Ryan Bane, the American boyfriend of missing British yachtswoman Sarm Heslop, has broken four years of silence to deny any involvement in her disappearance. In an extraordinary five-page 'open letter', the 49-year-old boat captain said he has been placed under a 'false sense of suspicion'.
Heslop, 41, a former flight attendant from Southampton, vanished from Bane's yacht Siren Song in the US Virgin Islands in March 2021. Bane said he followed his attorney's advice to protect his rights, declining police questioning and preventing forensic searches of the vessel. 'My decision was framed as suspicious rather than prudent,' he said.
The comments came after a BBC documentary aired newly released CCTV footage showing the couple walking hand-in-hand six hours before Heslop disappeared. Bane said the footage corroborated his account of what she was wearing and showed them as a 'loving, caring couple'.
Police commissioner Mario Brooks told the BBC there were inconsistencies in Bane's timeline, calling it 'suspicious'. Bane's lawyer, David Cattie, described that characterisation as 'irresponsible'. Bane reported Heslop missing at 2am but waited nine hours to contact the Coast Guard. He suggested she may have hit her head and fallen overboard or drowned while swimming.
Bane accused the media of omitting 'crucial facts' and presenting 'misleading narratives'. The BBC defended its documentary, saying it was 'rigorously researched' and gave all parties the right to reply. Bane said he was convinced the truth would prevail.
