British citizen Sarm Heslop still missing after 25 days.
Family issues statement wanting to “wrap their arms” around her.
The family of Southampton woman 41 year old Sarm Heslop who went missing from a catamaran from St. John in the US Virgin Islands in the early hours of Monday March 8, 2021 has issued a new statement.
“It is now over three weeks since Sarm went missing. 25 days in which we get more and more concerned as we wait for news. We know that the Virgin Islands Police Department is doing as much as possible and we are happy that Hampshire Police is also assisting their investigation. We want to say a heartfelt thank you to the local community for continuing their efforts to help search for Sarm. If we could travel then we would; we just want to be on the island helping with the search and we dream of being able to wrap our arms round our darling daughter.”
One of Sarm’s best friends added “We want to know what happened after Sarm left the restaurant in Cruz Bay. As a friends group, we are doing everything we can to help support her parents and each other. No matter how insignificant something may seem, the tiniest detail may be relevant so we would encourage people to come forward and speak to VIPD immediately.”
If anyone has any information that may help in the search for Sarm they should contact VIPD
Major Crime department; Criminal Investigation Bureau at 774-2211 xxt 5617 or 5554.
Note to editors
Sarm Joan Lillian Heslop was first reported missing on Monday March 8, 2021 by her boyfriend and the owner-operator of the boat, Ryan F Bane.
Mr Bane has said they returned to his catamaran after dining ashore and had gone to sleep around 10pm Sunday evening. At 2am he woke up and realised she was not on board.
Local police, US Virgin Islands Police Department, received a call around 2.30am and as per a statement they issued, gave advice that Mr Bane should notify the US Coast Guard.
A US Coast Guard spokesman said that Sector San Juan received a call at 11.46am
from a man “who reported that his girlfriend may have fallen from their 47-foot catamaran, the Siren Song, the night before.” An extensive water and coastline search ensued but was unsuccessful.
Sarm is described as 5 feet 8 Caucasian female of slim build. She has a bright coloured tattoo on her left shoulder featuring a seahorse, bird, butterfly and a pink flower.
A Facebook page has been set up https://www.facebook.com/MissingSarmHeslop and website www.findsarm.com
The Virgin Islands Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in locating her and asking for any information about her disappearance.