20-year-old crew member found dead on £9.5m superyacht in brutal suspected murder

Another worker on the boat has been charged

3 days ago

A 20-year-old crew member has been found dead in the engine room of the $9.5 million superyacht she was working on, days before her 21st birthday.

Paige Bell, from Johannesburg in South Africa, was in a popular area of the Bahamas called Harbour Island, which is known as “Billionaires Backyard,” when she was found dead with gashes on her neck and arms on 3rd July.

An engineer on the ship, a 39-year-old Mexican national, was found standing next to her body, covered in blood with a knife in his hand and both his wrists slashed. He has now been charged with murder.

“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,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement shared on Facebook.

Credit: Paige Bell/Facebook

“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.”

Police discovered that Paige had been missing for a short period of time 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 stems from the death of a 20-year-old South African,” they continued.

The engineer was denied bail and will remain in custody until the court hearing, which is due to take place on 20th November.

Credit: Crew & Concierge/Facebook

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Paige’s colleagues from the yacht have set up a GoFundMe to “ease the financial burden” that her family may now face. It has currently raised over $50,000 of the $60,000 target.

“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,” they wrote.

In a statement, her family said: “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.”

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Featured image by: Paige Bell/Facebook and Canva