A 20-year-old South African stewardess was found dead in the engine room of a luxury superyacht docked in the Bahamas last week, just days before her 21st birthday.
Paige Bell, from Johannesburg, was discovered partially undressed with her throat slashed and defensive wounds on her arms aboard the £9.5 million ($13 million) charter yacht Far From It on July 3, as previously reported. Authorities are investigating the possibility of a sexual assault.
Police found a fellow crew member, 39-year-old Mexican national Brigido Munoz, beside her body with severe injuries to his arms in what they believe was a suicide attempt.
“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,” a Bahamas police spokesman said, via the Daily Mail.
The crew had been preparing a party to celebrate Paige’s 21st birthday on July 14. Instead, her family is now “facing an unimaginable journey,” flying to the Bahamas to bring her body home and seek justice.
"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 family said in a statement, via LBC. “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.”
Police were called to the yacht at 1:00PM after Paige was reported missing. “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 spokesman added.
Munoz was taken to a nearby clinic, treated, and has now been charged with murder. He appeared in Nassau’s Magistrates Court but 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, according to The Sun.
Far From It is a 43-meter yacht that can accommodate up to 10 guests and is staffed by nine crew. It rents for £100,000 ($136,000) and £120,000 ($163,000) a week and was docked in Harbour Island, a glamorous three-mile-long resort known as the "Billionaires’ Backyard."
Paige had previously worked on another yacht, Sweet Emocean, until December 2024. In a tribute shared on a GoFundMe page, her former crew said: “Paige was more than a teammate, she was family… her radiant spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless compassion made an unforgettable impact.”
Her mother has asked supporters to honor her on July 14 by eating red velvet cake, Paige’s favorite, and sharing a photo in remembrance. “Whether it was long days at sea or quiet moments under the stars, she brought light and warmth wherever she went.”