Shivangi Sinha
When Amy Bradley vanished from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Rhapsody of the Seas on March 23, 1998, her disappearance left investigators, her parents, Iva and Ron Bradley, and the rest of her family without any solid answers. Over the years, multiple individuals came forward claiming to have seen her in different countries, keeping hope alive. One such account came from David Carmichael, who shared his experience in Netflix’s ‘Amy Bradley is Missing.’ He detailed why he believed the woman he encountered was Amy and recalled the moment with striking clarity.
David Carmichael Reported He Saw Amy Bradley at a Port Near Curaçao
David Carmichael, a Canadian scuba diver, recounted an encounter that he believes may have involved Amy Bradley. In August 1998, Carmichael was diving off the island of Curaçao, at a location called Port of Maria. After returning from a late afternoon dive with his buddy, he was removing his gear when he noticed three people walking up the beach. There were two men, one white, one Black, and a young woman trailing behind them. The woman’s demeanor immediately caught his attention. He said that she was wearing sunglasses on her head and appeared hesitant, as if something was off. As the group passed by, Carmichael shouted to his dive buddy to ask about a piece of equipment.
Just then, the woman, who had already walked past him, suddenly turned back and approached him. He said that she looked him directly in the eyes, and it felt like she was about to speak. However, before she could say anything, the Black man in the group stepped into Carmichael’s line of vision and subtly motioned her away. Without protest, she turned her head down and rejoined the men, eventually sitting with them at a nearby bar. Throughout their time there, Carmichael noted that she continued to glance toward him, seeming restless and uncomfortable.
At the time, Carmichael thought little of it. It wasn’t until months later, in December 1998, when he happened to watch an episode of ‘America’s Most Wanted’ that the memory clicked into place. Upon seeing Amy Bradley’s photograph onscreen, he immediately recognized her and thought, “Bang, that’s it. That’s her.” He was absolutely certain the woman on the beach was Amy. His conviction has not wavered over the years, and his account remains one of the most compelling sightings in the years following Amy’s disappearance.
David Carmichael Became a Confidant of the Bradley Family
David Carmichael’s account remains one of the most significant and earliest reported sightings of Amy Bradley after her 1998 disappearance. His detailed recollection gave her family renewed hope that she might still be alive. His sighting also cast suspicion on Alister Douglas, the ship’s bass player, who was allegedly seen dancing with Amy the night she disappeared. Over time, David formed a connection with Amy’s family and even appeared alongside them in interviews, including one with CNN. He has always insisted that what convinced him was the distinct tattoo on the woman’s body, matching Amy’s. Despite the years passing, he stands firm in his belief that it was her. David Carmichael keeps a low profile today, but his testimony is still regarded as one of the most compelling and credible leads in Amy’s case.
Read More: Wayne Breitag: What Happened to the Bradley Family’s Cruise Neighbor?
