Paige Bell, a young South African crew member of only 20 years old, was found dead aboard a luxury superyacht docked in front of the exclusive Harbour Island, in the paradise archipelago of the Bahamas.

As reported The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), Bell was discovered dead on July 3 in the vessel's engine room, with visible injuries that were evidence of foul play. Her body was found after her colleagues reported her missing shortly before 1:00 p.m.

When authorities arrived, they also found a 39-year-old man on the scene with serious injuries to his arms that police said were the result of a suicide attempt. The young woman was pronounced dead on board by a local doctor, while the man was taken for emergency care.

An arrest and an ongoing judicial process

Days later, the man was identified in a local court as Brigido Munoz, a Mexican engineer who worked on the same yacht. On Wednesday, July 9, he was formally charged with Bell's murder in Nassau Magistrates' Court.

Bahamian justice denied him bail and set a new appearance for November 20, according to Our News Bahamas.

Police have not disclosed a possible motive for the crime, but assured that the investigation is still active and they have not ruled out further investigations.

A difficult journey for the family in search of justice

The tragedy has devastated the Bell family, originally from Johannesburg, who now face the painful process of repatriating Paige's body and seeking justice. “Tonight, Mom and Dad… are flying to the Bahamas to begin the painful process of not only bringing their little girl home, but also seeking justice for the monster who took her life,” her sister Chelsey wrote in an emotional Facebook post. In a separate statement, the Bells described Paige as “our beautiful Paigey,”and described her death as “brutal.” “We will spare no effort until the perpetrators are brought to justice,” they said.

Paige Bell had made her way in the competitive world of the luxury yachting industry, working as a crew member on superyachts. She had previously worked on the motor yacht Sweet Emocean, where crewmates described her as “more than a teammate: she was family.”

A GoFundMe page set up by friends and colleagues in the industry has raised more than $42,000 to help cover the costs of transporting the body, legal costs, and travel for the Bell family. According to the fundraiser, Paige would have turned 21 on July 14. In her honor, her mother asked those who support her to celebrate her life by eating red velvet cake—Paige’s favorite—and share a photo in her memory.

An exclusive destination, now a crime scene

The crime has shocked the small and exclusive Harbour Island, a coveted retreat for wealthy tourists and celebrities, known for its pink-sand beaches and Caribbean charm. Located about 60 miles east of Nassau, the island is a frequent port for luxury superyachts.

At this time, Bahamian police have not released additional details or specified a possible motive for the murder, stressing that the investigation is still active.