Woman disappears on Carnival Cruise in Southern Caribbean — is she linked to Jeffrey Epstein?

An American woman, Jessica Collins, has gone missing during a Carnival Cruise in the Southern Caribbean, sparking widespread speculation about a possible connection to convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein.

On September 17, 2025, during a scheduled port stop in Kralendijk, Bonaire, Collins disembarked from the Carnival Horizon cruise ship and did not return. Security footage captured her leaving the vessel wearing a floral shirt, light blue shorts, white sandals, and carrying a gray backpack. When she failed to reboard the ship, local authorities initiated a search.

The alleged Epstein connection

Amid the search, speculation emerged online suggesting that Collins could be Jessica Leigh Collins, who has previously described herself as a victim connected to the Epstein case. She has published a book titled True Story of Jeffrey Epstein Victims. However, there is no verified evidence to substantiate these claims.

Adding to the confusion, a social media post from someone who is reportedly Leigh Collins’ friend, Chris Dorsey II, read, “Very upsetting news Jessica Collins is missing. I just found out about this an hour ago from a local reporter. I pray she is alright I called her phone it went straight to voicemail.”

But no verified sources confirm they’re the same person, beyond sharing some resemblance based on posts from Leigh Collins’ YouTube channel and the grainy security footage from the cruise line. It cannot be confirmed that Leigh Collins is the same person as the woman who went missing in Bonaire.

A voluntary decision to stay behind

Meanwhile, subsequent reports revealed that Collins had intentionally chosen to remain in Bonaire. Carnival Cruise Line disclosed that she had emptied her stateroom, left a gratuity for the cabin attendant, and sent a message to the Carnival Care Team stating she was safe and did not wish to be contacted. This indicated her decision was voluntary. If caught, the missing Collins could be fined by the cruise line or banned from ever sailing with them again.

While Collins’s exact motivations remain unknown, several theories have circulated. Some speculate she may have wanted privacy or a break from her daily life or personal circumstances, while others suggest stress, anxiety, or emotional challenges could have influenced her decision. Another possibility is that Collins sought an independent experience or a fresh start in Bonaire.

Authorities have not confirmed any specific reason, and all suggested explanations remain speculative. Carnival Cruise Line has emphasized that she is safe and chose not to be contacted.

In summary, Collins’ disappearance from the Carnival Horizon was a voluntary decision to remain in Bonaire, and there is no verified connection between her and Epstein. The speculation surrounding a potential link to Epstein appears to be based on a name similarity and lacks credible evidence.