Police authorities in the US Virgin Islands have unveiled surveillance video showing the last known movements of Sarm Heslop, a British woman who went missing. The investigation, ongoing for over four years, has hit a standstill, according to officials.
Sarm, a former air hostess with Flybe, was last seen in the company of her American boyfriend, Ryan Bane, at a restaurant near his yacht docked on St John island in March 2021. This release marks the first time the police have made public footage of Sarm on the evening she vanished, captured by cameras in Cruz Bay.
USVI Police Chief Steven Philip explained the decision to release the video, citing a standstill in the investigation and appealing for public assistance. The footage shows Sarm and Bane leaving a bar after a 90-minute stay, with Sarm seen sitting on the dock before boarding a dinghy.
The video has been shared with the BBC for their upcoming documentary series “Missing in Paradise: Searching for Sarm,” in which journalist Tir Dhondy investigates the circumstances surrounding Sarm’s disappearance.
Concerns have been raised regarding discrepancies in the timeline provided by Bane, with the CCTV timestamp conflicting with his account. Bane, identified as the sole person of interest, has not cooperated with authorities and is under scrutiny for his actions on the night Sarm went missing.
Despite efforts by Sarm’s family and friends to reclassify the case as a potential murder investigation, it remains officially classified as a missing person case. Sarm’s mother, Brenda, expressed hope for closure and justice, emphasizing the impact on their lives and the need for answers.
The full series of “Missing in Paradise: Searching for Sarm” will be broadcast on BBC Two over three consecutive nights, starting on September 17, with episodes available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.