Parents of missing Sarm Heslop release new statements almost five months after mysterious disappearance
There are no words for our suffering. We want, need and demand answers.
The parents of Southampton woman, 41 year old Sarm Heslop who went missing from St. John in the US Virgin Islands in the early hours of Monday March 8, 2021 have issued new statements about their heartbreak in the hope of attracting new attention to her disappearance and any information which may lead to new details emerging in the case.
Sarm’s mother Brenda Street said: “When your daughter goes missing from her boyfriend’s boat in the USVI, whilst moored 100 metres from shore, with no evidence, no clues and no answers it is the most traumatising, confusing and upsetting time imaginable.
“When I received the phone call from Bane* that Sarm was missing I had a complete meltdown, crying, screaming and then a numbness.
I still cannot understand the time lost in contacting the Virgin Islands Coastguard. If I had woken to find my partner missing, off a boat, I would have shouted and screamed to attract attention, even let off a flare…..why didn’t he? I will never forgive Bane for failing to protect my daughter.
I ask that Bane comes forward to allow a forensic search to take place. He has a duty to protect people aboard his boat and a search of his boat is surely only going to help find his girlfriend and our daughter.
Peter Heslop, Sarm’s father, added:
On March 9 I spoke to Ryan (Bane) who told me Sarm was missing. Bane told me they went ashore for an evening meal and drinks, returning to the vessel at about 22:15hrs, watched a film and went to bed. Bane alleged that at 02:00hrs he heard noises, went on deck to check, found nothing and returned to find Sarm missing. Ryan told me that he had reported Sarm missing to the police but was told nothing can be done for 48 hours.
There are no words for the shock, the sadness that I am now suffering. Sarm’s friends contacted me, they had all come together, set up #findsarm to share messages, updates, news etc.
They say time heals, but not when your daughter is missing. How can you move on when you have no answers to so many questions. My days are consumed by what happened in the hours between Bane finding Sarm missing and Bane calling the Coast Guard. Why didn’t he shout for help or sound an alarm to notify the two other boats moored close by that Sarm was missing? The two neighbouring boats were not approached by Bane. No one but Bane can explain why he didn’t call the Coast Guard until eight hours after speaking to the police on land.
Sarm is a strong swimmer, she sailed across the Atlantic. The boat was moored 100 metres from shore, in shallow calm waters. It makes no sense. No scenario makes sense when you know Sarm. There is no evidence to explain what happened to my daughter. There are no clues, no forensic searches have been conducted of the boat, the last place she was seen.
I have been advised that Bane does not have to allow a full forensic search to take place. No official police statement or explanation has been made by Bane, about how a healthy young lady, his girlfriend, went missing without a trace. These questions will be forever be unanswered unless he allows searches and further questioning takes place. As the owner and captain of the Siren Song I will always hold Ryan Bane responsible for the security and protection of Sarm, his girlfriend and his crew member.
We want, need and deserve answers as to what happened to our daughter, sister and friend. We ask Bane to come forward to help us find those answers.
Both parents concluded by thanking the USVI Coast Guard, police and local community who have helped in searching for Sarm.
Her friends, Hampshire Police and our family, have guided and supported us through this devastating time. We also want to thank the Virgin Island citizens who selflessly gave up so much time to carry out sea dives, land searches and drone searches.
Peter Heslop added: “Sarm is the most level headed, adventurous, confident, loyal and loving woman that you could ever have the pleasure of meeting. She was a happy young woman, enjoying her life.