BBC Breakfast guest says 'we just want to lay her to rest' as they search for friend

The family and friends of missing Sarm Heslop told how they just want to "lay her to rest" in an emotional BBC Breakfast interview. Sarm was reported missing from a boat in the US Virgin Islands, by her boyfriend, Ryan Bane, in 2021. She has not been seen since and no body has ever found.

The case is the subject of a new BBC documentary, which investigates the circumstances of her disappearance. Two of Sarm's friends were on the BBC Breakfast sofa with presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt on Saturday (September 13), where they opened up about their bid to find Sarm and revealed how they just want answers.

"Well, we haven't given up yet," said one. "I think no one wants to stop because I think that feeling of stopping is giving in and letting the unknown truth win as if it's just going to disappear.

"I don't think anyone would do that if their loved one went missing. So for us, there is always that want to keep going."

Sarm's other friend added: "We can't, you know, we've talked about closure. We can't, we can't lay her to rest.

"We can't rest. There's no peace for her family, for, you know, her friends. So, you know, ultimately, we want to know what happened to her so that we can lay her to rest."

The pair said they just want "to say goodbye" and "bring her home".

Sarm's mother Brenda was also interviewed by the programme.

She broke down in tears as she talked about Sarm but insisted that she would never stop searching for her daughter, who was 41 when she disappeared.

"I know I'm crying now," she said. "But I am stronger now and I'm going to do everything I can. And I'll never give up. Never give up."

Missing in Paradise: Searching for Sarm will air on BBC Two at 10pm on Wednesday September 17, Thursday September 18 and Friday September 19. All three episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am on September 17.