Natalee Holloway

[JRPAGV]

Anyone heard anything new?

Here's an article I found on CNN.com:

Texas team begins search for teen in Aruba

ORANJESTAD, Aruba (CNN) -- A team of Texas search specialists began a full-fledged hunt Saturday for Alabama teen Natalee Holloway.

Tim Miller, director and founder of Texas EquuSearch, said most of the 24-member search team, including eight divers and a dog, had arrived by Friday night. Three more dogs and their handlers were to arrive Saturday.

"I feel very, very optimistic that we are going to take Natalee back to Alabama where she belongs," Miller said.

The team searched a wetlands area and also the northern tip of the island near its landmark lighthouse, combing the beaches with the dog. After borrowing a boat, the team installed side-scanning sonar equipment and conducted a water search.

The dogs, considered highly trained, wear booties to protect their paws from cactus needles. At least $25,000 has been contributed for the search so far through the nonprofit group's Web site, Miller said.

The Texas team joined Aruba investigators and the FBI in the widespread, round-the-clock search.

The 18-year-old has been missing since early May 30.

Meanwhile, five suspects in her disappearance -- including a father and son -- are scheduled to appear before a judge on Sunday, after a one-day postponement.

Paul Van Der Sloot, 53, a local judge; his son Joran, 17; Satish Kalpoe, 18; his brother Deepak Kalpoe, 21; and disc jockey Steve Croes, 26, are in custody.

A judge from Curacao will determine whether to hold them longer, said Police Commissioner Jan Van Der Straten. The judge is being flown in from another island to avoid the appearance of impropriety, and his flight was delayed several times Saturday, forcing the hearing to be rescheduled.

No one has been formally charged in the case.

Prosecution spokeswoman Mariaine Croes told CNN charges will not be filed until the investigation is complete and evidence is reviewed by prosecutors.

Defense attorneys for the four younger defendants have said they are innocent; Paul Van Der Sloot's attorneys have not yet commented.

Van Der Straten would not say if Van Der Sloot, relatively new to the bench, was being cooperative. He was arrested Thursday after being interviewed as a witness. (Full story)

Holloway, from the affluent Birmingham, Alabama, suburb of Mountain Brook, was last seen leaving a nightclub with Joran Van Der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers. She was on a trip to Aruba with about 100 classmates and a few parent chaperones to celebrate the students' high school graduations.

The Kalpoe brothers and Joran Van Der Sloot initially told prosecutors they dropped Holloway off at her hotel. But police have said that story fell apart under questioning, and there has been no evidence to show Holloway ever returned to the hotel.

The Kalpoes' mother said Thursday one of her sons had admitted lying to protect Joran Van Der Sloot, and said he and his brother took the youth and Holloway to a beach and dropped them off.

Anita Van Der Sloot, the mother of Joran Van Der Sloot and wife of Paul Van Der Sloot, said her son had also changed his story and admitted being alone with Holloway on the beach, saying he left her there because she wanted to stay there.

CNN's Patrick Oppmann and Alex Quade contributed to this report.

[MurphysLaw]

Haven't heard anything new. This story makes my heart ACHE. How unfortunate!

[Heidi9771]

With the recent development of the judge being arrested, along with his son, I hope they are on the verge of some sort of new information that will lead to her discovery.

Honestly, if I was the mother of Natalee, I think I would be going insane...knowing that someone likely already in custody has ALL of the answers to this hellish mystery.

It was reported in the news that she marched right up to the judges house and stared right at his son and said WHERE IS MY DAUGHER?!

Apparently the guy was very arrogant with her and started shouting at her , "what do you want ME to do?"

I think I would have lost it and just started smacking him!

By the way, I have been to the bar that she was last seen at in Aruba...and it really did seem like a safer place. Too bad, it probably has a bad rap now.

[lawyerlee]

Lawyer: One Aruba suspect to be freed (http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/26/aruba.missing/index.html)
Four to be kept in custody

ORANJESTAD, Aruba (CNN) -- Steve Croes, a disc jockey who was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway, will be released Monday because of a lack of evidence against him, his attorney, Eleni Lotterhoman, said Sunday following a court hearing.

Four other suspects will remain detained for at least another eight days. They are Joran Van Der Sloot, 17; Satish Kalpoe, 18; his brother, Deepak Kalpoe, 21; and Van Der Sloot's father, Aruban judge Paul Van Der Sloot, 53.

Croes, 26, worked on a party boat on the island.

Sunday's hearings were postponed from Saturday because the judge being flown in from the nearby island of Curacao was delayed, said David Kock, defense attorney for 18-year-old Satish Kalpoe, one of the suspects.

Holloway, also 18, has been missing since early May 30.

[Sophia]

Basically the same story Diana just posted:

Updated: 02:54 PM EDT
Aruba Judge Orders Release of DJ in Missing Teen Case
By PETER PRENGAMAN, AP

ORANJESTAD, Aruba (June 26) - A judge ordered Aruban police Sunday to release a party boat disc jockey held in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, saying authorities did not have enough evidence against him, the man's lawyer said.

Steven Gregory Croes, 26, is one of five people held in the disappearance of Holloway, an Alabama honors student last seen in the early hours of May 30. None of the five, including an island judicial official and his 17-year-old son, has been charged in the case.

Searches for Holloway have been fruitless.

''The judge agreed there is not enough proof he was involved to keep holding him,'' said Croes' lawyer, Eleni Lotter-Homan.

Croes, who was detained June 17, will be released Monday, Lotter-Homan said. He is a disc jockey on the party boat Tattoo, which offers nightly dining, dancing and swimming.

Joran van der Sloot, 17, and Surinamese brothers Deepak Kalpoe, 21, and Satish Kalpoe, 18, were the last ones seen with Holloway, 18, of Mountain Brook, Ala. Her passport and packed bags were found in her room.

After a night of eating, drinking and dancing at Carlos' N' Charlie's restaurant, the three men initially told police they took Holloway to a northern beach before dropping her off at her hotel around 2 a.m.

But on Saturday, Satish Kalpoe's lawyer said his client admitted that his story was a lie.

Satish now claims that he and brother dropped Holloway and van der Sloot off together at the Marriott hotel, then went home, his lawyer, David Kock, said.

On Sunday, Kock said the brothers were becoming increasingly angry with van der Sloot and accusing him of changing his story to put the blame for Holloway's disappearance on them.

Kock would not elaborate.

Van der Sloot's lawyer, Antonio Carlo, said, ''My client maintains his innocence.''

The fifth person in custody is van der Sloot's father, Paul, 52.

It was not clear how the disc jockey might be connected to the other detainees. His employer said Croes told him he knew one of the Kalpoe brothers because they went to the same Internet cafe.


AP-NY-06-26-05 1425EDT

[Holls]

Okay i havn't read all the updates you girls posted, but i heard on CNN that they released one of the brothers today!

[oceaneast]

My parents live in the same area as her family. When my mom first told me (before it made national news) I thought she was fine and had overslept on a beach. (I now think differently) It's heartwrenching to hear the details and know someone knows and isn't telling.

[Heidi9771]

Okay i havn't read all the updates you girls posted, but i heard on CNN that they released one of the brothers today!


OMG, REALLY?!

I wonder which one and why? I wonder what their background is (the two brothers)...I know The Dutch judge and his son were from wealth had power on the island...who were these other boys? I really hope they aren't using any power or money to get released.

[lawyerlee]

OMG, REALLY?!

I wonder which one and why? I wonder what their background is (the two brothers)...I know The Dutch judge and his son were from wealth had power on the island...who were these other boys? I really hope they aren't using any power or money to get released.
I kinda doubt it, since the only person they released was the DJ from the party boat. But it is so hard to tell.

[Holls]

[QUOTE=Heidi9771]OMG, REALLY?!

I wonder which one [QUOTE]

So i'm not sure why or if this will really help you, but you know there was a skinnier brother and a chubby one.... it was the chubbier one released. I only saw the tell end of the story and it just said that they appeared in court today and that he was released.

[Holls]

I kinda doubt it, since the only person they released was the DJ from the party boat. But it is so hard to tell.

I could def be wrong since i did catch the tell end of the story, but that's what i thought. :confused:

[Jessie]

They released the father of the suspect this afternoon.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050626/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/aruba_missing_teen


Suspect's Father Released in Aruba Case
By PETER PRENGAMAN, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 50 minutes ago

The father of a Dutch suspect arrested in the disappearance of an Alabama teenager was freed from jail on Sunday, hours after a judge ordered the release of a party boat disc jockey also held in the case.

Paul van der Sloot, a high-ranking justice official studying to be a judge on the Dutch Caribbean island, had been arrested Thursday as a suspect for collaborating in a crime with his 17-year-old son, according to his lawyer.

"A little bit of the nightmare clouds are now disappearing," van der Sloot's wife, Anita, told The Associated Press. "The truth will always come forward. From the beginning, I trusted everything would be fine."

Anita van der Sloot said the most important thing for her now "is that my son comes (out) free."

Earlier Sunday, a judge also ordered police to release Steven Gregory Croes, the party boat disc jockey held in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, saying authorities did not have enough evidence against him, the man's lawyer said.

Croes, 26, was one of five people held in the case of the 18-year-old young woman last seen in the early hours of May 30. No one has been charged, including the last person reportedly seen with her, 17-year-old Joran van der Sloot.

Searches for Holloway have been fruitless.

Croes, who was detained June 17, will be released Monday, said his lawyer, Eleni Lotter-Homan. He is a disc jockey on the party boat Tattoo, which offers nightly dining, dancing and swimming and docks near the Holiday Inn hotel where Holloway had been staying on Aruba, a Dutch protectorate.

"The judge agreed there is not enough proof he was involved to keep holding him," Lotter-Homan said.

Police superintendent Jan van der Straaten said the court also ordered Paul van der Sloot released.

"At this moment I don't know why," he told The Associated Press.

Still jailed are the young van der Sloot and his friends, Surinamese brothers Deepak Kalpoe, 21, and Satish Kalpoe, 18. Van der Straaten said the judge on Sunday ordered their detention extended another week.

Under Dutch law, a suspect can be held for up to 116 days without charge if a judge decides police have good reason.

The three young men initially told police that after a night of eating, drinking and dancing, they took Holloway to a northern beach before dropping her off at her hotel around 2 a.m.

On Saturday, Satish Kalpoe's lawyer said his client admitted that his story was a lie.

Satish now claims that he and brother dropped Holloway and Joran van der Sloot off together at a beach near the Marriott hotel, then went home, said the lawyer, David Kock.

On Sunday, Kock said the brothers were becoming increasingly angry with Joran van der Sloot and accusing him of changing his story to put the blame for Holloway's disappearance on them. Kock would not elaborate.

Anita van der Sloot said her son told her that he was alone on a beach with Holloway and left her there unharmed in the early hours of the day she vanished.

Joran van der Sloot's lawyer, Antonio Carlo, said Sunday, "My client maintains his innocence

[Sophia]

from CNN

Aruba prosecutor says judge told son: No body, no case

Thursday, June 30, 2005; Posted: 12:07 p.m. EDT (16:07 GMT)

PALM BEACH, Aruba (CNN) -- An Aruban judge briefly held in the disappearance of an Alabama teenager told his son -- who is still in police custody -- that without a body police would have no case, the island's chief prosecutor said Wednesday.

Judge Paul Van Der Sloot, 53, was arrested one week ago in connection with the Natalee Holloway case but released days later.

In an interview with CNN, Chief Prosector Karin Janssen said the judge made the comment "some days after" Holloway disappeared in a conversation with his son, Joran, 17, and Joran's friends, Satish and Deepak Kalpoe, 18 and 21 respectively.

The younger Van Der Sloot and the Kalpoes were arrested on June 9 and have been detained ever since. They were the last to be seen with Holloway, when she left a nightclub early May 30. No charges have been filed against the three.

Investigators learned about the elder Van Der Sloot's conversation with the three during questioning of one of the Kalpoe brothers, Janssen said, and when asked about the comment, the elder Van Der Sloot replied that he had been speaking about such a situation only "generally."

In addition, he and his wife, Anita, interfered in the case by asking a friend of their son what he had told police during questioning, Janssen said.

"That was not positive to the investigation," she said.

CNN has tried unsuccessfully to contact the couple and attorneys representing the father and son.

The release of the elder Van Der Sloot was met with chagrin by Holloway's family. "He definitely, definitely has information that he needs to step forward and be the man that he is and disclose that information," Holloway's mother, Beth Twitty, told CNN.

Janssen defended the investigation, saying criticism of the way Aruban authorities have handled the case "is not justified."

"We have a civilized society. We have a decent law system. We can't book people when we want ... (like) a bunch of cowboys," she said. "We have made some progress, and we are doing it in our way. It is maybe not fast enough for a lot of people, but it is no grounds to have such criticism."

Janssen said she thinks island police "are doing a hell of a job."

The prosecutor said the investigation is being conducted around the three suspects in custody, "so we get a clear picture of where they were, and what has happened, and what happened to Natalee." She described the process as "millimeter work" going on "around the clock."

"It's a real puzzle, but we are getting the picture of the puzzle, I think," she said.

Janssen said authorities in Aruba are working Holloway's disappearance as a missing person's case with the possibility of murder, although they have not definitively concluded that the teen is dead.

When she disappeared, the 18-year-old Holloway was celebrating her high school graduation in Aruba with about 100 classmates and several parent chaperones from Mountain Brook, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham.

Searching the island for her are several hundred Dutch Marines stationed on the island and a team of 27 Texas search specialists who arrived last weekend. The Netherlands agreed Wednesday to send more Marines to help in the search, at the request of the Aruban government, CNN has learned.

CNN's Patrick Oppmann contributed to this report.



Unbelievable. I still can't believe they released him.

[jesvet]

CNN was reporting earlier that the father/judge had told the kids, 'No body, no case'. Nice to know he is such an upstanding citizen, if he knows something.

[lawyerlee]

CNN was reporting earlier that the father/judge had told the kids, 'No body, no case'. Nice to know he is such an upstanding citizen, if he knows something.
What an ass. :mad:

I was just reading yesterday about her mother and how terribly, understandably upset she is. :(

[Heidi9771]

CNN was reporting earlier that the father/judge had told the kids, 'No body, no case'. Nice to know he is such an upstanding citizen, if he knows something.

Gosh, it is so obvious he knows something and isn't telling. Logicaly, if the body was found, wouldn't the father's first thought be, sure enough, there must be evidence that proves she was murdered by other means...Can you imagine what Natalee's mom was thinking when she heard that he said that? :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

My heart felt feelings and thoughts go out to that poor woman.

[oceaneast]

I think its very obvious!

[bethnjim]

My only thought when I heard what the father said is:

"Hummm...the father must have advised them to dump the body, which means she is dead and more than likely in the ocean."

How horrible for her mother. I would have ripped him apart when I saw him....this case is just so sad!

[oceaneast]

I know, i can't imagine what her mother must be going through.

[PookiePrincess]

I was just watching the news and they said they've charged the three boys with murder...but no real details yet.

[lawyerlee]

Prosecutor: 3 Charged With Aruba Murder (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050701/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/aruba_missing_teen&printer=1;_ylt=AoY4PNujxiw7WKGQIQqxEdm9IxIF;_ylu=X 3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-)

By PETER PRENGAMAN, Associated Press Writer

Three young men detained in the disappearance of an Alabama teenager have been charged with murder since their arrest more than three weeks ago, Aruba's chief prosecutor told The Associated Press on Friday.

The charges were not announced at the time to protect the feelings of the family of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway, said Attorney General Karin Janssen.

"At the time, we didn't want to upset the (Holloway) family talking about murder while they searched," Janssen said.

Janssen, who has said several times in the past three weeks that no one was charged in the case, said they also kept the information quiet in order not to compromise their investigation. Authorities have said they have no physical evidence suggesting Holloway is dead.

Janssen said 17-year-old Joran van der Sloot, 17, and two Surinamese brothers who are his friends have been charged since their arrest — 10 days after Holloway disappeared on May 30.

Also Friday, Aruba's government defended its handling of the investigation, saying many of the criticisms arose from misunderstandings of the Dutch legal system used on the Caribbean island.

Police have been criticized for letting more than a week go by without detaining the three young men last seen with Holloway and for waiting 16 days after she went missing before searching van der Sloot's home.

Ruben Trapenberg, spokesman for Prime Minister Nelson Oduber, said the government has put 21 detectives on the case.

Trapenberg also mentioned the 70 Dutch Marines on the island who helped in initial searches and were called back Thursday to comb the island again.

"They do not bungle cases," Trapenberg told The Associated Press. "Aruban police and prosecutors are professional forces that have been successful."

Prosecutors have an 89 percent conviction rate on the Dutch Caribbean island, he said. Violent crime is rare in the tourist haven.

Asked why two of three suspects were transported together, apparently giving them the opportunity to compare or arrange their stories, Trapenberg said that was done to secretly monitor what they might tell each other.

Late Thursday, CNN captured images of van der Sloot, and Deepak Kalpoe handcuffed together, being put in a car to leave San Nicolas prison. It wasn't clear where they were being taken.

The Kalpoe brothers and van der Sloot were the last ones seen with Holloway the night she disappeared. Police questioned the three that same day but did not detain them until June 9. Two other people, including van der Sloot's father, Paul, an island judicial official, were detained and released.

"One of the techniques is that after hearing separate stories and getting nowhere, prosecutors will have suspects confront each other," said Trapenberg. "The U.S. system might be different, but this technique has worked in the past here."

Trapenberg also said that police initially did not have any cause to hold the young men: "If they had arrested them immediately, they would never have collected evidence."

Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway Twitty, has repeatedly criticized investigators, saying that if she did not get answers soon she would believe they were protecting someone — probably Joran van der Sloot because of his father's position.

"Prosecutors couldn't even attempt a cover-up because they know better than anyone that this case is under a microscope," Trapenberg said.

[Heidi9771]

I am glad they are getting to the next step.

This must be a huge relief for Natalee's mom to at least know something more. I wonder if the boys gave this poor girl some drugs and she od'd...and they got rid of the body...

[jarm]

The story with the Groene girl makes me hopeful that they will find her alive. But I also wouldn't be surprised if she's not. DH doesn't think they'll ever find her body. He thinks it's in the ocean.

[imagirliegirl]

I can't believe they haven't found her body yet. It seems like she would have washed on shore had they put her in the ocean. Or hopefully she will. I sure hope they find her body so at least her poor family can bring her home. Poor baby. :(

[Georgiana]

I saw on the news that they released the two brothers. They are keeping the Judge's son another 60 Days. From what I understand the borthers said that they dropped off the Judges son and Natalie at a beach... I think this is why they are still holding him.


This makes me so nervous. My daughter is 16 and going to Hawaii w/o me this spring with her marching band and this mess makes me not want to let her go. However when this broke out I made my daughter watch this and preached to her about not trusting strangers in a strange place and that is very important to stay with her group and not wonder off. Although I may get some upset with this statement, but I don't know what Natalee's situation was to the point that she wound up with those guys and eventually missing,so far it seems that she was up to something that she had no business doing. I was brought up that you go NOWHERE with guys (let alone guys you don't know) and you being the only girl.
I simply feel for her parents because of all of this they are going through hell.

[jbenny75]

I can't believe they haven't found her body yet. It seems like she would have washed on shore had they put her in the ocean. Or hopefully she will. I sure hope they find her body so at least her poor family can bring her home. Poor baby. :(

I read something about the currents being really strong around Aruba, and a body dumped only a half mile out into the water would be pulled out to sea and wouldn't wash up on shore. I don't understand why they can't get anything out of this Van Der Sloot kid. They couldn't crack him by now?

[imagirliegirl]

I read something about the currents being really strong around Aruba, and a body dumped only a half mile out into the water would be pulled out to sea and wouldn't wash up on shore.

:( UGH. That sucks...

[ktdelsur]

Yeah...hubby and I are convinced this is taking so long because he probably CAN'T tell them where her body is - it's probably washed ashore in Venezuela or is out in the middle of the Caribbean somewhere (depending on what side of the island she was dropped from). So awful.

Either way though, I feel for the Arubans who are upset at the press this has gotten. I felt safe there...and I would go back, no question.

[jarm]

I've never been there, but this is one incident in which I don't think she was entirely acting responsibly. Okay, that sounds like I'm saying she deserved what she got, but I'm not. I'm just saying had she stayed with her friends then this might not have happened. I would certainly go to Aruba...nothing stopping me except my DD!

[Heidi9771]

Has anyone heard any updates? It sure does seem like the quiet before the storm...

I hope they find out what happened to her soon.

[Bee]

MISSING NATALEE WAS DRUGGED AND LEFT FOR DEAD (http://tv.yahoo.com/news/ne/20050624/111962520001.html)

This is kind of an old article, but I heard on the radio this morning that the National Enquirer (I know, I know!) was going to release a story soon about what they expect happened. This article is pretty much what they were saying on the radio this morning...

From Yahoo:
MISSING NATALEE WAS DRUGGED AND LEFT FOR DEAD
Friday June 24, 2005


By DAVID WRIGHT

Missing teen Natalee Holloway overdosed after being slipped Ecstasy at an Aruba night-spot, died on a dark beach and was dumped at sea by one of the panicked boys she had befriended.

The National Enquirer can reveal that is the chilling theory secretly being pursued by police on the Dutch Caribbean island.

Our own investigation shows that Natalee's classmates from Mountain Brook, Alabama, who were with her during her final hours, support cops' fears that the normally responsible honor student was drugged.

A source close to the case said: "The detectives are certain that Natalee is dead. And if she was dropped by boat far enough from shore where the currents are right, it's unlikely her body would ever be found."

Joran van der Sloot, 17, and three other men have been treated as suspects and are being questioned in the grim Aruba prison in San Nicolas. They have not been charged.

Our investigation in Aruba has uncovered a disturbing portrait of the apparent main suspect — 6 ft 5 in van der Sloot, the son of a wealthy Dutch lawyer. Friends claim that hard drinking, violence-prone Joran:

º PREYS on naïve young American girls for sex
º LIKES to fight and was forced to get anger management counseling
º POSTED pictures of himself on a personal website acting out sadomasochistic games

[imagirliegirl]

Did y'all see Natalee's mom on Dr. Phil today? I feel so awful for her. Not knowing is the worst. Anyway if you didn't see it, there's info on his website www.drphil.com. Just thought I'd bump this thread back up.

[jesvet]

That's so sad. Those guys are such slimeballs.

[Heidi9771]

She must be at an all time frustration...I can't believe those people are on the loose now.

[jbenny75]

I saw Dr. Phil and was appalled that they were the last three to see her, they admitted to being with her, they admitted to raping her, yet they were released? They know what happened to her and they were responsible. That's obvious. I was also disgusted that they had so little regard for her. I can't imagine being in her mother's shoes and knowing my precious daughter had been used and discarded so callously. I hope that Natalee was too out of it to realize what was happening to her. And I hope someday her family can have some closure.

[Asha]

i was most disgusted when depak was talking about her daughter dressing like a slut implying that she deserved what she got. that must have been so hard for her mother to hear.

what bothered me about the show was how they emphasized her being a virgin. so what if she was a virgin or not. no one deserves that regardless of their history.

[kd 9.21.02]

They admitted to raping her? Ugh... I'm totally disgusted that they're not locked up. How could they be set free?

[chefker]

They admitted to raping her? Ugh... I'm totally disgusted that they're not locked up. How could they be set free?


Apparently rape is "OK" in Aruba? Or, if daddy has the right connections, it is. :mad:

[kd 9.21.02]

Apparently rape is "OK" in Aruba? Or, if daddy has the right connections, it is. :mad:

Yeah, so what's the story? Will they not be tried for that at least?

[ysolde]

I think at one point, van der Sloot basically confessed to somethink akin to what we would consider rape or sexual assault, but who knows? The confession may have been deemed inadmissible/illegally obtained/whatever the Dutch equivalent is, and without a body or a single shred of evidence, I imagine they had to let him go.

Personally, I think they dumped the body in the water, so unless the tide brings it back, it will either disappear, or end up in Venezuela, which these days is pretty much a free-for-all.

[kd 9.21.02]

If she was dumped in the water, I bet they'll never find her. One side of the island is completely shark infested waters (NOT where all the hotels are but the other side). Or so I'm told...

[Asha]

the admitted to having sex with her. they may have admitted to giving her drugs too, but not too sure about that. perhaps, in aruba they don't have a law against having sex with a woman who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. i think that is apalling, but there are many countries where things like this are allowed and accepted especially when they think that the woman deserved it. it's not a friendly place for women in many parts of the world. i don't know what the attitudes of aruba are towards women, so i am purely speculating.

[Heidi9771]

If justice won't serve them, I hope Karma comes and bites those three in the ass BIG TIME.

[Marilyn]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060417/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/aruba_missing_teen

ORANJESTAD, Aruba - An announcement that police made an arrest in the disappearance of teenager Natalee Holloway left many islanders wondering Sunday who the suspect is — and whether the arrest marked a real breakthrough in the almost year-old case.

Aruban authorities would only say late Saturday that the person arrested is 19 years old and has the initials "G.V.C." In Aruba, when an arrest is announced, officials usually release only a suspect's initials.

[Sophia]

GMA had his full name and some photos this morning. Apparently he worked as a security guard in the area van der Sloot dropped her off. They also said there were other reports of women beign attacked "within days" of Natalee's disappearance in the same area.

Found this article (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1849859) on ABC (click link for full text):

*snip*

Authorities would not release the name of the person who was arrested and would not say whether he was considered a suspect. They only said that he was 19 years old and had the initials G.V.C. Sources told ABC News that the young man's name was Geoffrey von Cromvoirt.

*snip*

Connections to a Security Company

Von Cromvoirt worked for a private security company that patrols beaches outside Aruba's hotels. Holloway was last seen leaving an Aruba bar with van der Sloot and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, who were held for 25 days before being released. Van der Sloot has said he left Holloway on a beach near her hotel after they had kissed.

Von Cromvoirt's family runs the security company, according to Tacopina. The company provides security for the Aruban government and private companies, including the Holiday Inn, where Holloway was staying, he said. The company installed the security camera and patrols the beach. Von Cromvoirt was part of the team that patrolled the Holiday Inn's beach in the early hours of the morning, according to Tacopina.

*snip*

[Asha]

if it is really the security guard, i feel very badly for the other boys even if they sounded like jerks.

[savannahgrl]

As for the latest, what I understand is that they have arrested this kid b/c he knows information about the details of what happened. In Aruba, they can arrest someone for withholding information. Apparently, he is close friends with the other 3 boys. I also find it interesting that the kid who was arrested has a sister in the Aruban police department. Perhaps another reason for the big coverup.

I really hope this arrest leads to a break in the case.

ETA: that the kid arrested has a sister (not brother) in the police department.

[Rose]

I hope they are finally able to get the truth.

if it is really the security guard, i feel very badly for the other boys even if they sounded like jerks.

Didn't they admit to drugging Natalee and raping her? If so I don't feel sorry for them one bit.

[savannahgrl]

if it is really the security guard, i feel very badly for the other boys even if they sounded like jerks.

No sympathy from me for the Kalpoe brothers and Joran. I'm thinking they are still very much involved in her disappearance and this guy that they have arrested has either helped them dispose of the body or knows details of what happened.

[MLA]

Didn't they admit to drugging Natalee and raping her? If so I don't feel sorry for them one bit.

Did they admit to that??? Lord, what's wrong with Aruba, then? How could they not be in jail?

[Rose]

I thought they admitted to it, but rape wasn't illegal in Aruba.

I could be mistaken. I still think these 3 boys were involved. I don't think all the sudden they have this new suspect.

[Asha]

Did they admit to that??? Lord, what's wrong with Aruba, then? How could they not be in jail?

i don't think they admitted to drugging her. she was drunk which does make it rape, but i don't know if that is considered rape in aruba. some of them admitted to having sex with her.

[MLA]

i don't think they admitted to drugging her. she was drunk which does make it rape, but i don't know if that is considered rape in aruba. some of them admitted to having sex with her.

How very sad. I feel really bad for her parents. What a terrible thing to be dealing with. :(

[Asha]

i didn't mean to imply that the way they treated her was excusable, but if someone else murdered her then it is still not right to try her for her death, though, i still consider them to be accessories to her death.

[MLA]

i didn't mean to imply that the way they treated her was excusable, but if someone else murdered her then it is still not right to try her for her death, though, i still consider them to be accessories to her death.

I didn't think you implied that at all.

[Rosebud]

More info on the suspect in custody:

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/LAW/04/18/holloway/vert.aruba.teen1.diario.jpg
Geoffrey van Cromvoirt's arrest was the case's first significant development in months.

Does 'G.v.C.' know where Holloway is?
Man held in Aruba on suspicion of involvement in disappearance

(CNN) -- Aruban prosecutors said Tuesday that a 19-year-old man arrested over the weekend is being held on suspicion of involvement in the disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway.

The man -- whom police have identified only by the initials G.v.C. -- "is suspected of criminal offenses that may be related to the disappearance of Miss Holloway and of offenses related to dealing in illegal narcotics," the prosecution said in a written statement.

He has not been charged with a crime, and no one has been charged in connection with Holloway's disappearance.

The prosecutor planned to hold the suspect for eight days, the statement said. He was arrested on Saturday and was scheduled to appear Tuesday before a judge.

The Aruban newspaper Diario identified him as Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, the brother of a police officer, and published photographs of him attending his sister's swearing-in ceremony.

Holloway was celebrating her high school graduation with classmates and parental chaperones on Aruba, a self-governing Dutch protectorate off Venezuela, when she disappeared nearly a year ago.

A search of the tiny island by Dutch Marines, the FBI and hundreds of volunteers failed to find her. (Watch how Dutch version of "Most Wanted" got involved -- 2:59)

Holloway, then 18, was last seen leaving a nightclub in Oranjestad on May 30, 2005, with three other youths: Dutch national Joran van der Sloot, the 18-year-old son of an Aruban judge; and Surinamese brothers Deepak, 21, and Satish Kalpoe, 18.

The Kalpoes told police they dropped off Holloway and Van der Sloot near a lighthouse at a beach north of the Marriott hotel after they left the nightclub. Van der Sloot's mother said her son told her he was on the beach with Holloway but left her there alone because she wanted to stay.

The three men were arrested in June and later released after a court ruled there was insufficient evidence to hold them. The Kalpoe brothers were re-arrested and again freed in September.

All three have maintained their innocence.

At one point, van der Sloot's father, Paul, and a disc jockey also were taken into custody, then released.

In February, Holloway's parents, Dave Holloway and Beth Twitty, filed a lawsuit against Joran van der Sloot. In court documents, the parents accuse him of "malicious, wanton and willful disregard of the rights, safety and well-being of the plaintiffs and their daughter." (Full story)

[savannahgrl]

This was on the news last night. Apparently, this kid has been released.


Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, No Info on Holloway Disappearance

Geoffrey van Cromvoirt was released Monday after being detained as a suspect in the Natalee Holloway disappearance stated by his attorney that he had “no relevant information” regarding the matter.

The 19-year-old man released in the case of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway has “no relevant information” about her disappearance and was not involved in that or in drug offenses, his lawyer said.

The teenager was arrested based on witness statements, but family and friends said he does not fit the descriptions and was home on the night of May 29 and 30 when Holloway disappeared, said lawyer Eline Lotter Homan in a Dutch statement to the media issued late Monday night.

Eline Lotter Homan, Geoffrey van Cromvoirt’s attorney also went on to make the following statement:

“He at no time has met Natalee Holloway, nor has any relevant information pertaining to her disappearance,” the defense lawyer said, adding that he denied allegations of a drug offense. She said he cooperated fully with the investigation, which sped up his release.
(Washington Post)

[imagirliegirl]

Police re-arrest suspects in Holloway case. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071121/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/aruba_missing_teen)

ORANJESTAD, Aruba - Three young men previously detained as suspects in the 2005 disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway were re-arrested Wednesday, the Aruban public prosecutor's office said, citing new evidence in the case.

[KK812]

I just saw this, which creeps me out because just yesterday I was thinking about her and how sad it was that they never charged anyone.

[Sophia]

Wow, I wonder what the new evidence is. If they've been rearrested after so long, they must feel they have solid evidence.

[Niobe]

I'm curious about the new evidence too. I guess we'd have heard if they'd finally found her body?

[imagirliegirl]

I'm curious about the new evidence too. I guess we'd have heard if they'd finally found her body?

I would assume it would have made the news. I honestly don't think they will ever find her.

[Rosebud]

I have to say I'm really glad to hear that there is new evidence and those three were rearrested. It would just be really nice to see some justice for that poor girl. Very, very curious to know what this new evidence is.

[jimmysgirl424]

I'll be very curious to see what the evidence is, especially given the amount of time that has passed. I have to say that I watched van der Sloot when he appeared on 60 Minutes (or was it 20/20??) and a part of me found myself believing him. I don't know.....:confused:

[PookiePrincess]

My local news just said that Texas Equasearch is going back to Aruba along with a company from Louisiana that does underwater searches. They said the plan was to search waters off of Aruba since they believe her body is in a deep water crab trap off the coast.

[sea74]

Wouldn't the body have decomposed by now? Are they looking for just bones?

I feel bad for her family. I'm sure it's like having a scab picked off after so long. I really hope they get conclusive answers.

[imagirliegirl]

My local news just said that Texas Equasearch is going back to Aruba along with a company from Louisiana that does underwater searches. They said the plan was to search waters off of Aruba since they believe her body is in a deep water crab trap off the coast.

Oh brother. :rolleyes:

Those guys are horrible. They are just doing this for media exposure (like always).

Yes, I know this from personal working experience. They make a lot of promises they don't keep and they are media whores.

[jesvet]

Oh brother. :rolleyes:

Those guys are horrible. They are just doing this for media exposure (like always).

Yes, I know this from personal working experience. They make a lot of promises they don't keep and they are media whores.

Is that the private company that does these searches for money? If they are exploiting her presumed death for media exposure...just, wow. That is horrible.

[risa00]

Copied from an article regarding the new evidence.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, citing anonymous detectives in Aruba, reported Friday that the new evidence is derived from phone taps of conversations between Van der Sloot and the Kalpoes from earlier this year in which they contradict their earlier statements to police.

[imagirliegirl]

Is that the private company that does these searches for money? If they are exploiting her presumed death for media exposure...just, wow. That is horrible.

Eh last I heard they were "non-profit". But the few times I had the distinct pleasure of working with them it was free but they hit people up hard core for donations, especially the family of the missing person. Let's just say they appeared most when the family of the missing person had money. Or at least more money than not.

[Sophia]

According to CNN.com, the Holloways hired the divers.

Holloway's mother, Beth Holloway, said her ex-husband, Dave Holloway, has hired divers who will use sonar equipment from a benefactor to search for the girl's remains in deep water surrounding the Caribbean island.

And also, the "new evidence" is actually "re-examined" telephone records they already had.

Dutch investigators taking a fresh look at the case found some new evidence that led to the re-arrests, Mos told CNN.

The investigators used advanced techniques to re-examine existing information, including cell phone records and text messages exchanged the night Holloway disappeared. They found some discrepancies, Mos said.


Source (http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/11/23/holloway.arrest/index.html)

[imagirliegirl]

Aruba prosecutors close Natalee Holloway case. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071218/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/aruba_missing_teen)

ORANJESTAD, Aruba - Authorities have closed the investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and do not have evidence to charge anyone, the prosecutors' office said Tuesday.

I'm surprised they can just close it without any sort of resolution. It's almost like "well, we effed up, never gonna solve it now, case closed".

[KK812]

It's disgusting, plain and simple.

[sea74]

It's disgusting, plain and simple.
Ditto :mad:

[ysolde]

Well, I suspect this will hurt Aruba's tourism economy. I know I would think twice about going back there, whether on vacation or getting off a cruise ship if it was stopping there.

[Jenyfer9]

I know I would think twice about going back there, whether on vacation or getting off a cruise ship if it was stopping there.
I understand what you mean, but come on. You don't think that this sort of thing happens in NYC or Chicago (where I'm from) too? DH and I went to Aruba on our honeymoon, and I certainly hope that people don't stop going there for this single reason. Bad things happen everywhere, everyday. This is just a more highly publicized version of it.

[rangerwendy]

I understand what you mean, but come on. You don't think that this sort of thing happens in NYC or Chicago (where I'm from) too?

Ditto. Drives me crazy when people overreact because of one incident. If you check the statistics, Aruba has the lowest crime rate of almost any of the Caribbean islands. That's why my husband and I chose it for our honeymoon and never once did we feel unsafe anywhere on the island. That is certainly more than you can say for several of the other popular Caribbean destinations.

[diam124]

Whether it's rational or not, I don't think most people like to be reminded of death and murder when going on a tropical vacation. Unfortunately I think many people associate Aruba with Natalee Holloway and her murder.

[kimbyj]

My DH and I also went there for our honeymoon in 2004. We LOVED it and are planning to return this year. I think the people there were so kind and friendly. I can't rule out Aruba because of this situation (as terrible as it is). If I did that I would have to be holed up in my house forever.

[thyme]

IMO there are plenty of other islands in the Caribbean that haven't yet proven that they don't give a damn about their tourists' safety; why would I choose the one that has? JMO.

[kimbyj]

Whether it's rational or not, I don't think most people like to be reminded of death and murder when going on a tropical vacation. Unfortunately I think many people associate Aruba with Natalee Holloway and her murder.

Maybe...I don't know. I certainly don't. I live near NYC and everyday there is some murder, stabbing, rape, assault, fire etc. there. I don't stop going to the Bway or restaurants there. Same with Florida, DC, Atlanta etc. Unfortunately things like this happen. Also, there are a number of islands where people have been abducted, killed, went missing etc.

I feel terrible for the parents but I am not going to blame the country of Aruba for screwing up this investigation. The police and prosecutors have failed to make this case materialize! If I fear Aruba over this incident should I then not go to Portugal because of what happened to that little girl over there?

[thyme]

Bother. Can't edit. Wanted to add that it's not (for me) the idea that violent crime only happens in Aruba, or is more likely to happen there -- that's silly. I've just been really turned off and kind of unnerved by the horrible mismanagement after the fact, and the lack of concern shown about that. Makes me think that if anything bad did happen, I'd be screwed there.

[ysolde]

I understand what you mean, but come on. You don't think that this sort of thing happens in NYC or Chicago (where I'm from) too? DH and I went to Aruba on our honeymoon, and I certainly hope that people don't stop going there for this single reason. Bad things happen everywhere, everyday. This is just a more highly publicized version of it.

It's not because I would feel unsafe. It's because I refuse to spend my money in a place that has shown such disregard for the value and lives of women. The comments from authorities in Aruba regarding Ms. Holloway have been disturbing, to say the least.

ETA: And I agree that the horrible mismanagement of the investigation has also turned me off this island. I enjoyed Aruba. However, I also enjoy St. Martin/St Maarten, Curacao, and, when I had more money, St. Barth's. There are plenty of beautiful islands in the Caribbean, several of them Dutch (Bonaire, Curacao, and half of St. Maarten), if that is the ambience you are looking for. I see no need to return to a place whose police and legal system have proven incompetent in the face of a teenage boy with a little bit of money and maybe just a little clout.

[imagirliegirl]

Aruba reopening Natalee's case (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080201/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/aruba_missing_teen)

ORANJESTAD, Aruba - Aruban prosecutors said Friday that they are reopening their investigation into the disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway after seeing secretly taped material from a Dutch journalist.

[imagirliegirl]

He says he lied when he told someone he did it... (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080202/ap_on_re_eu/aruba_missing_teen)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Dutch student Joran van der Sloot denied Friday that he had anything to do with Natalee Holloway's disappearance, saying he lied when he told someone privately he was involved.

[Heidi9771]

I am so relieved that they are reopening the case. My heart broke when I heard they previously "closed" it. It is quite apparent that Vandersloot knows more than he ever let on.

[Rosebud]

OMG. :eek: I just want them to nail this creepy bastard, I really do.

Holloway Suspect: 'I Know What Happened' (http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4222253&page=1)

In surveillance recordings aired on a Dutch TV special this evening, Joran van der Sloot, a former suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, said the American teen appeared lifeless on an Aruban beach three years ago during a romantic tryst, and "she'll never be found."

"I know what happened to that girl," van der Sloot announced during 20 hours of private conversations secretly recorded by crime reporter Peter R. de Vries.

Her body, van der Sloot said, had been dumped in the ocean by a friend with a boat. "We're on the beach," he said on the recordings, according to the Dutch TV show. "Suddenly, she wasn't moving any more." Nowhere on the recordings does van der Sloot display any emotion about the young woman he said he disposed of that night on the beach so far from home. "I didn't even feel bad about it," he said at one point. "I didn't lose a night of sleep over it. I thought, 'I have to go on.'"

[miaclear]

Wow....I hope they can get him.

[JenniferEC]

They played the video of him telling what happened on the Today show. Very creepy!

[bethnjim]

How horrible that he referred to her as an "old rag" being thrown out. Makes you wonder if the sex was forced. His opinion of women is appalling and scary!!!:mad:

My heart breaks for the mother!!:(

[phoenics]

This is exactly why my friends and I had a rule of NO going off by ourselves when we went clubbing - especially if we were in a foreign land. Period! No secret hookups, no makeout sessions with a cute guy we just met - no NOTHING! We had a buddy system and we stuck to it.

It's really horrible what happened to this girl. I hope they get him too.

[ysolde]

This is exactly why my friends and I had a rule of NO going off by ourselves when we went clubbing - especially if we were in a foreign land. Period! No secret hookups, no makeout sessions with a cute guy we just met - no NOTHING! We had a buddy system and we stuck to it.

It's really horrible what happened to this girl. I hope they get him too.

The buddy system -- so true! I remember my senior cruise. Two of my friends and I stuck together at all times, and we looked out for one another. We were 18, we were flirtatious, we had a lot of fun, but no one could get any of us alone!

I really hope they get that vander Sloot guy.

[diam124]

I thought it was horrible that he mentioned a few times that he wasn't even sure if Natalie was dead. How awful for her parents to have to know that she may have just been unconscious and why would he call the friend to "get rid of the body" if he wasn't sure she was dead and everything between them was consensual? Makes no sense.

I went on a cruise for Spring Break senior year of college and one of my friends befriended a guy on the ship. She ended up spending the last 2 days (and nights) of the cruise with him and was totally infatuated. She was not what I would consider "slutty" under normal circumstances so I'm not sure why she trusted this guy. Anyway, of course the week we got back to school he emailed her and said not to contact him anymore because he had a long-term girlfriend. I always think of her when I hear about Natalee Holloway for some reason.

[imagirliegirl]

I think his story is crap. Why call your pals to dump a body of someone who accidentally died? Yeah right buddy.

I really hope they can nail this little tool. His lack of remorse is just shameful.

[Rose]

Makes you wonder if the sex was forced. His opinion of women is appalling and scary!!!

I thought he or one of those two brothers had admitted to rape in the past but it wasn't illegal in Aruba. Maybe I am mis-remembering.

[sea74]

I'm watching the 20/20 show and it's so infuriating. This punk thinks he's hot sh!t and he's pretty pleased w/himself that he's "gotten away" with it :mad:

I feel sooooo bad for her parents :( This must be painful for them. ESPECIALLY not knowing if she was truly dead when he dumped her off the boat.

[namrodda]

whether his taped story is true or not, what a slime ball! he definitely deserves the court of public opinion...

the Marriott they keep referring to is where we spend our honeymoon, lovely! Fortunately 2 years earlier....shivers!

[cr8zyforaf]

Why didn't they check the pay phone records to see if he did make a call?

Also, I agree that there had to be a reason he didn't just call 911 - did he force her to have s*x, did he rough her up???

I believe that he did it, he knows what happened - there was too much detail in my opinion - but I think he may have left out or changed details. He is slime and I cannot even imagine what her parents are feeling right now...it is just heartbreaking.

[miaclear]

Joran van der Sloot, one of the last people spotted with Natalee Holloway on May 30, 2005, has come forward saying he sold Natalee for about $10,000. Joran says he took the cash and walked Natalee onto a mystery man's boat.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,457715,00.html

A few things I find odd/interesting about the interview:

* Joran is coming forth with this info because he wants to find Natalie alive so people will realize he didn't hurt her.

* Fox got this tape back in June supposedly, so why are they just bringing it out now. They tell Joran's lawyer that they were busy covering the election. Wow....just wow. If the information on this tape is real why not let REAL investigators in on it?

* It sounds like Fox brings Beth Halloway to the interview w/o even telling her what information they have (seems pretty shady)

[sea74]

* It sounds like Fox brings Beth Halloway to the interview w/o even telling her what information they have (seems pretty shady)
If that's how it went down, I don't see how the people involved can live w/themselves :mad:

[BridalLace]

i think Van der Sloot probably did dump her body off the boat, after all, when he was sitting in that jeep with that guy in that filmed exposé, why on earth would he make up a story when he didn't have to. (although i suppose some pathological liars just lie and lie til they are no longer sure of the truth themselves.....)

i think he probably is suffering from the OJ syndrome where he is just getting tired of being viewed as a murderer walking around free, and wants to take some of the heat off himself by implying that Natalee could be alive.

at this point he must think that everyone is listening to him or bugging his conversations all the time.........all he has to do imply is that Natalee is alive, and get his father to help him create the diversion, and off the press and everyone else will go searching fruitlessly for her.

he is using the constant press attention to his own advantage by manipulating everyone who pays any attention to his lies. he is trying to manipulate people into thinking he is less of a monster than he actually is. he'd much prefer to be the guy who sold this poor girl (alive) than the guy who dumped her into the ocean without even checking if she was still breathing.

i agree that its suspicious that he was 'caught' setting up women to be trafficked as prostitutes or slaves, but if they really think Natalee Holloway is alive, then.......why not post her face everywhere in Venezuela. billboards everywhere with her face on it. if it was true, she wouldn't be able to hide for very long, or her 'captors' wouldn't be able to hide her.

she's blond, a native English speaker, working as a sex slave? in that hypothetical situation, wouldn't someone see freeing her as a possible source of income once the fantastic story broke? The 'rich American press' who'd pay a ton for the story, the rich parents who'd reward someone for rescuing her....definitely if Natalee were alive to rescue, someone out there would want a part of the story and the reward for freeing her.

surely at the time of her disappearance, the proximity of Venezuela to Aruba must've meant that her face was all over the media there, already. i find it hard to believe that in that scenario, anyone would've been able to keep her hidden away.

i think Van der Sloot is just creating a story, maybe he likes being (in)famous and this creates income for him in some odd way.

[Scooter]

The funny thing is that I remember catching an episode of Dr Phil a few years ago where they suspected she was sold into the sex trade. I just googled that episode (-http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/623/), from Nov '05. The show hired a private investigator, and he came to the conclusion that Natalie was most likely sold into slavery. They also highlighted another girl who IIRC was kidnapped from her cruise ship and then spotted later. I remember all this because it was so disturbing! They showed a huge compound with barbed wire and gunmen, where women were kept locked up and men came to see them. It's not like they had a chance to escape, they weren't out on the streetcorner or something. It was like a jail. Just horrible.

[imagirliegirl]

The funny thing is that I remember catching an episode of Dr Phil a few years ago where they suspected she was sold into the sex trade. I just googled that episode (-http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/623/), from Nov '05.

I remember seeing that. Horrible.

The idea that he sold her to someone isn't completely unbelievable. I doubt that's what really happened, but it's possible.

I don't think they are ever going to solve this case.