Private Investigator Claims Amy Bradley Is Alive: 2016 Sighting Revealed

A private investigator has presented new evidence in the 27-year-old Amy Bradley missing case. Jim Carey, a retired police officer, claims a credible witness saw Bradley alive in 2016. This bombshell revelation directly challenges the long-held belief that she fell from a cruise ship and died in 1998.

The case was recently featured in a Netflix documentary, reigniting public interest. Carey’s findings suggest Bradley may have been a victim of human trafficking. He has spent years investigating the case pro bono for the Bradley family.

The Disappearance That Shocked The Nation

Amy Lynn Bradley vanished on March 24, 1998. She was 23 years old. The disappearance occurred aboard the Royal Caribbean ship Rhapsody of the Seas.

Her father last saw her sleeping on their cabin’s balcony around 5:30 a.m. She was gone just 30 minutes later. The ship was sailing near Curaçao at the time.

An immediate and massive search began. No trace of her was ever found. The case quickly became one of the most haunting maritime mysteries.

A New Lead Emerges After Decades

Investigator Jim Carey spoke publicly in late 2025. He revealed a confrontation with a key informant in Curaçao. This informant, Herman Goilo, is a former police clerk.

Goilo allegedly confirmed seeing Amy Bradley alive in 2016. He stated she was “a very different woman” and was “hooked on drugs.” This claim was verified by Carey during an October 2024 trip.

According to Reuters-style reporting, such witness accounts require rigorous verification. Carey insists the informant provided specific, non-public details about Bradley’s tattoos.

The Human Trafficking Theory Explained

Carey’s investigation points firmly toward abduction. He believes Bradley was targeted, drugged, and smuggled off the ship. The alleged method involved using laundry containers or equipment cases.

He identifies lax security in 1998 as a major enabling factor. Cargo moved on and off the ship with minimal oversight. This created an opportunity for traffickers to operate.

The theory suggests a sophisticated network was involved. This network allegedly moved victims between Caribbean islands and Venezuela.

Carey points to multiple credible sightings over the years. These include reports in Curaçao shortly after her disappearance and later in Barbados.

Impact of the Netflix Documentary

The July 2025 Netflix series “Amy Bradley Is Missing” brought the case back into the spotlight. It presented both the accident and abduction theories to a global audience.

However, Carey believes the documentary harmed the active investigation. He claims it revealed a critical surveillance technique involving website traffic from Barbados.

This disclosure, he argues, alerted potential perpetrators. It may have caused them to change their patterns, cutting off a valuable lead.

The Search Continues With Renewed Hope

The FBI continues to classify the Amy Bradley missing case as an active investigation. A $25,000 reward remains for information leading to her recovery. The official stance still considers her a potential kidnapping victim.

Carey and his team continue their work without payment. They collaborate with U.S. and international authorities. The 2016 sighting claim provides a new, tangible direction for the investigation after nearly three decades.

The Amy Bradley missing case remains one of the most perplexing modern mysteries. This new evidence offers a startling possibility that she may still be alive. For her family, the search for answers continues with renewed determination.

Thought you’d like to know-

When did Amy Bradley disappear?

Amy Bradley vanished on March 24, 1998. She was on a family cruise aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas. The ship was sailing in the Caribbean near Curaçao at the time.

What is the main theory about her disappearance?

Private investigator Jim Carey strongly believes she was abducted. The theory suggests she was trafficked by an organized criminal network. This contrasts with the initial theory that she accidentally fell overboard.

Has Amy Bradley been seen since 1998?

Investigator Jim Carey claims a witness saw her alive as recently as 2016. There have also been other alleged sightings in Barbados and Curaçao over the years. The FBI continues to investigate all credible leads.

What evidence supports the trafficking theory?

Evidence includes witness accounts of her being seen after 1998. Investigators also point to security vulnerabilities on the ship in 1998. Photographs from an escort website in 2005 showed a striking resemblance to Bradley.

Is the investigation still active?

Yes, the FBI still classifies the case as active. A $25,000 reward is offered for information leading to her recovery. Private investigators also continue to work on the case.

How did the Netflix documentary affect the case?

The documentary renewed global interest in the mystery. However, the lead investigator believes it compromised certain aspects of the active investigation by revealing specific techniques.