Max DeVries - 580

Max DeVries - 580

Update: 2024-07-294
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This podcast delves into the perplexing disappearance of Max De Vries, a 14-year-old boy who vanished while on vacation in Aruba with his family. The case centers around a suspicious encounter with David Stacey Sr. and his son, David Stacey Jr., both of whom provided conflicting accounts of the events leading up to Max's disappearance. The investigation reveals inconsistencies in David Stacey Sr.'s statements, raising concerns about his involvement. A background check reveals a past arrest for crimes against children, further fueling suspicions. Despite the FBI's involvement, the investigation hits dead ends, and the case is eventually shelved. Years later, new information emerges from David Stacey Jr.'s ex-girlfriends, suggesting a possible connection between David Stacey Sr. and Max's disappearance. David Stacey Jr. is later arrested for violent crimes, further complicating the case. The case gains renewed media attention after being featured in a documentary series, prompting Yvonne De Vries, Max's mother, to call on the FBI to reopen the investigation. Despite the lack of progress in the investigation, Yvonne De Vries establishes a charitable endowment called "Max to the Millions" to honor her son's memory and help others in need.

Outlines

00:00:00
The Disappearance of Max De Vries

This episode explores the mysterious disappearance of Max De Vries, a 14-year-old boy who vanished while on vacation in Aruba with his family. The case involves a suspicious encounter with a man named David Stacey Sr. and his son, David Stacey Jr., both of whom provided conflicting accounts of the events leading up to Max's disappearance.

00:00:25
Investigation and Inconsistencies

The investigation into Max's disappearance reveals inconsistencies in the statements given by David Stacey Sr. to the police, raising suspicions about his involvement. A background check reveals a past arrest for crimes against children, further fueling concerns.

00:18:09
FBI Involvement and Dead Ends

The case is brought to the attention of the FBI, who open an investigation. However, the investigation hits dead ends, and the case is eventually shelved.

00:32:43
New Leads and a Troubled Past

Years later, new information emerges from David Stacey Jr.'s ex-girlfriends, suggesting a possible connection between David Stacey Sr. and Max's disappearance. David Stacey Jr. is later arrested for violent crimes, further complicating the case.

00:34:38
Media Attention and Renewed Hope

The case gains renewed media attention after being featured in a documentary series, prompting Yvonne De Vries, Max's mother, to call on the FBI to reopen the investigation.

00:38:47
Max to the Millions Endowment

Despite the lack of progress in the investigation, Yvonne De Vries establishes a charitable endowment called "Max to the Millions" to honor her son's memory and help others in need.

Keywords

Aruba


Aruba is an island located in the Southern Caribbean Sea, known for its beautiful beaches and tourism. It is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Max De Vries


Max De Vries was a 14-year-old boy who disappeared while on vacation in Aruba in 2004. His disappearance remains unsolved, and his mother, Yvonne De Vries, continues to seek answers.

David Stacey Sr.


David Stacey Sr. is a man who was last seen with Max De Vries before his disappearance. He has a history of crimes against children and is a key figure in the investigation.

David Stacey Jr.


David Stacey Jr. is the adopted son of David Stacey Sr. He was initially considered a witness in Max's disappearance but later became a suspect due to his own troubled past and conflicting statements.

Yvonne De Vries


Yvonne De Vries is Max De Vries's mother. She has been a tireless advocate for finding answers about her son's disappearance, working with investigators and raising awareness about the case.

Le Cabana Resort


Le Cabana Resort is a resort located on the Northwestern shore of Aruba, where Max De Vries and his family were staying during their vacation.

Max to the Millions


"Max to the Millions" is a charitable endowment established by Yvonne De Vries in honor of her son, Max De Vries. The endowment provides financial assistance to families in need.

Q&A

  • What are the key inconsistencies in David Stacey Sr.'s statements to the police?

    David Stacey Sr. initially claimed that Max swam towards shore after they were separated, but later changed his story, saying Max was floating calmly. He also provided conflicting details about their actions on the jet skis and the reason for their trip to Aruba.

  • Why did the Aruba Police initially dismiss the case as an accident?

    The Aruba Police seemed eager to close the case quickly, possibly to avoid negative publicity and protect the tourism industry. They did not conduct a thorough investigation, despite Yvonne De Vries's requests for further inquiries.

  • What new information came to light from David Stacey Jr.'s ex-girlfriends?

    David Stacey Jr.'s ex-girlfriends revealed that he had mentioned Max's disappearance and expressed guilt about it. They also shared concerns about David Stacey Sr.'s behavior towards children, suggesting a possible pattern of abuse.

  • What is the significance of the documentary series "Never Seen Again"?

    The documentary series brought renewed attention to Max De Vries's case, prompting Yvonne De Vries to call on the FBI to reopen the investigation. It also helped raise awareness about the case and the lack of justice for Max and his family.

  • What is the purpose of the "Max to the Millions" endowment?

    The "Max to the Millions" endowment is a testament to Yvonne De Vries's resilience and her desire to honor her son's memory by helping others. It provides financial assistance to families in need, particularly those with children in the NICU.

Show Notes

May 12, 2004. Noord, Aruba. Since 2004, Yvonne DeVries has tried to get justice for her 14-year-old son, Max. That day he and an older man took jet skis out into the ocean from their resort in Aruba. Max never came back. The Aruban police declared him lost at sea and, using the statement of the older man, decided it was an accident. However, Yvonne knew something wasn’t right. Why did the old man and his son seem to single Max out? Why did he have scratches on his neck and hands after getting pulled from the ocean? Why didn’t the Aruban police look into the man's shady past? And probably the most important question: What actually happened out in the Caribbean Sea on May 12, 2004?


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Max DeVries - 580

Max DeVries - 580