Paradise Cove

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Paradise Cove

Paradise Cove was an all-male facility opened in the early 90’s in the island nation of Western Samoa. It operated up to 5 campuses (Le Tiara, Sinalele Beach, Faga Beach, Fagatele Beach, and Vavau Beach.) At peak the facility housed up to 450 boys. The facility has been reported to have closed in 1998 by the U.S. State Department, but this is untrue. The truth is the State Department merely investigated the facility and issued a statement advising parents not to send thier children there; the Sate Department has no power to regulate or close overseas schools. This author was held there until 08/04/1999, and has personal knowledge the facility operated at least into 2000. Eventually Paradise Cove was closed by the Samaon government, which cited child abuse including a pronounced number of hospitalized food poisoning cases from the school, which is what prompted the investigation. All remaining children were sent to other WWASP facilities. Paradise Cove was famous amongst WWASP schools for the extremely primitive conditions and the harshness and brutality of the school. Paradise Cove was owned by Brian Vaifanua (pictured below) and directed by Duane Lee, Vaifanua’s brother-in-law. Dace Goulding, owner of Casa By The Sea, High Impact, and Darrington Academy, originally served as Educational Director for Paradise Cove.
 

Staff

Brian Vaifanua
As owner and director, this man ran one of the most notorious WWASP programs, Paradise Cove in Samoa. Where children were subject to miserable conditions, denied proper food and medical care and systematically tortured, assaulted and sexually abused.  Vaifanua started his career with WWASP at Cross Creek, La Verkin Utah, Then in 1994 he opened Paradise Cove. After Paradise Cove was shut down he moved back to Cross Creek and then went on to become director of Midwest Academy, in Keokuk Illinois. In 2009 Vaifanua was reported to the St. George school district superintendent with a long list of human rights abuses urging to have Mr. Vaifanua banned from working with young children.

Dace Goulding
First worked for Paradise Cove in Samoa, then went on to become the owner of Casa By The Sea and co-owner of High Impact. After CBS was closed in 2004 Goulding along with an old High School buddy Rich Darrington, opened another program called Darrington Academy in Blue Ridge Georgia. Darrington Academy was closed and criminal charges were pressed against Rich Darrington, for assault and battery of a minor. At some point he was working in a public school, but currently Goulding reports to be coaching Little League “Back in St. George”, which is only about 20 miles away from the Cross Creek Property in La Verkin.

Duane Lee
Dwayne Lee was the Director of Paradise Cove until the facility closed in 2002. He apparently got the job due to his relation to Brian Vaifanua, namely, brother-in-law. After Paradice Cove closed, Dwayne went on to work for an arm of Teen Help called Parent Resources Hotline, where he served as Admissions Coordinator for High Impact. His current whereabouts and employment are unknown, although his wife Tala Lee (Vaifanua) works as a reporter for Fox in Salt Lake City, Utah using her maiden name..
 
 

Survivor Testimony

Trouble in Paradise – By Bill Boyles
Read Bill Boyles’ blog about life in Paradise Cove, “Notes From Tha Cove”, here.
 

 Gallery

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110 Comments

  1. Randy Rogers

    Thank you for this memorial of samoa. The strong relationships forged there as survivors serve to bring some of us closer. However, one shouldn’t allow this experience of friendship and brotherhood never to ever denigrate the memories of the completely despicable way in which we were treated and scarred both emotionally and physically. I hope one day mr. vaifanua his cohorts sit In a boxes as they placed me for weeks… Wwasp is evil and I’m glad that your helping expose them.
    To the fallen brothers and to the survivors.

    Reply
    • Jonathan Nichols

      My name is Jonathan Nichols I was at paradise cove in 1997 since then my life has been in and out of prision

      Reply
      • Xxxxx

        Wtf did he have to have the dog killed? I was next to Bryan when he told staff to get rid of the dog. The staff tied a noose around its neck with a rock and threw it in the cove. It untied from the rock. We had to swim with the floating dog for weeks before the sea took it away.
        My ptsd lately.
        Shotgun feedback hits my mind now and then, waking up to any noise. Yeah I still have ptsd.
        Lame shit….
        Fuck Bryan….

        Reply
    • Michael Rayner

      My name is Michael rayner and I remember quite a few of you (Mr. Boyles) I hope you are well.
      I have many memories of death skills and worksheet fale’s from all the beaches I was shuffled around faga, fagatele, sinalele when the reports first showed up. So much has happened after PC..

      Reply
      • David Arbulich

        David Arbulich here, reporting for duty! Who can remember some more clichés that we were taught/Aahhhemmm…enlightened, via shotgun feedback?

        What you fear, you create!
        How is that a mirror of your life??!!
        Based on results, you have exactly what you intended!!

        Reply
    • Jessica F

      Does anyone remember James Edward Davis III?

      Reply
  2. J Blackburn

    I located the Facebook page of the Fox Anchor in Salt Lake City, Tamara Vaifanua, I currently writing on her Facebook page to have her open an investigation into her BROTHER for the abuse and neglect that occurred under his care. Should be fun to see what happens with that one!

    Reply
    • susan

      Hi,
      Just wanted to tell you that the Fox Reporter’s Husband was also a director at Paradise Cove; he got his job being the brother-in-law of the owner-director. I cannot believe anyone normal could stay married to such a horrible person; how can Fox hire such a sick enabler?

      Reply
      • Jessica Lynn

        Does anyone remember James Davis?

        Reply
        • Ramsey

          I am Ramsey Salama. I was there in 1996!. This place harmed me in so many ways!. We need to file a lawsuit!

          Reply
          • Aaron mcclellan

            Ramsey…this is Aaron… I believe that you went home early after telling your parents that it was not a school for gifted children or something like that…. I was jealous I remember you… I remember you taking a bite off of a tuna sandwich and a fly landed on it. And you didn’t want to eat the rest of it… Then kenny, a guy who had been there for like three years, took it and just ripped off a piece of it and ate the rest….

            Reply
    • DINO

      Reading all of this brings back a lot of memories both good and bad. If anyone wants any pictures I have about 20 from up there I took them secretly right before we flew out of the shit hole. Hit me up Dino.

      Reply
      • Susan Lambert

        Were you there when my son, Joshua Lambert, was there? We would like pictures.

        Reply
        • Chris Gates

          I remember Josh. Short muscled kid right

          Reply
          • Peter Benesi

            Chris! Its Pete Benesi.. find me on facebook

            Reply
          • Aaron

            Yo..I remember you name..im Aaron McClellan…wish we could all see eachothers faces.. I kept numbers but no longer have them..I snuck those numbers out in my deodorant

            Reply
            • Darek larson

              Hello all it’s been a long time. Since I posted on here. I have not forgot about everyone. I was there 95-96. Le taira village. And sinalele beach. 13 months there.

              Reply
        • lane

          Are you susan Lambert from palmdale?

          Reply
        • Taylor Milne

          Taylor Milne here. I was there for a year. ‘96 – ‘97. I have stories.

          Reply
        • Taylor Milne

          Taylor Milne here. I was there for a year. ‘96 – ‘97. I have stories and would love to here from any other survivors.

          Reply
      • Deborah McClellan

        I am the mother of a son that I sent to Paradise Cove obviously hoping I was helping him he has such resentment and he has never gotten his life together and is now 37 please help me see what was done ? Why didn’t he tell me at the time why did he wait for years later

        Reply
        • Lynda Rendell

          Abused people take a long time to tell. Anyone who was there needs help and alot of love they are destroyed now

          Reply
        • Aaron mcclellan

          Ramsey…this is Aaron… I believe that you went home early after telling your parents that it was not a school for gifted children or something like that…. I was jealous I remember you… I remember you taking a bite off of a tuna sandwich and a fly landed on it. And you didn’t want to eat the rest of it… Then kenny, a guy who had been there for like three years, took it and just ripped off a piece of it and ate the rest….

          Reply
      • Sarah

        I got to know Chriss Sutton during his trial. I felt for him after the verdict… I had made some old contacts of his in the event it would help him out, but to no avail them.. however, I was always trying to help him make contact with his friends from Paradise Cove.. we haven’t been in touch for awhile but I consider him a friend

        Reply
      • Kelley mcnaughton

        I’d like to see the pictures please. I am kelley. I was at r.l.s., a better way youth academy, in 96. The first month it opened.

        Reply
      • Dino

        This is Dino if you were there with me I would love to here from any of my brothers my number 818-610-9047

        Reply
      • Melisa Diffendorf

        Hey I would love to see the pictures I feel so bad for what you guys went through no one deserves to be treated like that it took way too long for people to see the truth about them and how you guys were treated they definitely should be punished for the way they treated humanity it is not right and treated young men as yourself no one deserves that kind of treatment. You go there to get help supposedly you don’t degrade somebody and abuse them and mentally attack them that is not help that is straight abuse all together.

        Reply
    • bryan rae

      my name is bryan rae i was in western samoa from 96 to 98 i left only because i turned 18 is there any sort of compensation for kids who were there that place really screwed me up .

      Reply
  3. moses ogara

    FUCK THIS HELL HOLE I WAS THERE FOR 7 MONTHS BACK IN 95-96 AND THE ABUSE HERE WAS HORRIABLE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE JUSTICE ON THESE ASSHOLES FOR WHAT THEY DID TO ME AND ALL THE OTHERS THAT WHERE THERE

    Reply
    • Rich

      I visited Samoa in xmas 98-99 and knew nothing about this. I’m half Samoan and don’t tolerate violence or any type of abuse against kids. My advice sue these bastards and if you ever see any of these idiots now you’re older – Fasi them (smack them) over. That’s what any well meaning Samoan would do. They hide behind there bullshit religious ideals.

      Reply
    • Aaron McClellan

      I remember you bro….

      Reply
  4. marjorie waterman

    My name is Marjorie Waterman. I am a friend and advocate for Christopher Sutton who spent 2 1/2 years at P. C.
    Chriss is in prison now convicted of conspiring to commit murder. His mother was shot and killed and his father shot and blinded. The case received national media attention on 48 Hours and Dateline.
    I believe Chriss is innocent and he is now in the process of appealing this verdict.
    He would like to hear from other PC survivors. If you’d like to contact Chriss please e-mail me at marjoriewaterman@bellsouth.net. and I will provide his contact information.

    Reply
    • shavon

      I believe he did conspire to do it, but is not at fault. I believe he suffers from PTSD and needs medical care not more imprisonment. He was tortured, he told his parents and they kept him there anyway as far as he was concerned at that point they too were his enemy. As far as im concerned they were, if you pay people to tortured and abused your son then who is really the monster?

      Reply
    • mane

      I know Chris in another way. He did not do this, He is not made up of that kind of person. Not in him.

      Reply
    • Z

      I also knew Chris. I went to high school with him. I lived down the street from him. I hung out with him at least a dozen times before he was shipped off to paradise cove. I absolutely believe he committed this crime. He was evil. He robbed people. Broke into multiple homes, including his next door neighbors. Would brag about it. Stole so many things from those homes. He played with fire arms. I never saw anyone scream at their parents like he did. He hated them for as long as I knew him. I don’t take excessive punishments lightly, but I believe he should stay in prison for life. He was a danger to anyone that got too close. I stopped hanging out with him because of his increasing criminal activity. Yes, he had a tough upbringing. That’s tough. I feel bad for him for that part of it. But Chris is lost cause. Let him out of prison and I would not be surprised on bit if he became a serial murderer. I also feel that anyone who defends Chris didn’t really know him as well as I did. Sorry Chris. May peace find you.

      Reply
  5. eliza

    seeking for old videos teuila or independent day perfomance by paradise cove in western samoa. Don’t know the names?

    Reply
    • Susan

      I have a video of he kids at Teuila 2012

      Reply
      • Darrell Shaffer

        Could you send me a copy of that video please if it is still available, I was there from 3/98-12/99, then at cross creek till march, 2000

        Reply
    • Brendan

      i have video from Teuila 1997. I can post it to youtube…

      Reply
      • Ramsey

        I am Ramsey Salama. I was there in 1996!. This place harmed me in so many ways!. We need to file a lawsuit! I’m looking to hear from Aaron McLellan, Brandon Adair from Utah, Nicholas Griffith Las Vegas. Email me at Bigramz247@gmail.com

        Reply
      • Taylor Milne

        Taylor Milne again. I’m from/in Las Vegas – deederdee@gmail.com

        Reply
  6. Joseph McQuiston

    FYI The picture of Bill Boyles was not taken on August 5, 1999…but rather taken on or about August 23, 1999. Minor detail but accuracy is everything. I know this because I was with him up until we got to Los Angeles. I graduated High School on the day that I left. I had Sim Tiatia, then education director give me my High School Diploma which has passed muster for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and also Lincoln College of Technology in Grand Prairie. Not that it means anything…the Cove was worth crap. Hopefully Windle Turley and company will avail.

    Reply
    • Mo

      is that him

      Reply
      • Mike Stoltz

        Simanua Tia Tia.

        Reply
        • Mike Stoltz

          Sim ran the “Other” boys camp on the Island. It started off as Robert Louis Stevenson Youth Academy. Then it changed to A better way youth academy, finally when I left in 1997 it was called Coral Reef Academy. Sim was actually one of the “Good Guys”.

          Reply
          • Kelley McNaughton

            Sim was one of the good guys. How are you doing Mike? I remember you used to sign your name Stoltz with a $ sign. I hope all is well.

            Reply
  7. Corey Schafer

    I was there in 97 and 98 what a fucked up place I have been screwed up ever since I went there we need to see justice done to all of those sob my head all fucked up still if anybody was there in 97 contact me we need to see justice and get a law suit going to pay for everything that was done to me and everybody else and to everybody that look out for me while I was there thank you very much… much love to you all I was in peace family we cant let theses ass hole get away with this I was there to get help not to get messed up for the rest of my life aka they called me track star because I ran away after they beat me so bad I thought I was going to die and thanks to you all for giving me food while they put me iso for 3 weeks at a time they would come in and beat me like a dog while I was in solation or iso and they did worse that why I am all fucked up ever since I got out of there they need to pay for everything they did to us all I WAS ONLY 13 AND 14 WHEN THEY ALL DID THIS TO ME physicaly mentally it was just in humane what they did and illegal what they did touching me like a did
    contact me
    Corey
    contact me on my uncle email nutter.randy@yahoo.com
    ps I hope you all are doing ok

    Reply
    • Aaron McClellan

      I was right there with you bro not sure if I remember you or not but I was there at the same time and I want you the same thing you did I want Justice to I’m still fucked up to and I’m 38 years old

      Reply
  8. Miles.

    It never fails to amuse me how a thing like this is always turned into a racist thread where people come to debate which ethnicity is superior. I don’t usually comment as it’s usually a waste my time but I thought to go against my better judgement and do it. This is really disappointing on so many levels. The greedy pigs who started and made money from this program and the parents who fail to raise their children properly and ended up paying someone else to do it for them as well the ‘do gooder’ reporter on this video.
    Parents got rid of their out of control kids and pigs made their money.
    Don’t forget people, this will be the same reporter that would have reported on the documentary about an out of control kid with mental problems who took drugs and ended up killing their parents or going to jail and so on. It sounds like a career enhancing move to me.
    It angers me that the losing party here are the kids as well as the reputation of a country and people that has nothing to do with it which moved in and closed this school.
    I hope one day the survivors will be able to move past it and show these pigs of abusers that they are better than them and better than they ever will be. That’s the best revenge to me. Write and talk about the pain and brag about your success and your rise.

    Reply
  9. Troy

    I was there 96 and 97. Le Tiara was a mild concentration camp, my father told me that if he had known this place was there when he came to get me, he would have never sent me here. Love to all my boys I lived with Troy J. loves you all..miss you guys. I am interested in a lawsuit justice needs to be served.

    Reply
  10. Jacob

    I was here around 1995 at the age of 15. I still tell stories of this place. I had my nose broke from the forced confrontation groups and I had to tell another boy how he was evil and bad.
    I was brained washed by some week long Seminar. I do not remember much of the details but I can not listen to the song true colors any more after that.
    I was beaten for not raising my hand once.I was also forced to work in raw sewage with cuts on my feet fixing the toilets. I came home with jaundice and was rush to ER directly after I got off the plane in Houston.
    We had it really rough there.
    I wonder if we can all get together for a class action suit.

    Reply
    • luke bugge

      i was there with you. i was 13 and the youngest kid in paridise cove at the time. i was there 4 months i seen the confrontation.

      Reply
    • Luke

      i was there with you Jacob. i remember the seminar and when the big dude broke you’re nose. i was the youngest kid there at that time, i was 13. i tied to reply once already but for some reason it wont work.

      Reply
    • Mary ortega

      Hi I don’t know if you know me I was in samoa working with my husband Ed the kids Mostly called me miss. Ed we we were sent there to help I kids and help Brian fix some of the problems he had.. we did our best to make him understand things had to change we fell for you boys that were miss treated when we left there we took Abdi home with us if u remmber him…we have quite a bit of info on that place if u would like u can contact me at akamary27@gmail.com or ednmary@yahoo.com we knew many of you all there and wish you guys the very best….thank you

      Reply
    • Lynda Rendell

      Yrs you can just call a top lawyer

      Reply
    • Aaron McClellan

      Lets do it…i was there….shit sucked…

      Reply
  11. Jeremy Andrews

    We were all hurt in W.Samoa. It is still the worst memory of my life. As a parent now, I cannot imagine sending my children anywhere without me and can’t understand how my parents could have ever believed that this was the answer to my ADHD.
    Is there any information about a lawsuit or any legal avenue to seek justice or compensation for our abuse and neglect?
    Email me at jaydrew12@gmail

    Reply
  12. Robert g

    I spent 11.5 months on one of these beaches and was choked out by a stause ff for refusing to run up and down the beach with another kid on my back while suffering from a broken foot I was also thrown in the box for 3 days for this where I had to miss in the same space because I wasn’t allowed to use the restroom during the day beca

    Reply
  13. Fatima Eguez

    Why you all victims contact HBO or any network to expose this people they should be in jail ????????????

    Reply
  14. marie hodson

    I have just been watching the murder case on Christopher Sutton and believe that when the parents wouldn’t take christopher out of the camp when he turned 18 and got a court order to keep his there one more year, sealed there fate. when he asked his parents to take him out and they didnt believe his claims of abuse, was the most tragic of all a parent could do.. as for you all that have suffered from this camp, im so sorry for your abuse.. as to why parents would send there children around the world for hardcore help as they put it, is beyond me! I would never ever as a parent do this.. yes to finding you help for your problems, be it aggression, addiction, but to only have you near by me for visits would do.. Im just so sorry for you all. I hope that you gain the justice you so rightly deserve.

    Reply
  15. Kelley McNaughton

    I was at the “other” one, RLS (changed to A Better Way Youth Academy)the first month it opened in ’96 for almost a year. It was horrible and I still hold this place responsible for ruining my life. It changed me for the worse and I too would like to see justice.

    Reply
  16. andrew swenson

    hello, i am trapped in a stupid boarding school called Ranch View Adventure Camp its obviously not as bad as this place but they are planning to send me here i dont mind but i just want to know how this place is actually change me.

    Reply
  17. Byron

    Was talking about this place with someone today, and decided to look it up to see if I could find that video the caught Stevie getting whooped by that Samoan. Found a couple other videos, and this site. How I hated that place, but it still sticks in my mind.

    Reply
  18. UK in vein

    I met a guy who was in there 96-97. He called himself Shane I dont know if it was his real name but he went by it. He did some disturbing acts and talked about this paradise cove. Reading this it makes sense. Anyone know of him? He vanished 6 yrs ago

    Reply
  19. Daniel park

    I can’t believe It’s been 20 years. I was there for early 96 to mid 97. I vividly remember all the things that went on there but for the life of me I can’t recall names or even faces of the guys I was there with. Maybe it’s my way of blocking out some of the pain. If any of you remember me my email is dan4546@gmail.com hit me up

    Reply
  20. Rob

    I was there in 1994-95 and I was the 27th kid to show up in paradise cove. The beach was called Lalu Manu, and what everyone is saying is true. It was the worst thing any child could ever have to go through. My heart goes out to anyone who was there and had to experience what I believe is something very similar to a prisoner of war but that’s just my opinion. Much love to all my brothers who were there.

    Reply
  21. Terrie

    He was talking about killing his parents when he was 15 years old. that’s why they sent him there. he already had mental issues when he arrived at PC.

    Reply
  22. Chris Gates

    I was there for 13 months between 1996 and 1997. I got sick with what turned out to be linear IGA which caused severe blistering of the skin over my entire body. 20 years later I still carry the scars. I’ve managed to carve out a productive life for myself since then but it is no surprise to me that so many others were unable to cope with life after the hellish experience of “Paradise Cove.”

    Reply
  23. Teine

    Oh boy! I was hoping this news wasn’t true but what a shame and how sad. I was watching a video of the boys dancing at a Teuila somewhere in 2000 and my in laws said that this school was on the news and it was bad. I’m a Samoan born n raised n now living in the US, reading all your comments about all those things that happened makes me mad n sad. I was in HSchool when I first saw the boys on tv performing. So you know as a Samoan, seeing palagis dancing Samoan n singing Samoan songs makes me happy. I didn’t know why you guys were there and where ya were from until I saw a guy from Montel Williams show in Cali talking about the abuse and getting beaten by mosquitoes and him running away. I did not wanna believe it. I mean not one person said a word and I thought that they treated you guys right because ya were palagi. You know? For us, palagi were like gods (back then not now lol) But now, it is sad to know that what was on Montel Williams show and what my folks said tonight is true. I am so sorry that you guys went thru it in my country. Especially ya were children (teenagers) what a shame. I think I got beat up badly from teachers than my own parents. But, I learned to forget about it n move on. I wish I can sue them teachers 🙂 well! I wish you all good luck, those people need to pay back all your money and I don’t know y your parents trusted them for. I mean, think about it, it’s an island that is 1000s n 1000s of miles away from home. I rather beat up my own child than waste my $ on some school that does not belong to a government and on a far far away land. Trust me, we are good people. I mean everybody is, not just Samoans. I guess that guy Vaifanua is from here. He makes us all look bad. Guys, I apologise for the way ya were treated. I wish I knew I would’ve taken some of ya in our home. We took in palagis that they didn’t have places to stay. We fed them n took really good care of them. So, I guess Vaifanua was an evil who wanted your parents’ $. Well! May God bless you all and hopefully will be heal from this.
    Blessings to you all and your families.

    Reply
  24. Bobby

    The biggest missing link, for me, was that Paradise Cove was not equipped to deal with the issue of addiction. At no point during my stay at Paradise Cove was substance abuse addressed, even though I was sent there as a direct result of my substance abuse. And I clearly recall the written substance abuse test given to me by Charles Parks (Affiliated w/ W.W.A.S.P.) in Dallas, TX which helped my parents decide on Paradise Cove. I learned some solid tools in the seminars – but nothing to prepare me for coming back home and staying sober.
    I do not harbor any resentment for W.W.A.S.P. I’m fortunate to have parents wise enough to have done SOMETHING with me before it was too late. They may have saved my life. I wish all of you the best – that you find peace in all of this and can move on.

    Reply
    • Bill Boyles

      as someone who also went to paradise cove, i cannot agree more that it was incredibly ill-equipped to treat addiction or mental illness.

      Reply
  25. FalseProphet

    Bring this to the attention of Ivanka Trump if you want action.
    Signed,
    A friend

    Reply
  26. Shaun Mann

    Sorry for all 1996-1998 sending love for all the brothers

    Reply
  27. gay

    I am shocked about this and want to take direct action. Knowing that this has happened is disgusting to me.

    Reply
  28. Aaron McClellan

    I was also sent to Paradise Cove when I was a troubled teen… all it really did was piss me off…. I came back from that place worse than ever…. I don’t know if anybody’s going to read this but I do remember making some pretty good relationships while I was there with some of the guys… Josh Dalton… what’s up to Chris Byrd…. and Moses I read your comment up there I don’t know if you’re ever going to read this or not but I’m the guy who threw a rock at your head while we were playing games right by the toilet…. it was a pebble I mean I didn’t hurt you we both laughed about it but I remember that.. but yeah taking cold showers getting ringworm all over your genitals, scabies eating that nasty ass food… that shit was horrible….

    Reply
  29. Dylan A.

    I was in PC from 96 to 98 and at CCC in LaVerKin from 98 to 99 before my grandparents took me out because they thought I was just being warehoused and have cause my dad to go bankrupt paying for it all.

    Reply
  30. PTSD

    Over 20 years later and the nightmares are still extremely vivid.
    Therapy only brings the nightmares worse, amplified.
    Health has deteriorated to the point I can’t walk anymore, unable to digest food.
    PTSD so severe I can’t work, hold down a job to earn money.
    I hope only the worst for ALL involved in this extermination torture camp’s operation!
    Research the families involved. Every single one can be traced back to Nazi Germany. Some members directly to Hitler, like the Litchfields. Also has connections to People’s Temple of Jim Jones, Sembler’s Synanon.
    I am personally just waiting for my death slowly. With bladder cancer, incurable tropical diseases that I contracted in this Hellhole.
    For anybody wondering:
    Shane Corthell’s mugshot https://thepolicereporter.com/2019/11/09/shane-corthell/

    Reply
  31. Ryan Hansen

    Thanks for writing and doing all you’ve done. I was at New Hope Academy in western Samoa from 1997 to 1998. Sounds similar maybe a little smaller camp near va’vau. I wonder what happened to everyone over the years.

    Reply
  32. Peter

    I was in Paradise Cove for 2.5 months. Thankfully my parents removed me from the program and put me in a different program in Utah called Cedar Ridge that was started by a therapist who left Cross Creek to form his own RTF because he disagreed with the conditions and treatment of children at CCM. I was at Cedar Ridge for a year. Cedar Ridge ultimately helped, but I think the way I survived rehab was finally accepting to check a bunch of behavior boxes and demonstrate them in order to be released. When I returned home, I was still a miscreant, but the verbal threats from my parents of being sent back to rehab (horribly tone deaf parental strategy) was the leverage that kept me from accelerating my misbehaviors.

    I don’t think parents should outsource their failed parenting to strangers. That’s a dysfunctional solution that removes accountability and, if it’s not been said enough times on this website, causes irreparable harm to parent-child relationships. You don’t send your kid off to be “fixed.”

    I was 13 years old when I was in PC. I suffered PTSD and had nightmares for well over a decade afterward. I will never forgive my parents for their decision to send me to PC. 25 YEARS have passed, but I still know that experience was the singularly most harmful in my life. I had to work so hard for so many years to figure out my life and understand that trauma and how it shaped me. I’m definitely a different person after *just* those 70-something days of abuse.

    I have been a Registered Nurse for almost a decade now, and every time I meet a Samoan patient, I tell them I lived in Western Samoa for a few months. They all know about PC. Every Samoan patient. Every single one. Apparently in Samoa they called it “the bad boys camp,” because my patients all say it the same way. Every Samoan patient also quickly apologizes for PC and assures me that Samoans do not treat people like that, and they usually follow that statement by saying that the owners should be in jail. PC is a real stain on Samoa’s conscious, even though most Samoans had absolutely nothing to do with it.

    I was reading a NYT article tonight and stumbled across a book review from a man who was at Ivy Ridge. I thought Ivy Ridge sounded familiar, and that led me here again, looking at posts on WWASP Survivors.

    I don’t post to social media, and I try to keep as much of my personal life off of the internet as possible, but I guess this is one detail of my life I don’t mind sharing.

    I’m guessing that less than 2000 boys were ever at PC. Those of us alive are all now men. Several among us are still circling back and posting on this website, decades later. That’s an absolutely remarkable testament to the trauma we experienced in Samoa.

    In case any of you might be interested, I was one of the youngest kids in PC. For whatever reason, while I was there, I constantly spoke with the inflection of the Beavis and Butt-Head characters. That annoyed many people, so it might be a distinct memory for somebody who reads this post.

    Reply
  33. Jonathan Nichols

    We watched armageddon alot never saw Brian Vaifanua ever never spoke to diane Lee. He seemed a troubled kid himself at the time. The place was an absolute disaster I had an emergency appendectomy there almost dying in the process

    Reply
    • Cody Lee

      Evan Murdoch and Chris Wilson both took their lives due to this fucking place so fucked off!!

      Reply
  34. Jonathan Nichols

    I was on Faga,sinalele,also fagatele beach

    Reply
  35. Byron Holmes

    This stuff brings back some memories. I was there ’97-’99. Well, I was leaving at the end of ’98. I remember that day Steve was getting his butt whooped by one the Samoans, and the oops moment of cameras at the top. Gotta love the changes after that.

    Reply
    • Alena

      Who knew John Cleary ?

      Reply
  36. Joseph Nelson

    Hey My name is Joseph Nelson i was one of the Original 7 People who went in 1994 or 95. Me and one of my closer friends there Adam, I called him Akamu mi Ava, Adam, I think there was Chris also with me, god I hated it there, the staff would steal our mail and gifts from parents. I never made it passed level 1 was always doing pushups and sit-ups, I spent 6 months there, Then they lost my passport and spent another 3 months there trying to get a passport, but stayed in town with one of the staff the driver that picks up and ferries you to the Cove, Brians (owners) friend. I did learn a lot (nothing from what they taught me), they fed us so little Boiled Chicken and rice, that we would eat the marrow out of the chicken, eat raw fish caught in the coral of the bay, fought an octopus once and the Talofa or w/e its called my yellow dress was all tie-dyed black and yellow from it was, really enjoyed eatin urchin meat was good. I just happened to be watching a documentary on Chris Sutton he was sent to the Cove in 2003 or W/E it said and came back and murdered his parents, was looking to see if the place was still open, haven’t thought about it in years and stumbled across this website. Crazy to see how many people were sent their.

    Reply
  37. Daniel Butler

    Wow! The dozens of comments here point to a horrible living experience filled with frequent abuse. I wonder if some of the contributors would address the question: “what was the alternative?” I ask that question as a stepfather who was very close to my stepson, but I agreed with my wife that we needed to send him to Paradise Cove. To say that he was out of control is not stating the problem strong enough. He was constantly stealing cars and smashing them. The justice system was moving too slowly for court intervention. People around him feared for their lives. The authorities said that my life was in danger. He had not completed one course school in 3 years. He almost lost his life the first time that he ran away. We probably had a chance of waiting a few months longer before he was in the prison system. But would have the prison system been better?
    Our son said that Paradise Cove saved his life. And I talked with other teens who have expressed the same sentiment. I went through the week of confrontation that PC put on for parents. I disagreed with some of it, but other parents seemed to wholeheartedly agree with it. I talked with parents who had visited the island, and their support was even stronger after visiting it. I understand that our son was at Paradise Cove longer than any other child, so he saw a lot, but he never reported anything like I am reading on this blog. When he became junior staff, he admitted that he abused his authority, and the leaders quickly demoted him off junior staff.
    Now, years late, he is now well adjusted, very productive, with a great family, and has told us that he would be dead if not for PC.
    So again, my basic question, would have prison been a better choice for you rather than PC?

    Reply
  38. De

    I wonder if anyone here knew my stepdad. He was sent here as a teen and never spoke about it, I only ever saw a picture of him in a red skirt (sorry I don’t remember the correct name for it) on the beach and he said he was starved when he was there. That’s all he ever mentioned. I don’t know what year he was there but his name is Nick Moore. He would have had a brother named Jason, I am not sure if Jason was sent there too or not. I think he had some serious PTSD though and was honestly really mean to me my whole life. Learning more about paradise cove and what he went through has really made me understand him more now that I am older. Really hurts because it affected these kids in such a terrible way that stuck with them for all their lives and affected their future relationships/families.

    Reply
  39. Ian Haynes

    People that abuse children should b locked up

    Reply
  40. Ian Haynes

    Was there a lawsuit

    Reply
  41. Mia

    I came to know about Paradise Cove through the Chris Sutton murder trial on Dateline. I only caught the end of it, and realized PC must have been a bad place, even though I didn’t hear any details.
    Reading all the comments here has clarified the abusive nature of the facility. Most of the attendees won’t say it directly, but indirectly, they allude to sex abuse, as well as mental, emotional and physical abuse.

    This is what I would like to offer from my experience. I was mentally, physically and sexually abused from the ages of 3-5. My family moved away from my abuser, but abused people are often identified as vulnerable, by predators, and so I was targeted by the fathers of two childhood friends between the ages of 6-8. I experienced a few other attempts through adolescence and then at 26, was raped at knife point by a stranger who had been scoping out the house I shared with three other roommates in college. I began counseling just a week prior to the assault, thinking, some of my problems might be connected to my experiences in childhood.

    I went to counselors from ‘89- part of the 90’s. I talked, counselors used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), but I still didn’t really have any relief.

    Let me tell you what has disengaged my PTSD: a type of therapy called EMDR. I still have all the memories, those don’t go away. I still have all the skills I’ve learned by coping with the fallout from abuse, being controlled against my will, physical torture and humiliating treatment. None of that goes away. What I no longer have are the dysfunctional responses to seemingly normal things in life, especially in relationships. I still have a sensitive startle response, but I don’t get boiling mad, crazy because I’m startled.

    I finally, at 60 freakin years old, feel like I can do what I want to do. Procrastination continues to drop away, so does perfectionism over stupid things, both of which can be trauma responses.
    EMDR works for people with my history, but it is making enormous headway in military personal with battle PTSD.
    It begins working incredibly fast and you don’t have go over the events in detail with the counselor. You can, but it isn’t needed. Basically, EMDR takes a trauma event, and it moves it from short-term memory (where trauma is stuck and easily activated) into long-term memory.

    I have also used a 12-step program too, called Celebrate Recovery, a faith based program for the common 12-steps issues, but also for injuries like abuse, neglect, etc. The call it “hurts, habits and hang-up”. It’s a safe place to get real. Real change happens through it. It’s world wide in 27 countries now, and has been around over 30 years.

    I just wanted to put this out here.

    You all need to be protected, and treated with respect, given guidance from healthy mentors, but instead, petty men with power and perversity had you in a lock-down facility, and they were allowed to get away with deception and deprivation, while someone paid them.
    You now have been forced to carry baggage that should never have been put upon you. You deserve freedom from these experiences that you carry with you. Please keep seeking help. You don’t have to take as many years as I have taken to find healing.
    Keep searching, keep trying, look into EMDR, and Celebrate Recovery. Just don’t give up your hope for real freedom from your PTSD.

    Reply
  42. Brett

    Hello folks.
    I am amazed at some of the stores I’m reading, and hearing through this and other pages and documentaries. My younger brother was in a camp, if I can still call it that, and Samoa, the early 2000s his name was John Michael Adcox. if anyone remembers that name I would love to talk to you about his experience there. My brother passed away three years ago by suicide.

    Reply
  43. Cathy

    My son Christopher was there from May 1996 to October 1996. He was not the same kid we sent there when he came home and eventually committed suicide in June of 1997. I will never know what he suffered there. I would’ve any photos of him there if any one has any.

    Reply
  44. Michelle Oliveira

    Does anyone know my brother David Barber who was sent to Western Samoa in the 90’s?

    Reply
  45. Bill Boyles

    Those “emails” are actually diplomatic cables from ~1999 released by the State Department in response to a FOIA request made by WWASP Survivors back in November 2015. There has been some confusion around them since they happened to be released the same day as an unrelated batch of emails pertaining to a FOIA request for documents in the Anthony Wiener investigation.

    Reply
  46. Jonathan Nichols

    I underwent extremely emotional trauma that I would neve wish on my worst enemy if I had one”Shotgun feedback” WTF The staff over saw this garbage I found happiness in staying in isolation so it would keep me away from shotgun feedback. If you were in paradise cove then you damnwell know what shotgun feedback means

    Reply
  47. Will nickson

    I and my twin brother were in paradise cove from 95 to 96. I was fanga and he was singelele.
    We started out cuffed and dragged out to Utah (brightway) and underwent torture there as well as samoa.
    The ptsd from the experiences there have been hard to push back.
    And I don’t think my brother ever got over it. I is always in the back of your mind.
    My brother Scott passed away this past January.
    And I truly believe part of the reason was the trauma of being at that place, camp fear western samoa, “paradise cove”.
    If anyone has information on the lawsuit please send me the info so I can get him at least some justice! And closure.
    I pray for all the survivors. Sincerely, Will

    Reply
  48. Ian Haynes

    I spent 15 months in that shit hole

    Reply
  49. Joseph Nelson

    I was also cuffed, thrown in a van and drove to Utah desert at brightway hospital

    Reply
  50. David Arbulich

    Peace of mind is right above being right about being wronged. So I let it all go… and found Paradise Within.

    The wise man is sick of sickness, and finds no sanity in the insanity of holding on to grudges. There is no justice in allowing injustice to rob us of our sacred duty: To Love Life, with all its imperfections. For, to hate life is to hate oneself, and, this kind of story is the fool’s lot.

    But…
    The wise man is sick of sickness, and finds no sanity in the insanity of holding on to grudges.

    Do yourselves a favor. FORGIVE.

    Reply
  51. Ian Haynes

    Fuck that place. Brien can suck a dick

    Reply
  52. Courtney Hansen

    Joseph Nelson I was the third guy with you when we went to Samoa. We all three flew together. They had mine and your passports mixed up my picture was on yours and yours on mine. That’s probably why they lost yours. The guy that drove us to the cove bought us cigarettes and drove us around before we got there and we got in trouble and strip searched when we got to the cove.

    Reply
  53. Ian Haynes

    Brien v should b locked up

    Reply
  54. Josh Driggers

    De: yes I knew your step dad nick we were In at least one “family” together he was quite and reserved but in general a very nice guy. Most of what read from the inmates on here and yea that is the correct term is true 48 hrs date line and Geraldo did some interviews with some guys I was there with NO child deserves a place like that I went to spring creek I. Montana as well as casa by the sea. Yes we all have some form of ptsd from it I spent 27 months in Samoa from 96-98 we were beaten starved of nutrients like salt I understand if nick can’t talk about it most of it is best left forgotten I hope this helps a little

    Reply
  55. Anonymous

    I have spent the better part of two years working on a relationship with a man who was in Samoa during this time. The trauma that was inflicted upon him cycles into everyone he touches causing irreparable damage. I watched him struggle with the pain and unconsciously inflict the same abuse upon me. I researched, learned and listened about what happened to you guys. It’s horrible to think a human can be so greedy and cruel. I pray you all find peace for yourself and the ones who love you.

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Youth Foundation Closes Amid Scandals, Lawsuits | WWASP Survivors - […] Paradise Cove […]
  2. There are emails about investigating “Paradise Cove” and a few other “behavior modification camps” – Follow Me Down The Rabbit Hole - […] found the strange shit already. There are emails about investigating “Paradise Cove” and a few other “behavior modification camps”.…

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