The partner of missing British sailor Sarm Heslop has spoken out in an extensive five-page statement, refuting any involvement in her disappearance. American Ryan Bane described their relationship as loving and caring, releasing the statement over four years after Heslop went missing from his yacht, Siren Song, in the US Virgin Islands in March 2021. Bane stated that he felt unfairly targeted and compelled to protect his legal rights by following his attorney’s advice to retain legal representation, decline police questioning, and prevent forensic searches of the vessel. He emphasized that his actions were intended to be cautious, not suspicious.
Bane’s response came after a BBC documentary, Missing in Paradise: Searching for Sarm, aired newly obtained CCTV footage showing the couple walking hand-in-hand just before Heslop vanished. The footage, dated March 7, 2021, depicted them on a dockside in St John before returning to the yacht on a dinghy.
Regarding the night of Heslop’s disappearance, Bane claimed he woke up at 2 am due to the yacht’s anchor alarm and later discovered she was missing. He contacted the police at 2:30 am but waited nine hours before notifying the US Coast Guard. Bane’s legal counsel suggested that Heslop might have fallen overboard or drowned while swimming.
Bane expressed frustration with media coverage, accusing journalists of distorting facts and overlooking contradictory evidence from court records. He denied allegations of neglecting Heslop’s search efforts and criticized the authorities for their handling of the case, citing gaps in reporting and missing evidence.
Despite hiring a private investigator, Bane has not disclosed the findings, claiming they could be beneficial but declining to make them public. Past scrutiny revealed Bane’s misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence in 2011, involving his ex-wife, Cori Stevenson. Bane acknowledged the conviction but denied any connection to Heslop’s disappearance.
Heslop’s family has urged Bane to allow a full forensic search of Siren Song, a request he resisted before selling the boat. The case remains unresolved, with ongoing public interest and speculation surrounding the circumstances of Heslop’s disappearance.