Nothing found in
search for Cordes
DAWN BEACH--The hope that US citizen Leta Cordes would be found yesterday was dashed when not a trace of evidence was found to suggest what might have happened to her.
The Voluntary Corps St. Maarten VKS, representatives of the Tourist Bureau, the Dominican Republic Consulate, National General Insurance Corporation NAGICO, and Sheriff Security, friends of Cordes and several other concerned civilians joined in on the search.
The VKS coordinated the search, splitting the 30 or more volunteers into two groups. One group was taken to Guana Bay where they hiked to the Red Pond area with some VKS members. The next group was taken with other VKS members to Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, where they followed the path back towards the house where Cordes and her husband had been residing.
All of the volunteers gathered at Sundial School at 6:00am and were taken to the locations on the back of an army truck just before 7:00am. The police helicopter also provided assistance by scanning the area while the volunteers searched on foot. Volunteers were instructed to report to the VKS members immediately if anything was found.
VKS member Allan Richardson, coordinator of the search, said the exercise, which lasted about three hours, had gone very smoothly and the effort by volunteers had been 100 per cent. He said the teams had combed the areas extensively, with no result. He said further assistance in the case would have to be requested by Police Chief Inspector Johan “Janchi” Leonard.
Tourist Bureau Director Regina Labega, who was among the members of the search teams, commented that although the hope of finding some clues had not materialised, the turnout for the search had showed the good spirit of those taking the initiative.
