Family optimistic that missing seamen will be found safe

It has been two and a half weeks since the mysterious disappearance of siblings Joseph and Erleon Garbutt who were reported missing when they failed to return from a business trip to Roatan, Honduras.  The brothers set out to purchase a boat on the bay island on the morning of May ninth and haven’t since been seen or heard from. With each passing day the chances of a safe return remain grim and while that may be the reality for law enforcement and coastguard officials their sister Marcella says she is very much optimistic that her brothers will be found safe and sound.

Marcella Garbutt, Sister of Missing Fishermen

“I just come from the Coastguard office and dehn inform me dat di search still on and dehn wah extend di search and inform Jamaica ‘cause dah wah possibility that dehn deh out eena dah watas deh to.”

Isani Cayetano

“It’s been about two and a half weeks since you last saw or heard from your brothers.  What has the family been doing in terms of its own rescue efforts?”

Marcella Garbutt

“Di whole family, friends, everybody help. We comb alla Turneffe, all down south; we find nothing. Like dehn just vanish into thin air and dat noh possible. Somebody must know something; somebody must see something. I just want if anybody see or know noh care how small ih might be dehn call we and tell we something or call di police, call di Coastguard, anybody; just tell somebody.”

Isani Cayetano

“What is the emotional state of the family at this point? Have you guys given up hope on the search?”

Marcella Garbutt

“No, I wah neva give up pan my bredda dehn either. Between di two ah dem dehn have six kids and I feel like my family just under torture right now until we find out something. We have to find something. I noh wah give up until we find something ‘cause I love my bredda dehn and I know dehn woulda  neva give up pan me.”

Thirty-seven year old Joseph is listed as a fisherman while his younger brother twenty-seven year old Erleon is a coxswain for the Belize Audubon Society.  Both men are residents of Zacaranda Street in Belize City.