The Amy Bradley Case: A Verified Timeline

I just finished the Netflix series and, like a lot of people, I opened a fresh page and started checking every claim. Below is a clean, sourced retelling of what is known for sure, what keeps getting repeated, and which theories make sense after reading through recent reporting. Claims are cross-checked against primary records and reputable outlets.

What we know happened

Amy Lynn Bradley, 23, vanished in the early morning of March 24, 1998 while on a family cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas bound for Curaçao. The FBI still lists her as missing and offers a reward.

Key facts that appear across official and major reports:

Amy returned to the family cabin at about 3:40 a.m. based on a recorded keycard swipe.
Her father, Ron, saw her around 5:30 a.m. asleep on a chair on their cabin balcony.
By about 6:00 a.m., Amy was gone. Her cigarettes and lighter were missing. Shoes and most belongings were left behind.
The ship reached Curaçao that morning. The family says public announcements were delayed and passengers were allowed to disembark before a full shipwide search.

The timeline

Time	Event	Source category
Sat, Mar 21	Family boards Rhapsody of the Seas in San Juan	Official itinerary and FBI summary
Late night, Mar 23	Amy out dancing at onboard disco. She is seen with a ship band member nicknamed “Yellow.”	Media interviews, docuseries
3:40 a.m., Mar 24	Keycard registers entry to cabin	Reporting based on investigative records
5:30 a.m.	Father sees Amy asleep on balcony chair	Family statement repeated in major outlets
6:00 a.m.	Amy no longer in the cabin. Cigarettes and lighter missing	Family statement repeated in major outlets
Morning, Mar 24	Ship docks in Curaçao. Search and announcements begin later than family wanted	Media interviews with the family

Which claims come from where

Official: FBI missing notice, reward amount, itinerary details, tattoo descriptions, age-progressed images.
Family: Dawn sighting on the balcony, concerns about delayed ship announcements, later sharing of alleged sightings and photographs from tips.
Media: Interviews with the band member known as Alister “Yellow” Douglas. Reporting on alleged sightings in Curaçao and Barbados. Coverage of a fraudulent “rescuer” who conned the family years later.
Rumors: Unverified stories that the photos prove trafficking, or that crew members were charged. These repeat online but are not confirmed in official records.

The FBI lists distinctive tattoos, including a Tasmanian Devil spinning a basketball on her shoulder.

Frequently cited theories and reasons

Abduction linked to port stops: Often tied to alleged sightings in Curaçao, a 1999 brothel account from a Navy petty officer, and the 2005 "Jas" photos. All of these remain unverified.
Misadventure at sea: An accidental fall in the short window after 5:30 a.m. Counterpoint: extensive searches found nothing.
Voluntary disappearance: Leaving the ship and remaining out of contact. Counterpoints include no ID, shoes, or money, plus the practical hurdles of staying hidden.
Crew or passenger involvement: Focus on the band member seen with her; he was questioned and not charged. No corroborating evidence has surfaced.

The main theories, explained simply

Rhapsody of the Seas docked at port, viewed from the shoreline on a cloudy day.

Misadventure at sea

An accidental fall or a jump during the narrow window after 5:30 a.m. People cite the early hour, fatigue after a late night, and the balcony setting. Counterpoints include the multi-day coastal search that found nothing and her experience as a swimmer.

Voluntary disappearance

She chose to leave the ship, stepped into Curaçao, and stayed hidden. This theory leans on unconfirmed online activity and the idea of starting over. Counterpoints include her close ties, upcoming job, and the risks of vanishing without ID, money, or shoes.

Abduction linked to port stops

She was taken off the ship before or after docking and later seen on the island. Supporters point to multiple tips in Curaçao, the Navy petty officer’s brothel account, and the 2005 photos of a woman labeled “Jas.” Counterpoints: every sighting and photo remains unverified, and no chain of evidence ties any of them to Amy.

Crew or passenger involvement

The band member known as “Yellow” was questioned by investigators. A polygraph was reportedly inconclusive. He denied wrongdoing and has not been charged. This theory suggests a handoff to others below deck or during disembarkation. The weakness is the same as above. There is no confirmed evidence that crosses the bar.

Later sightings and photo claims

Over the years, tourists and locals reported seeing a woman with Amy’s distinctive tattoos. The 2005 “Jas” photos look compelling to many viewers, but authorities did not verify the woman’s identity. Tips also include a department store restroom account in Barbados and a Curaçao beach encounter. None are conclusive.

Authorities describe distinctive tattoos, including a Tasmanian Devil and a sun on the lower back.

Testing each theory against the record

Theory	Fits the verified timeline?	Key considerations
Misadventure at sea	Possible in the 5:30 - 6:00 a.m. window	Quiet decks before dawn and fatigue make it plausible. No physical evidence and coastal searches found nothing.
Voluntary disappearance	Possible close to docking	Leaving without ID, shoes, or money is hard. Would require long-term support and silence; no confirmed proof of life.
Abduction off the ship	Possible with access and timing	Would need coordination and a clean route off the vessel and through port controls. No verified images or documents tie to Amy.
Crew or passenger involvement	Possible	Staff access could reduce exposure. No charges, and interviews produced no corroboration.

Myths people repeat vs facts we can source

Myth that keeps spreading	What the record actually shows
“The 2005 photos prove she was trafficked.”	The photos were investigated. They were never verified as Amy.
“The band member was charged.”	He was questioned and released. No charges.
“There is proof she jumped.”	There is no confirmed evidence of suicide or an overboard fall. Searches found nothing.
“Police closed the case years ago.”	The FBI page is still active. A reward is still listed.

What remains unknown and why it stays murky

The ship’s overnight movements and limited 1998-era documentation leave blind spots.
Port procedures that morning were not designed for a fast, forensics-first lockdown.
Eyewitness memory fades, and each retelling shifts a little.
The photos and later tips lack chain of custody and independent verification.

Ethics for talking about a real family’s case

Do not repost explicit images or link to adult sites. Summarize claims instead.
Treat named people as uncharged unless official records show otherwise.
Separate firm timestamps from stories that start with “I heard.”
Avoid blaming family members for acting in grief, including decisions that later proved costly.

Sources reviewed

FBI wanted bulletin for Amy Lynn Bradley: itinerary, reward, tattoo details.
Netflix: “Amy Bradley Is Missing” landing page and official editorial coverage.
People Magazine: recent features summarizing the timeline, elevator and beach accounts, and the family’s current stance.
A&E: investigative overview with keycard time, search timing on the morning of March 24, and theory roundup.
Biography.com: background, note that a court declared Amy legally dead in 2010, and summary of the later fraud that targeted the family.

What to watch for next

Any verifiable photo, document, or witness who can be placed on a timeline with names, dates, and locations that others can confirm.
Clear, on-the-record statements from ship staff who have not spoken publicly before.
Digitally verifiable activity tied to Amy that an independent agency can reproduce.

If you have information, use official channels through the FBI missing-person notice for Amy Lynn Bradley, which lists current contact options and reward details.