What was supposed to be the happiest week of Paige Bell’s young life turned into a tragedy on a luxury yacht in the Bahamas.
Just a few days before her 21st birthday, Paige — a lively South African stewardess known for her “infectious laughter” and “endless compassion” — was found dead in the engine room of a docked boat called Far From It.
Her body, partly undressed and showing “visible signs of injuries,” was discovered alongside a man who police have now named as a suspect.
According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, officers were called to the marina on July 3 at around 1:00 p.m. local time. When they boarded the 43-meter yacht, they found Paige “unresponsive with visible signs of injuries” and quickly called for a doctor. The young woman — referred to as a “golden girl” by those who knew her — was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The man found with her — 40-year-old Brigido Munoz from Mexico — has been arrested and charged in connection with her death. Police confirmed that Paige had been “missing for a short period” before she was found, and reports suggest she had “gashes to her neck” along with “defensive injuries to her arms.”
When the police found Brigido Munoz, he had cuts on his arms that they think were from trying to hurt himself. He was taken to the hospital to get help before he faced any official charges.
Munoz went to court on July 9 in Nassau, where he was not given bail and was kept in custody until his next court date in November. Paige’s family, who are very sad, also came to the Caribbean to face the man.
Authorities believe that Paige Bell might have been sexually assaulted before she died, as her body was discovered partly undressed.
But, according to the New York Post, the person accused, Brigido Munoz, has only been officially charged with murder so far.
The tragic event has shaken the yachting community and others, especially on Harbour Island — often called the “billionaire’s playground” — where the yacht was moored.
The Far From It, which costs almost $140,000 a week to rent, has nine crew members and can accommodate up to 10 guests. Paige became part of the crew after working on Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean until late 2024.
Her former coworkers are in shock. One person remembered her as “family,” saying, “Her bright spirit, contagious laughter, and endless kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.”
Her grieving family shared a heartbreaking tribute on July 4:
We are heartbroken to share the terrible news that our lovely Paigey was taken from us in a brutal way last night.
As a family, we are trying our hardest to deal with this unimaginable loss… We will do everything we can to make sure the person responsible is brought to justice.
The exact details of Paige’s death are still unclear, as the police are still looking into it.
A GoFundMe campaign created in her honor has raised over $50,000 and keeps growing as support comes in from all over the world.
Paige Bell was supposed to celebrate her 21st birthday on July 14. Instead, her name is now linked to a horrible crime — one that has left her family and friends searching for answers, justice, and peace during this painful time.
