Dateline NBC will chronicle the mysterious disappearance of Sarm Heslop that triggered an FBI investigation. The UK native was last seen on the night of March 7, 2021, in the US Virgin Islands. Her boyfriend, Ryan Bane, reported her missing from his yacht in the early hours of the following morning.
According to a 2021 Fox News report, authorities continued to investigate the mystery with limited leads. However, Bane refused to allow a forensic search of his catamaran when Heslop first disappeared. The missing woman’s friends believed that it is critical to have the boat “searched in order [to] progress the investigation.”
The all-new episode of Dateline NBC titled “Siren Song” will air on the network this Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET, and it will cover this case.
Sarm Heslop’s disappearance: Where was she last seen?
BBC reported that Sam Heslop, a former flight attendant and UK native, was last seen leaving a bar on St. John in the US Virgin Islands after a night out on March 7, 2021. She was with her boyfriend, a wealthy Michigan man, Ryan Bane. The couple were at the 420 to Center, a famous dive bar in Cruz Bay for a night of drinking.
The outlet stated that Bane then reported her missing from his catamaran named Siren Song, moored off the island, in the early hours of the following morning. The Coast Guard learned of her disappearance around noon that same day, i.e., March 8.
Heslop’s possessions, which as her bank cards and mobile phone, remained on the boat where she had been living and working with Bane as a chef. The boyfriend’s lawyer denied the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD)’s request to search the boat. Under US law, he can choose to remain silent. Additionally, police must show “probable cause” to secure a search warrant for the vessel.
Per the New York Post, Heslop’s friend Andrew Baldwin said, “We have heard that Sarm’s phone, passport and all belongings were left on the boat, where she was living with Mr. Bane. She would not just disappear, leaving no trace. She is savvy and sensible. It’s not like her at all. It just doesn’t add up.” The 41-year-old had allegedly left Bane’s boat to visit a local bar the previous night. The couple had met on the dating app Tinder in 2020.
The Michigan man reportedly handed over his missing girlfriend’s phone, among other belongings, to police. Authorities have neither named him a suspect nor a person of interest in the missing case. Under US law, Bane can stay silent and police must show “probable cause” to get a search warrant.
Police initially stated that they did not have surveillance footage of Heslop and Bane leaving the dive bar that night. They later changed course and showed her parents a clip of the duo heading toward a dinghy. Moreover, Virgin Islands police failed to confirm whether she made it back to the yacht.
A VIPD spokesperson recently said they continue “to send thoughts and prayers” to Sarm Helsop’s friends and family. They continue “to work this ongoing investigation.” The spokesperson further said, “We will keep you updated on any further developments when provided.”
Bane has been laying low ever since Heslop’s disappearance.
