A full timeline of how Amy Bradley went missing from a Caribbean cruise in 1998

In March 1998, 23-year-old Amy Lynn Bradley vanished without a trace from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship en route to Curaçao. And more than two decades later, her case remains one of the most baffling and widely discussed missing persons cases in modern history.

Now, with the release of Amy Bradley Is Missing, a new three-part Netflix documentary series, renewed attention has been brought to her story. The series examines the events leading up to her disappearance, the long search that followed, and the many sightings and theories that have emerged over the years.

So, here is the full timeline of how Amy Bradley went missing, from the day the cruise began to the last confirmed sighting, and how the investigation has unfolded over the years.

Saturday 21 March 1998: The cruise begins

via Netflix

Ron Bradley, Amy’s father, had won an all-expenses-paid Caribbean cruise through his employer. Amy, her parents Ron and Iva, and her younger brother Brad flew from Virginia to Puerto Rico to board Rhapsody of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, on the afternoon of Saturday, 21 March 1998.

The ship was bound for several stops in the Caribbean, including Curaçao, a Dutch island off the coast of Venezuela.

Amy, a recent graduate from Longwood University and a strong swimmer with lifeguard training, had recently accepted a new job with a computer consulting firm and was due to start upon returning home. Though she reportedly had some anxiety about being at sea, she was excited for the vacation, especially with her brother Brad home from college.

Sunday 22 March 1998: Settling into the cruise

via Netflix

Most Read

Amy Bradley was ‘found’ 20 years ago but the FBI dropped the case for a sad reason

Dog the Bounty Hunter’s grandson killed by his own dad in ‘incomprehensible’ tragedy

‘You belong to us’: OnlyFans model dumped in Dubai with broken spine speaks out for first time

Amy was seen exploring the ship and interacting with members of the onboard calypso band, Blue Orchid. She was outgoing, athletic, and by all accounts enjoying herself. That evening, she had professional portraits taken with her family, which later became widely circulated in media reports.

Monday 23 March 1998: The final night Amy was seen

via Netflix

That evening, Amy and Brad attended a dance party at the ship’s disco on Deck nine. The band, Blue Orchid, was performing. Amy was photographed and videotaped dancing closely with one of the band’s members, Alister “Yellow” Douglas.

According to ship records and family accounts, events unfolded as follows:

1:00 a.m. – Douglas later claimed he left the party at this time.

3:35 a.m. – Brad returned to the family cabin. His keycard entry was logged electronically.

3:40 a.m. – Amy followed five minutes later. She and Brad sat talking on their private balcony before Brad went to bed. Amy stayed outside a while longer.

Tuesday 24 March 1998: Amy disappears

via Netflix

5:15–5:30 a.m. – Ron Bradley saw Amy for the last time.

Ron woke briefly and looked out at the balcony. He later stated he could see Amy’s legs stretched out on the lounge chair and assumed she was asleep. He closed his eyes again.

5:30–5:45 a.m. – Witnesses reported seeing Amy on the upper deck.

Three separate witnesses later told authorities they saw Amy on the upper deck with Alister Douglas. She was reportedly holding a camera and was handed a dark drink. Douglas was then seen leaving the area alone shortly after 6:00 a.m.

6:00 a.m. – Amy was gone.

Ron woke up again and noticed Amy was no longer on the balcony. Her shoes were still in the cabin, but her cigarettes and lighter were missing. He began searching the ship.

6:30 a.m. – The family alerted the ship staff.

After searching on his own, Ron woke Iva and Brad and reported Amy missing. The family immediately asked crew members to prevent passengers from disembarking and to make an emergency announcement. Their request was denied, and they were told it was “too early.”

7:50 a.m. – First public announcement was made.

The ship broadcasted a message, “Will Amy Bradley please come to the purser’s desk?” By this time, passengers had already begun disembarking for the day’s port call in Curaçao.

Between 12:15 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., crew members conducted a full ship search, but no sign of Amy was found.

24–27 March 1998: Coast Guard search fails to locate Amy

The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard conducted a four-day aerial and sea search around the waters near Curaçao using helicopters and a radar-equipped plane. No trace of Amy was found. Royal Caribbean chartered a private boat to continue the search after the official effort ended.

Authorities initially considered the possibility that Amy had fallen overboard or taken her own life. However, investigators later ruled out both theories, noting her strong swimming skills and the lack of any physical evidence supporting either outcome.

24 March – A cab driver claimed to see Amy on the island.

That same morning, a local taxi driver told the Bradleys he had seen a barefoot young woman matching Amy’s description frantically searching for a phone.

August 1998 – Tourists reported seeing Amy on a beach.

Two Canadian divers reported seeing a woman resembling Amy at Playa Porto Marie. She appeared to be with two men and was acting as though she wanted to speak to the divers but was prevented from doing so. The woman’s tattoos and watch matched Amy’s known features.

1999–2002: Alarming developments and false hope

via Netflix

January 1999 – U.S. Navy officer said Amy approached him.

William Hefner, a retired Navy officer, reported that a woman identifying herself as Amy Bradley approached him at a brothel in Curaçao and pleaded for help. The FBI later investigated but found the building had since burned down.

Fall 1999 – Family was scammed by false rescue attempt.

A man named Frank Jones claimed to be a former Navy SEAL and promised to rescue Amy. He provided detailed updates and convinced the family to send over $200,000 to support the operation. In 2002, Jones was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for mail fraud.

2003–2007: More alleged sightings

via Netflix

April 2003 – Witnesses saw a woman matching Amy’s description in San Francisco. She appeared frightened, and two men noticed she had been recognised and forcibly took her away.

March 2005 – A witness in Barbados reported seeing a woman in a department store restroom who whispered her name was Amy. And she was accompanied by several men and appeared distressed.

Also, in 2005, Amy’s parents received an email with two images of a woman known as “Jas,” featured on a sex worker site. The woman resembled Amy and appeared despondent. Facial recognition experts later stated the photos were “highly likely” to be Amy, though the FBI could not confirm their authenticity.

January 2007 – Another report placed Amy at a restaurant in Aruba dining with four unidentified men.

24 March 2010: Amy is declared legally dead

via Netflix

In 2010, a human jawbone washed ashore in Aruba. Authorities initially linked the jawbone to the Natalee Holloway case but declined to conduct DNA testing for Amy Bradley or any other missing individuals.

Twelve years to the day after her disappearance, a court officially declared Amy Lynn Bradley dead. Investigators have never recovered any physical remains.

Amy Bradley Is Missing is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.