The case of Sarm Heslop, a British woman who went missing in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has taken a troubling turn. Her mother, Brenda Street, recently penned an open letter to President Biden, demanding action and accountability for the failures of the local police in investigating her daughter’s disappearance.
Heslop vanished under suspicious circumstances in March 2021, and her family believes foul play was involved. Despite this, there have been no official developments in the case for over three years. Street firmly believes that her daughter was murdered, and she suspects a larger and more disturbing case involving potential corruption and cover-ups.
The lack of progress in this investigation is deeply concerning. Heslop was last seen leaving a bar on St. John with her boyfriend, Ryan Bane, who has a prior domestic violence conviction. The couple lived together on Bane’s catamaran, but police never searched the boat, despite it being the last place Heslop was believed to have been before she vanished.
Experts have criticized the police’s handling of the case, stating that they should have had no issue establishing probable cause for a search of Bane’s boat. However, their request for a warrant was denied by a judge. Additionally, Bane waited 10 hours to alert the U.S. Coast Guard about Heslop’s disappearance and refused to allow them to search the cabin of his boat.
The failures of the Virgin Islands police in this case are egregious. They admitted to “forgetting” to call the Coast Guard themselves and failed to record the 911 call, which could have contained crucial evidence. The lack of communication and numerous failures in the investigation have left Heslop’s family frustrated and desperate for answers.
Adding to the suspicion surrounding Bane, he sailed out of U.S. territorial waters and resurfaced in Grenada, where he allegedly had the freezer on his boat replaced. These actions raise significant questions about his involvement in Heslop’s disappearance.
Despite being referred to as a person of interest, Bane has not been charged with a crime. His lawyer maintains his innocence and claims that Bane would return to the Virgin Islands if legally required. However, the evidence and circumstances surrounding Heslop’s disappearance raise serious doubts.
Heslop’s mother is pleading with President Biden to uncover the truth and provide the answers they deserve. She is also urging the release of surveillance video showing Heslop leaving the bar with Bane, which is currently in the possession of the island police.
It is crucial that this case receives the attention and scrutiny it deserves. The failures of the Virgin Islands police cannot go unchecked, and justice must be served for Sarm Heslop and her family. The president and relevant authorities must take immediate action to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into this disturbing case.
If you have any information about Sarm Heslop’s whereabouts, please contact U.S. Virgin Islands Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips. Additionally, the FBI encourages anyone who believes they are a witness or victim to a federal crime to call them directly at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the local field office in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
