The crew member arrested under suspicion of murdering stew Paige Bell has appeared in court in the Bahamas as more details about the case are made public.
Brigido Munoz, 39, appeared in court in Nassau. He was not required to enter a plea in his first court appearance but was denied bail and remanded to custody until his hearing in November.
On July 3, police were called to M/Y Far From It, which was docked at Harbour Island. Paige was found in the engine room. She was pronounced dead at the scene with what the police report described as “visible injuries.” Brigido was found nearby with severe injuries to his arms.
The tragedy has reignited debate about safety in yachting, including renewed interest in a petition calling for background checks to be required for all crew.
Crew from M/Y Sweet Emocean, where Paige previously worked, have set up a GoFundMe for her family. Its initial goal was $16,000; after less than a week, it raised nearly $50,000.
“Paige was more than a teammate, she was family,” the Sweet Emocean crew wrote on the GoFundMe. “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.”
Paige was just days away from her 21st birthday. The Sweet Emocean crew said her mother asked everybody to eat red velvet cake, her favorite, in her honor.