VA - Amy Bradley, 23, Petersburg, 24 March 1998 - #3

[dotr]

Reading this book at the moment and getting some insights as to the coping mechanisms for one in long term captivity, including the longing to catch the eye and alert someone, yet not doing so out of fear...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/26/ingrid-betancourt-even-silence-end


"Even Silence Has an End by Ingrid Betancourt

Ingrid Betancourt spent six years as a prisoner of Farc in the Colombian jungle. Her memoir is not for the faint-hearted, says Janine di Giovanni"

 

[belimom]

I had thought up until last night that she was taken for the sex trade. Now, I'm not so sure - if FA is correct. I guess it's possible that she started out that way then was 'sold' to someone else for another purpose.

It's just such a baffling case. So heartbreaking. Why Yellow was not detained is beyond me - I think it *may* have led to her rescue soon after.

 

[belimom]

Reading this book at the moment and getting some insights as to the coping mechanisms for one in long term captivity, including the longing to catch the eye and alert someone, yet not doing so out of fear...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/26/ingrid-betancourt-even-silence-end


"Even Silence Has an End by Ingrid Betancourt

Ingrid Betancourt spent six years as a prisoner of Farc in the Colombian jungle. Her memoir is not for the faint-hearted, says Janine di Giovanni"

I recall that story - I may have to get the book. Although after reading Slavery of Faith, I think I need to take a break before delving into another book like that.

 

[neesaki]

I had thought up until last night that she was taken for the sex trade. Now, I'm not so sure - if FA is correct. I guess it's possible that she started out that way then was 'sold' to someone else for another purpose.

It's just such a baffling case. So heartbreaking. Why Yellow was not detained is beyond me - I think it *may* have led to her rescue soon after.

As you, in the very beginning most of us also believed she was a victim of sex trafficking. Until, as you say, FA came along with a different story. I get that Amy eventually became too old for that trade, but it sounds like she's a survivor and will do whatever it takes. If so, maybe she was able to convince her captors that she was trustworthy, reliable and worth keeping around for other purposes.

Or, she was "purchased" for another purpose and used as a sex slave long enough to "condition" her.

Idk, but the first scenario seems to make more sense to me. Then again, maybe the criminals in the trafficking industry just take opportunities when they present themselves, then when the victim is auctioned off to the end buyer, they just choose who they like, maybe those who are versatile have more value. Eeegads, I know I'm talking in circles :redface:

 

[Galbin]

Now, on to this mule thing that FA talks about. Not drugs, we've been told. And it's important to keep her healthy. And her physical appearance is important. The first thing that comes to mind is the same thing that already mentioned: breeding. But that doesn't really work, does it?

- at 38, she'd be getting past her prime for that use
- why keep moving her around? why not hold her in one place for that purpose?
- and, as others have said, there are women who would gladly have a baby for money, I'm sure
- if Caucasian is important, then why not Eastern European? Why "American?"

Having said that, a name popped up in one of FA's posts, so I googled it. This missing woman looks an awful lot like Amy - her facial features, the shape of her face, her cheeks, her mouth. It literally stood out to me as soon as I saw her pictures. She went missing while in Jamaica.

Claudia Ann Kirschhoch

That case is scarily like Amy's case. Especially the uncooperative staff at the resort. Also, it seems mighty fishy that the hotel log book and her cell phone then went missing.

Seems like you face other obstacles in your path when you go missing in the Caribbean or Jamaica. At least in Europe and the US, people and organisations generally co-operate with searches.

I know it is OT, but why was that girl declared legally dead so quickly!?

 

[Galbin]

First of all, there is *no* question in my mind that Yellow played a significant part in the deal. He knows exactly what happened to her! In Vanished the family reported that he gave the thumbs up after his FBI interview. What normal person would do that?

But these traffickers are known to break or "condition" their victims.

Yes. Amy looked like a shadow of herself in those escort photos. I agree that she may have been used as a prostitute at first, but that her role changed after a few years. I think she may still sometimes have to work as a prostitute though; it is just not her main role.

 

[NSS]

I am unfamiliar with this case, but have read through the available info here and just wanted to share my thoughts here.


Is there any chance that she was unhappy at home? several pics with dad are miserable.
Is it possible that Yellow IS important, maybe as a lover or more? Did he help her to escape the ship, with promises of s better future.

Did they break up or never fully get together? Did she eventually turn to Escort sites to earn a living.
Do the FBI indeed know where she is and that she is safe and unwilling to return home?
Are the 'bigger fish' simply real missings.


I mean no disrespect to the amazing sleuths here, or to the grieving family, but sometimes the simplest solution is the real one.


Keeping someone for this long for breeding or trafficking would be highly unusual and would involve lost of risk, lots of money, and very little return.

How would a drug lord know that he wanted THIS girl, where did he see her? No need to kidnap one, there are hundreds of them that can be bought.

Maybe (just maybe though) Yellow is covering something up, but it may not be anything harmful.

(I'm just offering a really fresh thought, so feel free to share why this isn't possible, probable or even likely)

 

[eileenhawkeye]

That case is scarily like Amy's case. Especially the uncooperative staff at the resort. Also, it seems mighty fishy that the hotel log book and her cell phone then went missing.

Seems like you face other obstacles in your path when you go missing in the Caribbean or Jamaica. At least in Europe and the US, people and organisations generally co-operate with searches.

I know it is OT, but why was that girl declared legally dead so quickly!?

Maybe her parents did not think she was sold into sex slavery, but instead that the bartender killed her. Two years does seem pretty quick, but statistics show that missing persons are more likely to be killed very soon after they are abducted,not kept alive for 13 years. I can't blame them for being realistic.

 

[Galbin]

Is there any chance that she was unhappy at home? several pics with dad are miserable.
Is it possible that Yellow IS important, maybe as a lover or more? Did he help her to escape the ship, with promises of s better future.

Did they break up or never fully get together? Did she eventually turn to Escort sites to earn a living.
Do the FBI indeed know where she is and that she is safe and unwilling to return home?
Are the 'bigger fish' simply real missings.

I've heard about this before. However, I've only ever seen one picture of the two of them together. I personally do not think that looking sad in pictures is anything to go by. Some ppl hate getting their photo taken and this reflects in the picture. Can I see more of these pictures please?

Amy does not fit the profile of someone who was unhappy with her life though. She had bought an English bulldog, was looking forward to starting a new job, had a new apartment and a boyfriend.

Also, if she were really free she wouldn't be surrounded by handlers wherever she was. The sightings of her have been confirmed by LE also; not like the wrong tips seen in other cases.

 

[dotr]

They ( B's) appear to me to be a happy, close and loving family. After all that they have been through, I do not blame them for struggling between being private or going public and stirring up tips/help with the case. Wondering how A's brother has been holding all these years and if in his heart he thinks Amy is nearby or far away?
If only someone with a conscience would tell the B's what really happened to their lovely daughter and put an end to this strange mystery. imo.

 

[Galbin]

If only someone with a conscience would tell the B's what really happened to their lovely daughter and put an end to this strange mystery. imo.

I have thought of Amy every single day since I saw Vanished last week. Every time I do I feel such profound sadness. If I feel this way, imagine how her family feels.

 

[belimom]

I have thought of Amy every single day since I saw Vanished last week. Every time I do I feel such profound sadness. If I feel this way, imagine how her family feels.

Whenever I've thought about Amy over the years, especially after seeing that photo, I also feel a very deep sadness. I was telling my husband, who hates to hear case details, that my outlook on life is directly correlated to how much time I've been spending sleuthing here. He says it's because the folks that do these things are the worst of the worst, there is rarely any 'good'. I feel that way especially about Amy's case. OTOH, my DH would rather scan youtube for funny cat videos. Maybe I should take up that hobby instead of true life crime...

 

[neesaki]

That case is scarily like Amy's case. Especially the uncooperative staff at the resort. Also, it seems mighty fishy that the hotel log book and her cell phone then went missing.

Seems like you face other obstacles in your path when you go missing in the Caribbean or Jamaica. At least in Europe and the US, people and organisations generally co-operate with searches.

I know it is OT, but why was that girl declared legally dead so quickly!?

You're right, this is fftopic: , but I find this case very, very disturbing as well. I also have to wonder why this woman was declared legally dead so quickly. And did this Frommer's, who is a lead publicist / publication of travel / guide books step forward and even try to do anything? I will have to look into that, maybe I have purchased my last guidebook from them.

Worse than that, I was married in Jamaica and we were considering returning for an anniversary. But now, maybe not.

 

[belimom]

You're right, this is fftopic: , but I find this case very, very disturbing as well. I also have to wonder why this woman was declared legally dead so quickly. And did this Frommer's, who is a lead publicist / publication of travel / guide books step forward and even try to do anything? I will have to look into that, maybe I have purchased my last guidebook from them.

Worse than that, I was married in Jamaica and we were considering returning for an anniversary. But now, maybe not.

OT Again -- I located an older thread for Claudia here on WS so that we can go there to discuss her case. I just posted some info about why her parents declared her legally dead so soon. All of these cases are so heartbreaking... and maddening at the same time.

[ame="http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24878"]JAMAICA - Claudia Kirshhoch, 29, May 2000 - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community[/ame]

 

[Galbin]

All of these cases are so heartbreaking... and maddening at the same time.

Yes. It is so disgusting that a grown woman can just be taken like that!

 

[dotr]

Wondering if Amy and her brother had mutual friends, if they enjoyed the same kind of music ect. Speaking of which, do we know Amy's favorite kind of music, was it rap and hiphop? Did A hang out and date within her own nationality and race, or did playing basketball expose her to a wide variety of people perhaps outside of her comfort zone?
If so, did her family approve of those friendships?

 

[Dushi]

I know that from what we have been told, new job, apartment, puppy, things seemed to be going very well for Amy

Even though this crime happened a long way from home, were there any interviews with friends or boyfriend that could shed light on what else was going on in Amy's life?

I am curious more than anything else

 

[Anadarko]

I know that from what we have been told, new job, apartment, puppy, things seemed to be going very well for Amy

Even though this crime happened a long way from home, were there any interviews with friends or boyfriend that could shed light on what else was going on in Amy's life?

I am curious more than anything else

There were a couple of posts at the beginning of thread 1, that looked like they may be from a friend. Don't have time to look now, and my notes are at home. Name might be Lainie. But I have never come across any interviews with friends. No interview with boyfriend. And after all these years, nothing from Brad Bradley, except where he is interviewed with family. If that were one of my brothers, I'd be signed up for every website that discusses the case.

 

[Dushi]

According to Mrs B, all of Amys photos were missing , the ones taken by the ship photographer
From that, I assume that whoever took her, was on board
I am not sure what the pics would be taken for unless it was to show someone what she looked like, who she was. OR who was in the photos? Do they block out other people in these ship pictures or do they just leave them as they are taken?
Can you see background people?

I can't believe that there were no copies
I understand that a ships photographer may not keep negatives forever, but given that people may want extra copies, i would think they would be kept for at least the week

And in this case, when a passenger goes missing, i do expect he would not have destroyed them immediately

 

[masootz]

According to Mrs B, all of Amys photos were missing , the ones taken by the ship photographer
From that, I assume that whoever took her, was on board
I am not sure what the pics would be taken for unless it was to show someone what she looked like, who she was. OR who was in the photos? Do they block out other people in these ship pictures or do they just leave them as they are taken?
Can you see background people?

I can't believe that there were no copies
I understand that a ships photographer may not keep negatives forever, but given that people may want extra copies, i would think they would be kept for at least the week

And in this case, when a passenger goes missing, i do expect he would not have destroyed them immediately

i've never been clear on whether the photos were missing or just not able to be found, the distinction being "missing" indicates there is a space where they should be and they are not in that space whereas "not able to be found" is more like there should be some pictures of her in this pile but none of the pictures have her in them. i believe fa indicated her mother had a ticket for the pictures but had never turned it in. my point is i'm not sure that there's anything amiss with the ship pictures, it may simply be that someone couldn't immediate locate her pictures or that of the pictures that were available it was odd that she wasn't in any. correct me if i'm missing something.