Pete and Tammy Sisson are grappling with haunting questions no one ever wants to face: What if we had still been there? That thought has consumed them in the days since their dear friends, Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry, were killed during a terrifying hijacking of their catamaran in the Caribbean.

The couple had only recently parted ways with the Sissons before the attack, and now Pete and Tammy are left with grief, survivor’s guilt, and the unrelenting pain of imagining how things might have been different.

The horrific events unfolded last week when Kathy and Ralph’s catamaran, Simplicity, was hijacked off the coast of Grenada by three prisoners who had recently escaped from police custody. The escapees reportedly overpowered the couple, commandeered the vessel, and fled toward St. Vincent.

Authorities have since recovered the boat and detained the fugitives, but the bodies of Kathy and Ralph have not yet been formally recovered, leaving a chilling void of finality for those who loved them.

Pete and Tammy had been sailing with Kathy and Ralph for months prior to the tragedy. As fellow members of the cruising community, the two couples had forged a close bond, sharing meals, adventures, and the kind of camaraderie that only life at sea can inspire.

“They were more than friends — they were like family,” Pete said. “We lived side-by-side, anchoring in the same bays, helping each other fix things, laughing over dinner. It’s impossible to believe they’re gone.”

The Sissons had departed from Simplicity shortly before the hijacking, continuing their journey separately. Since then, they’ve been overwhelmed by what-ifs. “What if we had stayed just one more night? Could we have helped? Could we have prevented it?” Tammy wonders aloud. “That question plays on a loop in our minds.”

Authorities believe the escaped prisoners targeted the boat randomly as a means to flee the island. It’s unclear how long Kathy and Ralph were held captive before the attackers abandoned or harmed them.

The horrifying uncertainty and lack of closure have compounded the trauma for friends and loved ones, especially for Pete and Tammy, who had shared so much of their recent lives with the couple.

In remembering their friends, the Sissons speak of Kathy and Ralph’s deep love for sailing and their adventurous spirit. The couple had been living aboard Simplicity full-time, traveling the Caribbean and embracing a life of freedom and discovery.

“They were the kind of people who made you feel welcome instantly,” Tammy said. “Kind, experienced, smart — they were always ready to lend a hand or offer advice. Everyone in the cruising world knew and respected them.”

As the investigation continues and the sailing community mourns, the Sissons are using their voices to call attention to the dangers sailors sometimes face and to honor the memory of their friends. They have spoken with international media and fellow cruisers, urging everyone to stay informed, stay safe, and support one another.

“There’s an unspoken bond in the sailing world — we look out for each other,” Pete said. “Kathy and Ralph lived that bond every day. We owe it to them to carry that forward.”

For Pete and Tammy, the loss is immeasurable. But in the midst of tragedy, they are determined not to let their friends’ lives be defined solely by their horrific end. Instead, they want people to remember the warmth, generosity, and passion that made Kathy and Ralph who they were.

“They lived the life they loved,” Tammy said quietly. “We just wish they had more time to live it.”