Dateline: Unforgettable has revisited the disappearance of Sarm Heslop in an episode titled “Siren Song.” The case, which began in March 2021 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, involves British national Sarm Joan Lillian Heslop, who was living and working on a 47-foot catamaran called Siren Song with her boyfriend, Ryan Bane.
Heslop, a former flight attendant from the UK, was reported missing after a dinner ashore on March 7, 2021. Her phone, wallet, and passport were left on the boat, and a search effort was launched on land and sea. The Virgin Islands Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard were involved in the search, which began after Bane made contact with local police.
The episode examines the timeline of events, including a nine-hour gap between Bane’s calls to the police and the Coast Guard. It also notes the curfew rules in place at the time and the use of an anchor alarm on the boat. These details are crucial in establishing a narrow window during which Heslop vanished.
The case has been referred to the Attorney General’s Office, which stated that it had not received enough evidence to charge the matter criminally. Heslop’s family has expressed concerns and frustration with the communication from local authorities, with her mother believing that her daughter was murdered. Bane’s lawyer has maintained that he cooperated with the investigation and denied any involvement.
The episode also touches on the issue of access to the vessel, with reports that the yacht was not forensically searched and that Bane received a citation after preventing a full interior search. Additionally, there have been claims of a past domestic violence conviction and recent sightings of Bane in Michigan, which he has denied.
The case remains open, with no criminal charges filed. The Attorney General’s Office has assisted the police division, but there is currently insufficient evidence to bring charges. The family continues to campaign for justice, with Heslop’s parents shifting their focus from “Find Sarm” to “Justice for Sarm.”
The Dateline: Unforgettable episode provides a clear and factual account of the case, laying out the timeline, disputed access to the vessel, and the positions of the family, investigators, and counsel. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in investigating maritime disappearances, and the need for continued appeals for information through official channels.
