VA - Amy Bradley, 23, Petersburg, 24 March 1998 - #1

[Wondergirl]

http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2926/?id=2926&slide=4&showID=623&preview=&versionID=




Dr. Phil says, "I want to show you this picture of who may very well be Amy the Bradley seven years after her disappearance. Now I want to emphasize that we discussed whether we should show this picture on the air with former FBI profiler Clint Van Zandt who has worked on many kidnapping cases. Now, Ron and Clint both agree that because this is the first lead that they've had in nearly eight years, he and Iva would like to show this picture in case this young woman is indeed Amy. Now, we have had top forensic artist experts in the country look at these pictures, and they say that it is possible that it could be Amy.

"I'll tell you what. Why don't we go through the features that the experts have picked out? Now first we want to look at the cheekbones here. And what they do is they measure things that don't change in time." Dr. Phil points out similarities in her cheekbones, her hairline, her chin, and even a mark that Iva pointed out, a freckle below her eye.

"Do you believe that could be your daughter?" Dr. Phil asks Iva.

"I believe it could be Amy," she responds.




Dr. Phil was the media source who released the photograph of Amy from the escort resort in Venezuela. The Bradleys and the FBI do believe that this photograph is Amy. I won't show the full photographs out of respect for Amy and her family. I will use cropped portions showing just her head.

There have been many questions raised about these photographs and the escort resort. We don't believe that Amy was actually an escort at this resort. The resort was frequented by American and Canadian men. As an escort, Amy would have had an opportuniity to speak with them just as she had done in the Otrobanda hotel with the Navy sailor. It would have been a tremendous risk for her captors to have allowed her to be alone with anyone who spoke English. I personally believe that there is a direct connection between Amy, the Royal Caribbean kidnappers, the men involved with the escort resort, and the handlers in Curacao. I don't believe, however, that Amy was an escort in this Venezuelan resort.

The escort resort was a small resort in Playa el Agua, Margarita Island, Venezuela. It was known as Affordable Adult Vacations and it was a lower class hotel. It was owned by a Canadian and the manager was from England. The resort is no longer there. It is currently the location of a Venezuelan school for Hospitality and Hotel Management. The FBI did send agents to the location and they found no evidence that Amy had been there. The resort owners claimed that they had borrowed the photograph from Curacao.

I used the Wayback Machine to search the archives of that site.

Could anyone tell me the exact date that they believe the "new" photo of Amy was uploaded on that site? I believe I found an earlier date than what has been mentioned by AK who found the picture.

 

[Wondergirl]

Has scientific analysis been done by experts to confirm that these new photos are indeed Amy?

 

[concernedmother]

This is really far out there perhaps but could these women like Amy be taken to be recruited to be spies, running info back and forth etc?

 

[Wondergirl]

Here is Chris Fenwick's Youtube Video of Amy Dancing on the Cruise Ship in 1998.

As he says on his Youtube page, you should watch the Video, AFTER you watch his extremely enlightening page regarding that trip.

VIDEO of AMY:

http://youtu.be/DqzW5QNmxk4

Uploaded by chrisfenwick on Feb 9, 2011

This video should be watched after reading my blog about Amy.

http://www.chrisfenwick.com/home/2010/3/1/amy-bradley-is-missing.html

I would do anything to help the Bradley's!

 

[FindAmy]

Is it possible that Carlos and Charlies was a factor in Amy vanishing, and do you think that Amy's disappearance could be related to Natalee Holloway's disappearance?

I am one of those people who believes that Natalee Holloway could still be alive. I realize that I am very much in the minority on this one, and I have absolutely no proof. It is very possible that Amy's disappearance could be related to Natalee's disappearance. They both disappeared in a very similar way. I also consider the possibility of a third woman named Claudia Kirschhoch. She is a Frommers writer who disappeared from a Sandal's beach in Jamaica. All three of these women were intelligent, well educated, and very "All-American" in appearance. They certainly didn't look like potential prostitutes. They all disappeared without a trace.

I don't know if Carlos and Charlies could be connected or not. It was the last place Natalee was seen and it was the club the waiters had invited Amy to. I don't know if this is a coincidence or maybe it's because this was the top club location in the area. I do believe that Amy was supposed to disappear during that visit to Carlos and Charlies. It would have been much easier for her to disappear at night, in Aruba, than on the cruise ship.

 

[FindAmy]

I used the Wayback Machine to search the archives of that site.

Could anyone tell me the exact date that they believe the "new" photo of Amy was uploaded on that site? I believe I found an earlier date than what has been mentioned by AK who found the picture.

From what we have been able to determine, the photographs appeared in the Spring of 2004. They were there for over a year.

 

[Wondergirl]

Beth Holloway's Video, "Vanished - Amy Bradley"

Part 1: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ_OZ93qPHM"]Amy Bradley Vanished Pt.1 - YouTube[/ame]

Part 2: http://youtu.be/P6VnCGfQdpw

Part 3: http://youtu.be/7NcZnd_GCuA

Part 4: http://youtu.be/VhHdZAtHG5M

Part 5: http://youtu.be/UZAaVGq_Ry8

Unsolved Mysteries episode about Amy Bradley's disappearance:

Parts 1 and 2

http://youtu.be/bEW1oO9LQlQ

http://youtu.be/cdDRrSBS_m0

 

[FindAmy]

Has scientific analysis been done by experts to confirm that these new photos are indeed Amy?

Yes, it was done by the FBI.

 

[FindAmy]

This is really far out there perhaps but could these women like Amy be taken to be recruited to be spies, running info back and forth etc?

Anything is possible. I personally don't believe that Amy was kidnapped for prostitution. Prostitution is legal in the Caribbean. It would be such a risk to kidnap an American woman for prostitution. I don't think prostitutes are moved around. Prostitutes don't need two or more guards in public.

 

[FindAmy]

It's so important to remember this sketch and the photograph.

 

[amber1]

I have never thought Amy fell overboard.

 

[amber1]

Perhaps Amy had seen something on the ship that she wasn't supposed to see?

 

[FindAmy]

Perhaps Amy had seen something on the ship that she wasn't supposed to see?

This is very possible and her mother has said this many times.

 

[rosesfromangels]

Coincidentally, I *just* returned from a Caribbean cruise last night! I can tell you that these cruise ships are huge, with some very nice people that work on them (the majority), but also some very sketchy types too. From what I'm told (unconfirmed), the Cruise lines work these people like slaves so many of them bolt at the ports. This causes the cruise lines to quickly go hire up whoever they can, with minimal (if any) screening. A young intoxicated woman on a cruise ship is PREY. There is no way I would ever take my children on a cruise ship. I was appalled at how many people let their VERY YOUNG children run free on this ships as they booze away the days. This is absolutely crazy.
I pray that Amy's family gets answers. I will suggest to them that they go back to that island and hire some homegrown investigators to get the answers they seek. Pay them their fee, but promise them a nice fat bonus if they come up with conclusive answers.

 

[rosesfromangels]

I have never thought Amy fell overboard.

On the other hand, if she had been up drinking and dancing all night she might have felt sick and was leaning over the rail....
Her brother didn't mention drugs, but if she were on something it might have compelled her to want to go for a "swim?" Even someone super drunk might do something that stupid.

Further, did she have any personal issues she was dealing with? Something she wanted to tell her family but was afraid to...especially back in that time frame? I don't want to offend anyone, and especially her family, but I'm sure you get what I'm eluding to. Just a thought...

Praying that her family gets answers.
My instinct tells me she didn't leave that ship, but was most likely disposed of. It would be so easy on a ship like that. God Bless her and her family.
While this is a terrible tragedy, I hope others will learn from it. These cruise ships are NOT safe for young people; great care must be taken.

 

[rosesfromangels]

It seems obvious to me, that the spin by the Cruise line, and their unwillingness to accommodate or take serious the situation of a guest, makes a good case for unprofessional and negligent conduct causing bodily harm.

It's really quite alarming and sickening, IMO.

I just got back from a Caribbean cruise! I was talking about this very topic with a guest/lawyer who told me these ships operate under some little country laws (Libya) or whatever, and that trying to hold them accountable for anything is near impossible. Further, they don't give a poop apparently. On my ship the staff was about a 50/50 mix. 50% Caribbeans who were AWESOME, sweet, gentle and helpful, and then about 50% of another group of people (who will remain anonymous so as not to offend) who were obnoxious and passive aggressive. I observed them playing nasty little tricks on guests to amuse themselves. Some, not so benign. When I called them out, they were unrepentant. People should be aware that while cruises can be interesting and fun, they are dealing with some unsavory people on those ships. Stick together, and stay safe!

 

[Wondergirl]

I just watched all the 5 Parts of the Vanished show on Amy, and how absolutely devastating to hear and see the suffering that her family has gone through.

Their love and strength permeates through the screen.

There are so many victims in this tragedy, including the witnesses who are likely tormented by the thought that they were so close to her.

Praying Amy is reunited with her loved ones.

 

[FindAmy]

Coincidentally, I *just* returned from a Caribbean cruise last night! I can tell you that these cruise ships are huge, with some very nice people that work on them (the majority), but also some very sketchy types too. From what I'm told (unconfirmed), the Cruise lines work these people like slaves so many of them bolt at the ports. This causes the cruise lines to quickly go hire up whoever they can, with minimal (if any) screening. A young intoxicated woman on a cruise ship is PREY. There is no way I would ever take my children on a cruise ship. I was appalled at how many people let their VERY YOUNG children run free on this ships as they booze away the days. This is absolutely crazy.
I pray that Amy's family gets answers. I will suggest to them that they go back to that island and hire some homegrown investigators to get the answers they seek. Pay them their fee, but promise them a nice fat bonus if they come up with conclusive answers.

Thank you.

The Bradleys have made many trips to Curacao and they have spent a fortune looking for Amy. They were victims of a con scam in Curacao where a man named Frank Jones portrayed himself as a former military specialist who could rescue Amy. He photoshopped pictures and hired actors to set up his scam. After he was discovered, the Commonwealth of Virginia sentenced him to five years in prison and he had to repay the money he took in the fraud.

The government of Curacao hasn't been real helpful with sightings or information. There have been people from Curacao who have come forward with information. Some of this has been helpful and unfortunately, some of it has turned out to be bogus. I personally think that some of these people have been after attention or money.

The Bradleys continue to recieve tips through TeamAmy@hotmail.com. Every tip is investigated. Some of the tips are not helpful and some of them are crazy. The Bradleys do still receive attempts to con them and these are all reported to the FBI. There have been some very valuable tips, however, and the Bradley family is extremely grateful. There is often information that can't be released to the public. The Bradleys do want to thank everyone who has tried to help them. Tips and sightings from the public are very important.

 

[FindAmy]

On the other hand, if she had been up drinking and dancing all night she might have felt sick and was leaning over the rail....
Her brother didn't mention drugs, but if she were on something it might have compelled her to want to go for a "swim?" Even someone super drunk might do something that stupid.

Further, did she have any personal issues she was dealing with? Something she wanted to tell her family but was afraid to...especially back in that time frame? I don't want to offend anyone, and especially her family, but I'm sure you get what I'm eluding to. Just a thought...

Praying that her family gets answers.
My instinct tells me she didn't leave that ship, but was most likely disposed of. It would be so easy on a ship like that. God Bless her and her family.
While this is a terrible tragedy, I hope others will learn from it. These cruise ships are NOT safe for young people; great care must be taken.

Amy wasn't drunk or on drugs. She was on the cruise with her family and she had spent the evening in the disco with her brother. She and her brother had returned to the cabin and neither of them were impaired in any way. Her father awoke and saw her on the balcony at 5:30 AM. By 6:00 AM, Amy had left the cabin. The family suspects that she was in search of coffee and didn't want to wake the rest of her family. She wasn't wearing shoes and she had her cigarettes with her.

Amy was not having personal problems. She had finished college on a four year scholarship. She had a wonderful boyfriend. She was about to start a new job when the family returned from the vacation. She had just found a new apartment and she bought a car that she loved. She had just adopted a dog that she planned to pickup after she returned to Virginia. She had bought gifts for her friends. She was starting life after college in a really nice way.

 

[FindAmy]

I just got back from a Caribbean cruise! I was talking about this very topic with a guest/lawyer who told me these ships operate under some little country laws (Libya) or whatever, and that trying to hold them accountable for anything is near impossible. Further, they don't give a poop apparently. On my ship the staff was about a 50/50 mix. 50% Caribbeans who were AWESOME, sweet, gentle and helpful, and then about 50% of another group of people (who will remain anonymous so as not to offend) who were obnoxious and passive aggressive. I observed them playing nasty little tricks on guests to amuse themselves. Some, not so benign. When I called them out, they were unrepentant. People should be aware that while cruises can be interesting and fun, they are dealing with some unsavory people on those ships. Stick together, and stay safe!

Royal Caribbean has not been helpful at all to the Bradleys.