“NO parent should ever have to bury their child.” These words were felt deeply yesterday, Thursday, November 20 as one witnessed the pain of Paige Bell’s parents when family and friends gathered at Waxy O’Connors in Hillcrest.

Paige, who would have celebrated her 21st birthday on July 14, was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered in the Bahamas. Her body was discovered on the deck outside the engine room on July 3.

A vigil was held yesterday as the accused, a 40-year-old superyacht engineer, was expected to appear in court to enter a plea. Since yellow was Paige’s favourite rose colour, the community arrived dressed in yellow and carrying yellow roses in her honour.

Also read: Former Hillcrest learner found murdered on a yacht in the Bahamas

A family friend said the family was informed late yesterday afternoon, during the vigil, that the accused had in fact appeared in court the day before, on November 19, and that his plea date had been postponed to December 12.

“This was heartbreaking to witness, the Bell family and friends supporting #JusticeForPaigeBell were visibly shaken and upset.

“Although the date changed without the family’s knowledge, our resolve has not. We stand united here and around the world in supporting the Bell family and ensuring Paige’s voice is never lost in administrative delays or procedural shifts,” she said.

Paige, a former Hillcrest High School learner, and the accused both worked aboard the Far From It superyacht, which was anchored off Harbour Island at the time of the incident.

Her parents, Michelle and John, told the Highway Mail that they hope to raise awareness about safety within the yachting industry, the dangers young crew members may face, and the changes that urgently need to be implemented.

John explained that his daughter had worked overseas on and off for two years.

“We are calling on yacht management companies to conduct more thorough and regular background checks on the people they employ,” he said.

When asked what they miss most about their daughter, the parents sighed deeply, shaking their heads in disbelief. “Everything … words cannot describe how we feel.”

“We want the accused to receive the harshest possible sentence, and we want meaningful changes to be made so that no other family has to experience what we are going through,” Michelle added.

Her best friends, Kendra Schreiner and Kayleigh Freese, who also attended the vigil, said everything still feels surreal. They miss her bright energy and her gorgeous smile.

Also on Thursday, Hillcrest High School’s 2026 head leaders, Azola Shandu and Natalie Rees, placed yellow rose bouquets at the school’s Memorial Wall in honour of Paige. Staff who had taught her were each given a yellow rose, and together with other staff members and student leaders, they gathered at the wall for a moment of silence and a prayer for justice in Paige’s case.

“On returning to the school buildings, Mrs McLaughlin pointed out a yellow flower and a lily, both blooming for the first time in the Fish Pond Quad,” the school shared.

The family thanked the owner of Waxy O’ Connors, Felix Schmitz, for hosting the vigil, and the management and staff. They also thanked everyone who has supported them with tributes coming in from all over the world.

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