On March 23, the Grelle family, from St. Louis, Missouri, was vacationing at the exclusive Rancho Santana resort in Tola, in Nicaragua’s southern department of Rivas.
David and Kasey Grelle had traveled to Nicaragua with their three young children for a family holiday. That morning, the resort organized an excursion departing on a truck owned by the hotel. David and the couple’s youngest son decided not to join the trip and instead stayed behind at the beach.
“She was with my son Julian and my daughter Kit. Julian is 11 and Kit is nine. I was with our youngest son, who is six. At the last minute, we decided not to go,” David Grelle told LA PRENSA, his voice breaking with emotion.
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A Call From an Unknown Number
While taking his youngest son to the beach, David received a WhatsApp call from an unfamiliar number.
“For some reason I answered it, and it was my daughter,” he recalled. “She said, ‘Dad, there’s been a terrible accident. Mom and Julian are very seriously hurt, and you need to come to the Roberto Clemente Clinic as soon as possible.’”
The primary care clinic is located about four kilometers from the resort.
Nearly two months later, David says he still knows very little about how the accident that killed his wife unfolded.
Kasey Grelle, a successful entrepreneur, was the CEO and co-founder of the St. Louis-based marketing consultancy Aux Insights, where she lived with her family.
“We’re still trying to understand what happened,” David said. “My children have nightmares about it all the time. I’ve been advised not to speak publicly about the numerous unsafe conditions surrounding my wife’s tragic death at Rancho Santana.”
Resort-Organized Excursion
Kasey Grelle, 41, died the morning of March 23 in the crash that occurred inside Rancho Santana in Tola, Rivas. The resort had organized an excursion for guests, and the truck carrying approximately 20 people overturned on a steep incline.
Nicaraguan police have not released an official report on the cause of the accident. However, the truck driver, identified as Guillermo José Chamorro, faced expedited legal proceedings in a local court. In early May, he admitted to negligent homicide charges. Because he had no prior criminal record, he qualified for a suspended sentence and was released.
Chamorro received a sentence of two and a half years in prison, but with the suspension of the sentence, he will remain on probation and be required to regularly report to the courts.
Possible Lawsuit From the United States
Zachary Gorwitz, an attorney with the Florida-based law firm Podhurst Orseck representing the Grelle family, said they have not been granted “access to the criminal proceedings against the driver in Nicaragua.”
“Our local attorneys in Nicaragua have tried to investigate, but authorities have not been very transparent with information regarding the criminal trial,” Gorwitz said.
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The family learned of the driver’s release through Nicaraguan media reports.
“Nicaraguan authorities have not contacted us, and Rancho Santana did not inform us either,” the attorney added.
Regarding a possible appeal, Gorwitz said the family is waiting to review the case file before making a decision. Nicaragua’s Public Prosecutor’s Office could also independently appeal the ruling if prosecutors disagree with the judge’s decision.
As for a potential civil lawsuit — given that the vehicle belonged to the U.S.-owned resort — Gorwitz said the family is exploring “all avenues to hold the responsible parties accountable.”
“At this point, we are investigating exactly what happened at the resort, and if it turns out there are other responsible parties, including Rancho Santana, we will seek accountability to the fullest extent permitted by law, both in Nicaragua and in the United States,” he said.
After the accident, LA PRENSA attempted to contact Rancho Santana for comment but initially received no response. The resort later issued a statement on social media saying it was assisting the victims.
Kasey’s Son Seriously Injured
Julian Grelle, the couple’s 11-year-old son, had to be airlifted to the United States just hours after the crash. His condition was initially critical.
David says his son is still “dealing with multiple serious injuries,” many of which are expected to have long-term consequences. Julian is undergoing therapy at a St. Louis hospital for cognitive impairments caused by the accident.
The boy spent a month hospitalized and now attends therapy several days a week. His brain remains swollen from the trauma he sustained.
Julian suffered orbital fractures, as well as fractures to his jaw, skull, and neck.
“He has basically been wearing a cervical collar to stabilize the fractures in his spine,” David explained. Julian also suffered ligament damage in his spine.
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He bears cuts across his back and a visible scar running from his forehead to the back of his skull.
“He’s incredibly strong. He’s a fighter, just like his mom, and his recovery has been very inspiring,” his father said. “But he still has a long way to go before he’s fully himself again.”
David is now raising the couple’s three children on his own.
He says all three children now sleep in his bed. And whenever they are driving and a large truck or bus passes nearby, “there’s a lot of anxiety, a lot of nightmares.”
A Successful Entrepreneur Remembered
Kasey Grelle would have turned 42 on May 23 — a date her family says will be especially painful. In the coming days, she and David also would have celebrated another wedding anniversary.
Her brother, Andy Joyce, says it was always clear she was exceptional.
“She was one of the most outgoing, adventurous, and kindest people you could ever meet,” he said. “She was a natural leader. Even as a child, you knew she was going to do incredible things.”
“She had an enormous heart and incredible empathy. She was always that way — truly an extraordinary human being.”
Family members say Kasey consistently cared for others, including complete strangers.
She became so widely admired for her generosity that the mayor of St. Louis declared April 30 “Superhero Kasey Grelle Day.”
“She was a beacon for the community, her friends, and her family,” David said. “And now, as a single father of three beautiful children, we’re trying to rebuild our lives.”
The family’s attorney, Zachary Gorwitz, says they are determined to pursue accountability.
“We will do everything possible to hold the appropriate parties responsible and ensure this never happens again to anyone visiting Nicaragua or any other country,” he said. “No family should have to endure what Dave, his children, Andy, and the entire Grelle family have gone through.”
