By David Lohr
(Continued)
After performing a rape kit and examining Laurie's neck, the ship doctor released her to return to her cabin. Having no desire to return to the scene of the alleged crime, Michelle requested they be moved to another cabin, which, according to Laurie, was not provided to them until later that evening. Prior to their move, Laurie met with the ship's officers to discuss the case.
"I identified the rapist by a photograph. Michelle and I met with the officers, all men, in an office. We were told that I had three options: (1) getting off the ship the next morning at port in Cabo and reporting the crime to the Mexican police, (2) staying on the ship and talking to the FBI at the end of the cruise, or (3) flying back to Los Angeles and reporting it to the FBI. I wanted to go home because I felt afraid. The officer told us that the crew member was told to stay on his floor and that they would respond if he came back to the passenger decks. This made me even more afraid. He was never arrested, placed in the brig, or had a guard assigned to him during the cruise."
The following morning, Laurie and Michelle flew to Los Angeles and met with federal investigators who took the girls' statements and photographed Laurie's bruises. When the ship returned to port on Feb. 26, 2006, FBI agents were waiting to board the ship.
"The FBI file, which we eventually obtained (70% of which is missing), indicates that 10 agents boarded the ship. The FBI file indicates that they inspected the cabin early in the morning, as well as the assailant crewmember's cabin (which remained unsecured during the entire cruise). The FBI eventually interviewed the crewmember at noon. It is my understanding that he denied ever going in my cabin. The FBI did not arrest the crew member, and he continued to work on the ship. He sailed with the ship when it left San Pedro/L.A. on Feb. 26 with a new group of passengers."
Next Page
Previous Page
For More Daily Crime News
default
increase
decrease
email
print