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Body found suspected to be South African Ryan Smolderen

- body was recovered in waters near Village Cay on April 29, 2021
Police have said the body recovered from waters near Village Cay on April 29, 2021, is suspected to be that of South Africa native Ryan Smolderen, 65. Photo: Facebook
Ryan Smolderen’s daughter, Tammy Vorster, expressed her loss on her Facebook page today, April 30, 2021. Photo: Facebook
Ryan Smolderen’s daughter, Tammy Vorster, expressed her loss on her Facebook page today, April 30, 2021. Photo: Facebook
Officers of Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Marine Unit, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue, Major Crime Team and Scenes of Crime attended the scene near Village Cay Marina yesterday afternoon, April 30, 2021, when the body believed to be Ryan Smolderen was recovered from the waters. Photo: VINO/File
Officers of Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Marine Unit, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue, Major Crime Team and Scenes of Crime attended the scene near Village Cay Marina yesterday afternoon, April 30, 2021, when the body believed to be Ryan Smolderen was recovered from the waters. Photo: VINO/File
WICKHAM’S CAY 1, Tortola, VI– Police have said the body recovered from waters near Village Cay on April 29, 2021, is suspected to be that of South Africa native Ryan Smolderen, 65.

Smolderen had resided on the vessel ‘Silent Wings’ docked at the Village Cay Marina. 

According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) in a press release today, April 30, 2021, preliminary inquiries suggest the deceased is Smolderen; positive identification is still to be made.

Police said Smolderen was reported missing earlier in the day by a friend.

Officers of Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Marine Unit, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue, Major Crime Team and Scenes of Crime attended the scene near Village Cay Marina yesterday afternoon.

Only dog was found on vessel

Our newsroom was told that a search was conducted of the vessel and only a dog, said to belong to Smolderen, was met aboard the vessel.

An unresponsive male was subsequently recovered floating in the water near the mangroves and taken to Marine Police Branch where he was pronounced dead.

Police said cause of death is still to be determined and investigations are ongoing in the matter.

Our newsroom as told by sources close to the investigation that Smolderen resided at the vessel for about two years and conducted luxury charters aboard his vessel. He had reportedly planned to travel to St Maarten in 2020 but was forced to remain in the VI because of the pandemic.

‘Friendly’ individual

Persons familiar with Mr Smolderen described him as being very friendly.

Meanwhile, Smolderen’s daughter Tammy Vorster wrote on her Facebook page today, April 30, 2021: “Rest in peace my dearest Dad. You were missed dearly and now even more. We were never prepared for the day you would be gone forever. We know you passed in the water, where you were always at peace. Until we meet again.”

Ashley Bailey wrote: “Tammy and Kelly, I hung out with your father frequently (daily) whilst living in Tortola. He loved his daughters and spoke of you often with such fondness. His face lit up when he talked about y’all and he was so dang proud. Thinking of your family. He was loved.”

16 Responses to “Body found suspected to be South African Ryan Smolderen”

  • Interested (30/04/2021, 16:18) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    May he Rest In Peace. Prayers for his daughters
  • South African (30/04/2021, 16:36) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad to hear this. He will be missed..
  • Sad (30/04/2021, 18:34) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    my Condolences to his family and friends, may he RIP
  • Tsk tsk tsk (30/04/2021, 19:47) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    The same thing I said his lungs
  • Me (30/04/2021, 20:36) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Always see him around Village Cay area..Quite a friendly guy and his dog. May he RIP. Condolences to his family and friends.
  • Trini (30/04/2021, 21:02) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    I met this gentleman last year during the lock down such a friendly man he spoke to me as if he knew me long time also telling me about his daughters omg R.I.P Ryan.
  • Rhodesia (30/04/2021, 23:19) Like (1) Dislike (20) Reply
    Such nice commentary for white folks
  • Sharen Opie (01/05/2021, 00:13) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am Ryan's eldest sister and always remember the happy childhood we had climbing trees and going for picnics under the blugum trees. Ryan too late to make amends now as we drifted apart in the last years. Rest in peace I am shattered.
  • K9 (01/05/2021, 06:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the dog could of talk only the dog might know something
  • hmmmmmm (01/05/2021, 23:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    He was a very kool guy always willing to help will be missed but the government needs to do something about that sewage scent it's killing people slowly and surely
  • Cause of death (03/05/2021, 09:07) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Did he die of sunburn? no? too soon....
  • Gav (18/10/2022, 16:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I knew Ryan for many wears in SA.
    He sailed at Vaal Dam.Nice Man


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