US Virgin Is - Sarm Joan Lillian Heslop, 41, British, aboard vessel Siren Song, St. John, 7 Mar 2021

[Midwestmom2019]

Sadly, I agree. There was a dinghy which gives a very wide-range of deep water options.

So, I’m guessing he strangled her. And there’s no blood around. He puts her in that dinghy, he sets out for open waters, and when he pushes her overboard, now GRAPHIC ALERT HERE:
Slices her with a fish filet knife so the blood attracts marine life to feast. That knife is down there, too. I wonder if it was part of a set….
So no blood on the big ship. No blood on the little boat. Clever man.

 

[Tortoise]

I'm not sure I agree, he wouldn't let them search the boat, and he had ample time to remove any substances he didn't want them to find (if that is the case), so I think there must have been something he didn't want discovered, even if it might have been a telltale whiff of bleach, or blood stains on the bedding.

 

[JuicyLucy]

I'm not sure I agree, he wouldn't let them search the boat, and he had ample time to remove any substances he didn't want them to find (if that is the case), so I think there must have been something he didn't want discovered, even if it might have been a telltale whiff of bleach, or blood stains on the bedding.

Although just the fear of some unthought-of, telltale cause of suspicion or loose end on the boat makes refusing any search without a warrant a smart move. The more time and space that's put between an alleged event and a search, the more opportunity there is for a defence lawyer to dismiss its probative value (because other people have been on the boat, etc).

JMO

 

[KING Charles]

Missing UK woman Sarm Heslop has now been gone 3 months; lack of updates 'excruciating,' friends say


"Sarm has now been missing for three months, and the lack of news or information is excruciating for her family and friends back home," her friends said in a statement Tuesday. "We continue to do everything in our power to keep Sarm at the forefront of people's minds but ultimately we just want to know what has happened to her."

In May, Heslop’s friends announced a GoFundMe campaign to augment the $10,000 being offered by Crime Stoppers and to pay for any potential travel expenses for her family, should the need arise.

Any funds not used for the reward or travel expenses will be donated to two charities that have helped us in the search for Sarm, and one charity close to Sarm’s heart: L B Trust Global, Coast Guard Foundation & Battersea," the friends said in a message posted to their website, FindSarm.com.

 

[Curiousobserver]

My assumption is that they were able to search the Dinghy though- it would be open for anyone to see and my understanding is that you cannot refuse a safety inspection.

I am assuming they saw nothing?

 

[MsMarple]

My assumption is that they were able to search the Dinghy though- it would be open for anyone to see and my understanding is that you cannot refuse a safety inspection.

I am assuming they saw nothing?

From msm (linked below) we learned that RB met LE onshore so he used the dinghy to meet them but LE never said they searched it. I think they could look into it but not actually board and search it without permission or a warrant.

As for safety inspections, RB refused to let the Coast Guard search below deck even after they returned at a later time to conduct safety checks. They issued citations for RB's refusal but did nothing else to ensure a search of his boat.
U.S. Coast Guard Cited Missing U.K. Woman's Boyfriend For Obstructing A Boarding During Search Of Boat In Virgin Islands | Oxygen Official Site
Sarm Heslop: Concern grows for British woman who vanished from her boyfriend's boat

 

[KING Charles]

Ever since the news of Sarms disappearance there have been conflicting reports via the news and also the St Johns LE.

It was stated the couple left the bar at 10pm then in a later report approx 8:30pm to 9pm.

The LE reported they had RB in their sight when he left Frank Bay, but a few days later reported they wasn’t sure where he was.

Amazing that the bars/restaurants dotted around the beach area near where RB had left the dinghy didn’t seem to be working that night of her disappearance.

Also earlier a few posters had discussed that RB may have had a drink problem. Which his ex wife stated that if there were any alcohol or pills in the house he would not leave them alone until the were all gone.

Unless Sarms body is found I doubt we shall ever know what really happened. MOO

FBI launches hunt for Sarm Heslop's boyfriend after he sailed away from the US Virgin Islands | Daily Mail Online


Tony Derima, a spokesman for the Virgin Islands Police Department said: 'I don't know if we are keeping tabs on him or anything like that because, since we never spoke to him, we never had a chance to tell him that he couldn't leave or his movements were restricted or anything like that.

'He's free to go about as he pleases. He could be anywhere.'


The FBI agent came in four or five days after. He had a timeline and he needed the footage before it automatically deleted.'

Dominguez also contacted systems engineer Steve Butcher, who installed the CCTV at Beach Bar as well as 12 livestreaming cameras for businesses dotted around downtown Cruz Bay.

Butcher told him there was nothing to look through because the livestreaming cameras weren't set up to record and the owners were responsible for their own data.

That conversation took place between the evening of March 16 and the morning of March 17 - nine to 10 days after Heslop vanished.

'Sadly that's the Virgin Islands. It's not First World. If it was me, if that was my wife, I would be disgusted,' Butcher told DailyMail.com.

 

[insearchoflight]

Ever since the news of Sarms disappearance there have been conflicting reports via the news and also the St Johns LE.

It was stated the couple left the bar at 10pm then in a later report approx 8:30pm to 9pm.

The LE reported they had RB in their sight when he left Frank Bay, but a few days later reported they wasn’t sure where he was.

Amazing that the bars/restaurants dotted around the beach area near where RB had left the dinghy didn’t seem to be working that night of her disappearance.

Also earlier a few posters had discussed that RB may have had a drink problem. Which his ex wife stated that if there were any alcohol or pills in the house he would not leave them alone until the were all gone.

Unless Sarms body is found I doubt we shall ever know what really happened. MOO

FBI launches hunt for Sarm Heslop's boyfriend after he sailed away from the US Virgin Islands | Daily Mail Online


Tony Derima, a spokesman for the Virgin Islands Police Department said: 'I don't know if we are keeping tabs on him or anything like that because, since we never spoke to him, we never had a chance to tell him that he couldn't leave or his movements were restricted or anything like that.

'He's free to go about as he pleases. He could be anywhere.'


The FBI agent came in four or five days after. He had a timeline and he needed the footage before it automatically deleted.'

Dominguez also contacted systems engineer Steve Butcher, who installed the CCTV at Beach Bar as well as 12 livestreaming cameras for businesses dotted around downtown Cruz Bay.

Butcher told him there was nothing to look through because the livestreaming cameras weren't set up to record and the owners were responsible for their own data.

That conversation took place between the evening of March 16 and the morning of March 17 - nine to 10 days after Heslop vanished.

'Sadly that's the Virgin Islands. It's not First World. If it was me, if that was my wife, I would be disgusted,' Butcher told DailyMail.com.

This is infuriating. And so sad

 

[MsMarple]

Ever since the news of Sarms disappearance there have been conflicting reports via the news and also the St Johns LE.

It was stated the couple left the bar at 10pm then in a later report approx 8:30pm to 9pm.

The LE reported they had RB in their sight when he left Frank Bay, but a few days later reported they wasn’t sure where he was.

Amazing that the bars/restaurants dotted around the beach area near where RB had left the dinghy didn’t seem to be working that night of her disappearance.

Also earlier a few posters had discussed that RB may have had a drink problem. Which his ex wife stated that if there were any alcohol or pills in the house he would not leave them alone until the were all gone.

Unless Sarms body is found I doubt we shall ever know what really happened. MOO

FBI launches hunt for Sarm Heslop's boyfriend after he sailed away from the US Virgin Islands | Daily Mail Online


Tony Derima, a spokesman for the Virgin Islands Police Department said: 'I don't know if we are keeping tabs on him or anything like that because, since we never spoke to him, we never had a chance to tell him that he couldn't leave or his movements were restricted or anything like that.

'He's free to go about as he pleases. He could be anywhere.'


The FBI agent came in four or five days after. He had a timeline and he needed the footage before it automatically deleted.'

Dominguez also contacted systems engineer Steve Butcher, who installed the CCTV at Beach Bar as well as 12 livestreaming cameras for businesses dotted around downtown Cruz Bay.

Butcher told him there was nothing to look through because the livestreaming cameras weren't set up to record and the owners were responsible for their own data.

That conversation took place between the evening of March 16 and the morning of March 17 - nine to 10 days after Heslop vanished.

'Sadly that's the Virgin Islands. It's not First World. If it was me, if that was my wife, I would be disgusted,' Butcher told DailyMail.com.

Well the truth is finally out: LE has no idea of where RB is and probably hadn't within hours of his running away from Frank Bay. I've lost a lot of respect for USVIPD.

I hoped the Daily Mail would dog the story but apparently Sarm isn't important enough to follow. If we feel this frustrated at the lack of interest then how do Sarm's friends and family feel? It must be torture for them.

 

[JuicyLucy]

If I were the FBI, I think I might have asked the coastguard to slip a cheeky tracker on to that boat when they went asking to be allowed to board it for a safety check.

But I'm not the FBI, of course.

 

[KING Charles]

Well the truth is finally out: LE has no idea of where RB is and probably hadn't within hours of his running away from Frank Bay. I've lost a lot of respect for USVIPD.

I hoped the Daily Mail would dog the story but apparently Sarm isn't important enough to follow. If we feel this frustrated at the lack of interest then how do Sarm's friends and family feel? It must be torture for them.

I couldn’t agree with you more..since the day Sarm went missing I have checked every day to see if there have been any developments, but unfortunately as time has gone by I have felt really frustrated. I don’t even know Sarm, so deeply sympathise with her family and friends.
I have spent over forty years of my life living overseas and some of the places considered the most underdeveloped countries but I have never known such contradictory reports when it comes to the investigating.

edit..MOO

 

[KING Charles]

For anyone that may be interested here is a link in date order newest listed first of reports from USVI news..

Virgin Islands Free Press

 

[KING Charles]

Latest in UK news..not a lot we don’t already know, but at least the story being highlighted..

Best friend of Sarm Heslop who vanished in Carribean reveals her final words


The last time Sarm was seen, she was drinking with Ryan at the island’s popular 420 to Center bar in Cruz Bay on Sunday March 7, where witnesses have said they saw them drinking and looking happy.
After spending almost two hours at the bar, the couple returned to Siren Song in time for the 10pm Covid curfew.

“While he was waiting for the lawyer to arrive, I specifically asked him to speak to the police and he replied that absolutely he would, but we’re still waiting for him to do so.

“I’ve kept in contact, hoping he would open up to me, but he hasn’t.

“He isn’t in the Virgin Islands now and hasn’t been since April.

“The police don’t see him as a person of interest, so he didn’t have to stay.”

 

[JuicyLucy]

Latest in UK news..not a lot we don’t already know, but at least the story being highlighted..

Best friend of Sarm Heslop who vanished in Carribean reveals her final words


The last time Sarm was seen, she was drinking with Ryan at the island’s popular 420 to Center bar in Cruz Bay on Sunday March 7, where witnesses have said they saw them drinking and looking happy.
After spending almost two hours at the bar, the couple returned to Siren Song in time for the 10pm Covid curfew.

“While he was waiting for the lawyer to arrive, I specifically asked him to speak to the police and he replied that absolutely he would, but we’re still waiting for him to do so.

“I’ve kept in contact, hoping he would open up to me, but he hasn’t.

“He isn’t in the Virgin Islands now and hasn’t been since April.

“The police don’t see him as a person of interest, so he didn’t have to stay.”

I'm not a fan of the Sun but that's a decent article actually, and gives a very human impression of Sarm and her personality, and her relationship with RB before she disappeared, as well as a certain amount of factual info that we either haven't heard before or which has got lost in the bigger picture. Like the fact that Siren Song was moored in only 11 feet of water, which is very different from what I was imagining.

If I was Sarm's friend and had had to brace myself to dance with the tabloids, I would think that article a job well done. The Find Sarm campaign has done really well to keep dragging her story back into the spotlight despite the best efforts of others. She's lucky to have such good friends.

ETA: If you thought someone had gone overboard into just 11 feet of water, you would think that fishing them out safely was definitely possible, wouldn't you? Provided you acted quickly, of course. JMO.

 

[MsMarple]

Latest in UK news..not a lot we don’t already know, but at least the story being highlighted..

Best friend of Sarm Heslop who vanished in Carribean reveals her final words


The last time Sarm was seen, she was drinking with Ryan at the island’s popular 420 to Center bar in Cruz Bay on Sunday March 7, where witnesses have said they saw them drinking and looking happy.
After spending almost two hours at the bar, the couple returned to Siren Song in time for the 10pm Covid curfew.

“While he was waiting for the lawyer to arrive, I specifically asked him to speak to the police and he replied that absolutely he would, but we’re still waiting for him to do so.

“I’ve kept in contact, hoping he would open up to me, but he hasn’t.

“He isn’t in the Virgin Islands now and hasn’t been since April.

“The police don’t see him as a person of interest, so he didn’t have to stay.”

Not a big deal but for clarity the headline is misleading as the friend said Sarm and she texted around 7 pm that night and Sarm was in an upbeat mood and joking around. The friend didn't say exactly what was said between them.

It's likely LE hasn't even looked at Sarm's phone. She's a British subject so they may need a warrant to open her phone or examine her bank records.

The USVIPD spokesperson TD has made statements that turned out to be false. Clearly RB lied to Ms. Owen about meaning to speak to LE. At this point I question the depth of the investigation. What an insult to Sarm. MOO.

 

[MsMarple]

ETA: If you thought someone had gone overboard into just 11 feet of water, you would think that fishing them out safely was definitely possible, wouldn't you? Provided you acted quickly, of course. JMO.

RSBM for focus.
Exactly. Considering none of the people on the boats moored nearby saw or heard anything that night nor did RB notify any of them (he told Coast Guard personnel he did, which is a lie) it questions what the heck RB did for that half hour before calling LE.

And again, the timeline comes mostly from RB's statements; the only verifiable times are that:
_ RB and Sarm had dinner and drinks at a local bar around 6 or 7 pm and
_ RB called LE at 2:30 am to report her possibly falling overboard.
We have no idea about events earlier that night, even the alleged anchor alarm is told to LE by RB with no way to verify it. If it was a phone app then most likely any history could be cleared. MOO.

I desperately want to hear the 911 call.

ETA: added link.

 

[Pitkin]

Latest in UK news..not a lot we don’t already know, but at least the story being highlighted..

Best friend of Sarm Heslop who vanished in Carribean reveals her final words


The last time Sarm was seen, she was drinking with Ryan at the island’s popular 420 to Center bar in Cruz Bay on Sunday March 7, where witnesses have said they saw them drinking and looking happy.
After spending almost two hours at the bar, the couple returned to Siren Song in time for the 10pm Covid curfew.

“While he was waiting for the lawyer to arrive, I specifically asked him to speak to the police and he replied that absolutely he would, but we’re still waiting for him to do so.

“I’ve kept in contact, hoping he would open up to me, but he hasn’t.

“He isn’t in the Virgin Islands now and hasn’t been since April.

“The police don’t see him as a person of interest, so he didn’t have to stay.”

It says that witnesses saw SH and RB at the 420. Is that accurate? I thought only the manager had verified they were there. No CCTV footage there or anywhere en route.

 

[MrsWatson]

I can't believe USVIPD just let him sail off into the sunset.

He lied to them, they know it, she's still missing, yet off he goes.

Infuriating.

 

[KING Charles]

It says that witnesses saw SH and RB at the 420. Is that accurate? I thought only the manager had verified they were there. No CCTV footage there or anywhere en route.

I really don’t know if witnesses saw them both in 420. You are correct in thinking it was the manager who verified they were there. (Well that was reported in the news, but with so many different reports, it does make you wonder if it’s accurate).

 

[Deleted member 285579]

Latest news piece explaining how, as ANOTHER woman vanishes in USIV, the police want to speak to Ryan Bane about Sarm but have no clue where he is.