The ‘devastated’ family of a stewardess who was brutally killed on board a superyacht has flown out to the Bahamas to fight for justice as a crew member has been charged with her murder.
Paige Bell, 20, from South Africa, was found dead in the engine room of the luxury motor boat Far From It last Thursday, when the boat was moored in the Harbour Island resort.
Brigido Munoz, 39, a Mexican national who worked with Paige as an engineer on the yacht, appeared before magistrates in Nassau on Wednesday charged with her murder.
The court heard that his alleged victim was found with slash wounds to her neck and partially undressed, suggesting she may have been sexually assaulted.
She also had defensive injuries to her arms, the court heard, suggesting she tried to fend off her alleged attacker.
Paige’s distraught parents Michelle and John Bell flew out to the Bahamas earlier this week to ‘begin the painful process of bringing their baby girl home’, and potentially face the man suspected of taking their daughter’s life.
The family asked that people ‘please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we fight for Paigey.’
Paige Bell, 20, from South Africa , was found dead in the engine room of the luxury motor boat Far From It last Thursday
Paige’s distraught parents Michelle and John Bell flew out to the Bahamas earlier this week
Built in 2008, Far From It is a charter yacht comprising of five suites, charging wealthy clients between £100,000 and £120,000 per week for vacations
Superyacht engineer Brigido Munoz, 39, appeared before magistrates in Nassau, Bahamas, on murder charges for allegedly slashing the throat of Bell
The yacht worker’s heartbroken older sister Chelsey Jacobs said earlier this week that she was ‘torn apart’ by the loss of ‘Paigey’ and put out an emotional statement on behalf of the family.
‘Our family is facing an unimaginable journey,’ she said, adding that her family is ‘seeking justice for the monster that took her life.’
‘This heart-breaking 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.
She said the family is ‘devastated beyond words and now we must also navigate complex and costly legal proceedings in a foreign country – something far beyond our financial means.’
A GoFundMe appeal was launched on behalf of the family by former colleagues and friends of Paige to help with the financial burden on the family.
Chelsey said the family are ‘grateful for your love, support, and solidarity during this incredibly difficult time.’
Paige was set to celebrate her 21st birthday on July 14, with friends having planned a big celebration to mark the day.
In her honor, her mother is said to have asked that ‘we all eat red velvet cake (her favorite) on that day and share a photo in remembrance of the beautiful soul she was’.
A friend of Paige’s described the young woman as a ‘golden girl’ and called what had happened ‘despicable’
Just after 1pm on July 3, police were alerted to an incident at the marina on Harbour Island, an exclusive resort 60 miles east of the capital Nassau.
Cops boarded the 43-metre yacht Far From It, where they were told that Paige had not been seen for a short period of time.
They found her unresponsive in the yacht’s engine room with visible injuries, before a doctor attended the scene and confirmed she had died.
She was found near Munoz who had severe injuries to his arm in what police described as a suspected suicide attempt.
Paige, whose family live in Durban, was due to turn 21 on July 14, with a huge celebration planned to mark her milestone birthday
The man was apprehended, cautioned and taken to a nearby clinic for treatment, police said in a statement, before he was later charged with murder.
The circumstances surrounding Paige’s death are still under investigation, police said.
Built in 2008, Far From It is a charter yacht comprising of five suites, charging wealthy clients between £100,000 and £120,000 per week for vacations.
It can host up to 10 guests and is staffed by nine permanent crew, according to its website.
Paige had previously worked on board the Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean as a crew member until December 2024.
In their tribute to her, the crew said ‘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.’
The fundraiser for Paige, which can be found here, has so far raised more than $44,000 of its initial $16,000 target.
