FL FL - Isabella Hellmann, 41, catamaran off Cay Sal, SE of the FL Keys, 14 May 2017 #1 *GUILTY*

[JanetElaine]

.....

What role will his "business partner" now play in this? Is he living in the condo with LB? Will he stay there if LB leaves the USA? Has LB's visa expired? I think he is only able to stay in the USA 90 days. Does the marriage to a US citizen now make a difference to the length of time he can stay there? Will his "business partner" be the one who is going to get the catamaran to the US so it can be inspected or will the FBI now have to do that? Having the baby will restrict LB's movements somewhat. For the baby's sake, I would rather that she was with her mother's family.

...

rsbm bbm

Addressing the above bolded, done catching up finally.

Do we know if Bennett has a visa? A UK or AUS citizen would normally be eligible for the visa waiver program (VWP), which allows him to stay for 90 days without needing a visa.

Marriage to a US citizen could make a difference in the length of time he can stay, IF they filed the appropriate paperwork with the USCIS on time. What on time means in his case depends on whether he was in the US on a visa, which kind of visa, or the VWP.

If appropriate papers were filed on time he would normally be able to stay in the US until the USCIS makes a decision. Between 6-12 months or even longer would be normal, but I am not up to speed on current processing times.

If the petitioner (Isabella in this case, assuming they filed Bennett's immigration request papers) dies during the process, Bennett could still be approved and instead of receiving an immigrant visa to the US, actually immediately become a permanent resident (and he can then later down the road apply to become a US citizen).

If he however has left the US after her death the petition (if it exists) would have become void, unless he returns soon and can prove he only left with intent to be gone temporarily.

 

[bears10]

rsbm bbm

Addressing the above bolded, done catching up finally.

Do we know if Bennett has a visa? A UK or AUS citizen would normally be eligible for the visa waiver program (VWP), which allows him to stay for 90 days without needing a visa.

Marriage to a US citizen could make a difference in the length of time he can stay, IF they filed the appropriate paperwork with the USCIS on time. What on time means in his case depends on whether he was in the US on a visa, which kind of visa, or the VWP.

If appropriate papers were filed on time he would normally be able to stay in the US until the USCIS makes a decision. Between 6-12 months or even longer would be normal, but I am not up to speed on current processing times.

If the petitioner (Isabella in this case, assuming they filed Bennett's immigration request papers) dies during the process, Bennett could still be approved and instead of receiving an immigrant visa to the US, actually immediately become a permanent resident (and he can then later down the road apply to become a US citizen).

If he however has left the US after her death the petition (if it exists) would have become void, unless he returns soon and can prove he only left with intent to be gone temporarily.

IMO I doubt the paperwork was filed because I don't think he had any intention of staying in the US.


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[JanetElaine]

IMO I doubt the paperwork was filed because I don't think he had any intention of staying in the US.


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He's been quite clear about not wanting to stay in the US if the reports are correct. But people asked what certain things might mean, and I posted what it means.

I don't know if they filed anything. Isabella wanted him to stay in the US. The whole process to make that happen may also explain why they got married, which people have been wondering about. It even gives a motive, if you look at it from that vantage point.

He may have tried placating Isabella with no intention to follow through. Maybe he didn't mind getting married because he already had plans to dispose of Isabella. Maybe he didn't mind subsequently filing those papers, because again, he already knew his plans. He may have gone along with it all because he didn't yet have the perfect opportunity to get rid of Isabella without suspicion.

If he didn't want to stay in the US but did want his daughter, he was screwed if Isabella didn't want to leave the US or allow him to take their daughter. Him being so "oh, I guess I'll have to take her too" about Emelia to the neighbor may have been him downplaying his motive.

Being from two different countries can be hell when kids are in play. In Bennett's case, it would be you either live without her in a country you like, or live with her in a country you don't want to be - unless a court would allow him to move Emelia away from Isabella against her wishes, but that's a huge hurdle and not very likely to happen.

Just some ponderings about a possible motive/reason if there's foul play. I don't really know what to think about this case. It's been a long time since there was a case I've flip-flopped about as much as I do here.

I just wish someone would find the cat and see if Isabella's body is aboard. Plus I'd like to know why Isabella basically was talked into helping bringing the cat over when it's usually Bennett's business partner who makes such trips with him. And if Isabella on previous calls to her family brought up the graduation at all (before the final call where she asked if they were getting ready).

 

[Wyle_E_Coyote]

She told her sister she would be in Florida the next day

Perhaps there was bad weather or seas too rough and they lost time waiting it out.

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[bears10]

He's been quite clear about not wanting to stay in the US if the reports are correct. But people asked what certain things might mean, and I posted what it means.

I don't know if they filed anything. Isabella wanted him to stay in the US. The whole process to make that happen may also explain why they got married, which people have been wondering about. It even gives a motive, if you look at it from that vantage point.

He may have tried placating Isabella with no intention to follow through. Maybe he didn't mind getting married because he already had plans to dispose of Isabella. Maybe he didn't mind subsequently filing those papers, because again, he already knew his plans. He may have gone along with it all because he didn't yet have the perfect opportunity to get rid of Isabella without suspicion.

If he didn't want to stay in the US but did want his daughter, he was screwed if Isabella didn't want to leave the US or allow him to take their daughter. Him being so "oh, I guess I'll have to take her too" about Emelia to the neighbor may have been him downplaying his motive.

Being from two different countries can be hell when kids are in play. In Bennett's case, it would be you either live without her in a country you like, or live with her in a country you don't want to be - unless a court would allow him to move Emelia away from Isabella against her wishes, but that's a huge hurdle and not very likely to happen.

Just some ponderings about a possible motive/reason if there's foul play. I don't really know what to think about this case. It's been a long time since there was a case I've flip-flopped about as much as I do here.

I just wish someone would find the cat and see if Isabella's body is aboard. Plus I'd like to know why Isabella basically was talked into helping bringing the cat over when it's usually Bennett's business partner who makes such trips with him. And if Isabella on previous calls to her family brought up the graduation at all (before the final call where she asked if they were getting ready).

Sorry it wasn't my intention to blow off the info you shared! I know you were just educating us. Thank you

 

[JanetElaine]

Sorry it wasn't my intention to blow off the info you shared! I know you were just educating us. Thank you

Oh, no, I knew that. Sorry if I came across snippy with that, I didn't mean to. I blame it on this case driving me nuts, I don't know what side of the fence I'm on from one post to another, lol.

 

[GigTu]

Correction: It's hearsay that Isabella wanted to stay in the US, or anything else. We have not heard from Isabella on what she wants for her future.

 

[JanetElaine]

Perhaps there was bad weather or seas too rough and they lost time waiting it out.

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I hope this link will work, but this was Varadero's weather on May 13. It's where they left from. I was surprised to see how close Cay Sal is, btw.

https://www.wunderground.com/histor...statename=&reqdb.zip=&reqdb.magic=&reqdb.wmo=

It appears that between 2-7 pm that day the wind was 16mph max. I know nothing about boating so I have no idea if that would be considered bad or not, or what that would mean for the waters between Varadero and Cay Sal. It does seem to be consistent/normal for afternoons there.

 

[Greater Than]

I personally do not tend to use The Daily Mail as a source, but they interviewed Isabella's husband, so I thought it was worth posting since the article includes his direct quotes.

[...]

On Friday, photos from the Palm Beach Post showed FBI yellow tape on Bennett and Hellman's condo.

The front door doorknob, the touch pad lock and part of the doorjamb was covered with yellow tape reading 'evidence' and 'Federal Bureau of Investigation'.

The Coast Guard confirmed the FBI is 'jointly' working with them on 'a missing persons investigation'.

[...]

Spokeswoman Lisa Novak declined to comment on whether foul play had been ruled out.

[...]

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com at the apartment he and his wife bought last year in Del Ray Beach, he revealed he had made a trip to Cuba last week to try to find out if his wife had been found and taken there because of its proximity.

[...]

He said: 'I met the authorities there and checked every hospital, but there is no sign of her. It is now two weeks since she has been missing, so I am not holding out much hope of seeing her so I have come to terms with that.

'This is absolutely devastating for me. She is my soul mate. I thought we were going to be together forever.'

[...]

He said: 'I had been with Isabella for four years. We were looking forward to our life together.

'We have got a daughter. We were planning a great life together and now I am alone without her. I loved her very much... we'll just have to see.'

When asked if it was any suspicion that he had harmed his wife that was fueling the investigation, he said: 'They haven't accused me of anything. Nobody has put that allegation directly against me.

'But I understand why they have to investigate and that is fair enough. I have got nothing to hide. They have to do what they have to do.'

Asked if some might find it odd that a husband would go to sleep at 8pm and leave his wife alone on honeymoon, he said: 'The reason why I went to bed at 8pm was because we had been on the water for four or five days. You do get tired.

'We were just taking it in turns just to watch [the boat and navigate] I suppose.'

[...]

He added: 'I am surviving. But I don't know how. I feel very alone. I have got a baby with me and I don't know many people around here.'

[...]

Investigators who examined the boat found no evidence of any holes where water could have entered, although they did find deep scrapes at each end of the vessel.

Tests have been carried out to see whether floating debris could have struck the boat.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ing-FL-mom-claims-husband-killed-sibling.html

 

[JanetElaine]

Correction: It's hearsay that Isabella wanted to stay in the US, or anything else. We have not heard from Isabella on what she wants for her future.

True dat. And I hope she still has a future.

You didn't quote anyone, but based on your post I wish I could edit my above post and change "Isabella wanted him to stay in the US. The whole process to make that happen may also explain why they got married, [...]" to "IF Isabella wanted him to stay in the US, the whole process to make that happen may also explain why they got married, [...]".

 

[cbeagle]

They are saying he should have dropped the boat sails and no longer power (if it was) the boat to let it drift with the current... to stop it from moving with the wind or under engine power..

Does the boat even have sails, from the pictures a few pages back it just looks like a motor catamaran?

 

[GigTu]

Why would you stop the boat when she is moving with the tide? THAT makes no sense.

An EPIRB is stored or mounted. You don't hold it or wear it.

They were going to be on the sea for a few to several days. It's a rotating schedule. She would have been on the next night anyway.

Ok. key west. Maybe he was sick?

I think he said he had to keep the boat on track meaning he had to keep the boat on track with her... she would be in the current. He had to track with where she would be.

They likely weren't actively sailing at night. They were sailing slowly because she was on watch. She likely was basically maintaining course.

So maybe they had to leave when they did so that she would make her sister's graduation....

Inertia happens at all speeds (body at motion stays in motion; body at rest stays at rest)...

The mounted version automatically deploys when it hits water.

The handheld one you keep in the ditch bag, which we keep in the console or in the head. You issue a "Pan Pan" on the VHF radio, give the information (specific information given in a specific way about coordinates. Make, model, souls on board etc describe problem)... Pan Pan is before May Day. Mayday is we are going down.

Usually you have warning that bad things are happening, things are turning south for the situation....

After Pan Pan and May Day, then you to get the Epirb and location beacons.

My guess would be weather as a first factor. Check the weather report the next day from where they left.

Thank you for being a voice of reason. <modsnip>No one was on that boat with them so no one knows what conversations or actions took place. He could be bald faced lying f or telling the complete truth. None of us know. Speculation is not fact.

She was in contact throughout this journey. Something tragic happened. There is a great loss. It doesn't mean anything sinister occurred.

I'm sorry for Isabella, her husband and their baby. So sad for all. :rose:

 

[Mercedes]

Correction: It's hearsay that Isabella wanted to stay in the US, or anything else. We have not heard from Isabella on what she wants for her future.

:goodpost:

 

[JerseyGirl]

“Someone has entered my property and taken some of my items. I believe it’s my sister and mother-in-law,” Lewis Bennett tells city dispatchers on the recording, made public Saturday.

On the call, Boca Raton police agree to meet Bennett outside the Hellmann family’s residence in the city in about 30 minutes. The dispatcher asked him to call police again when he was at the property and to stand by until they arrived.

“I would love to be able to do that. The only problem is I don’t have a cellphone. The only way I can call is from Skype on my iPad,” Bennett said in the recording.

They agreed to meet at the home in about 30 minutes.

In response to a question from the dispatcher, Bennett said he had reported the items stolen and that he would have a copy of that police report with him. Bennett has said Hellmann’s engagement ring, electronic devices and other property were taken from their condominium.

The FBI has placed crime tape on the front door of the residence.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/c...e-meeting-with-family/JJ9NKDOyatXA2HfUAQDW7O/

 

[bears10]

“Someone has entered my property and taken some of my items. I believe it’s my sister and mother-in-law,” Lewis Bennett tells city dispatchers on the recording, made public Saturday.

On the call, Boca Raton police agree to meet Bennett outside the Hellmann family’s residence in the city in about 30 minutes. The dispatcher asked him to call police again when he was at the property and to stand by until they arrived.

“I would love to be able to do that. The only problem is I don’t have a cellphone. The only way I can call is from Skype on my iPad,” Bennett said in the recording.

They agreed to meet at the home in about 30 minutes.

In response to a question from the dispatcher, Bennett said he had reported the items stolen and that he would have a copy of that police report with him. Bennett has said Hellmann’s engagement ring, electronic devices and other property were taken from their condominium.

The FBI has placed crime tape on the front door of the residence.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/c...e-meeting-with-family/JJ9NKDOyatXA2HfUAQDW7O/

Would the FBI put tape on the doors because of the breaking and entering/theft? I'm just confused why it's on there for something that could be handled by local police

 

[Boopsquared]

Where he was rescued, was she near his boat? If so, the Coast Guard should be able to find what they "hit".


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[Boopsquared]

Since there was a positioning beacon, the coast guard should know whether there was anything that possible could have been hit.


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[Hiandmighty]

One article I read said coast guard took samples of something... not sure if it was of the boat or of floatsam... to determine if there was a collision..

 

[AC's Grandma]

I'm not familiar with the rules for visiting Cuba, but is it possible that they had to leave that night because they were only allowed to be there until then and knew that they must exit the country? I've seen lots of questions and concerns about why they left at 5:30 at night and he went to sleep down below in the cat at 8pm...this might be the reason they didn't stay in Cuba, because they did not have permission to be in the country any longer and had to leave by midnight... just a thought.

 

[charminglane]

I'm not familiar with catamarans.
Do they have bladders to hold fresh water?
Could there have been a punctured bladder that filled up the boat with water causing it to capsize?
Just trying to see how this could have happened, although I believe there is foul, foul play involved.