Amy Bradley Case: Private Investigator Reveals Bombshell $50,000 Ransom Deal

A private investigator working on the Amy Bradley case claims he has bombshell new evidence. On November 14, 2025, PI Jim Carey revealed that an ex-cop demanded $50,000 ransom to locate the missing woman. The family agreed to pay but the deal collapsed unexpectedly.

Netflix’s “Amy Bradley Is Missing” documentary reportedly omitted crucial details about this shocking revelation. The case involves a police clerk from Curaçao who signed an Interpol contract for Amy’s safe return.

The $50K Ransom Deal That Never Happened

Herman Goilo, a police clerk in Curaçao, first contacted the Bradley family in 1999. He claimed he had seen Amy Bradley alive on the island. Goilo insisted he could locate her but demanded $50,000 for her release.

According to PI Jim Carey, the family agreed to pay. They worked with Interpol to arrange the exchange. In June 2000, Interpol drafted a contract for Amy’s safe release, and Goilo signed it.

However, when agents arrived with a cashier’s check, everything fell apart. Goilo refused to accept a check—he wanted cash. The family couldn’t carry $50,000 onto an island legally.

The deal collapsed, and decades of mystery followed. Carey told NewsNation that Goilo broke into the Interpol agents’ hotel room looking for the money. This incident ended the negotiation permanently.

Fresh Evidence Challenges Netflix Narrative

When Carey, his son Brodie, and two investigators traveled to Curaçao in October 2024, they confronted Goilo again. His response was stunning. He claimed Amy was still alive but “a very different woman.”

Goilo stated she was hooked on drugs and last seen in 2016. Carey says they gave Goilo multiple chances to come clean during their confrontation. The investigator finds the Netflix documentary’s omission of this story baffling.

The series focused on accident-versus-trafficking theories. It missed potential leads about the ransom deal and police involvement. This has created controversy around the documentary’s completeness.

Carey has been working unpaid since 2021. He relies on GoFundMe donations to fund his ongoing investigation. He believes several critical leads remain unexplored by official channels.

What Investigators Believe Happened to Amy

Carey’s primary theory suggests Amy was trafficked. He points to a band member from the cruise ship as a potential suspect. The trafficking network may have extended throughout the Caribbean islands.

The involvement of a police clerk suggests possible corruption. This could explain why the investigation faced obstacles in Curaçao. Goilo’s continued silence supports this theory.

Forensic analysts are examining escort website photos from 2005. Some images bear a striking resemblance to Amy Bradley. The analysis remains ongoing but shows promise.

Every year at Christmas and Thanksgiving, someone logs onto the campaign website from Bridgetown, Barbados. This pattern suggests someone is monitoring the investigation closely. It could be Amy’s captors.

The Amy Bradley case remains one of America’s most haunting unsolved mysteries. The newly revealed $50,000 ransom deal adds a troubling layer to this decades-long investigation. Despite official declarations, dedicated investigators continue pursuing leads that suggest she may still be alive.

Thought you’d like to know

When did Amy Bradley go missing?

Amy Bradley disappeared on March 24, 1998. She vanished from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Rhapsody of the Seas. The ship was docked near Curaçao at the time.

What is the new evidence in the case?

Private investigator Jim Carey revealed a failed $50,000 ransom deal. A Curaçao police clerk named Herman Goilo signed an Interpol contract for Amy’s return in 2000. The deal collapsed when he demanded cash instead of a check.

Does the Netflix documentary cover this ransom story?

No, the documentary omitted this crucial information entirely. Investigator Jim Carey expressed frustration about this omission. He finds the documentary incomplete regarding key investigative leads.

What do investigators believe happened to Amy?

The primary theory suggests she was trafficked by a cruise ship band member. She may have been moved through a Caribbean trafficking network. Some evidence suggests she could still be alive.

Is the Amy Bradley case still active?

Yes, the case remains open with an active $25,000 FBI reward. Private investigators continue working on new leads. The case was officially declared dead in 2010 but investigations persist.

Why did the ransom deal collapse?

Herman Goilo refused to accept a cashier’s check from Interpol agents. He demanded physical cash instead. He then broke into their hotel room searching for the money, ending negotiations.