As part of an advanced plan, the Duperrault family chartered a 60-foot-long ship named Bluebelle for $515.
The family planned to spend a week aboard the ship, traveling from the Florida Key to the Bahamas and docking in several locations. They hired Julian Harvey, a former acquaintance of Arthur, to serve as the captain of the boat for a daily fee of $100.
Similarly, his wife Mary Dene Harvey, a former stewardess, was also hired to serve as the cook.
The Bluebelle left the Bahia Mar Marina dock on November 8, 1961. Over the next few days, the ship reached destinations, including Sandy Point and Bimini. The ship was last seen docked on November 12 as the family prepared to return to Florida.
On the night of the tragedy, Terry Jo and her family enjoyed a family dinner together after which she left for her cabin located below the deck.
According to Terry's recollection, she left for her cabin at around 9 pm with her parents, siblings, and the Harvey couple still on the deck. However, she was later woken up by the screams of her brother. As she climbed up the deck, Jo noticed the bodies of her mother and brother in the captain's cabin.
As she moved further, Duperrault noticed that Harvey was carrying a bucket. He pushed her below and asked her to return to the sleeping cabin. He later went to her cabin with a rifle but left without shooting her.
Terry found Julian again when she climbed up the deck. He asked her to hold a rope that was attached to a dinghy. However, Duperrault loses the rope, causing the captain to jump overboard and abandon the ship.
Harvey was eventually rescued by an oil tanker named Gulf Lion on November 13 at around 12:30 in the afternoon. He told the crew members that his vessel struck a strong wind which broke the mast of the ship. Harvey added that he tried to save the people aboard Bluebelle but was forced to leave after a fire broke out.
When Gulf Lion rescued Harvey, he had the body of Rene, the younger sister of Terry. As per Harvey, the child was already dead when he found her. He tried to revive Rene but couldn't succeed; he still kept the child's body in the raft due to his respect for the Duperrault family.
The authorities found that Harvey's dinghy was loaded with fresh supplies. Also, his calm behavior during the interrogation raised suspicions. But, the authorities had no motives to suspect foul play.
Likewise, on November 16, Terry was discovered by crew members of former carrier ship Captain Theo. She was floating on a small cork at the time of her rescue.
Terry was almost out of breath from the heatstroke and starving during her rescue. While she identified herself as Terry Jo Duperrault to her rescuers, she was unable to give any additional info.
Terry was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Miami. Her condition significantly improved in the next few days but it would take a whole week before she could record her official statement.
In her testimony, Duperrault stated that Bluebelle's mast was not broken and there was no fire on the deck. She also recounted the massacre she witnessed aboard the ship.
For her unlikely survival, Terry was given multiple nicknames, including sea orphan, sea waif, and more.
Meanwhile, Julian had learned of Terry's rescue during an interrogation on November 17. After hearing she was alive, Harvey asked for a break citing reasons that he wanted to talk to his wife's family. He then rented a room at the Sandman Motel under the fake name John Monroe.
Harvey slashed his ankles, thigh, and jugular vein. He committed suicide, leaving behind a two-page note addressed to a close friend. However, he didn't explain his motives or apologized for his actions in the suicide note.