T

he sons of an American couple who vanished when their yacht was apparently hijacked in Grenada called the pair's disappearance "the rarest of the rare occurrences" and are holding onto hope that they're still alive. Nick Buro, the son of Kathy Brandel, and Bryan Hendry, the son of Ralph Hendry, spoke to NBC Washington about their parents' disappearance. The sons first learned the couple was missing after U.S. consular officials in Barbados contacted them. A good Samaritan who found the pair's abandoned boat, called Simplicity, contacted the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, whose flag was flying on the mast, and word made it to the two sons, too. They said they were told the couple vanished after three men escaped police custody Feb. 18 and boarded the couple's boat in Grenada the next day, Buro said. Buro said they were told an “altercation of violence took place" on the boat, adding that there was evidence of the violence and the couple’s possessions were "strewn around all over." Items had also been stolen. The Royal Grenada Police Force said Thursday that leads suggest the two people on board may have been killed. Buro said there is still no sign of the couple’s bodies but said there is an ongoing search for them “with the hope that they are alive. ... Hopefully we can find them and bring them home and that’s still where we are.” The escapees were caught by police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, and are in custody there, according to Buro and officials. Police told Buro that they have questioned the suspects multiple times, and he said the family is expecting charges soon. Both Buro and Hendry are in the Caribbean and have been speaking with authorities, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines police and Coast Guard, and expressed their appreciation for them. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said it is aware of the reports involving two citizens, but did not identify the couple. The official added that U.S. authorities are coordinating with local law enforcement officials on this incident. "We are monitoring the situation and seeking additional information," the spokesperson said. "The Department of State has no higher priority than the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad. We stand ready to provide appropriate assistance to U.S. citizens in need and to their families." The Royal Grenada Police Force, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment confirming the identities of the people on board.