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

MysteryMaven said:

Good question was raised--what kind of attention was being paid to Amy specifically?

Click to expand...

Jump over to the next page. I tired to explain it.

~n/t~ said:

Lera, for what it's worth, at the bottom of the FBI site for Amy there is a link to San Juan, Puerto Rico. So, you may be onto something. IDK

If you click on the link at the bottom where it says "field office" - San Juan it takes you to the San Juan division of the FBI.


http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/amy-bradley

Click to expand...

The person you will want to speak with is Agent Thomas Drummond.

Is there a reason why the vanished episode is airing absolute inaccurate information directly relating to Amys case?.. I find that troubling and that's no knock towards you and I hope that you can see that it's a valid question and in a case where Imo there actually is a chance of Amy actually being alive(whereas in so many other cases it sadly is just not very likely)... Her case Imo is different and Imo there are strong indicators that she was abducted for a specific purpose rather than for sexual motive followed by immediately being murdered..

But I do find it troubling that the information as it was given per the Vanished episode is not at all accurate.. It calls into question other points.. The issues regarding her being in sexual slavery that were very openly indicated on the episode.. Well.. Now it's being told as if Amy was not at all involved in this forced sex industry..

That's very simply my point and a quite valid one Imo..

~n/t~ said:

The "wild look" might not be what she looks like now after 7 years (if her last sighting was in 2005). Unless there were more recent sightings and she had the same "look". IMO, people should not be fixated on her hairstyle. They should look at her facial features and she also has very distinctive tattoos tha may help identify her.

From what I can tell, she has high cheek bones, green eyes. How many ear piercings (?)

Click to expand...

This is a very good point. Hair styles can change. The wild hair has been there in all of the sightings, but the tattoos have been what has distinguished Amy. The tattoos are something that witnesses can describe.

I have wondered if Amy wears her hair like this to attract attention. She has repeatedly tried to call attention to herself in these sightings and maybe she sees this wild hairdo as a way to get someone's attention. It certainly isn't the way she wore her hair before she disappeared.

SmoothOperator said:

Is there a reason why the vanished episode is airing absolute inaccurate information directly relating to Amys case?.. I find that troubling and that's no knock towards you and I hope that you can see that it's a valid question and in a case where Imo there actually is a chance of Amy actually being alive(whereas in so many other cases it sadly is just not very likely)... Her case Imo is different and Imo there are strong indicators that she was abducted for a specific purpose rather than for sexual motive followed by immediately being murdered..

But I do find it troubling that the information as it was given per the Vanished episode is not at all accurate.. It calls into question other points.. The issues regarding her being in sexual slavery that were very openly indicated on the episode.. Well.. Now it's being told as if Amy was not at all involved in this forced sex industry..

That's very simply my point and a quite valid one Imo..

Click to expand...

If the pictures being circulated are indeed Amy then I would say she was indeed abducted for the sex industry. My biggest concern is if it is Amy in those photos, she was in her 20's. She is now 38 years old. How much longer would they keep her before they find another victim to replace her, if they haven't already?

SmoothOperator said:

Is there a reason why the vanished episode is airing absolute inaccurate information directly relating to Amys case?.. I find that troubling and that's no knock towards you and I hope that you can see that it's a valid question and in a case where Imo there actually is a chance of Amy actually being alive(whereas in so many other cases it sadly is just not very likely)... Her case Imo is different and Imo there are strong indicators that she was abducted for a specific purpose rather than for sexual motive followed by immediately being murdered..

But I do find it troubling that the information as it was given per the Vanished episode is not at all accurate.. It calls into question other points.. The issues regarding her being in sexual slavery that were very openly indicated on the episode.. Well.. Now it's being told as if Amy was not at all involved in this forced sex industry..

That's very simply my point and a quite valid one Imo..

Click to expand...

There is no way to prove one way or the other if Amy is involved with sexual slavery. I personally don't believe that she is a sexual slave and I personally don't believe that she was kidnapped for prostitution. I have given everyone the reasons why I believe this. I didn't produce the Vanished episode.

You are saying that it is being said that Amy is not at all involved in this forced sex industry. I don't think we can prove that one way or the other right now. I dont believe that Amy was kidnapped for prostitution and I don't believe that she was an escort at that resort. I have given some very good reasons for my opinion.

I certainly can't tell you why Vanished seems to think she's a sexual slave.



I do want to say that although I don't believe that Amy is a prostitute, I do not for a minute believe that she hasn't probably been horribly abused by her captors. My heart just aches for her.

Hi Find Amy...
This case is so troubling and sad...a young girl at the beginning of her life.
Here are my musings (for what they may be worth..)
Maybe the confirmed sightings of Amy were "pre-planned" - in that they did her up with the wild hair and all the make up and let her see how futile it would be to try to get someone-anyone to help her (even if she tried) - this would be a de-moralizing exercise on her; she would feel hopeless and beaten down. They controlled these "public exposures" by having handlers all around.
In all reality she probably - on an everyday basis has coiffed blonde hair and is a (confined)"wife" to someone high up politically or criminally obeying all commands and providing her intelligence and english language skills -knowing only too well (from her previous experiences) that she must be resigned to this life.
Maybe Stockholm Syndrome kicks in as well (or drugs)..maybe this was the man who was watching her on the boat, took her pictures, liked her "wholesomeness and athleticism, etc."; and paid a price to have her...
just thoughts..
and maybe these types of "choices" of innocents happen more often than westerners might realize?
Take care, FindAmy, and all the family....hoping this can and will be solved.

I honestly dont know how families make it thru this stuff and to go on year after year with not knowing. I admire her family for not giving up. That has to take alot of strength.

Basilcat I agree with the Stockholm Syndrome. You get to a place with you dont see a way out and adapt to the new life. When there may be an opportunity to escape your afraid to try. I think J Dugard is a good example of this.

FindAmy said:

This is a very good point. Hair styles can change. The wild hair has been there in all of the sightings, but the tattoos have been what has distinguished Amy. The tattoos are something that witnesses can describe.

I have wondered if Amy wears her hair like this to attract attention. She has repeatedly tried to call attention to herself in these sightings and maybe she sees this wild hairdo as a way to get someone's attention. It certainly isn't the way she wore her hair before she disappeared.

Click to expand...

I just don't see Amy being able to control her hair style like that. If these handlers have any intelligence, they would have figured out her 'wild' hair is a liability. That Amy kept it through several years of sightings seems to indicate to me she has been allowed to keep it for a specific reason.

No need to answer unless you have specific ideas, I'm just being rhetorical.

basilcat said:

Hi Find Amy...
This case is so troubling and sad...a young girl at the beginning of her life.
Here are my musings (for what they may be worth..)
Maybe the confirmed sightings of Amy were "pre-planned" - in that they did her up with the wild hair and all the make up and let her see how futile it would be to try to get someone-anyone to help her (even if she tried) - this would be a de-moralizing exercise on her; she would feel hopeless and beaten down. They controlled these "public exposures" by having handlers all around.
In all reality she probably - on an everyday basis has coiffed blonde hair and is a (confined)"wife" to someone high up politically or criminally obeying all commands and providing her intelligence and english language skills -knowing only too well (from her previous experiences) that she must be resigned to this life.
Maybe Stockholm Syndrome kicks in as well (or drugs)..maybe this was the man who was watching her on the boat, took her pictures, liked her "wholesomeness and athleticism, etc."; and paid a price to have her...
just thoughts..
and maybe these types of "choices" of innocents happen more often than westerners might realize?
Take care, FindAmy, and all the family....hoping this can and will be solved.

Click to expand...

\



You could be absolutely correct.

concernedmother said:

Basilcat I agree with the Stockholm Syndrome. You get to a place with you dont see a way out and adapt to the new life. When there may be an opportunity to escape your afraid to try. I think J Dugard is a good example of this.

Click to expand...

Amy has made attempts to be recognized by the witnesses who have seen her. She has made attempts to identify herself. I do worry about Stockholm Syndrome, though. Psychologically, it would be almost impossible for her not to fall under this syndrome. What happens if/when someone goes in to pull her out? Will she resist, even if her life is horrible? Will she try to protect her captors? These are all very real questions and issues.

When someone goes missing or even murdered in another country its very hard to get answers and cooperation.

Fukiyama said:

I just don't see Amy being able to control her hair style like that. If these handlers have any intelligence, they would have figured out her 'wild' hair is a liability. That Amy kept it through several years of sightings seems to indicate to me she has been allowed to keep it for a specific reason.

No need to answer unless you have specific ideas, I'm just being rhetorical.

Click to expand...

I am laughing because her captors have actually done a number of really dumb things. This hairdo would just be one more thing on the list. The excess makeup is another dumb thing. I can only imagine that they think they are changing her appearance. Actually, they are attracting attention.


I think I forgot to mention that grey hair comes early in the Bradley family. Brad is younger than Amy and if everyone noticed in the Vanished program, he is already turning grey. Amy probably is, too. They could be dying her hair at this point. One witness described her hair as black. Amy's hair is actually brown. I have to wonder if the witness did see black hair that had been dyed.

rosesfromangels said:

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!

Click to expand...

Liberia, perhaps?
BBM

It's kind of you to forewarn those of us who might be contemplating a cruise, or, say, another cruise. Thank you so much for your input on this.

Based on the info in this thread, it certainly does seem unlikely that Amy would willingly leave that ship, leave her loving family frantic, and start some new underworld type of life in some foreign land. I also believe that at some point since 1998 (being so high profile), she would have been found or released, or escaped with some sort of help. Most especially if she were traveling such as suggested by the alleged sighting in San Francisco.

Based on this possibilities, I have to once again agree with Otto. I think it's a very high probability that she went over that rail. She was seen on the balconey, had been somewhat seasick the whole trip, and then 20 minutes later she has vanished. She would have definately taken her shoes, at minimum if she were taking off.

Sadly, I believe these sightings are the product of hopeful minds, and of course, that makes sense. I'd think the same things if that were my loved one.
Someone suggested if she had gone overboard she could swim, or would have floated up on some shore. Unlikely. She would have more likely been pulled under the ship...and well...enough said about that. She would have hit the water so hard she would have been knocked out most likely, which is a small bit of a blessing I guess.

All this said, let me take another approach to figuring out this sad mystery. Even though Amy has been described as icon of stability and success, let's for a moment suspend that reality and think how this would have played out if she had been leading a "double life". Outwardly happy, but inwardly struggling.

What happened to her along the way that might have made her "snap" and do something so drastic as take off with a stranger? (Assuming she willingly left). Is there anything in her past or her behavior leading up to that night that would suggest this was even a remote possibility? I'm still not buying the "wholesome girl next door" portrayal. Any female with multiple ear piercings and multiple tattoos back in 1998 was considered "alternative", "edgy", and "wild". And she smoked, which was diametrically opposed to her star athletics. Another odd flag. Something just doesn't add up here, something the general public isn't being told and I guess is none of our business. That said, it's not adding up.

These remarks are not meant disrespectully, or to upset. These remarks are made to help consider all possibilities, and help find this woman and help her get back home to her family. All possibilities should be considered.
Finally, despite the fact the near naked pictures of who is presumed to be Amy must upset her friends and family, they should post them everywhere they can. Near nude pictures draw attention, and people will look at them. It's human nature.
Anything that draws more attention to Amy and her case will get her closer to home.

My heart, and my prayers go to Amy's family, and most especially to her mother. I will continue to pray that they get answers, get closure. Just be sure to consider all possibilities, as difficult as it may be.

MysteryMaven said:

I have seen those videos of Amy dancing with Yellow. It's odd, the way they are dancing, but that's just MOO.
I am talking about surveillance videos. Do cruise ships have security cameras? Did the Rhapsody have them, and where were they pointed? That's what I'm getting at.

Click to expand...

:goodpost:

I was under the impression the video was taken by other guests. Did the Rhapsody actually allow their video showing Amy dancing to be used by media? Was any of that video Royal Carribbean/Rhapsody property?

I am new to this forum, although I have been lurking and reading for a while. I vaguely remember hearing about Amy's disappearance when it occurred. My heart aches for her loved ones and I hope and pray she is soon returned safely.

FindAmy, thank you for sharing your insight. It must be difficult when you have information you know you cannot share. :heart:

...just another thought; along with my earlier musings-
What if the "handlers" purposely made her look like she does in the sightings along the lines of "the more conspicuous - the more anonymous" ; sometimes people don't remember the most obvious things because they are preconditioned not to. The handlers brought her out purposely in public in the early years (not to hire her out or anything along those lines) but to emphasize to her that no-one was looking for her -that everyone thought she had drowned at sea..etc. NOT that this was the case, because her family and many searchers were constantly searching -but she didn't know that...and she felt resigned after these outings to not reach out anymore....Maybe the handlers want everyone to be looking for a "prostitute" - when in fact she has never been one and it was all a set-up by the handlers to throw everyone off. Maybe she is a valued "concubine" (or something) to someone high up in crime or politics... and she is confined and this is her only reality (as far as she sees it)...? Maybe
Again, to Find Amy and family-stay strong...

The videos of Amy dancing were from a videographer hired out to tape parts of the cruise.