In 1998, Amy Bradley, a talented swimmer and Longwood University graduate, vanished during a family cruise in the Caribbean. Despite nearly three decades passing, her brother, Brad Bradley, has never stopped searching for answers.
Amy Lynn Bradley was a 23-year-old skilled swimmer from Petersburg, Virginia. She had earned a basketball scholarship to Longwood University, where she studied physical education.
In March 1998, Amy joined her parents, Ron and Iva Bradley, and her younger brother, Brad, for a fun family vacation on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Rhapsody of the Seas, sailing to Curaçao.
On the night of March 23, Amy and her brother, Brad, enjoyed the ship’s nightclub, dancing and hanging out with the ship’s band.
Around 1:00 a.m., Amy headed back to the family’s cabin, followed by Brad a short time later. They chatted on the cabin’s balcony, where Amy stayed to smoke a cigarette.
Early the next morning, between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m., their father, Ron, saw Amy resting on the balcony; however, by 6:00 a.m., she was gone. Her sandals, lighter, and room key were left behind, but Amy had vanished without a trace.
The Bradley family immediately alerted the cruise ship staff, but the response was slow to arrive.
Above all, the ship didn’t announce Amy’s disappearance until hours later, after many passengers had already left the ship in Curaçao.
The Netherlands Antilles Coast Guard searched the surrounding waters for four days, and the FBI later conducted an investigation, but no clear clues were found.
The case has recently gained renewed attention due to a 2025 Netflix documentary, Amy Bradley Is Missing, which brought hope to her family and sparked public interest.
Amy Bradley’s Brother, Brad, Builds a Website to Find Her, Clinging to Hope 25 Years After Her Disappearance!
Although it has been almost three decades since her disappearance, Amy Bradley’s parents, Ron and Iva, and her brother, Brad, have never given up hope.
Especially, her brother, Brad, was especially close to her, and he holds onto the memory of their last conversation, where he told her, “I love you,” before going to bed that night. It is this vivid memory that drives him to keep searching regardless of the time that has passed.
Even after 25 years since her disappearance, he holds onto hope that Amy is alive somewhere out there, saying, “We’re never giving up.“
In fact, Brad even created a website to help find her and watch for visitors from Caribbean islands, hoping for a clue. This speaks volumes about his determination to find her.
Amid the chaos, several theories emerged, including that of a victim of human trafficking.
Brad traveled with his father to Curaçao to chase leads, including one haunting moment when he thought he heard Amy call his name from a passing van, though it led nowhere.
Over the years, there have been reports of people seeing someone who resembles Amy in places such as Curaçao and Barbados, but none of these sightings have been confirmed.
In April 1998, a cab driver in Curaçao reported that a woman matching Amy’s description had asked to use a phone while the ship was docking.
Likewise, the same year in August, a Canadian diver saw a woman resembling Amy on a beach with two men, but she was quickly led away.
A year later, in 1999, a U.S. Navy officer claimed a woman in a Curaçao brothel said she was Amy and begged for help, but he didn’t report it until years later.
Similarly, in 2005, a woman in a Barbados restroom was reported to look like Amy, and photos from an adult website surfaced, showing a woman some believe could be her, though it was never confirmed.
The family has worked hard to keep Amy’s story alive. They’ve appeared on TV shows like Unsolved Mysteries, America’s Most Wanted, and Dr. Phil, sharing their story and asking for tips.
Most recently, Amy’s story is back in the spotlight thanks to a new 2025 Netflix documentary called Amy Bradley Is Missing, directed by Ari Mark and Phil Lott.
The documentary features interviews with Brad, his parents, FBI agents, and people who reported seeing Amy.
