The disappearance and death of Laura Bradbury - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Fletch · 07-13-2004, 02:07 PM

I'm not sure if her case was ever profiled on UM, but I was wondering if anyone had any details about her disappearance and death.

She disappeared from Joshua Tree National Park in CA in 1983. I believe she was only 4 years old. A strange man was seen in the area before she disappeared, and there was a description of a van that he may have been driving.

In 1986, some bones were found near the area she disappeared, and in 1990 they were positively ID'd as the remains of Laura Bradbury.

I am pretty sure her case is still classified as "unexplained." I am having trouble locating any info on this case on the 'net....so if anyone here can help me out, that would be great.

Kane · 07-13-2004, 09:54 PM

That case doesn't sound familiar, although UM did, in fact, do a story about a four-year-old girl who disappeared from a park in 1983. But that was the case of Nyleen Kay Marshall, who vanished from a Montana park that year, and who is missing to this day.

JohnMill · 07-13-2004, 10:28 PM

The Marshall case still gives me the creeps whenever I think about it.

Fletch · 07-13-2004, 11:03 PM

Yeah, I've been reading a lot about Nyleen Kay Marshall the past few days. Hopefully she is alive like the authorities think she is. I just hope one day she realizes who she is and is reunited with her family. That would be quite an incredible story.

Mijada · 07-14-2004, 05:54 AM

I don't believe UM ever profiled Laura Bradbury but I do recall her being mentioned on one of those missing children specials in the mid 80's. I never knew they found her dead though.

icomeinpeace · 10-20-2004, 11:40 PM

Laura Bradbury was actor Ricky Schroder's cousin or something. I remember watching a TV special in the 80s with him talking about the missing girl. I may be thinking of another case, but I think her remains were found and someone was charged with her murder.

ddelta · 10-21-2004, 02:15 PM

Oh my gosh...i think this is the case i mentioned awhile back on that thread (i'll bump it up) abotu some 80s special about missing kids with meridith baxter. I remember this girl being missing and then they had a possible connection case of another little boy going missing that might be linked to her case and then an older guy who was investigating the case mysteriously disappeared.....I remember it being in early 80's in a california park and he being with her family. I don't remember anything about Ricky Schroeder though.

icomeinpeace · 10-21-2004, 08:52 PM

If I recall correctly, Laura Bradbury was camping with her family and they think she wandered away, possibly walking right past them, hidden by the tall grasses. Wasn't she wearing a tutu or other dancing-type of outfit? It's been a long time since I've seen that show, but I remember Ricky Schroder was involved as a relative of a missing girl.

Later they determined Laura had been abducted, and then I think it was much later that her remains were found. Joshua Tree Park was the name of the camping area.

Rhapsody · 01-09-2005, 03:01 AM

I am amazed to find that conversations about Laura have continued. I began this search for information regarding Laura today when on my way home, Ambers Law had a search for a child, It took me back to when I was a child and a playmate of mine, Laura Bradbury went missing. For years I would think of her at night, when I had my own children, I found myself fearing the idea that they might be abducted, (they still do not get to go to the bathroom with out an adult). In searching today, I think that I was wanting to find something about her, I realize that though I was a young child at the time, only a little older than Laura, the helplessness that I felt never went away. Although I have often asked my family if there was ever a resolve, no one seemed to know. So here I am, this is the most that I could find after hours today on the computer. Nothing more than what I have been told for years. No absolute resolve. Only speculated. I would like to think that this is not a "cold case", and if anyone knows of resolve, Id like to know. Thank you. October 18th 1984 Joshua Tree CA.

taximomg · 10-10-2005, 02:03 AM

I'd like to know also..For some reason, this case has haunted me, and yes, she was related to Ricky Schroeder.

ddelta · 10-17-2005, 03:59 PM

You know it would seem kind of strange if they think she was abducted but yet her bones were found close to where they found her. I remember reading a website on some search and rescue team who were sent out to look for her and there are apparently a lot of kids who have wondered off that they found. Seems to me a more likely explanation. Watching that show in the 80s you could see how desolate it was and how easy it could be for a young child to wander off and then get lose.

Awsi Dooger · 10-17-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddelta

You know it would seem kind of strange if they think she was abducted but yet her bones were found close to where they found her. I remember reading a website on some search and rescue team who were sent out to look for her and there are apparently a lot of kids who have wondered off that they found. Seems to me a more likely explanation. Watching that show in the 80s you could see how desolate it was and how easy it could be for a young child to wander off and then get lose.

I agree. It happens all the time. Even seemingly the most thorough searches can miss areas. Chandra Levy's remains , for instance, were obviously in Rock Creek Park the entire time, even though that was an incredibly high profile case and produced extensive searching. There is at least one UM case like this, the three Indian-ancestry, or similar, young people who mistakenly drove off the road and into a ditch covered by shallow water. The local authorities insisted the ditch was thoroughly searched, but then the bodies turned up in the same place once the area dried up, in the same clothing and apparently undisturbed from the day they vanished.

ddelta · 10-17-2005, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awsi Dooger

I agree. It happens all the time. Even seemingly the most thorough searches can miss areas. Chandra Levy's remains , for instance, were obviously in Rock Creek Park the entire time, even though that was an incredibly high profile case and produced extensive searching. There is at least one UM case like this, the three Indian-ancestry, or similar, young people who mistakenly drove off the road and into a ditch covered by shallow water. The local authorities insisted the ditch was thoroughly searched, but then the bodies turned up in the same place once the area dried up, in the same clothing and apparently undisturbed from the day they vanished.

Yes that one while interesting for UM purposes thought was bogus. I like the fact when he said the two people were in different deterioration stages....however anyone who watches those medical detectives type shows know that every body will deteriorate differently due to their body composition and the elements.

What i didn't get about that episode was who pulled the girl out of the car and why did she not come back for her cousin. They must of both been alive for a few mintues after the crash.

Kellysocal · 12-14-2006, 08:02 PM

Hi all,

The Laura Bradbury case has never been solved.

Laura went missing in the Indian Cove area of Joshua Tree National Park in October 1984, a few months before I moved to the area. She was 3 years old.

A skullcap and some other scattered bones (very few) were found by a Marine and his wife who were taking a walk in the area a couple of years later and they were identified as being Laura's, but investigators had very, very little to go on.

There was a lot of speculation that her family might have done it and there was the mysterious man in a white van seen leaving the area around the time Laura disappeared, but the sheriff's department never did gather enough evidence to charge anyone in the case. Most of the officials who investigated are retired now and many of them are dead.

I suspect this case will forever remain a mystery until someone comes forward with an admission of guilt.

~KellyO

cford · 01-03-2007, 07:00 PM

Kellysocal,

Do you know if this case was investigated by San Bernardino Sheriff's office or the Riverside County Sheriff's office?

07-13-2004, 02:07 PM	#1
Fletch Cabin fever Frequent Poster Join Date: May 10, 2002 Posts: 485	The disappearance and death of Laura Bradbury I'm not sure if her case was ever profiled on UM, but I was wondering if anyone had any details about her disappearance and death. She disappeared from Joshua Tree National Park in CA in 1983. I believe she was only 4 years old. A strange man was seen in the area before she disappeared, and there was a description of a van that he may have been driving. In 1986, some bones were found near the area she disappeared, and in 1990 they were positively ID'd as the remains of Laura Bradbury. I am pretty sure her case is still classified as "unexplained." I am having trouble locating any info on this case on the 'net....so if anyone here can help me out, that would be great.

10-20-2004, 11:40 PM	#6
icomeinpeace Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 20, 2004 Posts: 27	Laura Bradbury Laura Bradbury was actor Ricky Schroder's cousin or something. I remember watching a TV special in the 80s with him talking about the missing girl. I may be thinking of another case, but I think her remains were found and someone was charged with her murder.

01-09-2005, 03:01 AM	#9
Rhapsody Member First Time Poster Join Date: Jan 09, 2005 Posts: 1	Looking for Laura I am amazed to find that conversations about Laura have continued. I began this search for information regarding Laura today when on my way home, Ambers Law had a search for a child, It took me back to when I was a child and a playmate of mine, Laura Bradbury went missing. For years I would think of her at night, when I had my own children, I found myself fearing the idea that they might be abducted, (they still do not get to go to the bathroom with out an adult). In searching today, I think that I was wanting to find something about her, I realize that though I was a young child at the time, only a little older than Laura, the helplessness that I felt never went away. Although I have often asked my family if there was ever a resolve, no one seemed to know. So here I am, this is the most that I could find after hours today on the computer. Nothing more than what I have been told for years. No absolute resolve. Only speculated. I would like to think that this is not a "cold case", and if anyone knows of resolve, Id like to know. Thank you. October 18th 1984 Joshua Tree CA.

12-14-2006, 08:02 PM	#14
Kellysocal Member First Time Poster Join Date: Dec 14, 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 1	Answer to Rhapsody's question Hi all, The Laura Bradbury case has never been solved. Laura went missing in the Indian Cove area of Joshua Tree National Park in October 1984, a few months before I moved to the area. She was 3 years old. A skullcap and some other scattered bones (very few) were found by a Marine and his wife who were taking a walk in the area a couple of years later and they were identified as being Laura's, but investigators had very, very little to go on. There was a lot of speculation that her family might have done it and there was the mysterious man in a white van seen leaving the area around the time Laura disappeared, but the sheriff's department never did gather enough evidence to charge anyone in the case. Most of the officials who investigated are retired now and many of them are dead. I suspect this case will forever remain a mystery until someone comes forward with an admission of guilt. ~KellyO

07-13-2004, 09:54 PM	#2
Kane Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 07, 2001 Location: MA, United States Posts: 3,367	That case doesn't sound familiar, although UM did, in fact, do a story about a four-year-old girl who disappeared from a park in 1983. But that was the case of Nyleen Kay Marshall, who vanished from a Montana park that year, and who is missing to this day.

07-13-2004, 10:28 PM	#3
JohnMill Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 22, 2001 Posts: 85	The Marshall case still gives me the creeps whenever I think about it.

07-13-2004, 11:03 PM	#4
Fletch Cabin fever Frequent Poster Join Date: May 10, 2002 Posts: 485	Yeah, I've been reading a lot about Nyleen Kay Marshall the past few days. Hopefully she is alive like the authorities think she is. I just hope one day she realizes who she is and is reunited with her family. That would be quite an incredible story.

07-14-2004, 05:54 AM	#5
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	I don't believe UM ever profiled Laura Bradbury but I do recall her being mentioned on one of those missing children specials in the mid 80's. I never knew they found her dead though.

10-21-2004, 02:15 PM	#7
ddelta Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Posts: 218	Oh my gosh...i think this is the case i mentioned awhile back on that thread (i'll bump it up) abotu some 80s special about missing kids with meridith baxter. I remember this girl being missing and then they had a possible connection case of another little boy going missing that might be linked to her case and then an older guy who was investigating the case mysteriously disappeared.....I remember it being in early 80's in a california park and he being with her family. I don't remember anything about Ricky Schroeder though.

10-21-2004, 08:52 PM	#8
icomeinpeace Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 20, 2004 Posts: 27	If I recall correctly, Laura Bradbury was camping with her family and they think she wandered away, possibly walking right past them, hidden by the tall grasses. Wasn't she wearing a tutu or other dancing-type of outfit? It's been a long time since I've seen that show, but I remember Ricky Schroder was involved as a relative of a missing girl. Later they determined Laura had been abducted, and then I think it was much later that her remains were found. Joshua Tree Park was the name of the camping area.

10-10-2005, 02:03 AM	#10
taximomg Member First Time Poster Join Date: Oct 10, 2005 Posts: 1	I'd like to know also..For some reason, this case has haunted me, and yes, she was related to Ricky Schroeder.

10-17-2005, 03:59 PM	#11
ddelta Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Posts: 218	You know it would seem kind of strange if they think she was abducted but yet her bones were found close to where they found her. I remember reading a website on some search and rescue team who were sent out to look for her and there are apparently a lot of kids who have wondered off that they found. Seems to me a more likely explanation. Watching that show in the 80s you could see how desolate it was and how easy it could be for a young child to wander off and then get lose.

01-03-2007, 07:00 PM	#15
cford Member First Time Poster Join Date: Jan 03, 2007 Posts: 1	Kellysocal, Do you know if this case was investigated by San Bernardino Sheriff's office or the Riverside County Sheriff's office?