After a young stewardess was found unresponsive on a Bahamas luxury yacht, authorities are pursuing a male coworker in connection with her tragic death.
On July 3, 2025, a young woman was found unresponsive aboard a luxury yacht docked at Harbour Island in the Bahamas. Now, authorities are pursuing murder charges against a male coworker.
Paige Bell was a 20-year-old South African stewardess who worked aboard the “Far From It” motor yacht. On the day of her death, staff noticed she had been missing for a short period and called the police around 1 p.m.
After a brief search of the 142-foot vessel, Bell was found in the engine room with visible injuries. A doctor pronounced her dead at the scene.
Police found Bell near a man who had severe injuries to his arm from a suspected suicide attempt. The man, Brigido Munoz, is a 39-year-old Mexican crew engineer. He was apprehended on the spot and taken to a nearby clinic.
On July 9, Munoz appeared in court in Nassau, facing murder charges. Prosecutors said the victim was found partially undressed, with defensive injuries on her arms, suggesting sexual assault and attempts to fend off her assailant.
Munoz wasn’t legally required to enter a plea, and his defense team did not do so. The court denied him bail, and he will remain in custody until his next hearing, scheduled for November 20.
Bell, originally from Johannesburg, was reportedly beloved by friends and colleagues. A friend described her as a “golden girl” and called her tragic death “despicable.”
She was just days away from her 21st birthday on July 14. Despite her young age, Bell already had experience in the luxury charter world, having previously worked aboard the “Sweet Emocean” motor yacht.
Captain Frank Prest, her former superior on the “Sweet Emocean”, set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help her family with the financial burdens they now face. Bell’s family lives in Durban, South Africa.
Prest wrote that all previous and current crew members of the “Sweet Emocean” were “heartbroken” by Bell’s passing, describing her as a “dear friend” who “worked on Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean until December of 2024 but will always be a part of the Family [sic]”
“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,” said Prest.
”Whether it was long days at sea or quiet moments under the stars, she brought light and warmth wherever she went,” he added.
He also included a request from Bell’s mother: “In honor of Paige, her mother has 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.”
The “Far From It” motor yacht, where Bell was employed at the time of her death, is a five-suite charter built in 2008. It has a crew of nine and charter costs of up to $165,000 per week.
Among its many luxurious amenities, guests can enjoy a jacuzzi, WaveRunner personal watercraft, water slides, and two smaller boats for traveling to and from the coast — including a 33-foot Boston Whaler tender.
Harbour Island, where the Far From It was docked at the time of Bell’s death, is an elite Bahamian getaway 60 miles east of Nassau, just off the coast of the larger Eleuthera Island.
It’s often called the “Billionaire’s Backyard,” as it’s home to more than 20 billionaires. Bill Gates has a mansion on the island, and frequent tourists include the likes of Prince Harry, Tom Cruise, the Kardashians, Tom Hanks, and Mick Jagger.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Bell’s tragic and untimely death. We extend our condolences to her family during this difficult time.
