Brother of Woman Who Vanished on Cruise Ship Shares Thoughts on New Netflix Documentary About Her Case

In 1998, a family cruise turned into a nightmare when 23-year-old Amy Bradley vanished from the Royal Caribbean ship Rhapsody of the Seas.

Nearly three decades later, her disappearance remains one of the most puzzling unsolved cases, now spotlighted in a new Netflix documentary, Amy Bradley Is Missing.

The series dives into the heart-wrenching story of a young woman who was last seen on her cabin’s balcony, leaving behind only questions and a family’s relentless search for answers.

What happened to Amy?

Let’s explore the details, the theories, and her brother’s thoughts on the documentary that has reignited public interest.

Amy Bradley’s Disappearance: A Night That Changed Everything

Amy, a recent college graduate from Virginia, was enjoying a Caribbean cruise with her parents, Ron and Iva, and her younger brother, Brad. On March 23, 1998, Amy and Brad stayed up late, dancing and drinking at the ship’s nightclub with the band Blue Orchid. They returned to their family cabin around 3:40 a.m., as recorded by the ship’s door lock system.

Brad recalls chatting with Amy on the balcony before he fell asleep. Their father, Ron, saw Amy resting there around 5:30 a.m. But by 6:00 a.m., she was gone, leaving only her sandals and a polo shirt behind. Despite extensive searches by the ship’s crew and the Netherlands Antilles Coast Guard, no trace of Amy was found. The FBI joined the investigation, but the trail quickly went cold, hampered by the cleaned cabin and the ship’s arrival in Curaçao, where 2,400 passengers disembarked.

Theories and Sightings Fuel Hope

Over the years, several theories have emerged about Amy’s fate. Some believe she fell overboard, though her family insists she was a strong swimmer and trained lifeguard, making this unlikely. Others speculate she was kidnapped or sold into human trafficking, a theory supported by reported sightings. In August 1998, Canadian tourists claimed to see a woman resembling Amy on a Curaçao beach, with tattoos matching her distinctive ones—a Tasmanian Devil on her shoulder and a gecko on her tummy.

In 1999, a U.S. Navy seaman reported meeting a woman in a Curaçao brothel who said, “My name is Amy Bradley, and I need help.” In 2005, a tip led to images on a Caribbean adult website of a woman who looked like Amy. These leads, though unconfirmed, keep the Bradley family hopeful. Brad, Amy’s brother, shared in the Netflix series that the lack of closure allows them to hold onto hope, saying, “I prefer it that way, other than the finality of having an answer.”

Brad’s Take on the Netflix Documentary

The Netflix documentary, released on July 16, 2025, has brought Amy’s story to a global audience. Directed by Ari Mark and Phil Lott, the three-part series includes interviews with the Bradley family, FBI investigators, and witnesses. Brad supports the documentary but noted on social media that it “was not a complete account and left out quite a bit of information.”

He acknowledged, however, that covering everything would have required “10 seasons.” Despite this, he praised the producers for their work and expressed gratitude for the public’s response. The series also highlights the family’s ongoing efforts, including maintaining a website that gets visits from Curaçao and Barbados IPs around holidays, fueling their belief that Amy might still be alive. The FBI case remains open, with a $25,000 reward, and the family offers up to $250,000 for credible leads.

The Amy Bradley Is Missing documentary has stirred emotions and sparked discussions. Viewers on platforms like Reddit have pointed out omitted details, like a private investigator who allegedly scammed the family, reflecting their desperation for answers. As Brad and his parents continue their search, they hold onto hope, keeping Amy’s car ready and her belongings untouched. This case reminds us how a single moment can change a family forever, leaving them searching for truth in a sea of uncertainty.

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