Philipsburg/ Marigot: --- Some 16 divers are expected to begin a water search for the bodily remains of Leta Lynn Cordes. Six of the divers are from the Netherlands, six from the United States of America and four from the French side will be participating in largest ever search on the French side of the island.
SMN News understands that most of the participants are on island and they are expected to hold a tripartite meeting on Thursday on the French side of the island before the searchers can begin their operation.
In a press release from the prosecutors office Prosecutor Rienk Mud said based on new information a comprehensive search will be led by the RST in order to locate the possible bodily remains of Leta Lynn Cordes.
Mud said the French and American authorities would be assisting the RST with the search, most of whom are highly trained divers, specialized in tracing and recovering bodily remains. The team of divers he said will be using advanced sonar equipments that can be applied in both deep and shallow waters.
Earlier in February this year the American friends of Leta Lyn Cordes searched the Le Galleon Beach with cadaver dogs. Among the searchers were several American media who came to cover the story of the missing woman which became international news.
Police on the Dutch side of the island arrested Frank Cordes the German husband of the Mission Viejo woman on Tuesday October 14 2008 but released him on January 26th when police could not come up with sufficient evidence to prosecute Cordes.
Even though released Frank Cordes still remains a suspect in the disappearance of his wife.
The woman went missing on January 11 2008. Her husband and his mother were the last persons who saw the woman. Cordes told police as well as the media his wife was a frequent drinker and gambler and she was drunk the night she went missing. According to Cordes his wife left on foot to go to the Westin Casino to gamble.
The Cordes who were having a rocky marriage had several arguments days prior to her disappearance. SMN News learnt that the woman and her husband along with
Cordes mother were on Grand Case Beach the same day she went missing. The couple it is said had a huge argument and Leta threatened to leave her husband.
