Hospitality Management Schools

Most people think of rest, relaxation, and euphoria when they think of going on vacation.  Vacations are supposed to be enjoyable and meant to bring people together to have a great time, whether it’s with friends, families, or couples.   Here are 5 stories of when vacations have crossed calm and happy and went horribly wrong:

Natalee Holloway- In what has been one of the most highly televised disappearances, Natalee Holloway, just 18 at the time, disappeared when she and 124 other high school graduates went on a vacation trip to Aruba in May 2005.  What was supposed to be a celebration and all around good time turned into a nightmare for Holloway’s family- the day the graduates were supposed to fly back to the US, Natalee was nowhere to be found.  Holloway was last seen the night before leaving a popular hot-spot, Carlos N Charlie’s, with some locals she had met.  Natalee’s parents immediately flew to Aruba and started a massive hunt for the missing teen.  Several people have been arrested and questioned, and some even re-arrested and released in her disappearance, but no one was charged and she has not been found.

George Allen Smith- A couple’s honeymoon dream vacation turned sour on the night of July 5, 2005.  The couples, both 26, were just married and had embarked on a lavish 12 day Mediterranean cruise.  A couple of days into the cruise, on July 5^th the couple spent their night drinking heavily and gambling with a group of young men they had met- George Smith was never seen again.  It was reported early on that the cruise line had dismissed any foul play was involved in the disappearance and that he probably slipped and fell overboard.  However, blood had reportedly been found in and around his cabin and the FBI became involved in the disappearance.  While his wife, Jennifer Hagel Smith and several others on the cruise have raised suspicion, no one was ever charged of a crime and George was never found.

Arturo Gatti- Arturo Gatti, a well-known Canadian boxer, and his wife were vacationing with their 10 month old son in Porto de Galinhas for their honeymoon.  On July 11, 2009, Arturo’s body was found dead at the sea-side Brazil resort that the couple had been staying in, his death ruled a homicide.  Gatti’s wife, Amanda Rodrigues was arrested after she couldn’t explain to police why it took her more than 10 hours to call for help and after police found blood stains on her purse.  On July 30^th Gatti’s death was ruled a suicide and Rodrigues was released from prison.  Gatti’s death still remains a mystery and some of his friends and family refuse to believe Gatti would kill himself, and have started their own investigations.

Monica Beresford-Redman- Monica Beresford Redman went on a Mexican vacation in April of 2010 with her husband and their two children.  What should have been a great vacation in the beautiful Mexican city of Cancun, took a quick turn for the worse when Monica was reported missing on the morning after leaving to go shopping the day before.  Her body was found strangled and beaten in a sewer at the resort where the family was staying.  Employees and vacationers at the resort were investigated and questioned and recalled stories that the couple were seen arguing the night before.  Her husband, Bruce Beresford Redman, who is known for producing shows such as Survivor and MTV’s Pimp My Ride, was immediately considered a suspect and arrested and released under the condition he stay in the country until the murder was solved.

Adam Pemberton- A luxary romantic getaway to Cancun ended in horror when a 24 year old British tourist fell to his death in June 2010.  Adam Pemberton and his fiancée’s vacation were cut short when she and some friends went to the store.  It was reported that after returning from the store and not being able to find Adam the friends kept up the night, until he was discovered dead 3 hours later.  It appeared Adam had fallen from the 9^th floor resort balcony and fell 100 feet to his death.