Memorial Service To Honour Slain Superyacht Stewardess Paige Bell In Durban On July 31

A memorial service for Paige Bell — the 20-year-old South African stewardess tragically murdered aboard a luxury yacht in the Bahamas — will be held on July 31 at the Open Skies Church in Kloof, Durban.

Paige Bell’s grieving parents, John and Michelle Bell, made the announcement on social media, inviting the public to join them in honouring their daughter’s life.

“Please join us in honouring the life and memory of our precious daughter and sister Paigey whose time with us was heartbreakingly brief, yet infinitely beautiful and filled with so much love, laughter and joy,” the Bells wrote.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Dirco Rejects SA-Hamas Collaboration In Attacking Israel, Slams Times Of Israel Blog

“Thank you for holding Paigey and our family in your hearts and for walking beside us in this devastating time of sorrow and remembrance of our precious baby girl. We are truly grateful for each act of kindness shown.”

Following the church service, a reception will be held at the Kloof Country Club.

Paige Bell, a former Hillcrest High School student, was murdered just days before her 21st birthday on July 3 aboard the charter yacht Far From It, which rents for around R3.5 million per week.

Shocking Crime Shakes Global Yachting Community

Paige Bell was found partially undressed with her throat slashed and signs of defensive wounds. Police arrested fellow crew member Brigido Munoz, a 39-year-old Mexican national and engineer, who was discovered near her body with serious injuries to his arms. Authorities are investigating the case as murder and attempted suicide.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the international yachting industry. Captain Douglas Meire, a well-known voice in the community, has called for collective action.

“Paige Bell was part of the yachting family and the yachting community and she’s gone. She was murdered. I hope that guy rots in jail,” said Meire. “As time goes by things go to the wayside. I think we need to jump on this now.”

Using his Yacht Industry News platform, Meire urged captains, brokers, and crew agencies to come together in a mass online meeting to discuss immediate safety reforms.

“We can discuss what crew and crew agencies can do to change this,” he said. “We can make real changes. This is unbelievable. I’ve been doing this 35 years and I’ve seen a lot. I’ve lost a lot of people. Never like this.”

“She Radiated Excitement”: Tribute to Paige on Her 21st Birthday

One week after her death, Paige’s parents and the owners of Far From It released a joint statement, expressing heartfelt thanks to the global yachting community for their outpouring of love and support — especially on what would have been her 21st birthday, July 14.

“On behalf of the Bell family and the FFI team, we are at a loss for words to express our gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love and support shown on July 14,” the statement read. “The compassion from the global yachting community has been overwhelming.”

They remembered Paige Bell as a “beautiful, bold and fiery spirit — a true firecracker” who had been enthusiastically planning her birthday celebrations.

“Captains, that bang — the celebration you all created — far exceeded anything we could have imagined. Your tribute, unity and love honoured Paige in a way she would have adored.”

Paige Bell’s family had flown to the Bahamas to “begin the painful process of not only bringing their baby girl home but also seeking justice for the monster who took her life.”

The accused, Brigido Munoz, is currently in custody and is expected to appear in court again in November.

---

For More World News, Follow SurgeZirc SA On Facebook,  X and Instagram