Sarm Heslop: Friends urge police to release CCTV footage

Sarm Heslop was living on a £500,000 catamaran owned by her American boyfriend, Ryan Bane, when she disappeared 18 months ago after a night out.

Now her friends and family are urging police in the islands to share images of the couple leaving a restaurant called to 420 to Center.

They say the footage proves Mr Bane was wrong when he gave police a description of what Sarm was wearing.

Sarm Heslop was living on a catamaran moored of St John in the US Virgin Islands when she disappeared (Image: Supplied)

Earlier this year her parents met police during a visit to the islands. They were shown CCTV footage of Sarm and her boyfriend and asked for a copy in the hope that making it public could produce new leads.

But members of the FindSarm campaign claim police have so far refused on the grounds it would jeopardise the investigation.

A FindSarm spokesperson said: "In the footage Sarm is wearing skirt/shorts and a top, but her boyfriend told police she was wearing a black dress with flowers on.

"There wasn't a black dress with flowers on in her belongings when they were returned to her parents some months after her disappearance.

“We implore the police to share the CCTV footage and work hand in hand with the FBI to find answer to the disappearance of Sarm Heslop.

“Sarm would not just go missing. Someone, somewhere, knows what has happened and if the FBI can support the US Virgin Island Police search it may help find the answers we need and deserve.”

Former flight attendant Sarm Heslop went missing in March last year (Image: FindSarm)

Sarm, a former flight attendant, was 41 when she was reported missing in the early hours of March 8 2021.

The authorities originally claimed her last-known movements were not captured on CCTV because the cameras in the restaurant were not working.

Shortly after she vanished one of Mr Bane's friends described him as "totally distraught" over her disappearance.

His lawyer added: "Ryan has spent countless hours searching for Sarm and will continue to do so. He is devastated that Sarm is missing.”

Hampshire police have been involved in the search for Sarm.

Speaking earlier this year Detective Inspector Matt Gillooly said: "Hampshire Constabulary has been providing operational support in the UK to assist the US Virgin Islands Police Department investigation."

The US Virgin Islands Police have been contacted for comment.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook.