On July 3, a young stewardess from South Africa was discovered dead on a luxury superyacht docked in the Bahamas. One of her male crewmates, found at the scene, was subsequently charged with her murder and is expected to reappear in court on December 12.
Paige Bell, 20, hailed from Johannesburg and had previously worked on the Sweet Emocean, a motor yacht, up until December 2024. Her former colleagues called her “more than a teammate,” describing her as “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 GoFundMe campaign created after her death.
However, according to Ami Rina, a yacht management company owner and yacht broker, Paige had been subjected to inappropriate workplace conduct prior to her latest position.
“Our captain brought her here [South Florida] from the Bahamas after her original captain was making a pass at her,” Ami said.
At the time of her death, she’d been working on the “Far From It” superyacht, which was docked at a Harbour Island marina. The little island, popular among celebs, is located approximately 60 miles east of Nassau.
It was just before 1:00 p.m. on July 3 when Paige was reported missing after not being seen for a short period. Then, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) arrived and found her unresponsive in the yacht’s engine room. Also in the engine room was 39-year-old Brigido Muñoz, a Mexican national and engineer who worked on the yacht.
Muñoz was discovered while “suffering from severe injuries to his arms,” which led authorities to believe he’d attempted to take his own life. The suspect was apprehended and taken to a clinic for medical treatment. Meanwhile, a local doctor pronounced Paige dead at the scene.
She was subsequently identified by her family on social media. And on July 9, Muñoz was arraigned and charged with her murder in the Magistrate’s Court in Nassau, at which time bail was denied.
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Ami Ira stated that “standing orders” for a ship are supposed to have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to harassment, adding, “This girl had complained before, and the engineer was warned.”
Paige’s case ultimately prompted people in the yachting industry to start circulating a petition, calling for all superyacht crew members to undergo mandatory background checks. Ira also created the “Paige Bell Pledge,” a voluntary agreement that includes criminal, credit, and drug checks.
Following Paige’s death, her family announced the tragic news on social media.
“It is with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beautiful Paigey’s life was brutally taken from us last night. As a family, we are doing our best to process this unimaginable loss. We will leave no stone unturned until the guilty are brought to justice,” they wrote on July 4.
Paige died just a week and a half before she was set to celebrate her 21st birthday on July 14. Her former crewmates coordinated a GoFundMe campaign, Honoring Paige Bell: Support Her Family, to raise funds for her loved ones.
They also urged community members to eat red velvet cake, Paige’s favorite dessert, in honor of her on her birthday.
“In this difficult time, we want to come together to support the people she loved most: her family. We’ve set up this GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden they now face. All donations will go directly to the Bell family,” the campaign reads.
“Every contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page would mean the world to us. We also ask for your prayers for strength, comfort, and peace for her family and all who loved her.”
Published with a goal of $70,000, the campaign has since raised nearly $62,000 from 790 donors.
The investigation into Paige’s case is still active, and a possible motive has yet to be disclosed. Muñoz is said to enter a plea deal when he reappears in court next month.
By Katharina Buczek
Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing in... More about Katharina Buczek
