Photos
The setting
The pool at La Mansion. Room 3 was to the left, in the building with the green roof. (Source: La Mansion Inn)
Playa Biesanz, a popular beach near La Mansion. (Source: Karl Kahler)
View of Room 4 at La Mansion Inn, where staff entered to gain access to the murder scene in Room 3 via the rear gardens. (Source: La Mansion Inn)
The crime scene
The rear of Room 3, as photographed by the police after hotel staff found it with the door ajar but the curtains closed. (Source: OIJ)
The table and chairs on the left side of Room 3. (Source: OIJ)
The print of a sports shoe found in Room 3, with the distinctive oval shape near the heel. (Source: OIJ)
Two open cans of Adán & Eva on top of the mini-fridge. (Source: OIJ)
Friends in high places
World leaders
Harry Bodaan with President George H.W. Bush (in office 1989-93), in a signed photo wishing him “warm best wishes.” Bush was a frequent visitor to the National Press Club (NPC) in Washington led by Harry, and they met many times.
With Indira Gandhi, right, prime minister of India (1966-77 and 1980-84).
President Bill Clinton (1993-01) arriving at the Vnukovo airport in Moscow, with Harry walking in front of him. Harry says it was one of the highlights of his life when he got a call from the Kremlin asking if he could help welcome Clinton for his first visit to Moscow, and at first he thought they were kidding.
With Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union (1985-91), at the International Press Center & Club in Moscow.
With F.W. de Klerk, state president of South Africa (1989-94), who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela for dismantling apartheid and ushering in democratic rule.
Costa Rican Presidents
With Óscar Arias, winner of the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize and president of Costa Rica (1986-90 and 2006-19), during a social visit at La Mansion Inn with his wife, Suzanne Fischel. Arias frequently visited the NPC to press for a peaceful resolution to wars in Central America in the 1980s. Bodaan and Arias remain friends to this day.
With Costa Rican President Miguel Ángel Rodríguez (1998-02) during a social call at La Mansion Inn. Rodríguez was instrumental in founding the Costa Rican Coast Guard, of which Harry was a big supporter, and they remain friends to this day.
Celebrities
With Arnold (“The Terminator”) Schwarzenegger, also at the National Press Club. President George H.W. Bush appointed Schwarzenegger as chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (1990-93), a role in which he emphasized childhood fitness and physical education in schools.
With Elizabeth (“Cleopatra”) Taylor at the National Press Club. She was a major activist for HIV/AIDS awareness and founder of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Celebrities who espoused causes often came to the NPC to promote them, and world-famous speakers attracted wide media coverage.
With Chuck Norris on a social visit to La Mansion Inn, apparently for his 65th birthday, in 2005. Harry treated Norris (“Walker, Texas Ranger”) to a tour of Manuel Antonio National Park and other sights in the area.
With Audrey (“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”) Hepburn. The iconic star was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF in 1989, and she traveled to war zones and other troubled areas worldwide, promoting peace, food aid and immunization.