‘She Brought Light Everywhere’: SA’s Paige Bell Killed on Luxury Yacht Days Before 21st Birthday

‘She Brought Light Everywhere’: SA’s Paige Bell Killed on Luxury Yacht Days Before 21st birthday

The sea was meant to be her dream, but it became her last voyage.

Just days before she was meant to return home to celebrate her 21st birthday, Paige Bell’s life was cut short in the Bahamas — a place she had travelled to as part of her work aboard luxury yachts. Her death, confirmed on July 3, has shocked and devastated both her family back in South Africa and the international yachting community that had become her second home.

A Dream Life, a Tragic End

Paige, a vibrant and ambitious 20-year-old from KwaZulu-Natal, matriculated from Hillcrest High School near Durban in 2022. Shortly after, she set sail into the elite and demanding world of superyacht crewing — a path that’s become increasingly popular for young South Africans with a sense of adventure.

But her journey ended in horror on board the Far From It, a luxury yacht anchored in the Bahamas, where police arrested a 39-year-old Mexican crew member in connection with her murder. The suspect has since appeared in court and been denied bail.

A Community in Mourning

Those who worked with Paige describe her as more than just a colleague. The crew of the Sweet Emocean, where she previously served as a stewardess, shared a heartfelt tribute and launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her grieving family.

“Paige was more than a teammate, she was family… her radiant spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless compassion made an unforgettable impact,” reads the tribute.

The crowdfunding campaign has already raised more than $44,000 (over R790,000) — a testament to the love and support pouring in from around the world.

Heartbreak at Home

Back in South Africa, her parents Michelle and John Bell have flown to the Bahamas to begin the heartbreaking process of bringing Paige home, and to pursue justice for the crime that stole their daughter’s life.

Her sister, Chelsey Jacobs, took to Facebook to thank those who have donated and expressed their condolences. “We are devastated beyond words… and now we must navigate complex and costly legal proceedings in a foreign country,” she wrote.

Remembering Paige: Bubbly, Brave, Beloved

Hillcrest High School released a public statement describing Paige as an “incredibly special young lady” and “the happiest, most bubbly person.” Friends remember her love for the sea, her easy laughter, and her courage to chase adventure far from home.

Paige’s story is more than just a tragedy — it’s a reminder of the real people behind headlines. A South African girl who dared to live her dream on the ocean, who made friends into family, and who should have turned 21 surrounded by love and celebration.

Instead, her loved ones now gather in grief, determined to honour her memory and seek justice on her behalf.

If You’d Like to Support the Bell Family, the Official GoFundMe Campaign Remains Open.

Source:Times Live 

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