providence magistrates court in Nassau, the Bahamian capital, charged with murder but was not required to enter a plea. He has been denied bail and remanded into custody ahead of a hearing on November 20.
Paige’s devastated family shared a statement: "Our family is facing an unimaginable journey.
"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. 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 heartbreaking 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."
Paige had just completed a season on the Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean until December 2024 before joining Far From It as a guest relations officer. She was described by friends as a “golden girl” whose life was tragically cut short.
The alleged murder has shocked the exclusive Harbour Island, a three-mile by 1.5-mile billionaire’s playground often referred to as the “Billionaires' Backyard.”
It is a mecca for superyachts and is frequented by celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Prince Harry, Tom Cruise, and the Kardashians. Bill Gates has a mansion on the island, which lies 60 miles east of Nassau off the coast of Eleuthera.
On the morning of July 3, crew on the exclusive £120,000-a-week yacht noticed Paige was missing and could not reach her by phone.
After searching all six luxury VIP suites and crew quarters, a staff member found her body in the engine room, leading to the horrific discovery that has left the yachting and superyacht community in shock.
Mail Online reported that the engineer, a fellow crew member, had severe injuries to his arms when police apprehended him. After receiving treatment in the hospital, he was charged with murder.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Paige's family, and at the time of writing has raised $44,000.