The search and investigation concerning the well being of Leta Cordes is in full force on the island of St. Maarten / Saint Martin. We have great faith in the expertise of the authorities on the island. We are aligned with a brilliant team.
Meanwhile, the local AVS press had a few words with the number one suspect.
Please stay tuned.
My best to all of you.
Elaine Karas
Regardless of the release of Frank Cordes from pre-trial detention on the Island of Sint Maarten on January 26th, 2009, Mr. Cordes still remains a suspect in his wife Leta Cordes disappearance.
The investigation is far from over, and there will be a massive search on February 16th and 17th on the French side of Saint Martin. The advanced search team includes professionals from Dutch Law Enforcement, French Gendarme, the VKS, Checkmate and Sheriff Security as well as an expertly trained search team from the United States. It is believed that Leta’s remains are buried on the island, and we intend to find her. Our goal is to simply bring peace to Leta’s family and friends, as well as bring Leta home for a proper burial.
Please pray we find our dearly missed friend Leta Cordes and that the perpetrators that caused Leta harm are brought to justice.
Thank you once again to all the concerned friends and strangers alike that continue to reach out and offer their help, guidance, and assistance.
We will keep all of you posted on our continued search efforts.
“The husband of Leta Lynn Cordes, Frank Cordes has been released from pre-trial detention yesterday said Chief Prosecutor of the Windward Islands Taco Stein. Stein said that the prosecution has requested from the judge of instruction a suspension of Frank Cordes detention since they do not have enough evidence to move the case to court.
Even though Frank Cordes is released he remains a suspect in the case Stein said.
Leta Lynn Cordes disappeared on the night of January 11, 2008 when she allegedly left by foot to go the Westin Casino to gamble. The last person that saw the 49 year old Mission Viejo woman alive was her husband Frank Cordes who filed an official police report one day later.Cordes was arrested on Tuesday October 14 2008 as a suspect in the case of his missing wife. Cordes remain behind bars since then until his release January 26th, 2009.” (SMNN)
As we near the one year anniversary of Leta Cordes disappearance, The Friends of Leta Cordes would like to thank all of the Officials of Sint Maarten, US Homicide Detectives, the Dutch Police Force, French Authorities, the FBI and all of the local citizens of Sint Maarten that continue to offer their support, resources and assistance in the on-going search for Leta.
Dutch Authorities continue to hold Leta Cordes’ husband Frank Cordes behind bars in connection to her disappearance, however they may not be able to hold him in pretrial detention much longer.
Sadly, it appears that Frank Cordes may be involved in his wife’s disappearance. Although the Dutch Authorities seemingly have substantial evidence against Mr. Cordes indicating his possible involvement, the case may not be strong enough to ensure a conviction at this time. Regardless the investigation continues. Collectively, the friends of Leta Cordes alongside Dutch Law Enforcement will continue their search for Leta.
Dutch Officials have strong leads they are following and will be conducting two separate searches on the Island in February (dates to be announced soon).
We are requesting the assistance of anyone who can help us find our friend Leta Cordes.
Please email us your contact information at www.letacordes.com if you can help with the upcoming searches.
Thank you so much,
The Friends of Leta Cordes
Frank Cordes, Leta Cordes’ husband has been arrested as a suspect in connection to Leta’s disappearance. According to local newspapers on the island the case is still considered a “missing persons case,” however the Dutch authorities now consider Frank Cordes to be their primary suspect.
Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein has publicly stated, “We’re going to ask Mr. Cordes a lot of questions.”
News of the arrest has brought about Friends of Leta’s worst fears, but has not deterred hope of recovering our beloved friend Leta Lynn Cordes.
On October 1st, 2008, the Dutch Prosecutor’s Office released an official statement citing the discovery of “new evidence” related to the disappearance of Leta Cordes. Officials have not stated what this evidence is exactly, but they have revealed they are now working with nearly a half a dozen different agencies including the French St. Martin Authorities, the Royal Dutch Marechaussees, the Kingdom Cooperation Detective Team RST, the Police Force, the FBI, and California Homicide Detectives.
“The fact that we have sent out a press release should state the fact that we are not going to be saying anymore more about it at the moment,” Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein recently told The Daily Herald newspaper on the island.
According to The Daily Herald, the case still remains in the hands of Dutch Authorities even with the cooperation of other agencies.
The Daily Herald also states that Leta Corde’s U.S. and St. Maarten homes we’re both searched within the last few weeks raising suspicions of Frank Cordes, Leta’s husband.
This news has brought reaffirmed hope to Friends of Leta, and has made us more determined than ever to find her, and bring to justice anyone who has done her harm. We miss you and love you Leta!
Friends of Leta would like to confirm that the land search that took place in mid-April for Leta Lynn Cordes was in fact coordinated by Friends of Leta (the operators of this site). The search team consisted of Friends of Leta, search and dog teams from the USA, as well as local Dutch and French authorities.
From Zebrabot, Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said “We are very pleased to have this group on the island. They are working in close cooperation with the Dutch and French authorities. They are under our direct supervision and we have officers to assist them if anything should be found.” Both the Dutch and French authorities on the island have been very supportive in our search for Leta, and we are very grateful for their continued professionalism and assistance.
Unfortunately, the search did not turn up anything despite any rumors otherwise, and we will continue to search for our friend Leta.
Lastly, the reason we did not immediately publicize this search was for two reasons, 1) if someone did do Leta harm we did not want to alert them of our teams presence, 2) we did not want the media getting in the way of our search. Our search covered a lot of ground, however our beloved friend Leta Lynn Cordes remains missing.
There is still no sign of Leta Cordes, and friends of Leta are extremely concerned. Friends of Leta are determined to find her and bring to justice anyone who may have done her harm. Leta we love you, miss you and will continue to search for you.
This site was put together by friends of Leta Cordes, and is not associated with the family. Our only goal is to find our friend Leta Cordes.
August 20th, 2008: All of us who know and love Leta are desperately searching for her and following up all leads. The authorities in St. Maarten and in California remain actively involved. The presence of a substantial reward over the past several months has not brought forth the results which were intended, and we are sorry to announce that one of the donors to the reward fund is apparently retracting their offer. We remain committed to the effort of finding Leta, and greatly welcome the assistance of anyone who can help, whether by contributing to a reward fund or otherwise.
Previously, a $75,000 reward was being offered by Friends of Leta. Upon the news of our donors retraction, the family of Leta Cordes has just now raised their reward from $25,000 to $100,000.
Description:
Leta Lynn Cordes is 49-years-old
5-foot, 3-inches
135lbs
Long curly red/blonde hair below her shoulders
A “777″ tattoo with flames on her lower back like you would see at a Las Vegas casinoDetails:
Leta Cordes is an American who resides in Mission Viejo, California with her husband Frank Cordes.
Leta Cordes and her husband have visited the island of Sint Maarten for several years, and just finished building a vacation home on the island. They felt comfortable and safe.
Leta Cordes has never been out of touch with family or friends before.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Dutch authorities on the island at 011-599-542-8761, or the FBI at 714 245 5207 if you have any information. Even the most minor of details are important.
If you wish to contact the operators of this site please contact us at letacordes@gmail.com
We have reopened the ability to post comments on this site.
