The Natalee Holloway Timeline
of her vanishment while in Aruba
detailing persons, places, organizations,
deliberate & accidental actions & in-actions,
events & supposed events, witnesses,
known suspects, outright lies,
corruptions, and crimes
11-1-05
On 11-1 BETH arrived in ARUBA. The “AP” reported “Twitty, who arrived Tuesday, told reporters that she wanted to meet with prosecutors and Police to discuss a taped interview in which Deepak Kalpoe allegedly says all three had sex with Holloway, who would have turned 19 last month. "I want to keep the communication channels open with the Police and prosecutor," she said, adding that so far the prosecution has declined to meet with her. She met with Aruban tourism officials, who have expressed concern that negative publicity surrounding the case could hurt the island's tourism-dependent economy. However, the government says tourism so far hasn't been affected. Twitty declined to give details on the meeting when asked by reporters, saying only that she planned to leave the island on Thursday. Myrna Jansen, managing director of the Aruba Tourism Authority, called the meeting informative. ‘Of course, we are not Investigators, but we will do our utmost to solve this case.’ Kalpoe's attorney and Aruban authorities did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment on the tape.”
On 11-1 “Bon Dia Aruba” reported:
Beth Twitty Arrives in Aruba Today
On the Same Day of the Start of ATCA
ORANJESTAD— According to all indications and her own admissions on a few programs in the US, Beth Twitty, mother of the disappeared youngster Natalee Holloway, arrived in Aruba today.
The Holloway mother, who sustains boycott calls against Aruba’s tourism industry, arrived on the same day as the annual tourism conference, ATCA, begins.
Members of the Strategic Commission do not have the key information, but believes that Aruba will give the mother of Natalee Holloway the necessary courtesy.
This is a difficult request, given the amount of negative publicity that this lady has and is giving to Aruba constantly. The Commission is aware of this also, but looks at the importance of showing the same American media that Arubaans are courteous and decent people. “We will stay in contact with the Police corps regarding this matter, since it is important for them to know her itinerary while in Aruba. We will extend all cooperation to arrive at a solution to the case” said Jorge Pesquera.
But the Commission is also aware that every trip Beth Twitty makes, she speaks on American television and creates a bad impression of Aruba, and because of this he will try to contact Twitty to speak about this matter.
About the question if Beth Twitty planned her trip to coincide with ATCA, where there will be a large quantity of American tour operators, neither Mr. Pesquera nor Ms. Myrna Jansen would comment. However, in any case, ATCA is reserve for official participants who are registered, therefore it would not be permitted that the lady enters into the conference room.
Members of the Strategic Commission also ensure that Beth Twitty is in Aruba at her expense, and that they have no intention of covering any of her expenses.
On 11-1 MSNBC asked ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG his response to the following 10-31 statement by BETH, “I hate that Deputy Dompig is losing focus of the investigation on the perpetrators that perpetrated a gang rape against my daughter. It‘s just unbelievable that they would protect these three perpetrators. I just can‘t imagine them thinking that it‘s going to go away. It just seems like to me it‘s getting worse with each twist that they take.” ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG responded, “Well, I regret those statements because I think anybody should understand and can understand that we have made a lot of efforts to conduct a professional investigation and in many cases, we have given the family every chance to sit with us and to take their statements. And I think Mrs. Twitty was the one who canceled an appointment that we made for her a couple of weeks ago. And I only heard about the cancellation after calling her attorney and so I regret that. And I think that it‘s not true at all. We have to investigate and as we investigate, we seriously have to look at all angles and we need answers and I don‘t know maybe some people are getting nervous because we want more detailed statements from the Alabama kids and no one is saying that the focus is off these three boys. No. We just need more answers and maybe these answers can also help us to make the case stronger against these three boys.” “Well, I can only say this. I‘m not willing to go into details but we need her (BETH). We still have a couple of questions open and we need her to help us with those blanks and if she really wants to help with the investigation, I think that she should—we have an appointment with her as a matter of fact for Thursday and so we‘re looking forward to her coming in to correct that was supposedly, according to her, statement wrong. And she will get that chance, opportunity and also the fact that we still have other questions, so that we can wrap that up.” “I object again to the fact that the mother comes in—the grieving mother comes in with a film crew, so that I think it will be—the time will best be spent to sit with the investigating team so that we can fill up all the blanks instead of coming over with a film crew. I don‘t know what that agenda is about.” When ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG was asked if he was “accusing her of somehow being involved in a [money] scam?,” ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG responded, “Absolutely not. If there‘s any money somewhere for a relief fund or Holloway fund, that‘s none of my business. And—but the only problem that I have and that‘s where I had a question. That it became my business once Mr. Miller and Mr. Dave Holloway had problems [INAUDIBLE] not really problems, but tried to get some things for certain search activities and comp hotel rooms and so on. So—and other people like Fred Golba, the one who came in with the dogs, also called and tried to find out how he could get his cost back or who could pay for the searches. And so I don‘t know. I have questions about who do they turn to and who do they call. And that was the only thing I had. And other than that, I think that people just turned it blew it out of proportion. Because that is absolutely not part of the investigation.” When ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG was asked if there are any updates on re-arresting any of the Current Murder Suspects, ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG responded, “Well, we‘re still waiting for Holland to give us the outcome of that test. We are also contemplating an official request to the F.B.I. to also look at the original material. I have—I understood from Mr. Skeeters that would be the hard disk off his computer. So as we speak we are working on a official request, which is going to be sent to Washington to the prosecutor [INAUDIBLE] where we will request—one is the special equipment that Mr. Dave Holloway wanted to use that probably the F.B.I. has—uses and the other part is also the official assistance in getting more detailed statements from the Alabama teens. So we are moving ahead and as we speak trying to get that into one document because as [INAUDIBLE] pointed out to us, these things have to be done officially, not just picking up a phone.”
On 11-1 when MSNBC asked DAVE HOLLOWAY, “What do you make of Dompig’s comments?,” DAVE HOLLOWAY stated, “Well, I arrived on the island on Oct. 18th and the following day [10-19], met Dompig and he requested the assistance of the FBI. Indicated he would like for them to come back and utilize them ad much as he could. So we said well, we will try to see if we can make that happen. In the meantime, he indicated that we needed to focus our search efforts in the ocean. So, we were not going to waste anytime so we took off along with Tim Miller of “Texas EquuSearch” and had boats in the water I believe by the weekend. We soon realized we would need the F.B.I. and some of their search equipment. We forwarded an email to Mr. Dompig sometimes Wednesday requesting that he make a phone call to the F.B.I. so we could get this underwater equipment. I ended up having to leave the island on Thursday and in my reports back from the individuals who were left they felt like the light had been turned out. So I followed up again Saturday with the same email. We’re all sitting on the bank and can’t get in the water until we get the assistance of the FBI. That team finally had to leave this past Monday or Tuesday.”
On 11-1 SOUSA told FOX News that she has been in contact with ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN nearly every day. SOUSA said that specific land and sea searches were planned by ARUBAN Investigators, but SOUSA said she could not reveal where.
On 11-1 TIM MILLER stated to FOX News that when DAVE HOLLOWAY and TIM MILLER were recently in ARUBA, the “Texas EquuSearch” team was “led to the water by Dompig.“ TIM MILLER stated GENE RALSTON (AMERICAN, “TES” member currently in U.S.) (AMERICAN, “TES” member currently in U.S.) possesses deep-ocean search equipment that can search down to 800’ and RALSTON also has personal connections to advanced deep-ocean search equipment via the UNITED STATES Navy. TIM MILLER stated that even though TIM MILLER mentioned to ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG on 10-28 that all that was needed to utilize RALSTON’s and the UNITED STATES Navy deep-ocean search equipments, no ARUBAAN's have made the informal, simple requests. TIM MILLER stated that over the past 5+ months 108 “Texas EquuSearch” volunteers have been helping in ARUBA in the searches. TIM MILLER stated that last Wednesday (10-26) ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG was praising the search teams efforts, then on Thursday (10-27) “all communications stopped” and when TIM MILLER phoned ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG Friday (10-28) morning ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG “was basically kind of ugly to me” and ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG told TIM MILLER “I do not have time to sit down and write little letters for everything” and any requests had to go through the prosecuting attorney. TIM MILLER further said “It makes me question: Are we getting too close? Do they really want Natalee to be found?” “By God, at this point in time, I am supporting Beth Holloway 100% in the boycott, and I feel as though we have been lied to--we’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, a lot of time, and I think we’re getting the “run-around.”
On 11-1 when MSNBC asked BETH about the following 11-1 statement by ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG, “I object again to the fact that the mother comes in—the grieving mother comes in with a film crew, so that I think it will be—the time will best be spent to sit with the investigating team so that we can fill up all the blanks instead of coming over with a film crew. I don‘t know what that agenda is about,” BETH stated, “Well, Joe, I don‘t know, and I know that you know me, and as well as every viewer that you have ever reached, they know that I simply did not come in with a large film crew. I came in with a teacher friend, Joe, and that‘s just simply not true that I came in with a large film crew.” When asked if she believes “there something going on behind the scenes that we don‘t know about, is he being pressured by Dutch authorities, or being pressured by some powerful families on that island?,” BETH stated, “You know, Joe, I don‘t know, but we have to keep thinking it has to be way bigger than these three perpetrators that have involvement in Natalee‘s disappearance, and this crime committed against her, the gang rape and her disappearance. It‘s just not limited to these three perpetrators. And, you know, as far as—if another media happens to be on the island or finds out I am here, you know, I can‘t help that, Joe, but, you know.” When MSNBC stated then asked, “You know, Beth, it sounds so disheartening, because, again, you were so excited about this new Police chief coming in. It sounds like the new Police chief is acting a lot like the old Police chief. Are you ready at this point—if he doesn‘t step forward, and, again, starts actively seeking the truth in this case, are you ready to move forward with calling for a possible boycott of Aruba?,” BETH stated, “Well, I think we are absolutely ready to move forward with some other movement. If it turns towards that, it‘s a very sad day, because we have really given them so many opportunities to come forward, and you know, we have had so many setbacks as it is, Joe, as far as how the case has been mishandled all along. And you know, there‘s just no way we can get off track for a moment, and, you know, it‘s already been five months too long, and we have to keep the investigation on helping Natalee and finding her, and if they choose not to do that, I see no other path for us.” When MSNBC stated then asked, “Now, before we go, I want to clear this up, because, again, we understand there is the new Police chief in there. I had understood the old Police chief [STRATEN] had possibly left the island. Do you know if he [STRATEN] is having any influence in this investigation? Do you think he could possibly be pressuring Dompig, who, really, he [ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG] has done a 180. I mean, this guy [ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG] has completely changed the path of this investigation since we spoke a couple of weeks ago. You think he [ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG] may be feeling some pressure from the old Police chief?,” BETH stated, “Well, it certainly appears that way to me, and I—hopefully while I am here, I will find out more definitive information on [PAULUS] van der Sloot‘s involvement. I think that it has still been quite heavy. I don‘t think that it was ever, ever—he [STRATEN] was ever removed from the case. I think he [STRATEN] has kept his hand in it quite frequently.”
On 11-1 CNNHN reported:
NANCY GRACE, HOST: But first, to tonight’s "Case Alert." Natalee Holloway's mother is headed back to Aruba today to continue the search for her daughter. Natalee disappeared May 30 while on a high school graduation trip to the island. Aruban authorities released all three suspects in the case, and prime suspect Joran van der Sloot left Aruba for college in Holland. This fall, Natalee would have started college at the University of Alabama.
11-2-05
On 11-2 MSNBC reported:
DAN ABRAMS, HOST: Coming up, breaking news out of Aruba. Natalee Holloway‘s divorced parents have come together to demand that most of the senior officials working on the case be replaced.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ABRAMS (voice-over): In a stinging six-page letter, they accused the Aruban authorities of asking for money, ignoring leads, and bungling the investigation. They want a whole new team. This a day after the deputy Police chief had some tough words on this program for Natalee‘s mother. Natalee‘s father, Dave, is with us.
…
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ABRAMS: Hi everyone. First up on the docket tonight, there is a war of words unraveling in Aruba. Natalee Holloway‘s divorced parents who up to now have been proceeding separately, sign a letter. Here it is. You see Dave Holloway, Robin Holloway, Beth Twitty, Jug Twitty, all signing this letter in agreement with what is in this six-page document. They are demanding that Aruba‘s attorney general pull the team investigating Natalee‘s disappearance.
Quote—“It has become increasingly difficult to hold our tongues. It is our contention that it is in the best interest of everyone concerned to instigate a fresh start in this case. We respectfully request that Dennis Jacobs, Karin Janssen, and Gerold Dompig be removed from the case.”
The letter goes on to say that when Dave Holloway asked the Police to begin a search for Natalee two days after she went missing, the detective in charge of the investigation answered—quote—“no, this happens all the time. Just go on down to Carlos N‘ Charlie‘s and have a beer. She‘ll show up sometime. She probably got drunk or fell in love and ran off with someone for a few days.”
They also had strong words for the deputy chief of Police, Gerold Dompig. Quote—“It is apparent that Dompig wants to incite anti-Beth Twitty feelings among the Aruban populace in a situation where he should be doing the exact opposite and appealing to the Aruban people for leads to solve Natalee‘s disappearance.”
This scathing letter comes just a day after we had an exclusive interview with the deputy. He was on the program yesterday, where he had some tough words of his own for the family.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEROLD DOMPIG, ARUBAN DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF: With all due respect to Mrs. Twitty, she doesn‘t run the investigation, we do. And we ask the questions. If it was the other way around, we could all back up and let the family do the investigation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) All right. Joining me now on the phone is Dave Holloway, Natalee‘s father. He is one of the people who signed the letter. Dave, thanks for coming on the program.
Look, Dave, you have generally been a sort of calmer voice in connection with this investigation, and yet you did sign this scathing letter about the investigative team. Why?
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY‘S FATHER (via phone): Yes we did. I was one of the last holdouts. I think Beth had been pushing for this for some time. And I went back to the island, hoping to make one last push to get everybody together, hold some solid communications and move forward with the case. And there at the end I thought we were coming close and starting to gel and to move this forward, and suddenly it just fell apart.
ABRAMS: But Dave, these are very serious accusations that you all are making in this letter. Let me read from one of them that apparently was regard to you from a detective handling the case.
When you went to the Police department to report Natalee missing—quote—“Dennis Jacobs responded with the following inappropriate question. How much money do you have?”
HOLLOWAY: That‘s correct and there were two witnesses there that can confirm that.
ABRAMS: And your understanding was he was effectively saying in order to search for your daughter, that they would have to get paid?
HOLLOWAY: Well I don‘t know what his intentions were, Dan, but he made that comment. Whether he was making it in jest, or whatever, I don‘t know, but he did make that comment.
ABRAMS: All right. Now, another issue with regard to Detective Jacobs, and it seems to me that this I know is one of Beth‘s primary concerns, and I‘m wondering if it‘s yours, as well.
Jacobs continues to theorize that Natalee is still alive, which may explain his lack of diligence in pursuing the suspects who are responsible for Natalee‘s disappearance.
HOLLOWAY: That‘s correct. When I met with him last week, during our conversation, even though he is a lead investigator, he felt like Natalee was still alive.
ABRAMS: He made it clear to you that he thinks Natalee—the lead investigator made it clear to you that he thinks Natalee Holloway is alive and thereby, I guess, suggesting that what, she ran off?
HOLLOWAY: He really didn‘t comment on it, so I don‘t know. Just—he just made that comment, that that was his theory. There were four theories on the board. One of them was she ran away, the other is she‘s alive, the other was that Joran left her at the beach, and the Mountain Brook kids did something with her and the other theory is the most objective and common theory was that they—the three boys had something to do with her disappearance, possibly taking her out in the ocean.
ABRAMS: Dave, before I play a piece of sound from the deputy Police chief, Gerold Dompig, on this show last night, let me ask you. You and your ex-wife Beth have gone about this sort of on two separate routes. You‘ve gone there at different times. I‘ve gotten the impression that it‘s not as if the two of you have been coordinating your efforts.
You know what the other one is doing, but is this the most—this letter, signed by you and your wife and she and her husband, is this sort of the most unified effort that the two of you have made together on this?
HOLLOWAY: Yes, it would be. I was one of the ones who held out, hoping that the Police would come together and complete their investigation, and it just finally got to the point where—you know we‘ve got tunnel vision and a lot of peripheral issues started coming up, and you know why aren‘t we focusing back on the three suspects? Why are we talking about issues that don‘t even involve the case? And that‘s where I started getting frustrated and I felt like you know it‘s time, it‘s the fourth quarter, and time‘s almost up. Why don‘t we just start all over and start out with a whole new fresh team?
ABRAMS: Here‘s what Gerold Dompig said in an exclusive interview on this program last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOMPIG: I think anybody should understand and can understand it. We have made a lot of efforts to conduct a professional investigation. And in any case, we have given the family every chance to sit with us and to take their statements.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: Do you disagree with that, Dave?
HOLLOWAY: Well let‘s take a pen and pencil and draw a line through it, and you put on one side what the family and the foreigners and people from the U.S. have done, and then you put on the other side what have the Police done. You know we delivered, when we came to the island, we identified the suspects, all three of them, and handed it to them on a silver platter.
We also identified the witness, who is the gardener. We also had a person from the U.S. come down and literally almost got a confession out of Deepak. We found a lot of evidence that they have not used for one reason or the other. We‘ve done most of all the searches. And then my question is, is what have the Police done?
ABRAMS: Yes. Dave Holloway, as always, thank you for taking the time to come on the program.
HOLLOWAY: Thank you.
ABRAMS: And again, you know as Dave points out, this is a unique joint effort, because Dave and his ex-wife Beth have been going at this in different ways. Beth has been out there criticizing the authorities earlier, Dave now joining in this letter, saying it is time to get rid of most of the team investigating this case.
Joining me now is Aruban attorney, Chris Lejuez, EquuSearch director, Ted Miller, who‘s been back and forth to Aruba looking for Natalee over the past five months, and MSNBC analyst and former FBI investigator Clint Van Zandt.
All right, Chris, you‘re down there in Aruba. How are the Aruban authorities going to react to this?
CHRIS LEJUEZ, ARUBAN ATTORNEY (via phone): I wonder. I think the signal that they‘re getting is a very strong one. I believe after I read her letter that they cannot ignore its contents. They will—do have to look into matters.
ABRAMS: There is one point in this letter—and this is number three, here—where the letter says that the detective handling the case followed—neglected to ask a follow-up question, Clint, and it says—quote—Joran says—quote—“I think that Deepak killed Natalee and buried her body.” There is no follow-up question as to why or where. It seems that they are quoting from some sort of statement there, Clint where Joran said that.
CLINT VAN ZANDT, FORMER FBI INVESTIGATOR: I saw the statement Dan...
LEJUEZ: Well as you know I am not involved...
ABRAMS: I know. I‘m—hang on a sec, Chris. I‘m going to Clint Van Zandt on that.
VAN ZANDT: Yes, Dan, I saw the statement when I was down in Aruba for MSNBC. I saw the statement that the Police allegedly took from van der Sloot, where he makes that—where van der Sloot says that. And I read that and I kind of came up over the top of the desk and I said well, where‘s the rest of the questions? Where‘s the follow-up questions? Where‘s the rest of the story?
And Dan, this is what‘s frustrated me in this case. It appears that the Police simply sat there and listened to what he had to say, and said oh yes, that‘s nice, wrote it down. No follow-ups. They took a statement without asking any other questions.
ABRAMS: Clint look, you are a long-time investigator and I think many would characterize you as a—I hate to use the cliche, but an investigator‘s investigator. A guy who the other investigators, the FBI team, they like you. They respect you. As someone who is on that side of law enforcement, how do you feel about this letter from Beth and Dave Holloway, basically saying we need a whole new team in there looking at this case?
VAN ZANDT: Yes. Well your staff provided me a copy of the letter obviously and I‘ve read it. You know the letter was written by Art Wood, who‘s a former Secret Service agent, who‘s been working both for the newspaper in Aruba, as well as helping the family out. I know Art. I know him from down there. He‘s a good solid guy. But you know Art‘s fingerprints are all over this, but I think Art is just frustrated from the investigator‘s standpoint, and I think he‘s been able to pull the family together, say hey, at this point, shaking everybody‘s hand, slapping them on the back saying go get them guys, doesn‘t...
ABRAMS: But this is well beyond that, Clint. This is well beyond saying let‘s not slap them on the back. This is saying get rid of them. I mean this is—the accusations in here are very serious. I mean talking about one detective who‘s asking about money. Other detectives...
VAN ZANDT: Yes.
ABRAMS: ... were saying oh just go have a beer?
VAN ZANDT: Or let‘s—shouldn‘t the FBI—you know, shouldn‘t the students who were down there with her, they now are supposed to make contact of their own volition, either by phone or e-mail, because the Police now, all of a sudden, want to ask follow-up questions that they think the FBI didn‘t ask in the United States, which—you know, if the Aruba Police have never asked one follow-up question yet, I don‘t know where they pulled a new follow-up question out of the air...
ABRAMS: Here‘s what I want to do. I want to do two things. After this break, I want to play a piece of sound from Gerold Dompig on this show last night, when he‘s talking about exactly what he wants from the friends of Natalee Holloway. And we still got Tim Miller with us from EquuSearch. There‘s a lot of the criticism in this case who were saying look, the authorities they‘re not helping out with the team from EquuSearch that‘s out there every day, trying to look for Natalee. We‘ll talk to Tim. What he thinks about all of this.
…
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOMPIG: Maybe some people are getting nervous because we want more detailed statements from the Alabama kids. And no one is saying that the focus is off these three boys. No, we just need more answers and maybe these answers can also help us to make the case stronger against these three boys.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: Maybe, Clint Van Zandt, but the problem—and again, we‘re talking about this letter that has been signed by Beth Holloway and her ex-husband, the first time they‘ve come together in the Natalee Holloway case, saying they want a whole new team down there in Aruba. You hear Gerold Dompig, the deputy Police chief down there on this program last night saying look, you know some people may not like it, but we need more answers from some of the friends of Natalee Holloway and he‘s saying that doesn‘t necessarily...
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: ... mean we‘re not still looking at the three suspects, but it sure does sound like it‘s possible that he‘s not and I think that‘s what drives the family crazy.
VAN ZANDT: I think it does too, Dan. Number one, just as you say, he‘s saying we need to ask more questions of these kids who have been interviewed and interviewed and interviewed time and again, and his lead detective is suggesting that Natalee is what, either a runaway or a kidnap victim. Either way, it‘s still a case that needs to be investigated that the Arubaans just have not pressed the case to find her.
ABRAMS: All right, Tim Miller is with EquuSearch. He‘s been down there quite a bit. Tim, a lot of the disputes seem to be focusing on your team‘s relationship with the authorities down there. This letter is basically saying look, we can‘t work with them anymore, they‘re not helping us out. How have you found the Aruban authorities to be in terms of helping you out?
TIM MILLER, EQUUSEARCH DIRECTOR: You know in the beginning I think it was very difficult. We were led to believe one thing and I think that we crossed that hurdle a little bit. And I remember when Gerold Dompig kind of took the case over, and I met with him, and I was kind of impressed with him, if you want to know the truth.
We had some new blood basically on the case. And when we went there -
when we got there two weeks ago, we had what I thought was a wonderful meeting with Gerold, and he told us the areas he wanted us to search. We let him know that we could do stuff up to 150 foot deep with the equipment that we had, but we was going to be in 800 to 1,000 feet of water. And we tried to schedule some things and we lost communication.
And you know I got a phone call this morning, while I was drinking my coffee. I mean the Natalee case has just been eating at us, and it was Gerold Dompig. And he really apologized to me for the lack of communication last week, while we were there, and Gerold‘s words to me was, Tim, you know what? I really don‘t think that Natalee‘s alive.
And we do have to find her. He said I‘m looking forward to you coming back to the island. I think Gerold has been overwhelmed. He‘s been hit in every single direction, and you know what? Right now what I would like to do is go ahead and mobilize again, go on back over there. I think we‘re going to get 100 percent cooperation...
ABRAMS: I don‘t know about that anymore...
MILLER: ... from Gerold right now...
ABRAMS: ... after this letter, Tim. I mean you can understand why after this letter, there could be some new problems.
MILLER: Well you know what? I think they can deal with those problems. I‘d kind of like to ask Dave and Beth—you know what? It‘s been almost five months now, let‘s step back for a couple of weeks and kind of take some deep breaths and stuff and kind of everybody hold their tongue and allow us to go back over there. I truly, from the bottom of my heart, think that we‘re going to get the equipment over there we need. We‘re going to be able to search the areas that they want searched. And Gerold and I talked this morning, if she is out there, even with the sophisticated equipment...
ABRAMS: Yes.
MILLER: ... we‘re taking, chances are slim, but you know what? Let‘s work together and do everything we can possibly do and I‘m looking forward to going back over there. And the problems with Gerold and me right now, I think that they‘re repaired and I want to focus...
(CROSSTALK)
MILLER: ... on locating Natalee.
ABRAMS: They say in this letter that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) saying it‘s become increasingly difficult to hold our tongues. And here‘s what Gerold Dompig said on the program last night, again talking about wanting those interviews with those other teens, talking about his relationship with the FBI and had some words for Beth Holloway Twitty as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOMPIG: We have spoken to the FBI and the deal is that we will ask them officially to assist us with all the investigators‘ requests and questions we still have (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Alabama teens. And that‘s going to happen and we‘re just going to have a kind of like a no-nonsense approach, not the emotional stuff. And I regret that the family or Mrs. Twitty tried to throw us off track, but I am steadfast.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: All right. Well, we shall see what happens. I know that Dave Holloway‘s been listening in to this conversation. And you‘ve been hearing what Tim has been saying from EquuSearch. We‘ll let the two of you talk in private about some of this, because I think that you probably want to have an off-the-record conversation about some of that, so we‘ll let you do that.
Clint Van Zandt, thanks very much and Chris Lejuez, thank you.
Appreciate it.
On 11-2 MSNBC reported “In a stinging six-page letter, they accused the Aruban authorities of asking for money, ignoring leads, and bungling the investigation.” “In a stinging letter to the Aruban attorney general, Natalee‘s parents say that they have lost all faith in Aruba‘s Investigators because they have ignored leads and bungled the investigation.” “Natalee Holloway's divorced parents who up to now have been proceeding separately, sign a letter. Here it is. You see Dave Holloway, Robin Holloway, Beth Twitty, Jug Twitty, all signing this letter in agreement with what is in this six-page document. They are demanding that Aruba‘s attorney general pull the team investigating Natalee‘s disappearance. Quote—‘It has become increasingly difficult to hold our tongues. It is our contention that it is in the best interest of everyone concerned to instigate a fresh start in this case. We respectfully request that Dennis Jacobs, Karin Janssen, and Gerold Dompig be removed from the case.’ The letter goes on to say that [on 6-1] when Dave Holloway asked the Police to begin a search for Natalee two days after she went missing, the detective in charge of the investigation answered—quote—‘no, this happens all the time. Just go on down to Carlos N‘ Charlie’s and have a beer. She’ll show up sometime. She probably got drunk or fell in love and ran off with someone for a few days.’ They also had strong words for the deputy chief of Police, Gerold Dompig. Quote—‘It is apparent that Dompig wants to incite anti-Beth Twitty feelings among the Aruban populace in a situation where he should be doing the exact opposite and appealing to the Aruban people for leads to solve Natalee‘s disappearance.’ ” “quote—‘Dennis Jacobs responded with the following inappropriate question. How much money do you have?’ ” (DAVE responded “there were two witnesses there that can confirm that.” is what JACOBS said to DAVE) “quote—Joran says—quote—‘I think that Deepak killed Natalee and buried her body.’ There is no follow-up question as to why or where.” Also included in the letter to the ARUBAN Attorney General “Jacobs continues to theorize that Natalee is still alive, which may explain his lack of diligence in pursuing the suspects who are responsible for Natalee‘s disappearance.” ” “It says, ‘The investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway has been mishandled and jeopardized by the current investigative and prosecution team. We expressed our total lack of confidence in that team.’ ” “They say, quote, ‘It has become increasingly difficult to hold our tongues. Our only goal is to find Natalee Holloway. It is our contention that it is in the best interest of everyone concerned to instigate a fresh start in this case.’ ” Here Is a transcript of the six page letter:
Date: November 1, 2005
To: Theresa Croes Fernandez-Pedra
Attorney General Of Aruba
Havenstrat 2
Oranjestad, Aruba
From Arthur F. Ward
Dave and Robin Holloway
Beth and Jug Twitty
Dear Attorney General,
Dave Holloway and I left Aruba on October 27, 2005, after meeting with the Prime Minister, Nelson Oduber. During the meeting we informed the Prime Minister of our collective perception that the investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway has been mishandled and jeopardized by the current investigative and prosecution team. We expressed our total lack of confidence in that team and requested that the Prime Minister, together with the appropriate officials from Aruba, appoint a new investigative and prosecutorial team to continue this case. The purpose of this document is to identify and explain some of the elements, concerns and incidents which have led to our complete lack of confidence in the ability of the current team to continue this investigation in a professional and positive manner. We feel that it is imperative that the following individuals be replaced.
Dennis Jacobs:
On June 1, 2005, Dave Holloway arrived in Aruba in search of his daughter, Natalee Holloway. He was accompanied by his brother and brother-in-law. Their arrival was approximately 48 hours after Natalee had disappeared. After stopping at two different Police stations, both of which were unaware of Natalee's disappearance, they made there way to the Noord Police Station and requested to speak to the detective who was handling the Natalee Holloway disappearance case. Dennis Jacobs responded with the following inappropriate question "How much money do you have?" The subsequent conversation with Jacobs was less than satisfactory to say the least. When Dave informed him they were going to begin a search for Natalee, he responded with "Search? Why would you want to do that?" Dave replied, "Isn't that what you normally do when someone is missing?" Jacobs answer was "No, this happens all the time. Just go down to Carlos and Charlie's and have a beer, she probably just got drunk or fell in love and ran off for a few days." Jacobs advised Dave that he had taken statements from the three boys who were last seen with Natalee. These were Joran van der Sloot, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, and that their statements were all compatible with the fact that they had dropped her off at the "Holiday Inn." When Dave advised Jacobs that his ex-wife, Beth Twitty, had told him the tapes at the "Holiday Inn" had been reviewed and showed that the boys had lied, because the tapes showed they had not dropped her off. Jacobs continued to infer that she would probably show up soon. (Jacobs already knew that the tapes at the hotel indicated that the boys had lied, yet he told Dave that their statements were compatible.) Dave and his brothers pressed Jacobs to reinterview the boys and he assured them that he would do so the following day. Requestioning of the boys did not happen for many days.
The statement or declarations that Jacobs has taken in this case, at least the ones we have seen, appear to be incomplete. In every instance the responses that he records are misleading and demand follow up questions that are obvious to any intelligent reader. For instance, Joran says "I think Deepak killed Natalee and buried her body." There is no followup question as to why or where? At one point, An F.B.I. person was privy to one of the interviews conducted by Dennis Jacobs. The F.B.I. agent became so frustrated with Jacobs methods and line of questioning that he/she walked out of the interview. On May 31, 2005, Dennis Jacobs took a statement or declaration from Beth Twitty. He translated her statement from English to Dutch and when Beth finally had it translated back to English, it in no way represented what she had told him. We find it hard to believe that the focal theme of a declaration could lose it's entire legitimacy through translation alone.
On October 20, 2005, Dennis Jacobs took a statement from Dave Holloway. The purpose of that interview was to record what Holloway and Paulus van der Sloot had discussed outside of the prison in August when Holloway approached Paulus about the possibility of talking to Juron. The discussion on that subject between Holloway and Jacobs lasted approximately one and one half hours. Yet the statement that Jacobs typed up was reduced to less than two pages and focused very little attention to the intended line of questioning. Instead, Jacobs ask Holloway questions that appear in the document about Beth Twitty, the Natalee Holloway fund, and if Beth is a distant relative of Hitler. The document showed Eric Soemers as a witness to the interview. Eric was not in the room during the interview. In that same interview, Jacobs makes disparaging remarks about Jug Twitty, including referring to Jug as "that F*****"
In August 2005 I found a belt in a sand dune near the lighthouse. It appears to be identical to a belt that Joran van der Sloot had displayed on his website while pretending to choke a young man in a photo. I turned the belt over to the detectives at the Bubali Police Station. On the following day, I arranged to have professional searchers with cadaver dogs conduct a search of the area where the belt was found. Mr. Fred Golba, who is a professional searcher and dog handler, led the search effort. At one point Mr. Golba's cadaver dog began to excitedly dig in the dune ten feet from where I discovered the belt. Because of the dogs interest in that area Mr. Golba excavated the sand dune and recovered two tiny pieces of plastic, which he described as a milky color and were possibly consistent with a type of plastic that is used in large drum liners or garbage bags. Fred Golba wanted to collect these pieces of plastic as evidence and have the Police forward them for forensic examination. Dennis Jacobs who was on the scene during the search, told Mr. Golba to throw them away as they were meaningless. When I turned in the belt that I found in that dune, I requested the Police to forward the belt for forensic examination and or computer enhancement. I later checked with the Police, including Deputy chief Dompig, and I was informed that the detective team had decided that the belt was not important as it was too old. Quite frankly, I was quite puzzled as the belt in the photo appears to be a very old belt and I did not suggest that it was Joran’s belt, only the likelihood that it was the belt Joran was using as a prop in the photo.
In early July 2005, a tourist found a bone on the beach with flesh intact, just south of the California lighthouse area. The tourist advised that the bone, which appeared to be a shoulder bone, was turned into 4he Noord Police Station. This tourist contacted Dave Holloway approximately ten days after giving the bone to the Noord Police to inquire as to the results of the find. Dave Holloway was unaware that a bone had been found and advised the tourist to contact the Noord Police Station for the results. He also inquired the F.B.I. as to what they had been told about the bone. The F.B.I. told Dave that they had heard nothing about a bone being found and that the Aruban Investigative team was unaware of a bone being found. Further inquiry only added to the confusion regarding this bone as Dennis Jacobs said that a donkey bone and a fish bone were found. Another Investigator from the team advised that a human bone was found but that it was to old to have been from Natalee. In August, I asked Roy Tromp about the bone and he said he was unaware of any bone being found.
It is not hard for one to imagine the uncertainty in the mind of a parent searching for his missing daughter, hearing that a bone was found, contacting the investigative team and being given an array of confusing answers. The question in Dave Holloway's mind remains. Was the bone that the tourist found and thought of as a human shoulder bone ever taken to the medical examiner? Was it photographed, Where is it now, and could it have been from Natalee Holloway.
These incidents and concerns are a mere fraction of the overall number of impressions and observations that we have made or have been related to us regarding Dennis Jacobs handling of this investigation. Jacobs continues to theorize that Natalee is still alive, which may explain his lack of diligence in pursuing the suspects who are responsible for Natalee's disappearance.
Karin Jansen:
It has been five months since Natalee disappeared. Karin Jansen must be held responsible for the lack of prosecutorial success in this case. It is not our contention or intention to make any disparaging remarks toward Mrs. Jensen. It should suffice to say that each and every one of us has lost all confidence in the ability of this prosecutor to successfully see this case to its conclusion. On September 1, 2005 Karin Jansen expressed confidence in bringing sex related charges against the suspects and the Kalpoe brothers were in fact reincarcerated only to be set free less than a week later. Mrs. Jansen advised Dave Holloway's attorney, Vinda De Sousa, that she would not be able to continue with the sex related charges because the three girls who had accused the suspects had suddenly changed their stories.
Why? One of the girls has advised her attorney that she did so after receiving a call from Dennis Jacobs. She led her attorney to believe that she was coerced into withdrawing her accusations.
Gerald Dompig:
As Deputy chief of Police, Gerald Dompig, Needs to be held to a standard of professionalism that exceeds every member of his team. However he continues to shift the focus of this investigation away from the suspects who are responsible for Natalee Holloway's disappearance.
On October 20, 2005, Gerald Dompig advised me that Beth Twitty could not have made a worse choice in her selection of Helen Lejuez as her Aruban attorney. He said that Helen was a former prosecutor, who was forced out of office by mental problems. He made several disparaging comments concerning Mrs. Lejuez, which I believe were unethical. He failed to mention that Mrs. Lejuez had represented his wife in a divorce action against him, which may explain his dislike of her. On that same occasion he advised me that he was disappointed that Beth Twitty had not made her intended trip to Aruba as he had a number of questions for her regarding her relationship with Natalee, the monies raised b the Natalee Holloway fund and Jug Twitty’s financial situation and Insurance policies for Natalee. These questions have been asked and answered by the Holloway's and The Twitty's months ago and any attempts to shift the focus of this investigation onto Dave Holloway, Beth Twitty or their Family members is a ludicrous mismanagement of the investigation.
On October 26, 2005, Gerald Dompig provided comments that were reprehensible to the Aruban media where he was quoted as calling for an investigation into the millions of dollars Beth Twitty has received through the Natalee Holloway fund. Inflammatory in nature, it is apparent that Dompig wants to incite anti-Beth Twitty feelings among the Aruban population, in a situation, where he should be doing the exact opposite, and appealing to the Aruban people for leads to solve Natalee's disappearance.
Conclusion:
Dave Holloway, Beth Twitty, and their families and representatives are mindful of the request to refrain from criticizing the Aruban Investigative and Prosecutorial team. However in light of the above incidents, it has become increasingly difficult to hold our tongues. Our only goal is to find Natalee Holloway. It is our contention that it is in the best interest of everyone concerned to instigate a fresh start in this case. We respectfully request that Dennis Jacobs, Karin Jansen and Gerald Dompig be removed from this case.
Sincerely,
Arthur E. Wood
Signed and in agreement
Dave Holloway
Robin Holloway
Beth Twitty
Jug Twitty
copy to The Honorable Nelson Oduber, Prime Minister of Aruba
Rudy Croes Minister of Justice Aruba
Helen Lejuez (attorney for Beth Twitty)
Vinda DeSousa (attorney for Dave Holloway)
The Honorable Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama
Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State.
On 11-2 FOX News reported:
Beth Holloway Twitty Updates Greta on the Search for Natalee
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: Natalee Holloway's mother just delivered a letter to the Aruban attorney general, asking him to remove the prosecutor and lead investigations on Natalee's case. Beth Holloway Twitty joins us live from Aruba. Welcome, Beth.
TWITTY: Hi, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Beth, it's a long letter. It's signed by you, it's signed by Natalee's father and both your respective spouses. And it's — is it fair to characterize this letter to the Aruban attorney general as sort of a blistering one?
TWITTY: Well, we really just meant it to be a very factual one, and we think that's what it is, Greta. And if it has that effect, then, you know, we're — we're sorry. We're just only — we're just merely stating the facts that we have been presented with and we have witnessed and experienced.
VAN SUSTEREN: In terms of the letter, the facts that are laid out, and perhaps one of the ones that I would characterize as the most disturbing factor — actually, there are several of them, but one that was — that refers to a conversation with Dennis Jacobs. For the benefit of the viewers, who is Dennis Jacobs?
TWITTY: He is actually one of the lead detectives that has been involved in this investigation since the early morning of May 31.
VAN SUSTEREN: And the question that — let me ask you to comment on it — we just put it up on the screen, but I'll put it back up on the screen — that Dennis Jacobs responded with the following inappropriate question, "How much money do you have?" To whom was that question made, the investigator asking for money, and about what date was that question?
TWITTY: That question would have been made to Dave Holloway, and it probably made on or about the 1st of — I would say the 1st, possibly 2nd of June because it sounds like to me they can't remember exactly, but I believe he and his brother arrived on the island 48 hours after Natalee's disappearance. So it had to have been the 1st or the 2nd.
VAN SUSTEREN: What — exactly what do you — I mean, I realize that you can't get inside Jacobs's mind, but what was sort of the implication, is that if Dave shelled out the cash, that he would get information about his daughter? Is that essentially — I mean, is that how Dave understood the comment?
TWITTY: Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. It seemed like that money would cause talking. And you know, that is just the last thing that you would want to say to a tourist, of a father, you know, who's just had his daughter kidnapped on their island. I mean, that would just be the last thing you would want to hear from a lead detective.
VAN SUSTEREN: Has anyone said anything, or has he been confronted with it, anything since this statement? And I guess the reference is in the letter that it was made June 1st. Anything — has Dennis Jacobs, the investigator, said anything further about money or anything said back to him?
TWITTY: You know, I don't know about any discussion of exchanging money past that date, Greta. Of course, there have been so many other things that have happened, but you know, we — it's just — there's so many, it's just too numerous to mention them all, as you can see in this letter. This is just a — probably just a sample of the things that we've witnessed and experienced.
VAN SUSTEREN: There's a long list — a long list of statements in this letter to the attorney general in an effort to get a new team put in place. And let me read another rather long exchange in the letter. And it's about — it's about your lawyer, Helen Lejuez. And this is in the letter, And it says, "On October 20, 2005, Gerold Dompig" — that's the chief deputy — "advised me" — meaning Art — Art Wood, who's your investigator — "that Beth Twitty could not have made a worse choice in her selection of Helen Lejuez as her Aruban attorney. He said that Helen was a former prosecutor who was forced out of that office by mental problems. He made several disparaging comments concerning Mrs. Lejuez which I believe were unethical. He failed to mention that Mrs. Lejuez had represented his wife in a divorce action against him, which may explain his dislike for her." What...
TWITTY: Absolutely.
VAN SUSTEREN: What's your thought about that? What's going on there?
TWITTY: Well, I think that he was upset when Helen Lejuez — when we brought her on board. And I think the reason why is Helen Lejuez is a very committed and determined attorney. She does not give up, and she proceeds forward and she's very aggressive. And I just don't think that Deputy Dompig wanted someone like that brought on board.
VAN SUSTEREN: And it also states in the letter, in reference to October 20, 2005, that Dennis Jacobs said on October 20 — he was inquiring whether you, Beth, are a distant relative of Adolf Hitler.
TWITTY: Exactly. That is what we've had to actually respond to. It's just so difficult to even respond to a question like that, Greta, but we have been forced to. And the answer to that is, of course, no.
VAN SUSTEREN: Beth, how — do you know how this letter — I realize that this sort of bomb, for lack of a better word, has just arrived to the attorney general of Aruba, but has there been any sort of reaction so far to this letter?
TWITTY: Well, right now, what we've done — since we've delivered the letter, we've also met with 12 members of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association and had a meeting this afternoon, and we are in agreement, these 12 members and myself and Paul Reynolds, Natalee's uncle, with the Prime Minister Oduber and with — with the attorney general's office that we need to — we need to address this. We need to take measures to have a competent and honest investigative team brought on board, and we feel that this letter gives credence to that and explains the incidences, the difficulties that we have had. And hopefully, hopefully, we can proceed forward and see about having a new investigative team brought in.
VAN SUSTEREN: And what's also so obvious is that it's a full frontal attack. It's you. It's your husband, Jug. It's Dave, Natalee's father, and her stepmother, as well. All four of you have signed this letter, and so it's a full frontal attack, at least to get a new investigation. Beth, stay with us. We're going to have much more in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAN SUSTEREN: Just hours ago, Natalee Holloway's mother met with her lawyer and other key players to discuss the next step in the investigation into Natalee's mysterious disappearance. Beth Holloway Twitty joins us again live on the phone from Aruba.
Beth, in this letter that all four of you have signed that went to the Aruban attorney general, in the very early part of the letter, it talks about Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Dennis Jacobs, the investigator, taking a statement from Joran van der Sloot. And the statements says, in part, that's reflected in this letter, it says, "I think Deepak" -- this is Joran speaking. It says, "I think that Deepak killed Natalee and burned her body." And then there is the criticism in the letter that there were no follow-up questions, and even that the FBI got frustrated at this point and walked out.
TWITTY: Absolutely.
VAN SUSTEREN: What can you tell me about when this occurred and details about it?
TWITTY: Well, this would have been early on. It could have been as early as June 11, 12 or 13 because that's probably when the most incriminating statements were being given by these suspects. They were really implicating each other. They were not denying crimes, at that point. They were really into the finger pointing. And I think it was just so frustrating as to -- as it's stated in the letter, the follow-up questions. You know, what should have been asked after that? I mean, something should have been. You just don't leave an interrogation at, Oh, OK.
VAN SUSTEREN: Did Joran sign that interrogation? I mean, I think this -- the way they've sort of done this, at least as far as I know, is that they take statements, they show the statements and then you sign it, if you agree to it. Is that -- I mean, was this a signed statement by Joran?
TWITTY: Yes. These are -- yes. These are signed statements by Joran van der Sloot.
VAN SUSTEREN: What does the chief prosecutor say to you when you ask her about that statement, about -- in terms of, you know, what was the follow-up from that?
TWITTY: You know, Greta, I wish I could get a meeting with her. That is actually why I'm here on the island, but I received a letter yesterday, shortly after I had arrived at Helen Lejuez's office, and that Karin Janssen wouldn't have time -- she wouldn't have time on her agenda to meet with me this week. And there -- it's just so frustrating, as this started even Tuesday, before we even delivered this letter, the frustrations that we've had with the lack of communication and cooperation from Karin Janssen and Deputy Dompig.
VAN SUSTEREN: Here's a tip, Beth. She's got to have lunch, so maybe you can have lunch with her and you could talk about it over a sandwich because she's got to have time for that.
TWITTY: That would be great. I would take any time that she had, Greta. I would.
VAN SUSTEREN: What -- in terms of this statement, "I think that Deepak killed Natalee and burned her body" -- were there absolutely no questions about, you know, where the body might be or anything else about Joran? It's just -- just a single sort of floating statement by Joran?
TWITTY: Absolutely not. There were never any of the appropriate follow-up questions. Absolutely not. There was even a statement that was -- that Paulus van der Sloot had made. It was in one of Joran's, in that Paulus states that, I hope she's alive, not a big chance for that, and then that's the end of it. I mean, you know, there's -- there needs to have been follow-up questions. I mean, those are just huge black holes in these suspects' statements that were never filled.
VAN SUSTEREN: Well, it's sort of interesting. I mean, Dompig, who's the chief deputy, was talking to Dave for a while when he was there just recently. But I think what's sort of -- you know, at least has caught my attention is the fact that all of you have signed this, Dave and his wife, you and Jug have signed this. I mean, so it's a total, you know, united effort on this. Why -- do you have any idea why -- I mean, it seemed like Dompig might have been talking to Dave, and now, of course, this letter is very harsh on Dompig and the others.
TWITTY: Well, it shows that we do have a united front. You're right. And I think that's very important for the officials to realize that we are united. And the communication -- I think that everyone who is -- all of your viewers have even seen the communication, as of a couple of weeks ago, was really coming around. And we thought Deputy Dompig was committed to this case and really going to keep the focus of the investigation on the perpetrators.
But it quickly fell apart, quickly fell apart last week, and the lack of cooperation, not following up on further assistance, not picking up the phone just to make a simple phone call to the FBI in order for us to keep the searchers here on the island and to finish conducting the water searches. And just things fell apart so quickly, and him also refusing to meet with me. We don't know -- we don't know what happened, Greta, but it just completely fell apart.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Well, the minute you hear back from the Aruban attorney general, give us a call and -- because our viewers are anxious to hear how this unfolds. Thank you, Beth, and good luck.
TWITTY: Thank you, Greta. Bye-bye.
On 11-2 MSNBC reported:
DAN ABRAMS, HOST: There is a war of words unraveling in Aruba. Natalee Holloway's divorced parents who up to now have been proceeding separately, have signed a letter demanding that Aruba's attorney general pull the team investigating Natalee's disappearance.
An excerpt from the letter: "It has become increasingly difficult to hold our tongues. It is our contention that it is in the best interest of everyone concerned to instigate a fresh start in this case. We respectfully request that Dennis Jacobs, Karin Janssen, and Gerold Dompig be removed from the case."
The letter goes on to say that when Dave Holloway asked the Police to begin a search for Natalee two days after she went missing, the detective in charge of the investigation answered, "No, this happens all the time. Just go on down to Carlos N' Charlie's and have a beer. She'll show up sometime. She probably got drunk or fell in love and ran off with someone for a few days."
They also had strong words for the deputy chief of Police, Gerold Dompig, saying: "It is apparent that Dompig wants to incite anti-Beth Twitty feelings among the Aruban populace in a situation where he should be doing the exact opposite and appealing to the Aruban people for leads to solve Natalee's disappearance."
This scathing letter came just a day after 'The Abrams Report' had an exclusive interview with the deputy. He was on the program Tuesday with some tough words of his own for the family.
--Begin video clip--
ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG, ARUBAN DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF: With all due respect to Mrs. Twitty, she doesn't run the investigation, we do. And we ask the questions. If it was the other way around, we could all back up and let the family do the investigation.
--End video clip--
On Wednesday, Dave Holloway, Natalee's father, joined MSNBC's Dan Abrams to discuss the letter.
DAN ABRAMS: Look, Dave, you have generally been a sort of calmer voice in connection with this investigation, and yet you did sign this scathing letter about the investigative team. Why?
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S FATHER: Yes we did. I was one of the last holdouts. I think Beth had been pushing for this for some time. And I went back to the island, hoping to make one last push to get everybody together, hold some solid communications and move forward with the case. And there at the end I thought we were coming close and starting to gel and to move this forward, and suddenly it just fell apart.
ABRAMS: But Dave, these are very serious accusations that you all are making in this letter. Let me read from one of them that apparently was regard to you from a detective handling the case.
When you went to the Police department to report Natalee missing, (you say) "Dennis Jacobs responded with the following inappropriate question. How much money do you have?"
HOLLOWAY: That's correct and there were two witnesses there that can confirm that.
ABRAMS: And your understanding was he was effectively saying in order to search for your daughter, that they would have to get paid?
HOLLOWAY: Well I don't know what his intentions were, Dan, but he made that comment. Whether he was making it in jest, or whatever, I don't know, but he did make that comment.
ABRAMS: All right. Now, another issue with regard to Detective Jacobs, and it seems to me that this I know is one of Beth's primary concerns, and I'm wondering if it's yours, as well.
Jacobs continues to theorize that Natalee is still alive, which may explain his lack of diligence in pursuing the suspects who are responsible for Natalee's disappearance.
HOLLOWAY: That's correct. When I met with him last week, during our conversation, even though he is a lead Investigator, he felt like Natalee was still alive.
ABRAMS: He made it clear to you that he thinks Natalee -- the lead Investigator made it clear to you that he thinks Natalee Holloway is alive and thereby, I guess, suggesting that what, she ran off?
HOLLOWAY: He really didn't comment on it, so I don't know. He just made that comment, that was his theory. There were four theories on the board. One of them was she ran away, the other is she's alive, the other was that Joran left her at the beach, and the Mountain Brook kids did something with her and the other theory is the most objective and common theory was that they-the three boys had something to do with her disappearance, possibly taking her out in the ocean.
ABRAMS: Dave, before I play a piece of sound from the deputy Police chief, Gerold Dompig, on this show (Tuesday), let me ask you. You and your ex-wife Beth have gone about this sort of on two separate routes. You've gone there at different times. I've gotten the impression that it's not as if the two of you have been coordinating your efforts.
You know what the other one is doing, but is this letter, signed by you and your wife and she and her husband, is this sort of the most unified effort that the two of you have made together on this?
HOLLOWAY: Yes, it would be. I was one of the ones who held out, hoping that the Police would come together and complete their investigation, and it just finally got to the point where -- you know we've got tunnel vision and a lot of peripheral issues started coming up, and you know why aren't we focusing back on the three suspects? Why are we talking about issues that don't even involve the case? And that's where I started getting frustrated and I felt like you know it's time, it's the fourth quarter, and time's almost up. Why don't we just start all over and start out with a whole new fresh team?
ABRAMS: Here's what Gerold Dompig said in an exclusive interview on this program last night.
--Begin video clip--
ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG: I think anybody should understand and can understand it. We have made a lot of efforts to conduct a professional investigation. And in any case, we have given the family every chance to sit with us and to take their statements.
--End video clip--
ABRAMS: Do you disagree with that, Dave?
HOLLOWAY: Well let's take a pen and pencil and draw a line through it, and you put on one side what the family and the foreigners and people from the U.S. have done, and then you put on the other side what have the Police done. You know we delivered, when we came to the island, we identified the suspects, all three of them, and handed it to them on a silver platter.
We also identified the witness, who is the gardener. We also had a person from the U.S. come down and literally almost got a confession out of Deepak. We found a lot of evidence that they have not used for one reason or the other. We've done most of all the searches. And then my question is, is what have the Police done?
On 11-2 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to MSNBC of the family’s 11-2 letter, “I was one of the last holdouts. I think Beth had been pushing for this for some time. And I went back to the island, hoping to make one last push to get everybody together, hold some solid communications and move forward with the case. And there at the end I thought we were coming close and starting to gel and to move this forward, and suddenly it just fell apart.” When asked about ARUBAN Police Investigator JACOBS supposed 6-1 question to DAVE asking how much money DAVE has, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "Yes, those statements were made, and the standard M.O. down there was, ‘You know, a lot of girls do that and not show up,’ and you know, that‘s the indication he gave us, which is go down to Carlos and Charlie‘s and maybe she‘ll show up. And you know, I knew that wasn‘t the case, but he insisted that that‘s what we needed to do.” Of the ARUBAN Police theories DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "There were four theories on the board. One of them was she ran away, the other is she‘s alive, the other was that Joran left her at the beach, and the Mountain Brook kids did something with her and the other theory is the most objective and common theory was that they—the three boys had something to do with her disappearance, possibly taking her out in the ocean.” When asked about JACOBS one theory that NATALEE is alive, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "Well, that‘s the theory Dennis gave us, and you know, maybe he‘s changed his mind since then. But he‘s the lead Investigator, and according to the F.B.I. and review of those statements and things, they feel like that‘s not the case. So you know, I really don‘t know where he‘s coming from on that. But you know, there again, the issue is, is these three boys were last seen with Natalee, and that‘s where the focus needs to be directed. And I just—I can‘t understand why they want to get off on peripheral issues, you know, such as Beth related to Hitler (ph) and how much money does she have and et cetera. You know, it just astounds me.” DAVE mentioned that there seems to be mistrust of the ARUBAN detectives investigating NATALEE’s disappearance--DAVE HOLLOWAY stated he has been told that when a bone was recently found, instead of ARUBAN Policeman giving the bone to the case detectives, the detectives were skipped and the bone was given “over the detectives heads” to an ARUBAN Police commissioner. “Well let‘s take a pen and pencil and draw a line through it, and you put on one side what the family and the foreigners and people from the U.S. have done, and then you put on the other side what have the Police done. You know we delivered, when we came to the island, we identified the suspects, all three of them, and handed it to them on a silver platter. We also identified the witness, who is the gardener. We also had a person from the U.S. come down and literally almost got a confession out of Deepak. We found a lot of evidence that they have not used for one reason or the other. We‘ve done most of all the searches. And then my question is, is what have the Police done?”
On 11-2 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News that Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT made a written statement to ARUBAN interrogators “very early on” around 6-11, 12, 13, “when they [the 3 boys] were implicating each other” that Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT thinks that Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE murdered NATALEE and buried her body. When Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT made that statement, BETH stated that the F.B.I. observers told her that the ARUBAN Police Interrogators asked no followup questions, such as where did Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE bury the body?, where is the body, etc.? BETH also said that statement was signed by Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT. BETH also said that while Current Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT was under arrest he made a statement to the ARUBAN Police “I hope she is still alive and is found--not much chance of that.“ On 11-2 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News that a letter was delivered to her at HELEN LeJUEZ’s office shortly after she went there 11-1. The letter was from ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN “saying she would not have time on her agenda to meet with me this week.”
On 11-2 MSNBC reported:
SCARBOROUGH: Now, coming up next, Natalee Holloway‘s family, they have been polite for months, even as Aruban investigators made major mistakes, but not anymore. Tonight, they are taking off the gloves. They are going on the offensive, and they are shaking up this case. We are going to tell you about it.
…
SCARBOROUGH: A major shakeup in Aruba today. Natalee Holloway‘s parents fired off an explosive six-page letter. They say they are absolutely fed up with the investigation. And they want new people on the case and they want them there now.
With us on the phone is Natalee‘s stepmom, Robin Holloway, who signed the letter, and also MSNBC analyst Clint Van Zandt, who was in Aruba this summer, did some remarkable report.
Let me start with you, Robin.
It sounds like the family is finally fed up. What was the triggering event to make you all write this remarkable letter to Aruban authorities?
ROBIN HOLLOWAY, STEPMOTHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Hi, Joe. And just, I apologize for my voice. I think I am losing it, so I hope you can understand me OK.
But just, five months, I mean, we are going on half-a-year. And there‘s still no answers. As far as we know, they are still no closer to finding out what happened to Natalee. We are just hoping some fresh faces will bring new answers, and that there‘s—we know there‘s witnesses that need to be re-questioned or re-interviewed, and hopefully, a new team could help solve what happened to Natalee, because, right now, almost half-a-year later, we are still no closer.
SCARBOROUGH: But obviously, the family has been so frustrated for so long, but you all have had to bite your tongues because you had to work with the Aruban authorities, but, again, at this point, you have just had enough, haven‘t you?
HOLLOWAY: Oh, yes.
And, of course, I mean, everybody that has talked to Dave and interviewed Dave, they know how patient he is. But just—it‘s been so long with just—just so much needs to be focused back onto the three suspects, not these questions about is Beth related to Hitler? No, she is not, but, if she was, just that has nothing to do with what happened to Natalee.
Just we need to get our perspective back on the three witnesses and what they know and what they did with her. And just—we don‘t know what else to do now.
SCARBOROUGH: Yes, and that‘s a great point. It seems to me that everybody in Aruba, Clint, they are trying to make this about Beth. They are trying to attack Beth. You were down there.
CLINT VAN ZANDT, MSNBC ANALYST: Sure.
SCARBOROUGH: These guys have been running an extraordinarily sloppy investigation, haven‘t they?
VAN ZANDT: Well, I think so, Joe. You know, I understand the family‘s frustration, as you say, having been there, having talked to Beth and the investigators, the private investigators working the case.
I mean, they are all frustrated with it. There was mistakes made from square one. I think, for most people, it looks like this case has ground to a standstill without any solution. So, from an investigator‘s standpoint, it‘s time for new blood.
SCARBOROUGH: And Beth is—or this letter at least is saying that it appears that the chief investigator‘s goal right now is to incite anti-Beth feelings.
And if you look at some of the statements Dompig has made over the last several days, it certainly looks like they are trying to turn the people in Aruba against Beth. It‘s going to get ugly down there pretty soon, isn‘t it?
Clint?
VAN ZANDT: Yes, I think it is already, Joe. I think that there‘s this animosity that is building. I think the Aruban government and people want this case to go away. You know, as Americans, obviously we don‘t.
But, you know, one of the things that I would advocate on this, Joe, is that the reality is that the Aruban police have really lost their credibility in this whatsoever. They have done a terrible investigation. They do basically terrible interviews. I have seen the results of the interviews when I was down there doing some reporting for you and your show, and it‘s just not consistent with what we see internationally.
Were it me down there, I would say, hey, let‘s—you know, the FBI can‘t go down and take over the case. I mean, whether the Holloway-Twitty family wants that, the reality is, it‘s not going to happen. But the Dutch can. The Dutch are very good investigators in Holland, good homicide detectives, good interviewers. Were it me in the Aruban government, I would say, let‘s bring a team in from Holland, kind of a cold-case squad. Let them start from square one and let them take the case.
SCARBOROUGH: And that would make a big, big difference.
Clint, thank you so much, as always.
Robin Holloway, greatly appreciate you joining us by phone.
On 11-2 ROBIN HOLLOWAY stated to MSNBC “But just, five months, I mean, we are going on half-a-year. And there‘s still no answers. As far as we know, they are still no closer to finding out what happened to Natalee. We are just hoping some fresh faces will bring new answers, and that there‘s—we know there‘s witnesses that need to be re-questioned or re-interviewed, and hopefully, a new team could help solve what happened to Natalee, because, right now, almost half-a-year later, we are still no closer.” “And, of course, I mean, everybody that has talked to Dave and interviewed Dave, they know how patient he is. But just—it‘s been so long with just—just so much needs to be focused back onto the three suspects, not these questions about is Beth related to Hitler? No, she is not, but, if she was, just that has nothing to do with what happened to Natalee. Just we need to get our perspective back on the three witnesses and what they know and what they did with her.”
On 11-2 PAUL REYNOLDS said to MSNBC “We‘ve been concerned about the investigation from the very beginning, you know, sort of like they said, on almost the first day. And we‘ve identified certain people that we feel are, for whatever reason, just not taking the necessary steps. And you know, we feel like a change is certainly necessary and appropriate to try to move this investigation along.” “Well, you know, we know that the boys are guilty. And you know, as he said, we don‘t know exactly what all they did. We know certain things they‘ve did, though, because they‘ve come out against each other. They‘ve given us information. And we feel that the Police need to be aggressive or the prosecutor needs to be aggressive in following up on these allegations that they‘ve made against each other. Now, I know that Beth has offered to meet with the Police yesterday and today and, you know, she‘s been denied that opportunity. There may be a meeting scheduled tomorrow. We‘re still waiting to see if that‘s going to take place. But you know, Beth is always willing and ready to meet with them and provide whatever information is necessary.”
On 11-2 experienced F.B.I. criminal profiler CLINT VAN ZANDT stated to MSNBC “But, you know, one of the things that I would advocate on this, Joe, is that the reality is that the Aruban Police have really lost their credibility in this whatsoever. They have done a terrible investigation. They do basically terrible interviews. I have seen the results of the interviews when I was down there doing some reporting for you and your show, and it‘s just not consistent with what we see internationally. Were it me down there, I would say, hey, let‘s—you know, the F.B.I. can‘t go down and take over the case. I mean, whether the Holloway-Twitty family wants that, the reality is, it‘s not going to happen. But the Dutch can. The Dutch are very good Investigators in Holland, good homicide detectives, good interviewers. Were it me in the Aruban government, I would say, let‘s bring a team in from Holland, kind of a cold-case squad. Let them start from square one and let them take the case.”
On 11-2 TIM MILLER stated to MSNBC “And you know I got a phone call this morning, while I was drinking my coffee. I mean the Natalee case has just been eating at us, and it was Gerold Dompig. And he really apologized to me for the lack of communication last week, while we were there, and Gerold’s words to me was, ‘Tim, you know what? I really don‘t think that Natalee‘s alive.’ ”
On 11-2 CHRIS LeJUEZ said to MSNBC about the 11-2 letter from NATALEE’s Loved Ones to the ARUBAN Attorney General “I think the signal that they‘re getting is a very strong one. I believe after I read her letter that they cannot ignore its contents. They will—do have to look into matters.”
On 11-2 Dr. PHIL McGRAW said on the NBC interview/entertainment “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” TV show “Without creating false hope, we have reasonable belief and some credible evidence that Natalee Holloway is alive. We cannot prove that at this point and we don't know where she is. But you know, there is a huge sex slave underground in some of those countries down there. Young women have disappeared from that part of the world before. And we have reasonable cause to believe that she may well be alive.”
On 11-2 when MSNBC asked JOSSY MANSUR about what ARUBAN people are saying, MANSUR stated “You know, in Aruba, from what I understand is that people are a little frustrated that the whole case is coming up again. They thought it was over with,” and MSNBC quickly pointed out to MANSUR “But Jossy, how could they think it was over with? There‘s no resolution,” to which MANSUR stated “Well, I agree with you, as long as there‘s no answer to the questions that the mother is posing because she is only sincerely interested in finding her daughter. But if those answers are not forthcoming, then the case cannot be over. And we won‘t give up on it, either.” “I think they have a lot of things to go on. For example, they have a very solid case on sexual assault. There have been admissions to that fact, so the Police and the prosecution can move forward on that basis. I can‘t understand why they haven‘t done so, so far.”
On 11-2 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Beth Twitty regrets that authorities did not make appointment to speak with her
People preparing for a demonstration!
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Monday afternoon, mother of the disappeared American Natalee Holloway arrived in Aruba.
After her arrival she went at once to office of her lawyer Helen Lejuez to speak to each other.
DIARIO got in contact with Ms. Lejuez, to see if it would be possible to obtain an interview with Mrs. Twitty, however, the lawyer explained that now that Mrs. Twitty is here, she will speak to the press and perhaps today or tomorrow this will happen.
DIARIO went to the office, to get a photo of the American lady’s visit, which arose after she expressed on American television that she all those who have the intention of coming to Aruba, to reconsider, as long as the disappearance of her daughter is not solved.
After Mrs. Twitty finished at her lawyer’s office, DIARIO was able to briefly converse with Beth Twitty, and she said that now that she’s arrived in Aruba, she is very disappointed because she had the hope to converse with commissioner Dompig and prosecutor Karin Janssen.
She explains that prosecutor Janssen apparently doesn’t have time today or Thursday.
She expressed that this is very frustrating and regrettable, given that she lived on the island for almost 4 months and it was very difficult to achieving communication with authorities regarding this case.
According to Twitty, now that it’s been about 5 weeks that she hasn’t been on the island she has heard all sorts of things that are worrisome, and she doesn’t understand that it is being said that she is not cooperating with authorities in Aruba.
She said that this is far from the truth and that now that she is here, her wish is to meet with then and they don’t have the decency to arrange something to meet with her.
On January 18, 2006 “TravelVideoTV” reported:
Aruba stays afloat through Natalee Holloway's investigation
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (eTurboNews) -- Serious sunshiny days and sun-kissed smiles are about to greet the Caribbean island of Aruba sometime soon. Tourism has been shattered by the case of a single incident of an Alabama girl missing since spring break of last year. Closure on the case of Natalee Holloway's disappearance seems imminent. The timeline drawn is about six to seven months from yesterday's announcement.
This, according to SMDG Consulting Team chairman Stephen Cohen, adviser to the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) and the Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force who spoke at the Caribbean Marketplace being held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Cohen's team is tasked with bringing out the facts in the case and establishing a more orderly approach in dealing with the media in a crisis situation. A seasoned television news expert from CBS, Cohen has been part of the SMDG team since the beginning of the investigations.
If current findings are true, Cohen said they are going to accelerate their efforts. Extensive search for forensic evidence continues. Yesterday, 50 members of the Aruban Police department searched extensively through the dune by the lighthouse in search for clues. "Anything DNA that is identified to be of Natalee's will allow us to bring a strong case forward against the three boys. We are also getting to finally talk to some of the Alabama teens who left on that plane and did not wait around for interrogation," said Cohen.
Aruba believes it is most important to get a hold of her mental state and most importantly, Natalee's physical state at the time of disappearance. "Two of the boys said they had consensual sex with her. Whether consensual or not, depends on her ability to be conscious and make a choice," said Cohen.
The SMDG is in the process of reviewing all the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations reports. The F.B.I. has been involved in the Holloway case in the first 72 hours of the initial complaint and remained on the island for several months, serving as observers and advisors to the local Police. They have also conducted interviews in the US and processed evidentiary materials.
Six F.B.I. agents from the Miami office flew in after the first night. The family hired their own private Investigators who've worked with the FBI. "In the final interrogation, there were people on the island who had pieces of the timeline they saw. Like the boys on the beach when they said they were; what fishermen were down on the area that night. Because of the influx of outside media on the island, people were fearful of coming forward," said Cohen.
It is just recently when local authorities were able to create a climate they can trust the Investigators where foreign media is not present in that intensity. All these people of Aruba, on the periphery of the case are all significant to solving it.
From the time, Natalee disappeared Aruba has been focused on finding her. From the outset, the island has continuously waged a highly professional extensive and intensive effort to find the teen. It sought and utilized help from the world's experts on missing persons. The people have continued to cooperate and collaborate with private search and investigative efforts by the families and credible groups, according to the tourism association.
Natalee's mom Beth, together with the Governor of Alabama, have jointly called for a boycott against the people of Aruba. This had been elevated to a diplomatic level with which the representative of the Dutch Kingdom in the USA, also the Ambassador of the Dutch Kingdom in Washington, got involved.
Governors of Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia have encouraged residents of their states not to visit Aruba in order to protest the handling of the disappearance of Natalee. However, the boycott has not received support from the US State Department. Neither did it gain the support of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour who did not think it was appropriate.
On November 2, 2005 during a meeting with the Strategic Communications Task Force, Mrs. Twitty stated that during a conversation on October 5, 2005, with the Governor of Alabama the Governor asked her what she wanted: "Do you want an economic boycott of the island or do you want to find your daughter?," Twitty explicitly said she wanted to find her daughter. She further clarified that such action would not be helpful in finding Natalee.
Cohen said that pieces of American media have fed frenziedly on the story for their own purposes. This case is the continuing interest on such a soap opera level, and not of great significance to the American public and proves little consideration for the Arubaans whose livelihood is based on tourism - contributing seven percent to GDP.
Minister for tourism and transport Edison Briesen said his industry has remained resilient. There has been no impact on economy after the boycott.
Further, massive support from 78 municipalities in the country has seen all the mayors rallying behind the campaign to promote tourism against all odds, through the closure of a case of one American missing in an island whose crime rate low: that is 0 or 1 murder per year.
11-3-05
On 11-3 the “AP” reported:
Holloways: "Arubaans Botched Case"
The Associated Press--Natalee Holloway's family is calling for the removal of three Aruban law enforcement officials who they say ignored promising leads and didn't take the case seriously early on.
The Mississippi native vanished while on a school trip to Aruba with her Mountain Brook (Ala.) High School graduating class and was last seen leaving a bar on May 30 with Dutch national Joran van der Sloot and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe.
Holloway's family made the charges in a letter released Thursday.
Natalee's father, Dave Holloway of Meridian, said the family is not giving up on seeing the case solved, but believes the current Investigators will not get it done. He said the family hopes to have a response from the prime minister in Aruba in the next few weeks.
The teen's mother, Beth Holloway-Twitty, left the Dutch Caribbean island after she said prosecutors and the Police chief refused to meet with her about the case.
The family says Investigators might have mishandled evidence, including a bone found by a tourist on a beach in July, and that detectives still believe that the missing American is alive.
The three young men were arrested on June 9 but were released after a court ruled there was not enough evidence to hold them.
HELEN LeJUEZ told FOX News on 11-3 that the 11-2 letter was “well-received” and she expects that the letter will have impact. LeJUEZ said that today her and BETH met with the “Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association” and the “AHTA” members learned case details that they had not previously known. LeJUEZ said that BETH was questioned 11-3 by ARUBAN Police "detectives" about how she is paying for everything related to search efforts. LeJUEZ said of the meeting with Police that “the impression I got is that there might be money involved in this case. Who had that money involved. I cannot give more information at this time because it do not want to spoil this part of the investigation, but there might have been ‘other forces’ besides the three boys. There might be something more to look at. That is the impression I got during the investigation. LeJUEZ confirmed that, now, neither ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG nor ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN will meet with BETH until BETH answers additional questions.
On 11-3 YARZAGARAY told FOX News that he expects the ARUBAN Attorney General “to answer the letter one way or the other.”
On 11-3 experienced F.B.I. criminal profiler CLINT VAN ZANDT stated to MSNBC of Dr. PHIL’s 11-2 claim that NATALEE is alive “But you know, if Dr. Phil has credible evidence with his investigative team that have neither the resources nor the equipment or anything else of the FBI, the Aruban Police, the Dutch F-16's and everything else that flew over, if he's got a lock on the truth, this is the time he needs to write it up, lay it on the desk of the F.B.I. and say, here, I, Dr. Phil can prove that she was kidnapped off that island. She was sold into slavery and that she's either in some Sultan's temple or she's chained to a bed in the back of some crack house down in South America. And Dan, that's the time Navy SEALs, Army Delta are going to take that place down and get her out of there. So if you've got the information, let's not talk about it on TV. Let's go get her back.”
On 11-3 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
“Never Did I Use the Word ‘Boycott’”, Says Beth Twitty
ORANJESTAD(AAN): After DIARIO conversing with Beth Twitty’s lawyer, Mrs. Helen Lejuez, DIARIO also conversed with Mrs. Twitty and asked her about the objective of her visit to Aruba.
She said that her visit is nothing strange, given that she was 4 months in Aruba and wants to maintain communication ties with commissioner Dompig and lead prosecutor Karin Janssen and the best way to do this is face to face.
Twitty also said that this is why she flew to Aruba. According to Twitty she found that Dompig started out strong saying that he is focused on the suspects, indicating that they are the ones involved in the disappearance of Natalee.
He said about the confession recorded on tape, where according to him, Deepak said that they raped Natalee also is big proof in this case. Now, two weeks later, she feels that things are falling off course.
Beth Twitty tells DIARIO that it is very regrettable that he has said that the family has collected millions of dollars from people who sympathize with them.
She said that this is not true and that false information was given to commissioner Dompig and she regrets this, because she doesn’t want to put a negative light on the people of Aruba.
Beth Twitty said that the family collected $110,000 at the end of August, in a ‘silent auction’ and another sum of money collected by students and people from the community who sold lemonade and ice cream.
She says that if people were to account for the sums, they would realize that Dompig is absolutely wrong to make any accusation against them. There were also some other donations, but in no moment did the total arrive anywhere near a million dollars.
DIARIO told Twitty that the intention on the part of Aruba is to break the silence from Natalee’s classmates, as well as getting more information from the chaperones.
Beth explained that she also wants them to converse with these people, but this has to happen through the proper channels, so Dompig has to go through the F.B.I. and not do this any other way.
Twitty said that she wants for this to be done correctly, where they have to speak with the indicated students.
She says that she understands if Dompig says that there are more questions about the student declarations, but on the other side the F.B.I. has to interrogate Joran van der Sloot, because there are big holes in his declarations, where for example, after Joran declared that he thinks Deepak killed and buried Natalee Holloway, there were no follow-up questions.
DIARIO asked Mrs. Twitty also about the fact that Dompig said that the father of Natalee, Dave Holloway, and for example EquuSearch who is helping to look for their daughter, do not have access to the collected monies.
Once more, Beth explains that this is not true, where she says that they just paid more than $20,000 so the group could come to Aruba.
She also said that she was hoping for the Police corps or Karin Janssen to call the FBI, to get access to additional sophisticated equipment to help with the search.
Mrs. Twitty said that she came with a written declaration with the intention to give Mr. Dompig, so that they don’t have any erroneous declarations from her.
DIARIO asked Mrs. Twitty about the fact she said certain things against our island on American TV programs. According to Mrs. Twitty, at no time did she use the word ‘boycott’ and she doesn’t have the power to do this.
According to Twitty this is something that only a government can do. DIARIO asked Beth about the fact that she said not to come to Aruba. Beth Twitty explains that she only asked of those who support her, to not travel to Aruba, but only for the period until Natalee is found.
She said that what she said was not against the citizens of Aruba, because they always helped and supported her. According to Twitty what is disappointing is what now commissioner Dompig’s manner in which he says negative things about her, which are not consistent with the truth.
Twitty said that she realizes that perhaps Natalee’s body will never be found, because she doesn’t know what the youngsters did with her body after they were finished with her.
She said that she doesn’t believe that they will stop trying to find what happened and she is sure that in the same token, Dompig also knows that Deepak, Satish and Joran are the only ones responsible of causing harm to the country of Aruba and not Natalee Holloway nor the people of Aruba.
On 11-3 “Solo di Pueblo” reported:
At the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino
AHATA’S Strategic Task Force meets Beth Twitty and entourage
Palm Beach. – Jeff Lesker Carlson Hospitality VP and General Manager Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino hosted a special meeting Wednesday afternoon between representatives of the government, the Aruba Tourism Authority, the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and the Aruba Trade and Industry Association, and Beth Twitty, the mother of disappearing teen Natalee Holloway.
The meeting took place at the resort’s lower lobby conference room and lasted for over one hour and a half. Also present at the meeting Aruba’s Minister of Tourism, Edison Briesen, Aruba’s Minister of Justice Rudy Croes, the Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority Myrna Janssen, AHATA’s CEO Jorge Pesquera and Twitty’s attorney Heleen Lejuez.
In a short statement give to the press after the closed door meeting Myrna Jansen reported the encounter was candid and open and both sides pledged support of each other with the common goal of finding a fast resolution for the sad case.
Beth Twitty was accompanied by friend Carol and brother Paul Reynolds. According to Lesker the meeting covered a variety of topics. While the parties agreed on many points and found common grounds often, on some points they agreed to disagree. Lesker also reported that there will be no call for economic sanctions, and that calm and cooperation will continue to be the right approach.
The Strategic Task Force did however ask Beth Twitty to empathize with Aruba and the Aruban people who are being victimized, and in this context to discontinue the broadcast of untrue and unfounded allegations, along with any call for boycott. The Strategic Task Force found Beth Twitty and her entourage, eager for resolution and receptive, he added.
On 11-3 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Beth Twitty meets with Strategic Task Force
Yesterday Mrs. Beth Twitty had a meeting with the Strategic Task Force at the Radisson Hotel.
She presented herself with her lawyer and companions and according to Mrs. Myrna Jansen of ATA, the meeting was sincere and open, while Mr. Jeff Lesker let it be known that a variety of topics were covered, also with the parties agreeing to disagree on certain points. Read more about this meeting in this edition.
On 11-3 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Beth Twitty: ‘No film crew; that’s a fabrication’
ARUBA – “Absolutely nonsense”, is Beth Twitty’s reaction on the news reports about her being accompanied by a film crew of Paramount Pictures or other media during her stay in Aruba. She arrived in Aruba earlier this week accompanied by her girlfriend Carol.
“I haven’t been on the island for some time now and I came to acquaint myself with the course of the investigation in the case of my daughter and not for other reasons. My brother, Paul Reynnold arrived earlier”, said Twitty. She denies the plans about coming with a film crew to make film recordings of Aruba and said that she regrets the fact that her arrival in Aruba went with a flux of unfounded rumours. The rumours about the arrival of a film crew caused big consternation. Yesterday, chief of Police, Gerold Dompig, who is in charge of the investigation, said that he made an appointment to speak with Twitty via her lawyer, Helen Lejeuz. “It is not allowed to make film recordings without a permit and this is different than the recordings that were made for the newscast. The Justice-minister told the corps leaders that no permit will be granted for filming”, said Dompig. Lejeuz [sic] confirmed the appointment. There was a meeting with the Strategic Communications Task Force in the Radisson Hotel yesterday afternoon. This committee was established with the task to correct erroneous news reports and to provide the media with correct background and information.
On 11-3 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Aruba Asks the Netherlands for Help
ARUBA – Prime Minister Nelson Oduber (MEP) has asked Minister Ben Bot (CDA) of Foreign Affairs to please exert his influence to restructure the downward publicity spiral, in which Aruba has landed due to the Natalee Holloway matter.
“The American media-campaigns have discredited the Aruban judicial system and its integrity”, said Oduber. He hinted that the Netherlands also gets drawn in this. “The call for a boycott is not exclusively for Aruba, but also for the Netherlands.” Oduber indicates in his letter that the call for a boycott mainly rests on an incorrect interpretation of the judicial system of Aruba and the Netherlands. They insinuate that the judicial system of Aruba is not integer, but corrupt. Oduber requests Bot to do what needs to be done to restore the bad image of Aruba, like involving experts in the field of media and communication. The American Justice Department and/or the F.B.I. can be asked to issue an explication [explanation] that would inspire confidence regarding the functioning of our judicial system. Also the American media can be asked for equal broadcasting time for the Aruban/Dutch case. Oduber indicated that the Aruban government appreciates the assistance of the Netherlands in the form of F-16 fighter jets and a declaration of the Dutch ambassador in Washington. The absolute figures do not show a negative influence on the image of Aruba as a safe tourist destination. But professional market research shows a less bright image for the future. 51 Percent, of the interviewed persons, of which 33 percent are directly involved with the Holloway case, said that they are not interested in going to Aruba. 21 Percent of the travel agents are less inclined to recommend Aruba as vacation destination. The biggest concern is the fact that 27 percent consider Aruba to be an unsafe place to go to. Aruba has dropped from the second to the seventh place on the list of safe vacation destinations and is now almost at the same level as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. In his letter to Bot, Oduber points out the disastrous consequences that the continued negative reports can have on the tourist industry as well as on the investment climate of Aruba.
On 11-3 ARUBAN news source "Diario" reported:
According to High commissioner Bernadina
The Fact that the Murder Suspects are Free, is not Necessarily Negative for the Case
This Related to the Case of Natalee Holloway
ORANJESTAD (AAN): DIARIO conversed with High commissioner Ronny Bernadina on Wednesday about the fact that Beth Twitty arrived in Aruba and what has been planned for the manifestation [planned for today at 6 pm]. According to Bernadina, it is not necessary to obtain a permit for a manifestation.
Police will control matters if something happens during and after the manifestation, where they will also survey the text on possible signs that could have text which contains insults on them.
Bernadina also said that if a sign contains insults, it will be taken away. If the group has a parade then yes, they must get a permit from Police.
According to Bernadina he met with Beth Twitty some time back, when the lady went to his home and he asked Twitty to come in, but she didn’t want to. However she gave the commissioner a letter, where she wrote that if for some reason Natalee’s body is found, for the Police o do an autopsy within 6 hours and send the body to America within 8 hours.
Bernadina also said that American Police sad that Twitty has good cooperation on the part of Police and other agencies in Aruba, compared with how it is in America under the same circumstances. So Bernadina says that this shows that it is not the case that Aruba is not cooperating with Mrs. Twitty.
The commissioner continues to say that the prosecution’s office is in charge of the whole investigation of the case and that the High commissioner assigned all available experts, while there is a certain protocol communication with the prosecution’s office, in regards to information that is given to the press or others.
Bernadina explains also that the law prescribes that when you have suspects detained, you must have a case against them within 116 days.
In this case, this wasn’t achieved and the youngsters were let go. However Bernadina sees this as something positive for the investigation, given that there is no longer the pressure of the 116 days and the prosecution’s office and the Police corps can take their time to work on the case against the suspects or find others who may be guilty.
Bernadina also says that in this case, the F.B.I. was present in Aruba early on, where they were here within 24 hours after Natalee’s disappearance.
Aruba has now asked for legal advice, to be able to conduct certain investigations about this case, focusing also in America, where the intention is, among other things, to collect more detailed declarations on the part of Natalee Holloway's classmates.
On 11-3 MSNBC reported:
War of words heating up in Holloway case
Missing girl's mother and father join forces, upset with local investigators
There is a war of words unraveling in Aruba. Natalee Holloway's divorced parents who up to now have been proceeding separately, have signed a letter demanding that Aruba's attorney general pull the team investigating Natalee's disappearance.
An excerpt from the letter: "It has become increasingly difficult to hold our tongues. It is our contention that it is in the best interest of everyone concerned to instigate a fresh start in this case. We respectfully request that Dennis Jacobs, Karin Janssen, and Gerold Dompig be removed from the case."
The letter goes on to say that when Dave Holloway asked the police to begin a search for Natalee two days after she went missing, the detective in charge of the investigation answered, "No, this happens all the time. Just go on down to Carlos N' Charlie's and have a beer. She'll show up sometime. She probably got drunk or fell in love and ran off with someone for a few days."
They also had strong words for the deputy chief of police, Gerold Dompig, saying: "It is apparent that Dompig wants to incite anti-Beth Twitty feelings among the Aruban populace in a situation where he should be doing the exact opposite and appealing to the Aruban people for leads to solve Natalee's disappearance."
This scathing letter came just a day after 'The Abrams Report' had an exclusive interview with the deputy. He was on the program Tuesday with some tough words of his own for the family.
--Begin video clip--
GEROLD DOMPIG, ARUBAN DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF: With all due respect to Mrs. Twitty, she doesn't run the investigation, we do. And we ask the questions. If it was the other way around, we could all back up and let the family do the investigation.
--End video clip--
On Wednesday, Dave Holloway, Natalee's father, joined MSNBC's Dan Abrams to discuss the letter.
To read an excerpt of their conversation, continue to the text below. To watch the video, click on the "Launch" button to the right.
DAN ABRAMS: Look, Dave, you have generally been a sort of calmer voice in connection with this investigation, and yet you did sign this scathing letter about the investigative team. Why?
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S FATHER: Yes we did. I was one of the last holdouts. I think Beth had been pushing for this for some time. And I went back to the island, hoping to make one last push to get everybody together, hold some solid communications and move forward with the case. And there at the end I thought we were coming close and starting to gel and to move this forward, and suddenly it just fell apart.
ABRAMS: But Dave, these are very serious accusations that you all are making in this letter. Let me read from one of them that apparently was regard to you from a detective handling the case.
When you went to the police department to report Natalee missing, (you say) "Dennis Jacobs responded with the following inappropriate question. How much money do you have?"
HOLLOWAY: That's correct and there were two witnesses there that can confirm that.
ABRAMS: And your understanding was he was effectively saying in order to search for your daughter, that they would have to get paid?
HOLLOWAY: Well I don't know what his intentions were, Dan, but he made that comment. Whether he was making it in jest, or whatever, I don't know, but he did make that comment.
ABRAMS: All right. Now, another issue with regard to Detective Jacobs, and it seems to me that this I know is one of Beth's primary concerns, and I'm wondering if it's yours, as well.
Jacobs continues to theorize that Natalee is still alive, which may explain his lack of diligence in pursuing the suspects who are responsible for Natalee's disappearance.
HOLLOWAY: That's correct. When I met with him last week, during our conversation, even though he is a lead investigator, he felt like Natalee was still alive.
ABRAMS: He made it clear to you that he thinks Natalee -- the lead investigator made it clear to you that he thinks Natalee Holloway is alive and thereby, I guess, suggesting that what, she ran off?
HOLLOWAY: He really didn't comment on it, so I don't know. He just made that comment, that that was his theory. There were four theories on the board. One of them was she ran away, the other is she's alive, the other was that Joran left her at the beach, and the Mountain Brook kids did something with her and the other theory is the most objective and common theory was that they-the three boys had something to do with her disappearance, possibly taking her out in the ocean.
ABRAMS: Dave, before I play a piece of sound from the deputy police chief, Gerold Dompig, on this show (Tuesday), let me ask you. You and your ex-wife Beth have gone about this sort of on two separate routes. You've gone there at different times. I've gotten the impression that it's not as if the two of you have been coordinating your efforts.
You know what the other one is doing, but is this letter, signed by you and your wife and she and her husband, is this sort of the most unified effort that the two of you have made together on this?
HOLLOWAY: Yes, it would be. I was one of the ones who held out, hoping that the police would come together and complete their investigation, and it just finally got to the point where -- you know we've got tunnel vision and a lot of peripheral issues started coming up, and you know why aren't we focusing back on the three suspects? Why are we talking about issues that don't even involve the case? And that's where I started getting frustrated and I felt like you know it's time, it's the fourth quarter, and time's almost up. Why don't we just start all over and start out with a whole new fresh team?
ABRAMS: Here's what Gerold Dompig said in an exclusive interview on this program last night.
--Begin video clip--
DOMPIG: I think anybody should understand and can understand it. We have made a lot of efforts to conduct a professional investigation. And in any case, we have given the family every chance to sit with us and to take their statements.
--End video clip--
ABRAMS: Do you disagree with that, Dave?
HOLLOWAY: Well let's take a pen and pencil and draw a line through it, and you put on one side what the family and the foreigners and people from the U.S. have done, and then you put on the other side what have the police done. You know we delivered, when we came to the island, we identified the suspects, all three of them, and handed it to them on a silver platter.
We also identified the witness, who is the gardener. We also had a person from the U.S. come down and literally almost got a confession out of Deepak. We found a lot of evidence that they have not used for one reason or the other. We've done most of all the searches. And then my question is, is what have the police done?
11-4-05
On 11-4 the “AP: reported:
Holloways say Arubaans botched case
ORANJESTAD, Aruba (AP) — The family of a U.S. teenager who vanished on a school trip to Aruba urged Thursday that three law enforcement officials be removed from the case, saying they ignored promising leads and did not take the investigation seriously in the crucial early stages.
Natalee Holloway's family made the charges in a letter released as the missing teen's mother, Beth Holloway Twitty, left the Dutch Caribbean island after she said prosecutors and the police chief refused to meet with her.
The honors student was last seen early on May 30 leaving a bar with Dutch national Joran van der Sloot and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. They were arrested on June 9 but released after a court ruled there was not enough evidence to hold them.
Twitty, who arrived Tuesday, told reporters she wanted to meet with prosecutors and police to discuss a taped interview in which Deepak Kalpoe allegedly says all three had sex with Holloway, who would have turned 19 last month.
Twitty said she was "disheartened" with the response of Police Chief Gerald Dompig, Chief Prosecutor Karin Jansen and Detective Dennis Jacobs to the disappearance of her daughter.
"They have placed barriers to the advancement of the investigation," Twitty said. "They should be replaced."
The police chief said he and the chief prosecutor were willing to meet with Twitty but first wanted her to clarify statements she made about an investigator whose name he did not disclose. Dompig declined to discuss her criticisms.
In the letter, Dave Holloway, the missing teen's father, said two days after her disappearance, he was told by Jacobs there was no point searching for the girl.
He says the detective told him "She probably just got drunk or fell in love and ran off with someone for a few days," according to the letter.
The father also said that detectives waited too long to question van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers after it became clear they were the last seen in public with the missing teen.
On 11-4 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to FOX News that just before he recently left ARUBA he asked ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG if ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG would, please, interview a specific key witness because DAVE feels the witness was not properly questioned before. DAVE thinks that this witness has information that could be a big help in solving the entire case. When DAVE called ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG early the next day, ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG said he had not interviewed this witness, and as far as DAVE knows, neither ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG nor any other ARUBAN Police "detectives" have interviewed this witness since DAVE’s request. DAVE reported that ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN only met with him very briefly when he was last in ARUBA, and, strangely, she told DAVE that the SKEETER tapes would be obtained by the ARUBAN’s at least a week after DAVE was scheduled to leave ARUBA, but the tapes, in fact, were given to the ARUBAN’s within a couple days after DAVE left ARUBA. DAVE detailed that on 6-1 when he, his brother, and brother-in-law first arrived in ARUBA they rented a vehicle then first went to 2 ARUBAN Police stations, where the ARUBAN Policemen they spoke with at both stations told them that they had received no official Police notification that NATALEE was missing, and DAVE was asked if he wanted to file a complaint. DAVE was directed to the ARUBAN Police NOORD station (close to the Murder Suspects SLOOT’s home) which is responsible for the “Holiday Inn“ area, and when they walked in to the ARUBAN Police NOORD station it was apparent that the Police had been notified that DAVE was coming there. After introducing themselves and inquiring about NATALEE was when ARUBAN detective JACOBS first “grumbled” and asked DAVE how much money he has? JACOBS then took the men into a back room where JACOBS made his comment that DAVE should just go to “Carlos 'N Charlie's" and have a beer and wait for NATALEE to show up. JACOBS then informed DAVE that JACOBS had heard that some of JUG TWITTYS friends who flew down with him had been to some drugs houses and “had been bustin’ up in some of these crack houses” looking for NATALEE. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated that just last week ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG asked him again “How much money do you have?, and how long can you continue searching for your daughter? Most of these cases, we’d have quite searching long ago,’ That’s when I decided ‘We need a change.’ “ DAVE HOLLOWAY stated when he left ARUBA on 10-27 all communication from the ARUBAAN's to the search team stopped. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated that late today a response to the 11-2 letter from the ARUBAN Department of Foreign Affairs was directed to the ALABAMA Governor RILEY then faxed to DAVE. The basic response was that the ARUBAN prosecuting team, the ARUBAN Police, ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN, ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG, and JACOBS were supervised by HOLLAND--by the DUTCH--out of the Hague, and the ARUBAAN's have no authority to replace them; DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "We did receive a response late this afternoon. That response was directed to Alabama Governor Bob Riley. He faxed it on to me and the basic content of it was this. We are still waiting on the Attorney General to respond. The Dept. of Foreign Affairs which is the government of Aruba basically indicated that the lead Investigator, the Police department and the prosecution team is supervised out of Holland in The Hague and that they have no authority to intervene in the investigation.”
On 11-4 DAVID KOCK said that Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE now regrets telling the “Holiday Inn” alibi-lies at Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT ’s request. DAVID KOCK also said that Current Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT did meet with the 3 boys within a couple days of NATALEE’s disappearance, but he did not suggest the boys tell the “Holiday Inn“ alibi-lies. DAVID KOCK also said that his client had gone through 15 or 20 interrogations.
On 11-4 MSNBC reported “And according to the U.S. State Department, at any given time, there are 12 million people who are enslaved around the world in Central and southern America, in countries like Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela and also Jamaica, in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. And in Asia, there‘s China, India, the Philippines and North Korea. We‘re going to expose the crisis of the sex trade industry. We‘re also going to talk live to Natalee Holloway's mother about the remote possibility that her daughter could be a victim.”
On 11-4 RICK SEGALL told MSNBC “So it would make sense that a memorial might be there. But this new information—this is fresh information that had just come into the Police. And here Dave goes to take a look at this spot, and there is this cross that has initials carved into it, rosary beads, and there‘s no reason for it to be there unless it‘s from somebody who knows something or has a guilty conscience.“ “According to locals that we spoke to, they say it‘s been there anywhere from three to five weeks. So this is something that‘s popped up recently. And Dave‘s theory, and our theory, too, is somebody knows something. And that‘s one of the reasons we‘re airing the show tomorrow night, is we need that person or those people to come forward. And it‘s common knowledge, it‘s no surprise. A lot of Arubaans have lost confidence in the investigation that‘s taking place down there. And we spoke to people who said, you know, they‘re not sure tHat Tips should be going to the Aruban Police department. It seems the investigation might be in disarray. So tomorrow night, there‘s going to be three Investigators at the “America‘s Most Wanted” hotline, three F.B.I. agents. And we want those tips to come in. If there is information, 1-800-CRIME-TV, or AMW.com. Those tips will be followed up on.”
On 11-4 the "AP" reported “Aruban prosecutors said Friday they have new witnesses and leads into the disappearance of a U.S. teen who vanished on a school trip to the Dutch Caribbean island more than five months ago. ‘From this review the team has concluded that there are several aspects that need more attention,’ the prosecutor's office said in a statement. ‘There are people living in the United States of America who have to be interviewed again.’ Prosecutors did not provide details about any new developments and did not return telephone calls seeking comment. Twitty said she was ‘disheartened’ with the response of Police chief Gerald Dompig, chief Prosecutor Karin Jansen and Detective Dennis Jacobs to the disappearance of her daughter. ‘They have placed barriers to the advancement of the investigation,’ Twitty said. ‘They should be replaced.’ ”
On 11-4 HAROLD COPUS stated MSNBC “I think there is no more than a 20% chance. [that NATALEE is alive] There are some things that would indicate that Natalee could have been moved off the island into the sex trade ring. That’s horrible if it is, but there’s always that chance.”
On 11-4 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to MSNBC “Well, I know one thing Rita. What the family wants is we want answers. A willingness to conduct a thorough and proper investigation. We have yet to get that. They see the handwriting on the wall. I made it perfectly clear while I was in Aruba for three days that the family wants a new prosecuting attorney and new lead Investigator. We spelled it out step by step in the letter everything that has happened to us in this investigation. They know that there is not a choice. So, if they chose it [a boycott of ARUBA], so be it Rita.” “Well, we’re waiting to hear the final word if they are willing to launch a new investigative team.”
On 11-4 JOE MAMMANA stated to MSNBC “Well, I’ll be honest with you Rita. I’m not as patient or as nice as Beth is. Beth and I talk everyday. We had a big dinner tonight in the city of Philadelphia. It was bi partisan; we had Republicans and Democrats, the Police commissioner, our attorneys and our pr people. This is pretty much the foreplay. This is Beth’s daughter; we’re going to let her take this. But when Beth says go we’re going to take a bite of the apple cause we’re only going to want one bite. It’s going to be deep into the core. I’ll be really honest with you, after speaking to the Philadelphia school board and everyone else a boycott will be so devastating that they won’t get a bar of soap on their island when we’re finished with them. Again, we’re letting Beth call this. She’s been nice for too long as far as I’m concerned. These three little pieces of trash over there they gang raped her daughter. They need to experience a gang rape.” “I’ll be honest with you Rita. Yes, it’s going to go to a boycott. It’s going to be a devastating boycott. Yes, I do feel that.” “I think that’s going to happen within the next ten days. I’ll tell you another thing…I receive a lot of calls and emails from around the world now. There are a lot of people after these kids. They have made a lot of enemies. Not just the Holloway family. They really need to watch out for themselves, because they have made enemies around the world. A boycott is going to divide and conquer. It’s going to make the Aruba people against them. I hope the Aruba people watch this and realize that this doesn’t have to happen. Maybe they need to handle justice themselves on their own island.”
On 11-4 The “Search for Natalee” blog wrote “There is a group in California (55,000,000 persons--the most populated state in the UNITED STATES) called M.A.R., Mothers Against Aruba, that is touring California schools and youth organizations talking to both parents and teenagers about restricting travel to Aruba for our youth. Given the recent rape/murder of N. Holloway and Aruba's lack of response, it is NOT safe for our youth (or adults for that matter) to travel there.” “We have 3 more M.A.R. groups working in Arizona, Washington, and Texas.”
On December 1, 2005 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to MSNBC “Well, I certainly hope that Arlene Schipper is not placing this—the family coming forward and endorsing a boycott due to this taped interview from Deepak Kalpoe. That is just simply—nothing could be farther from the truth. And endorsing the boycott and it‘s coming from the family‘s frustration of the mishandling of Natalee‘s case. And I think everyone knows that November the 4th was a huge turning point for the family when—receiving a letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Augustine Vrolijk, and how he‘s stating now that Aruba is not responsible for the investigation. I think out of frustration, we look back on how we were pleading, written and verbal requests for help from the government officials on the island of Aruba and receiving none, no guidance, no direction.” “I’m really glad that you guys have been able to you know get a hold of the tape. I’m hoping that we can have that analyzed, have it transcribed, and put it to rest and you know then get focused on the rest of the evidence that Aruba has collected all along. I mean Dan, there are unbelievable statements coming from Joran van der Sloot from June 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 that have audio and videotape that they need to be worrying about those and reviewing those and not just one taped evidence that Jamie Skeeters was able to obtain.”
On 11-4 two murders took place in ARUBA. A woman died who was stabbed with a knife. Her name was Margarita Nedd-Panaqua, 35, from the Dominican Republic. She was stabbed by a jealous boyfriend. In the second murder of the day, a man was shot in the head. His name was Galyson Lucas Winster, a 27-year-old choller.
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Cabinet-Oduber IV
ARUBA – Cabinet-Oduber IV was presented this morning at 10:30. Nelson Oduber (MEP) is making the history books by being the first Prime Minister of Aruba with four terms of office. Marisol Tromp will be his assistant as vice-prime minister.
Surprisingly, at the time of presenting the new ministers team, instead of seven ministers and one minister plenipotentiary, only three showed up. No ‘landing picture’ could be made at that time. This has probably to do with the problematic way the new cabinet was formed with Rudy Croes and Ramon Lee that walked out during the negotiations and threatened to continue independently. If that had happened, MEP would have lost the extremely tight majority of 11 of the 21 Parliament seats they got in the elections of September 23rd.
The new team of ministers consists of 7 ministers that have also been in the cabinet-Oduber III. Education-minister Frido Croes goes to The Hague and Marisol Tromp gets the education portfolio and keeps Social Affairs and Infrastructure. Rudy Croes keeps Justice but without the responsibility for the Coastguard, which goes to the Prime Minister, same as the visa policy. The permit policy and Administrative Affairs go to Booshi Wever and he keeps Public Health. Lee keeps Labour, Culture, and Sport. Nilo Swaen keeps Economic Affairs and Finance. Eddie Briesem keeps Tourism and transportation.
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Re-grouping Meeting of Strategic Committee About Natalee Holloway was Good
Advice to the Commission is to not Fall in the ‘Fuel the Fire to the Media’ Trap
According to Myrna Jansen to Bon Dia Aruba
ORANJESTAD – The regrouping meeting of the Strategic Committee about Beth Twitty was short due to other engagements. They discussed different options to proceed forward, according to Myrna Jansen.
However, she took out a public declaration to better show what was discussed during the meeting about Beth Twitty.
SHORT MEETING
There was a short meeting with minister Rudy Croes to see what type of statement will be given and where it would take place. “The process that we have found must take place” said Myrna Jansen.
ADVICE
According to Jansen there was some advice from experts who are also in Aruba, among others Peter Greenberg who was one of the speakers at an ATCA event, who said that something must be done. Official statements have to be given and move on. “Do not fall in the 'fuel the fire to the media' tramp” Jansen said. This is what the American press is doing.
CONFLICT
It was shown what someone wants to say and then they want to create a conflict with the other. There is some plan that has to be concretized. There should be a type of encounter where a strong decision to move forward will be taken. There have been some things done, but none was strong. “You have to decide to either remain silent or speak openly”, Jansen said, something that the Task Force has to decide.
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Police Interrogated Beth Twitty a Couple of Hours Despite that Natalee Holloway's mother Recorded her Declaration on Tape to Hand Over to Police
ORANJESTAD— After much anticipation, Natalee Holloway's mother arrived at the Police station in Shaba to give answers to various questions to Police in charge of the investigation had.
Mrs. Twitty came with a group of American journalists who were at all times walking with her. And although she told the Strategic Commission that she did not know that some media would follow her to Aruba, it was obvious that they had a very close relationship. Her friend was in the car with an MSNBC producer, for example.
The Police station was awaiting the arrival of Mrs. Twitty and would not let the press stop their cars too close. They also didn’t let the cameramen arrive first.
Mrs. Twitty entered accompanied by her friend Carol followed by her attorney Helen Lejuez who also came in. But her brother Paul Reynolds, who arrived in a taxi, could not enter. Police did not permit this.
The conversation, which was more like an interrogation, lasted a few hours, contrary to what Mrs. Twitty thought, given that she brought two recorded tapes with her declaration and what from what can be deduced from the time that she remained inside, Police decided to make some touchy questions.
At a certain point, the friend left in Helen Lejuez’s car to go check out of the hotel, given that the group had to be at the airport for 12 noon.
The presence of lead prosecutor Karin Jansen was also noted, but she did not remain long at the Shaba Police station.
Finally, Mrs. Twitty was able to leave the Police station, but as was the #ase from the first day, she did not give any comments.
Despite that at the moment she also did not speak to the American press, it won’t be strange for them to get a declaration, seeing that they’re traveling with her.
What’s more, after the meeting with the Strategic Commission, when Mrs. Twitty was asked for a comment, she said she didn’t want to say anything. She was also asked if she was going to speak with the American channels that night, and Twitty said she had no plans to do so. But as is usual with Mrs. Twitty, this did not turn out to be the truth, since that same night she was on Greta van Susteren on FOX News saying that the Strategic Commission is in agreement with her about changing those who are working on the case.
This was completely denied by the Strategic Commission.
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Hundreds of Arubaans Protest at Plaza Betico Last Night
Last Night’s Message was to Request Holland’s Help on the Natalee Holloway Case
Today a Letter was Handed Over at VNO Destined for the Dutch Government
ORANJESTAD – During a meeting yesterday at Plaza Betico Croes, a group of about a hundred people got together to express their concern about the effect of the Natalee Holloway case on our island, in particular its tourism.
With the songs of Jossy Brokke, the prayers of father Eusebio Petronia and speeches from John Merryweather and Julie Renfro, last night tried to reflect the worry felt here.
MESSAGE
The goal was not to protest against Beth Twitty or the American media who has put Aruba in a negative light as of late. Despite the frustration about the latter, the main goal was to create a unanimity among those present and to empower the commission who organized the event to send a letter to the Dutch government today. This will be done in the course of the day, in so doing to explain the Dutch governors what the people of Aruba feel about this topic.
CONCERN
According to Merryweather, as much as they are concerned about the mother’s situation which they feel sad, it is not fair that she continues with her plan to discredit the whole island for something that is not the island’s fault.
And given was have happened lately, it’s time to get Holland involved to see if the US can understand that Aruba is doing everything possible and that they don’t deserve the treatment they are getting.
Late on the afternoon of Friday, 11-4, the ARUBAN prosecutors office put out the following press release:
Press Release from Prosecutors Office in Aruba
Oranjestad: In this press release, the Public Prosecutor’s Office provides an update of the investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
At this time the investigative team, which consists of Police agents from the Aruban Police Force under guidance of the prosecutor in charge of this case, is at work in several areas of the criminal investigation into the disappearance of miss Holloway last May of this year. In the first place the team is busy investigating aspects and leads that have not been investigated yet.
The investigative team is also interviewing new witnesses and witnesses who have already been interviewed in this case are being interviewed again. Yesterday for instance, members of the Police team interviewed the mother of the missing Miss Holloway. She was on the island for a couple of days.
Besides investigating new leads or leads that have not been investigated yet and interviewing new witnesses and witnesses who have already been interviewed the team is reviewing the whole investigation from the start until now. From this review the team has concluded that there are several aspects that need more attention, for instance there are people living in the United States of America who have to be interviewed again, this time more profoundly. To realize this, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has petitioned the United States of America for legal assistance. When there is more information about this request that can be made public, the Public Prosecutor’s Office will make this information public.
The last development that will be highlighted in this press release regards the tapes of the Dr. Phil show. During this show a couple of weeks ago a tape was shown in which one suspect in the case of the disappearance of miss Holloway makes declarations about the case on camera to a private Investigator. After requesting and receiving these tapes from the United States of America the tapes were sent to the Dutch Forensic Institute in Holland for further testing. The results of these tests are not known yet.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office will keep on working as it always has, which is according to the law.
On 11-4 the ARUBA government’s Department of Foreign Affairs faxed a letter to NATALEE’s Loved Ones via the ALABAMA Governor, ROBERT RILEY. Here is a partial transcript of the letter “The chief prosecutor leading the investigation and the General Prosecutor are appointed by the Kingdom Government in the Hague. Because of separation of powers, the government of Aruba has no authority to intervene in the investigation.” The letter was signed by “Augustin Vrolijk,” Director.
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Although not wanting to divulge much
commissioner Gerold Dompig considers meeting with Beth Twitty as good
“We took a statement and there were a few questions” – Gerold Dompig
[front page blurb] – Bon Dia publishes that yesterday Beth Twitty presented herself at the Police station to be interrogated. In the interrogation were present prosecutor Jansen, attorney Helen Lejuez and Beth Twitty. In today’s edition, one can read a few articles about this interrogation
ORANJESTAD – The meeting between Investigators and the mother of Natalee Holloway, Beth Twitty went well, according to Gerold Dompig. “It went well. That is the only thing I wanted to say”. Dompig said that there were two types of statements. A witness statement and suspect statement. “We took a statement, a declaration and we had a few questions” Dompig said.
DECLARATION ON PAPER
The fact that Twitty came with a written declaration on paper, Dompig did not want to confirm. “Normally, the group of Investigators handle the verhoor[?] and in this case, they also handled it”, said Dompig.
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Beth Twitty Leaves Aruba
ORANJESTAD(AAN): After Beth Twitty’s arrival a few days back, where she expressed that she wants to speak with prosecutor Janssen and Gerold Dompig, she left Aruba Thursday afternoon.
Mrs. Twitty came to Aruba with people of NBC, as well as people from Paramount Television, who put many people in Aruba to started asking them what their intention was.
Mrs. Twitty granted a few interviews, while she was able of meeting with the Police corps, as well as prosecutor Karin Janssen.
Natalee Holloway's mother also met with the Strategic Communications Task Force, where they were able to exchange thoughts about this case.
A DIARIO photographer was able to capture moments when Mrs. Twitty was at the airport where Mrs. Twitty was preparing for her flight back to America.
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Twitty is Gone
ARUBA – After having stayed in Aruba for a few days, Beth Twitty left again. It’s not clear what she came to Aruba for. During her visit she met with representatives of the Strategic Communications Task Force. In the presence of her lawyer Helen Lejeuz, she also had a conversation with chief of Police Gerold Dompig and prosecutor Karin Jansen. Dompig indicated later that Twitty made a statement and answered a few questions. He didn’t want to go into details regarding the contents. Same as a day earlier, Twitty didn’t want to talk to the media.
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Dr. Phil Believes that Natalee is Alive
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Last Wednesday night, Dr. Phil was a guest of the Tonight Show on NBC, and revealed that he is convinced that Natalee Holloway is alive and kept captive as a sex slave.
Dr. Phil didn’t what to say why he believes that with “too much information”. The conversation with Jay Leno was serious, when he discussed the issue of the teenager from Alabama who went missing in Aruba. “Without giving up too much information…we believe Natalee Holloway is still alive”. Dr. Phil showed as the principal focus of their investigation what he calls the “sex slave market”.
Some observers commented that it was very interesting that just that night Dr. Phil appeared on one of the most influential TV programs in American, on the same night that the family was in Aruba to hand over a letter to the Attorney General to request that a new investigative team be put in place. Was it a nice concerted effort between Dr. Phil and the Twitty family, or was it pure coincidence?
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Jossy Mansur Defends Aruba Again Against Dr. Phil’s Comments
ORANJESTAD(AAN)—Last night, in an interview with MSNBC Mr. Jossy Mansur tore apart Dr. Phil’s comments related to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, and strongly defended Aruba.
Despite that he is in Miami for health reasons, every night various TV channels look to interview him, and last night he also showed that the probability that the young woman is alive is very small, and also that Aruba doesn’t have anything to do with the sex slave trade, nor cases or issues related to ‘sex slaves’.
On 11-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Opportunity for Government to Show a New Face!
Natalee’s Family Asks a New Investigative Team
Request for commissioner Dompig and Prosecutor Janssen to be Removed!
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Beth Twitty made her lightning visit to Aruba with only one goal. To hand over a letter signed by all 4 members of the direct family of Natalee Holloway, to the Attorney General Croes Fernandez-Pedra.
Today DIARIO published this letter in its totality and in its original language so that the people can see how certain steps were not right, from the first days of the search, as well as the strange attitude of the functionary Dennis Jacobs, as well as certain statements of commissioner Dompig and also prosecutor Karin Janssen.
The six page letter clearly shows how difficult it is for the family to remain quiet, related to all that they have encountered, which they have written in the letter.
They believe that it would be best to have a ‘fresh start’ in the case. One can look at this step for Aruba face this with a new face and form a new investigative team.
The letter was written by Arthur E. Wood and at the end it is also signed by the 4 family members.
On 11-4 MSNBC reported:
RITA COSBY, HOST: Good evening, everybody. Tonight, a special LIVE AND DIRECT investigation, inside sex trafficking around the world and here in the United States. There‘s new focus on this global crisis because of an extraordinary turn in the Natalee Holloway case, none other than Dr. Phil going on national TV, telling millions of viewers that he believes Natalee may have been forced into prostitution and is still alive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. PHIL MCGRAW, TALK SHOW HOST: We have reasonable belief and some credible evidence that Natalee Holloway is alive. We don‘t know where she is, but you know, there is a huge sex slave underground in some of those countries.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
…
And still ahead, everybody, could the Natalee Holloway case be linked to sex trafficking? It‘s a surprising theory Dr. Phil has put out there. But could it be possible?
…
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSBY: And as we look at the sex trade tonight, we can‘t help but turn our attention to the Natalee Holloway case. This after Dr. Phil went on the Jay Leno show stating that Natalee Holloway could still be alive after being forced into the sex trade.
How is her family reacting to those stunning comments? LIVE & DIRECT tonight is Natalee‘s mom, Beth Holloway Twitty, fresh back from her trip to Aruba. And also with us is philanthropist from the Philadelphia area, Joe Mammana, who has been helping the Holloway family a lot.
You know, Beth, obviously there‘s a temptation you want to grasp and just pray that she‘s alive, but how realistic do you think this theory is?
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, MOTHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: You know, Rita, we don‘t have any idea how realistic it is, you know, but we do know that we‘ve covered the island and, of course, through the EquuSearch, you know, from the sand duns, to the waters, to dumps, ponds. You know, it‘s just been countless.
And, you know, it‘s something the family has never been able to do, is look for Natalee—the possibility of her being alive. So what he is providing us with is, you know, a means to—if she is alive, we need to know that. But also, he thinks that, you know, if she‘s not, then we need answers.
COSBY: Absolutely. You need finality. Have you talked to Dr. Phil?
Has he given you any insight, Beth, as to what this is about?
TWITTY: Oh, well, you know, I think that we‘ve all had theories. And we‘ve all had—you know, Rita, we get leads all the time. And, you know, whether Natalee‘s alive or whether she‘s not alive, I mean, we just have to investigate each one of them.
But as I said, we really just haven‘t had the means to search for Natalee, if she is alive. And we‘ve just—you know, we‘ve had the $1 million reward in place for her safe return. But other than that, that‘s all we‘ve been able to do physically.
COSBY: Has Dr. Phil though—went he went on Jay Leno, Beth, he said, “I have some evidence, but I need to prove it.” Has he given you any sense that there‘s anything concrete to go on this lead? Is there anything, like, to hold your hat on?
TWITTY: Oh, you know, in this investigation, there has been nothing for us to hold our hat on, absolutely nothing. And, you know, Rita, many twists and turns have taken place since May 31st. There‘s absolutely nothing that would surprise me.
COSBY: Nothing, at this point? I mean, is it possible that this could be an issue?
TWITTY: You know, well, all we know for sure is that they participated in a gang rape against a young American female tourist on their island and set these suspects free. We do know that.
Now, what they did with her after they were finished with her, Rita, they tossed her on the beach for somebody to come pick her up, who knows? Did Deepak really bury her? You know, we just don‘t know, Rita.
COSBY: Yes, I‘m sure it is just so frustrating to hear all these different things. I‘m sure it‘s also confusing for you.
You know, we talked to the chief. We talked to Chief Dompig a couple days ago on our show. And I asked him—I said, “Do you think that these boys are guilty as hell?” and he said, “Yes.”
He also went a little further and talked about where he thinks the blame lies. Let‘s take a listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEROLD DOMPIG, DEPUTY POLICY CHIEF OF ARUBA: I still believe that these boys have been lying. They‘re still lying. And everybody knows that by now. So there‘s no doubt in my mind that they know something, they are guilty of something.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: You know, Joe, how frustrated—you‘ve been helping this family a lot. You hear Chief Dompig saying, “I know they‘re guilty. I just need to prove it,” and here it‘s been so many months.
JOE MAMMANA, PHILADELPHIA PHILANTHROPIST: Well, I‘ll be honest with you, Rita. I‘m not as patient or as nice as Beth is. Beth and I talk every day. We had a big dinner tonight in the city of Philadelphia. It was bipartisan. We had Republicans and Democrats, the police commissioner, our attorneys, our P.R. people.
And this is pretty much the foreplay. It‘s Beth‘s daughter. We‘re going to let her take this. But when Beth says go, we‘re going to take a bite at the apple, because we‘re going only going to want one bite. It‘s going to be deep into the core.
And I‘ll be really honest with you. After speaking to the Philadelphia School Board and everybody else, a boycott will be so devastating that they won‘t get a bar of soap on their island when we‘re finished with them.
Again, we‘re letting Beth call this. She‘s been nice for too long, as far as I‘m concerned. These three little pieces of trash over there, OK, they gang raped her daughter. They need to experience a gang rape.
COSBY: Do you think, Joe, it‘s going to get to the point of a boycott? I mean, sounds like, like you feel like it‘s pretty close?
MAMMANA: I‘ll be honest with you, Rita. Yes, it‘s going to go to a boycott. It‘s going to be a devastating boycott. Yes, I do feel that.
COSBY: When do you think that‘s going to happen, Joe?
MAMMANA: I think that‘s going to happen within the next 10 days.
COSBY: You do?
MAMMANA: And I‘ll tell you another thing is, I receive a lot of calls, a lot of e-mails, a lot of things from around the world now. And there‘s a lot of people after these kids. I mean, they have made a lot of enemies, not just the Holloway family.
And, I‘ll tell you, they need to really watch out for themselves, because they‘ve made enemies around the world. And I think a boycott is going to turn—you know, divide and conquer. It‘s going to turn the Aruban people against them.
And I hope that the Aruban people watch this and realize that this doesn‘t have to happen. Maybe they need to handle justice themselves on their own island.
COSBY: Let me bring in, if I could, former FBI agent Harold Copus into the conversation.
Harold, what is your sense on how a boycott would impact this investigation?
HAROLD COPUS, FORMER FBI AGENT: Oh, I think it would be fantastic, because all of a sudden we‘d some push here to make these people realize they‘ve got to give us a good, thorough investigation, which they haven‘t to date.
COSBY: You know, Harold, you‘ve been down in Aruba, as Beth and I have, too. Beth has been there, gosh—Beth, how many times have you been down there now?
TWITTY: Oh, Rita. Well, I lived there for almost four months so...
COSBY: Yes, you‘ve become basically a citizen down there. Bless your heart. You have been working so hard on this.
You know, Harold, when you see this, and you see this mother who has just been so determined and so, you know, just loves her daughter, wants a resolution, is a boycott maybe the only thing that‘s going to push this forward?
COPUS: It may be. We don‘t seem to have anything else working for us, from an investigative standpoint. I felt for some time that might be an answer. I‘ve said it Beth privately. And it sounds like it‘s going to come out now publicly.
COSBY: And, Harold, real quick, do you give any credence to the theory from Dr. Phil that she may be alive?
COPUS: I think there‘s no more than a 20-percent chance. There are some things that would indicate that Natalee could have been moved off the island into the sex trade act ring. That‘s horrible, if it is, but there‘s always that chance.
COSBY: Beth, how you feel finally, as we‘re talking about a boycott and where things stand in the investigation? I know you‘re frustrated. Would you support a boycott, if it comes to that, in 10 days, like Joe is talking about?
TWITTY: Well, I know one thing, Rita: What the family wants is we want answers. And we want a willingness to conduct a thorough and proper investigation. And we have yet to get that.
They see the handwriting on the wall. I made it perfectly clear while I was in Aruba for the three days that the family wants a new prosecuting attorney, a new lead investigator. And we felt it out step by step in the letter of everything that has happened to us in this investigation.
They know that there is not a choice. So, you know, if they choose it, so be it, Rita.
COSBY: So you think it‘s pretty close to heading there that ways, Beth?
TWITTY: Well, we‘re waiting to hear the final word, if they‘re willing to launch a new investigative team.
COSBY: All right, Beth. Please keep us posted. Everybody, thank you, Beth, so much.
And thank you, Joe.
And also Harold. Thank you.
Well, still ahead, everybody, it may look like a makeshift memorial to Natalee Holloway. But does it hold an important clue to what happened to the missing teen?
Details next on LIVE & DIRECT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSBY: Tonight, there‘s hope that a makeshift memorial to Natalee Holloway could hold clues as to what happened to her. The simple cross with her initials is now on a beach in Aruba not far from where she was apparently last seen.
But it‘s not so much the memorial that could hold the clues but where it is.
Joining me now is Rick Segall with “America‘s Most Wanted.” Rick, how did you stumble upon this memorial?
RICK SEGALL, “AMERICA‘S MOST WANTED”: We were down in Aruba all last week with Dave Holloway. And we spoke to the police chief. Dave spoke to Deputy Chief Dompig, as well.
The chief told Dave Holloway that new information had come in that, around the time of Natalee‘s disappearance, perhaps the night after she disappeared, a boat went out from a particular boat launch there on the beach and supposedly took a body out into the sea and dumped the body.
So Dave went to take a look at that spot. And when he was there on the beach, he literally stumbled across this cross that was sitting there, had Natalee‘s initials carved into it, rosary beads. And on first glance, it looks like a perfectly sweet memorial.
The problem is there is no reason on Earth for that memorial to be in that spot. And here‘s why: About 300 yards down the beach, there are a set of fishing huts that have become infamous.
COSBY: Yep, I was down there. I remember. And that‘s where the knife was missing. There‘s also that cage nearby that‘s missing?
SEGALL: Exactly. Exactly. They‘re infamous. Everybody knows about it on the island.
So it would make sense that a memorial might be there. But this new information—this is fresh information that had just come into the police. And here Dave goes to take a look at this spot, and there is this cross that has initials carved into it, rosary beads, and there‘s no reason for it to be there unless it‘s from somebody who knows something or has a guilty conscience.
COSBY: When was it constructed, Rick? Do we have any idea how long it‘s been there?
SEGALL: According to locals that we spoke to, they say it‘s been there anywhere from three to five weeks. So this is something that‘s popped up recently.
And Dave‘s theory, and our theory, too, is somebody knows something. And that‘s one of the reasons we‘re airing the show tomorrow night, is we need that person or those people to come forward.
And it‘s common knowledge, it‘s no surprise. A lot of Arubaans have lost confidence in the investigation that‘s taking place down there. And we spoke to people who said, you know, they‘re not sure that tips should be going to the Aruban police department. It seems the investigation might be in disarray.
So tomorrow night, there‘s going to be three investigators at the “America‘s Most Wanted” hotline, three FBI agents. And we want those tips to come in. If there is information, 1-800-CRIME-TV, or AMW.com. Those tips will be followed up on.
COSBY: All right, Rick. Thank you very much. Really fascinating. Again, everybody to make sure to watch “America‘s Most Wanted.” Very important stuff.
Thank you, Rick, very much. We appreciate it.
SEGALL: Thank you.
On 11-4 CNNHN reported:
NANCY GRACE, HOST: Also tonight, the theory is growing that 18-year-old American girl Natalee Holloway could be wrapped up in the sex slave trade. Where is that theory coming from? And is it actually harming the investigation? Natalee`s parents outraged. Natalee`s Mom with us tonight.
…
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHIL MCGRAW, "DR. PHIL" HOST: Just imagine if you have been abducted and you`re catching news somewhere, you`re seeing yourself in the news and then all of a sudden it just goes away, and you`re just left and nobody`s looking for you. And I truly believe that if that young girl`s alive, we`re going to find her. And if she`s not, we want to find her body.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: That is from Wednesday night`s "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. Dr. Phil with a very unique theory into Natalee Holloway`s whereabouts.
Welcome back, everybody.
Elizabeth, do we have that sound yet? Could you play the sound?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCGRAW: Without creating false hope, we have reasonable belief and some credible evidence that Natalee Holloway is alive.
JAY LENO, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW": Is alive?
MCGRAW: Is alive. We can`t -- we cannot prove that at this point, and we don`t know where she is, but, you know, there is a huge sex slave underground in some of those countries down there. Young women have disappeared from that part of the world before.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: I`m going to go straight out to the managing director and editor of "Diario" newspaper, Jossy Mansur.
Jossy, is there any evidence to support the theory that Natalee Holloway, an 18-year-old American girl, is being held as a sex slave? I think I`ve got Jossy on the phone.
Jossy, are you there?
JOSSY MANSUR, EDITOR, "DIARIO": Yes, ma`am.
GRACE: Hi, Jossy. Nice to hear your voice. Jossy, is there any indication that Natalee Holloway is being held as a sex slave?
MANSUR: No, none whatsoever that I know of. I know the theory has been around from the beginning, but I haven`t seen one shred of evidence so far to either prove that she is alive or to prove that she is not.
GRACE: Where do you think this theory keeps coming from, Jossy?
MANSUR: I have absolutely no idea, because what they`re saying about this, this traffic of prostitution, of selling young girls, that`s unknown to me in Aruba. I mean, I`m maybe one of the ones that haven`t seen any traces of it whatsoever on the island.
GRACE: Well, where would Dr. Phil have gotten this information? And why would it be disseminated?
MANSUR: I have no idea where he would have obtained this information, but unless he has any evidence, hard evidence to prove it, I think it`s just another theory that`s been around for a long time.
GRACE: Take a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCGRAW: We`re in contact with Beth on a regular basis. Beth believes that is a possibility.
I don`t want to create false hope, but I`ll tell you what. I`ll tell you what. I`ve got every resource at my disposal looking for that young woman right now.
I think it is unacceptable what`s happening. This is an American citizen in a foreign country that`s been abducted. And she`s just kind of -- she`s a lightning rod for it. It`s not just about her. I mean, it`s about a lot of young women going into foreign countries and having bad things befall them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: Back to Jossy Mansur with "Diario" magazine. Jossy, I know you`re familiar with the fact that the Kalpoe brother has spoken to an undercover -- I mean, excuse me, to a private investigator, in which he admits all three of them had sex with Natalee Holloway.
So what would the theory be, that after that happens, someone else comes along and puts her into sex slavery?
MANSUR: That`s what they base it on, only because Joran remembers that, that he left her on the beach. And the other two Kalpoe brothers also confirmed or affirmed that same theory.
But it`s only a theory, that they left her on the beach, that someone else came around, took her, and sold her to this unknown slave trade, sex slave trade in Aruba. I have no knowledge of that kind of trade there. No family in Aruba has ever reported missing a daughter or a young girl under those circumstances.
GRACE: Joining me now is Natalee`s mother, Beth Twitty.
Beth, thank you for being with us.
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, MOTHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Thank you.
GRACE: Beth, what do you make of this theory of Dr. Phil`s?
TWITTY: Well, when you listen to his interview a little bit further, he also states that, if Natalee is alive, then we need to find her. But, if she`s not, we need answers.
And I think we`ve known all along that, as far as the family goes, we have been able to -- of course, with the huge, unbelievable support from EquuSearch -- been able to cover the aspect if she`s not alive. You know, we`re searching in sand dunes, we`re looking in ponds, we`re looking in the dumps, we`re looking in the waters.
But, you know, something the family has not been able to do, to do resources and, you know, just having knowledge of how to begin this, is to look for Natalee, if there`s a possibility or if we`re saying, like Mr. Mansur -- it`s a working theory, that, should she be alive, then I would hate for us not to at least be exploring that avenue. We just don`t know.
GRACE: You know, Beth, you`re absolutely right. Where do you think Dr. Phil is getting the information Natalee could still be alive?
TWITTY: Well, I think it`s coming from -- you know, we don`t have any clear answers either way, but, you know, we have tips that come in, some, the majority of them, have Natalee not alive.
But, you know, occasionally we will get a reasonable suspicion that is a possibility or theory that she could be. And, you know, we just feel like we knew we needed to cover that aspect of it.
You know, we`ve had a lot of people supporting us during this investigation. People have posed this question to us repeatedly from all of your viewers, and they send letters and concerns of this.
And this is something that we have not been able to investigate. And I am so grateful, and our entire family is, that we`re at least looking into this as a possibility.
And, you know, we would just hate to be a year from now thinking we never even approached that. And, you know, Nancy, it doesn`t look good. No, it doesn`t. But, you know, I still think that it is a necessary avenue that we should explore. And I`m very grateful that Dr. Phil has these resources and knowledge of how to go about this.
GRACE: Aren`t we all? Take a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCGRAW: In America, I think sometimes -- me included -- we all have kind of a short attention span. And when the next big thing hits, you know, we move on that. The headlines change. And we move to the next story.
And I just don`t think that`s going to happen here. We`ve got some shows coming up on this with Beth on the show and with our people on the ground down there.
And we`ve had to extract a few of them recently. I had to send a private jet in for a couple of them just recently in Mexico, because things were getting really hot, and, you know, maybe we`re getting close.
MCGRAW: Just imagine, if you have been abducted, and you`re catching news somewhere or you`re seeing yourself in the news, then all of a sudden, it just goes away. And you`re just left, and nobody`s looking for you.
And I truly believe that, if that young girl`s alive, we`re going to find her. And if she`s not, we want to find her body.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: That`s from Wednesday night`s "Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Dr. Phil has joined in the search to try to find Natalee, whether she`s passed away or whether she`s being held somewhere against her will. A lot of people have debunked that theory, but as long as a hope is alive.
We have also learned that Natalee`s mother has called for changes in the investigation. Beth Twitty, you signed off on a letter to the Aruban government asking for changes in the investigation. What do you want to see done?
TWITTY: Oh, Nancy, we want an entirely -- we want a new investigative team in place. We want the prosecuting attorney removed. We want the lead investigator replaced, lead detective.
We laid it out. It is crystal clear what has to take place in order for us to have and proceed in this investigation and have answers. We couldn`t have been heard any louder.
GRACE: So, Beth, you want major people taken off the investigation in Aruba, correct?
TWITTY: Correct.
GRACE: Who?
TWITTY: Namely, Karen Janssen, the prosecuting attorney. We have concerns of Gerald Dompig. And we have huge concerns with Dennis Jacobs (ph). And I think they`re clearly stated in the letter.
GRACE: Very quickly, everyone, to tonight`s "Case Alert."
Remember how FEMA distributed money to hurricane evacuees to help them after Hurricane Katrina? Well, tonight, three Georgia men arrested for using FEMA money to run drugs. Authorities say the men were selling crack cocaine from a hotel room paid for with our tax dollars.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMIE SKEETERS, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR: If it was an accident, I can help all of you. And if you were guys were partying -- even if somebody had given here a date drug, I`m sure she had sex with all of you.
DEEPAK KALPOE , SUSPECT IN NATALEE HOLLOWAY CASE: She did. You`d be surprised how simple it was.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: Welcome back. I want to go straight out to Harris Faulkner.
Harris, the sentiment toward Beth Twitty and Natalee Holloway`s entire family has taken quite a turn in Aruba.
FAULKNER: Well, you know, a few people, Nancy, have been demonstrating in the last couple of days. I know the editor-in-chief of "Diario" has talked about this in detail, about how some people on the island just suspect that this case may not get solved in the way in which it`s going forward, meaning that they`re not happy with the reputation that their island is getting through this entire thing, the black eye that the island is getting as a tourism place.
And we`ve seen this from the very beginning. What`s different now is that people are much more, you know, demonstrative and vocal about it.
However, Beth Twitty will tell you that she was recently there and she didn`t necessarily feel -- she`s told me this -- didn`t necessarily feel negativity coming from the people. So this is a pocketful of people who said things as harsh as "Beth Twitty is equal to terrorism on the island," because of causing so-called boycott against Aruba.
I do want to say this about the investigation. The FBI is saying tonight that they`ve been contacted by Aruban authorities to interview some of the American students who were on the trip with Natalee Holloway. Now, this is new and important and interesting, because they think some of those students may know more than what they`ve been saying.
Now, we`re here all these months later, and now this is being asked about. In a late-day news release from the Aruban authorities, Nancy, we did learn that, on point, they wouldn`t respond necessarily to the letter from Beth or on her behalf, but they did talk about where this investigation is going.
GRACE: Very quickly to Beth, Beth, I understand that you have been back down to Aruba and that the police would not meet with you?
TWITTY: Absolutely, Nancy. And not only would they not meet with me, but I was presented with a letter when I arrived on the island from the prosecuting attorney, Karen Janssen, specifically stating that she didn`t have time for her and her agenda.
GRACE: After you fly all the way down to Aruba to meet with them?
TWITTY: Absolutely. And after I`m hearing them -- you know, accusations coming from them that I`m not cooperating with the authorities in the investigation.
GRACE: In what way?
TWITTY: By not coming to the island to meet with them, Nancy. I believe that was the allegation made a couple weeks ago when my trip was suddenly postponed.
GRACE: I thought they wanted you to leave? Now they`re mad you`re not there?
TWITTY: Well, I`m just so confused. I just keep trying to do the right thing, Nancy, and it just never ceases to amaze me.
GRACE: I know you are. I know you are. I know you are.
With us is Natalee`s mother. Very quickly to Jossy Mansur with "Diario," are the Aruban people getting angry at Beth?
MANSUR: No.
GRACE: Really? Because that`s not what...
MANSUR: No, absolutely not, not the majority of the people. You always have in a community a group that thinks different, that has nothing else to do but go to the streets and vent their anger or whatever they feel, frustration, whatever. But the feelings of the...
(CROSSTALK)
GRACE: Are you telling me that there are people in the streets complaining about Beth? Jossy?
MANSUR: I can hardly hear you.
GRACE: Isn`t it true people have been in the streets complaining about Beth?
MANSUR: Yes, there was a demonstration, I think, yesterday at 6:00 in the afternoon.
GRACE: There was a demonstration against her, and you`re telling me people love her, they want her there? There was a demonstration against her! Her daughter is dead! She wants answers!
MANSUR: But few people -- but very few people, Nancy.
GRACE: Oh, please. A demonstration, the police won`t meet with her. There`s a demonstration against her. People publicly complain about her. And we still don`t know where Natalee Holloway is.
You know, Jossy, thank you very much.
Beth, thank you being with us.
11-5-05
On 11-5 ART WOOD stated to FOX News that the key witness who supposedly witnessed the evening of 5-30/31 a boat being launched into the ocean about 300 yards from the fishermen's huts to go out into the ocean to dispose of a body is a friend of Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT. ART WOOD stated that since he and others have been observing this friend of Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT this “suspect/witness” has been acting very nervous. ART WOOD stated that this person has been previously questioned by the ARUBAN Police Investigators. This is also the same witness that DAVE HOLLOWAY had personally asked ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG “and another Aruban government representative” to interrogate properly, but DAVE HOLLOWAY stated ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG has not done so.
On 11-5 the “Aruba Getagrip” blog reported, “Many of us are remember still that between the years 1997 and 2000, National Security under the direction of Martin Ras, sent a scream to Holland when he took notice of the corrupt and disastrous issues for Aruba at the highest levels of government. More still when Aruba was put on the list of High Risk Regions by U.S. president Bill Clinton.
11-6-05
On 11-6 the AP reported “Beth Holloway-Twitty repeated her charge that Aruban officials ignored leads and botched the case. "The reason they want to ask follow-up questions to those students from Mountain Brook is because of the holes in their original line of questioning and because of questions they forgot to ask the first time," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Philadelphia.” (where she met, again, with JOE MAMMANA, and spoke to an audience of persons who also have a Loved One missing)
On 11-6 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News that the key witness who supposedly witnessed the evening of 5-30/31 a boat being launched into the ocean about 300 yards from the fishermen's huts to go out into the ocean to dispose of a body is named KOEN (last name GOTTENBOS). This is the same person who is a friend of Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , and the same witness that DAVE HOLLOWAY had personally asked ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG to interrogate properly, but DAVE HOLLOWAY stated ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG has not done so.
On 11-6 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News that as far as she knows and has been told by ARUBAN Police authorities, the homemade wooded cross memorial someone built on the beach near the fishermen’s huts and near to where a boat may have been launched from the evening of 5-30 to dispose of a body has not been dug under by the ARUBAN Investigators to see if NATALEE is buried there.
11-7-05
On 11-7 MSNBC reported:
JOE SCARBOROUGH, HOST: Another strange twist in the Holloway story tonight. Aruba authorities have sent a letter to Alabama Governor Bob Riley that may make a new investigation even harder to move forward with. The letter says in part:
“The chief prosecutor leading the investigation and the General Prosecutor are appointed by the Kingdom Government in the Hague. Because of separation of powers, the government of Aruba has no authority to intervene in the investigation.”
Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Nov. 4
Source: Dept of Foreign Affairs, Aruba
Joining us is Dave Holloway.
SCARBOROUGH: After all these months you and your family have been suffering, you find out that the Aruba authorities claim they have absolutely no say in this investigation?
Where do you go from here?
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE‘S FATHER: Well, that’s really unbelievable that they take the wash their hands approach.
We’re going to proceed on with The Hague, I guess. Also, our six page letter we were asked to provide to the Attorney General and we provided a carbon copy to the PM and Condoleezza Rice. We have not heard a response to that letter yet.
SCARBOROUGH: Dave, I’ve been asking the question for months on people down on the ground down in Aruba who has the power to run this investigation? Who has the power to hire? Who has the power to fire? Who has the power to subpoena? Nobody seems to know. This really does look like a banana republic down there. Anytime anyone gets cornered down there, they just point the finger across the Atlantic.
HOLLOWAY: Well, that seems to be the case. We’ve been running around in circles for five months now. When we reduce it down to writing, they put it back in writing and it’s obvious they are pointing the finger somewhere else now.
SCARBOROUGH: So you are I guess at the end of the line as far as dealing with the Aruba authorities? Now you just have to take up with the Dutch government?
HOLLOWAY: That’s what it appears to be. With the Dutch government and with the Attorney General. Mind you, the minister of justice had mentioned about a month ago that he felt like this would … just leave it alone and it will go away. So we know what his approach is now.
SCARBOROUGH: The new chief investigator, someone that you all looked forward to having on but now Dompig seems actually to be as big an obstacle as anything. He’s actually come out and attacked you all, hasn’t he?
HOLLOWAY: Well, he’s attacked Beth in some sense by putting out on the island that she might be involved somehow in Natalee’s disappearance and making money off of it.
So it looks to me that he’s trying to incite anti Beth sentiment across the country of Aruba.
SCARBOROUGH: You know Dave we’re so frustrated, I know you all just have to be beyond yourselves right now. The question a lot of people are asking is what can we do?
Is this the time we go to Governor Riley and other people and talk about a possible boycott of Aruba? Is it that time yet or are you all going to play this out a little longer?
HOLLOWAY: Well, the people of Aruba have elected their officials and their officials have spoken. We have elected officials and we’ll let our elected officials speak.
SCARBOROUGH: Will you make any requests of the elected officials to possibly move forward with a boycott of Aruba?
HOLLOWAY: Well, again Joe, we elect our officials and they decide what is necessary for the people. Whatever the governor decides, that’s what we’ll do.
SCARBOROUGH: Okay thank you so much Dave Holloway. As always, know that our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your entire family. Friends it sounds like a show down is coming. Can you believe after 5 months of this family going through this private hell … this personal hell … and after all of this time it just keeps getting pushed around.
They are getting no answers. They get to the point where there is a new investigator they believe they are going to get answers on how their daughter disappeared and most likely died. Right as they push them right to the wall, the Aruba authorities say wait a second, we’ve got no authority. I tell you what; I’m not waiting for the government. We’re going to look into a boycott sometime soon.
On 11-7 MSNBC reported that the Governor of ALABAMA, ROBERT RILEY, and BETH will hold a joint press conference on 11-8. MSNBC reported that a travel and economic boycotts of ARUBA will be called for by all citizens of the world. (no mention yet of boycotts of HOLLAND) JOE MAMMANA stated to MSNBC that PHILADELHIA, PENNSYLVANIA City Councilmen JACK KELLY and JUAN RAMOS are also working their specialties (unions) to support the travel and economic boycotts.
On 11-7 MSNBC revealed that ELLIS-SCHIPPER is a member of the “Aruba Strategic Communication Task Force.”
On 11-7 JOE MAMMANA stated to MSNBC of the travel and economic boycotts against ARUBA “I think it is long overdue. I just spoke to Beth a few minutes ago. I also spoke to councilman Jack Kelly and councilman Juan Ramos to let you know that Philadelphia will also be signing the resolution to boycott Aruba. We will have the public schools behind us. We will have the Catholic schools behind us. We are putting this together right now. It’s kind of like a dance floor; one couple wants to get out there first. Once they get out there, everyone else will be out there. But, this is going to be devastating…this boycott. I want to say one thing. On the island of Aruba, Michael Posner who has the excelsior casino and the "Holiday Inn." Michael, you and I are cut from the same cloth. We have seen the good, bad and ugly in life. This gentleman could still step in and do something over there and put an end to this thing before it gets out of hand. But I can tell you now, Rita, when we start this boycott and put it together, it is going to be def com three. I’m not in this for the fun of it, I eat what I kill. And I’m going to find Natalee Holloway one way or another and somebody is going to be held accountable for Natalee Holloway on that island. That’s a promise.”
On 11-7 HAROLD COPUS stated to FOX News that after he and JOHN WEEKS left ARUBA, HELEN LeJUEZ then contacted them to tell them that she had received a message from someone saying that if they returned to ARUBA they “would not leave the island alive.”
On 11-7 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Editorial: According to tourists
Travel agents in the US advising against going to Aruba
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Recently, DIARIO conversed with a few tourists about the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and the fact that, among others, Natalee Holloway's mother has asked for people to not come to Aruba until the case is solved.
Different tourists explained that given that they have been coming to Aruba for some time, they are not affected by this because they know how dear and safe Aruba is.
DIARIO also spoke with tourists who came to Aruba for the first time, and they said that when they first came to Aruba, they were trying to find more information about the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and during the conversation with them, it was evident that they want to be up to date about the latest developments of this case.
They also asked DIARIO a few questions related to the case, to compare with the information that they were receiving in America.
Some of the American tourists explained to DIARIO that when they went to purchase their ticket to come to Aruba, the travel agents were advising not to go to Aruba and suggesting other destinations.
This could have something to do with the supposed boycott of Aruba, however one of the tourists explained to DIARIO that there is something more behind this.
The couple from New Jersey told DIARIO that currently the prices to come to Aruba from America are very low.
According to the couple, they paid in total for two people, only $2,800 for a vacation of 10 days in Aruba. This includes the trip and the stay at a good hotel.
They explained to DIARIO that the travel agencies, who earn a commission on the tickets they sell, want to make more money so they are advising people not to go to Aruba because they are offering other more expensive destinations like the Bahamas, to earn a higher commission.
11-8-05
On 11-8 the ARUBAAN's news-source "Aruba Tradewinds Times" reported:
Hotel Occupancy Rates Fell Sharply in September 2005
Occupancy Down
ORANJESTAD-According to the monthly bulletin released by the Central Bank of Aruba on November 8th, average hotel occupancy rates fell by 6.2 percentage points in September 2005 in comparison to September 2004. The average hotel occupancy rate stood at 69.3 percent in September 2005, the lowest occupancy rate since June 2003. The number of stay-over arrivals for September 2005 is not given as of yet by the Aruba Tourism Authority. However a decline in stay-over arrivals is expected. This may be attributed to the busiest hurricane season on record, record breaking energy costs and the Natalee Holloway affaire.
On 11-8 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported that the “Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force” told ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" that BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated the “Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force” at the 11-3 meeting she had with the group “Beth Twitty said ‘I don’t want to call for an economic boycott against your island. I want to find my daughter and know what happened to her, but I want to see actions not words, and I am waiting for an answer as soon as possible to the letter that I handed over to the Public Ministry, asking for a change of the investigative team and the representatives of the Public Ministry who are in charge of this case.’ ”
On 11-8 the BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA NBC TV channel 13 reported:
Riley Calls For Travel Boycott Of Aruba In Holloway Case
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Gov. Bob Riley is calling for a travel boycott of Aruba until authorities on the Dutch Caribbean island cooperate more fully with the family of a Mountain Brook teenager who has been missing since a graduation trip in May.
In a Tuesday press conference, Riley asked the governors of the other 49 states to join him in urging a boycott of Aruba on behalf of the family of Natalee Holloway. The 18-year-old Mountain Brook High graduate was last seen on the island May 30.
"We've been talking about this for the past two or three months," said Riley. "We've been going through this for months, and all these people have asked is for the Aruban government to be open, to be candid, to explain to them (the Holloway family) and allow them to see interrogations that have gone on. To allow them to have the F.B.I. be a part of that investigation. They have asked for the investigation team to be removed and I believe that is a reasonable request, based on everything we know up until this point."
Her mother, Beth Holloway-Twitty, joined Riley at the Alabama Capitol for the boycott announcement. She contends Aruban authorities have failed to adequately investigate the possible murder of her daughter, who was with a teenager, Dutch national Joran van der Sloot, and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe on the night she disappeared. They were held for a time and released.
Extensive searches for Holloway have failed to find any clues about her whereabouts.
(partial video here of Governor RILEY’s comments)
In DAVE HOLLOWAY’s book, “Aruba,” (page 194, pre-publication advance copy) that the ARUBA Department of Foreign Affairs told Governor RILEY that the Commissioner of ARUBA Police was appointed by the DUTCH government, and that the ARUBA Chief Prosecutor and the General Prosecutor are appointed by the DUTCH Kingdom Government in the Hague, therefore ARUBA has no authority to intervene in the investigation, and that the ARUBA Attorney General stated that she did not have the authority to dismiss the current investigative teams- only the Hague could do that.
On 11-8 the "AP" reported:
Alabama Governor Calls for Aruba Boycott
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Gov. Bob Riley called for a nationwide travel boycott of Aruba on Tuesday on behalf of a missing Alabama teenager's family, who accuse the island's government of not fully cooperating with the investigation into her disappearance.
Riley asked his fellow governors to join him in urging the boycott of Aruba, where 18-year-old Natalee Holloway was last seen on May 30.
"There are no other alternatives to get Aruban authorities to take this as seriously as they should," Riley said.
Holloway's mother, Beth Holloway-Twitty, joined Riley at the Alabama Capitol for the boycott announcement. She contends Aruban authorities have failed to adequately investigate the possible murder of her daughter, who was with a Dutch teenager and two Surinamese brothers on the night she disappeared.
The young men were held for a time but have been released.
Aruba Police chief Gerald Dompig said later Tuesday the investigation into Holloway's disappearance is not complete, and that authorities want to interview other American teenagers who were on the high school graduation trip with Holloway.
"We want to talk once more with various students because their first statements, taken by the FBI, were very short," Dompig said. "There are a few crucial questions that they still have to answer."
He would not say what those questions are.
Riley was asked if parents should allow their children to go to Aruba on similar trips as long as Holloway's disappearance is unsolved.
"I would not allow my daughter to go to Aruba," he said.
Officials in Aruba referred questions about the boycott to the Dutch embassy in Washington, D.C., which did not immediately return a phone call.
On 11-8 ALABAMA State House Speaker and Representative SETH HAMMETT said to MSNBC “Well, I clearly think that‘s the wrong approach to this situation. Earlier this year as a matter of fact back on July the 22nd, the Alabama House of Representatives passed unanimously a resolution calling upon Alabama citizens to boycott Aruba until and unless a clearer investigation were to occur and a more thorough investigation were to occur into the disappearance of Natalee. And after passing that resolution in the House of Representatives, the parents asked us not to pursue that resolution in the State Senate until such time as they could give additional time to the Aruban authorities to more clearly show that they intend to solve this case. I think that‘s—the time has run. I agree with the governor, I was glad to stand with the governor today.” “We‘re talking about Aruba, which of course is a part of the Dutch government and so we‘re calling upon the Dutch as well to engage in a meaningful way into this investigation.”
On 11-8 UNITED STATES Senator from ALABAMA, RICHARD SHELBY, told MSNBC “I think it‘s the thing that we should have been pushing months ago. I‘m glad that Governor Riley‘s come out today. I‘m certainly going to support a boycott.“ “I think that we, as Americans, ought to send a message to the people of Aruba that we‘re not going to just sit by, ignore what‘s gone on here. This has been reprehensible conduct, I believe, on the part of the government. It looks like it‘s cover-up, cover-up, delay, delay, lack of cooperation. I think it‘s a sad case of investigation.” “I can speak out on the floor of the U.S. Senate. That gets the attention of a lot of people. Secondly, I can certainly speak out on behalf of the family doing what they‘ve tried to do and how hard they‘ve worked to get it done before as a fair and impartial investigation.” “Well, I will do those things, but I‘m also aware of the fact that a lot of people would not worry if they were in the travel business. They just want to sell a deal. I think now people ought to think. They have a lot more options in the Caribbean than just Aruba, and this would be a time to exercise them.”
On 11-8 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Request to Replace Investigation-team Holloway
ARUBA – The parents of Natalee Holloway have requested Attorney-General Theresa Croes Fernandez-Pedra to replace the investigation team. The Public Prosecutor (OM) doesn’t want to comment on the matter, but confirmed the receipt of the letter. As a matter of fact, the investigation team is not replaced yet.
“We will answer the letter, but we will not make any statements about the contents of our reaction”, said Mariaine Croes, spokesperson of the OM. The family is of the opinion that Detective Dennis Jacobs, who leads the investigation, chief public prosecutor Karin Janssen, and chief of Police Gerold Dompig need to be replaced. The letter was written by Arthur Woods, the private-detective that the family hired and Dave Holloway and his wife Robin as well as Beth Twitty and her husband Jug had signed it. The six-page letter was delivered to the Attorney General and is also on the Internet.
On 11-8 ALABAMA Governor ROBERT RILEY told MSNBC “When we have a National Governors Association Conference, I want to—a resolution. And I plan on presenting a resolution asking all the governors to support us.” “There were people down there—and the only thing the Aruban government had to do is go and just call and ask for assistance. We couldn‘t even get that done. So, I think we have reached the point. No one wanted to do this. And if you look at what Beth and Jug have done over the last six months, when the legislature was attempting to ask for a boycott five months ago, they said, don‘t do it; let the system work.”
On 11-8 JUG TWITTY stated to MSNBC “Well, in my opinion, it‘s a total cover-up. And, of course, I said that in the meeting with the prosecutor early on. And she said absolutely no way. And, Mr. Twitty, you need to quit saying that. It‘s not a cover-up. Well, in my eyes, it is [a cover-up]. I have been there since the beginning. The boys were protected. The father was protected. And we basically gave them to them on a silver platter. And they had plenty of time to cover-up several things, so I do think it‘s a cover-up. They have had three different Investigators handling the situation. It‘s unbelievable.”
On 11-8 HAROLD COPUS stated FOX News that he believes there is a 20% chance that NATALEE is alive and kidnapped into the sex trade. He said he had leads pointing to her possibly being in Cuba.
On 11-8 the “Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force” reported:
Alabama Governor Makes Wrong Call On Boycott
It was meant to be high drama. The call for a boycott of travel to Aruba by Alabama Governor Riley turned into farce.
The Governor agreed with Beth Twitty that the prosecutor had failed in their investigation and that the family was not being told what they knew.
It is a group of charges leveled repeatedly by the family. Except this time, they know that the F.B.I. is involved, a new Police chief is aggressively following leads, and progress is slow. This is exasperating for Beth Twitty, as it is for Aruba.
But the facts DO NOT support her claims and certainly do not support a boycott.
A boycott hurts the economy and the people who have no role in the investigation.
A boycott will not turn up new evidence.
A boycott will further poison Aruba's view of Beth Twitty and her campaign to make Aruba pay for the loss of her daughter.
A boycott will not accelerate the collection of evidence.
A boycott will not force the government to fire the minister of Justice.
This was as threatening a media event as ever witnessed. It was a shotgun to the gut of all Aruba. But this media stunt can do real damage to all sides. In fact, by review, all of the stunts and all the media coverage have brought the family and Aruba the worst result - no charges and no answers.
A boycott will diminish the families' influence on Aruba's citizens who have done everything to help. It will harden the outlook of Investigators, who are weary of being told they are incompetent. And it will generate anger among business interests that have supported and called for a transparent investigation from the start.
Let's clear the record for Grace, Walsh and that gaggle of US attorneys who are on split screens spouting their uniformed views:
The business community; Aruba's citizens; the Aruba Tourism bureau; the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association; and the government all want a result. They want for Beth to find her daughter alive, and failing that, to find the truth and achieve justice under the law.
For Beth to say that is not the case is unfortunate. And this boycott will harm efforts to find answers.
The Governor's plea to stop traveling to Aruba is a reaction to legitimate frustration and grief. But it is wrong and not worthy of a politician of his stripe.
Aruba will fight this with the only real arsenal they have, the good will of travelers who have come here and continue to because, it is, still a safe and secure place to find refuge and relax.
On 11-8 the UNITED STATES Department of State issued the following press release:
U.S. State Department
Press Guidance
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
ARUBA: Natalee Holloway Update / Alabama Governor's Comments
The Department continues to engage Aruban authorities and provide all possible assistance to family members and local authorities in the case of missing American citizen Natalee Holloway.
We look to the Government of Aruba to continue to take all possible measures to resolve the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
The U.S. Consulate in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles will continue to monitor this case closely. The State Department will continue to support the Holloway/Twitty family and is prepared to have a consular officer available in Aruba on short notice.
Our Embassy in The Hague has been in touch with the Government of the Netherlands, which is also providing assistance in this investigation. Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Dutch Supreme Court is also the last court of appeal for Aruba.
I refer you to the Dutch Government for details on its cooperation.
If asked about Governor Riley's comments on travel to Aruba:
While we respect the right of this elected state government executive to make such a call for a travel boycott, his statement does not represent the foreign policy of the United States. There is currently no U.S. government boycott or travel restriction on U.S. citizens visiting Aruba.
Americans looking for information about travel to Aruba should consult our website at travel.state.gov and the consular information sheet for Aruba.
Background:
On November 8, Alabama Governor Bob Riley called for a travel boycott of Aruba until authorities on the island cooperate more fully with the family of Natalee Holloway. Despite assistance by the F.B.I. and Dutch officials, Investigators in Aruba have been unable to develop forensic evidence against the three suspects that would stand up in a court of law. U.S. law enforcement officials do not have recommendations for further GOA action on the case other than to turn it over to cold case Investigators.
On 11-8 the “AP” reported “Aruba Police chief Gerald Dompig said later Tuesday [11-8] the investigation into Holloway's disappearance is not complete, and that authorities want to interview other American teenagers who were on the high school graduation trip with Holloway. "We want to talk once more with various students because their first statements, taken by the FBI, were very short," Dompig said. "There are a few crucial questions that they still have to answer." ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG refused to answer questions asking what his “crucial questions” are.
On 11-8 HAROLD COPUS and JOHN WEEKS told ATLANTA, GEORGIA TV news station “WSBTV” their theory of what happened to NATALEE. We know that the night that she disappeared Natalee was intoxicated she could barely stand up. It was one in the morning at “Carlos and Charlie's.” Natalee left the bar with the suspect Joran van der Sloot. He claims he did not harm to Natalee. Copus and Weeks disagree. That's how things happen on that island. They target young girls, they find out the last day they're leaving, the night before they drug em up and have sex with them. Joran van der Sloot has admitted to Police that he and his friends, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe were with Natalee after midnight on May the 31st. What happened next is subject to debate. Deepak said in his interview that they went to uh the beach and they all had sex with Natalee there on the beach. And then he left Joran and Natalee on the beach and they go home. In this never seen statement to Aruban Police obtained by Copus and weeks. Joran van der Sloot says he's the one who left the beach first. Investigators write, "He (Joran van der Sloot) stated he thought that the suspect, Deepak Kalpoe, had raped the girl then had killed her." Joran van der Sloot further stated he probably knew the place where Deepak Kalpoe hid the corpse under the sand...and that he was willing to show the location." Police never found that corpse in the sand now Copus and Weeks have a theory as to why. You have a jogger who says around 2, 2:30 in the morning. I'm jogging and I see and describes Deepak's car over by fisher's hut. The fisherman's huts are here on the beach just yards from where Natalee was last said to be alive. Copus and Weeks says three of the huts were broken in to that night. They showed us their evidence on video tape. They went through three of the four fishing huts trying to find something to help them destroy the evidence and get rid of Natalee. The object that was reported missing was a fisherman's trap reported five feet long and two feet deep. Copus says the owner has not seen it since. Certainly big enough to put a body in. I said well did you tell the Police this. No with all the excitement that was going on after this and it came out I forgot to them. The two believe the cage may be out beyond the reef loaded down with weights at the bottom of the sea. In theory they had the location, they had the time, and they had the tools to get rid of that body and no one would be able to find it. A bitter conclusion Beth Twitty now accepts. The answers are there.. They are there they have been there since May 31st. Attorneys from all three suspects have not returned our calls. But in a September interview Joran van der Sloot denied he did anything to hurt Natalee. And although it contradicts this earlier Police statement, he also said that he believes that Deepak and Satish Kalpoe had nothing to do with her disappearance. In the same contradictory statement he said he was the last person on the beach with her and that the only thing he is guilty of is leaving her on the beach alone. The questions remains why do the Aruban authorities do not have this information? Why are they not acting on it and why is there no prosecution. Investigators Copus and Weeks believe that the political corruption is so ripe on the island that politics completely controls the Police dept. and that Police have their hands tied. They tell me that Police officers have supplied them with information because the Police officers are so frustrated that the information that we are showing everyone tonight has never come out.
On 11-8 FOX News reported:
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: A money threat from the governor of Alabama. Natalee Holloway's mother joined Governor Bob Riley earlier today as he urged Americans to stay away from Aruba until there is progress in Natalee's case.
Beth Holloway Twitty joins us live from Los Angeles, welcome Beth.
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S MOTHER: Hi, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Beth, sort something out for me. I'm under the belief that the reason that we've gotten to this point is because there's been a lack of information to satisfy you coming from the prosecution team to you.
When you were in Aruba, I remember that one night I said to you just call her up and see if the prosecutor will have lunch with you. Were you able to see the prosecutor that trip?
TWITTY: Absolutely not, Greta, and not only did she refuse to meet with me, she put it in writing that she didn't have time in her agenda to meet with me.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right, the idea of the boycott and Governor Riley how did this come about?
TWITTY: You know, Greta, I was thinking about that. Aruba really has made us evolve to this position because, you know, what Aruba and The Hague have done to us is they've been dishonest from the beginning. If they would just have been forthcoming from the beginning to lead us to the proper authorities we would never be in this position right now.
VAN SUSTEREN: Can you identify one particular person, if we could sort of chisel away and find out who it is that we need to get to, to get information, so that we can sort of break this log jam who is that person?
TWITTY: Well, I think that's the $64 question and now we've got Aruba playing the blame game with The Hague. I mean I thought only the suspects were doing the blame game. It looks like Aruba and The Hague now are playing the blame game, Greta. It's hard to tell.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right and just so that the viewers, I understand what you're talking about, you got a letter in which it explained what the Arubaans said to you that The Hague has been calling the shots, is that right, in the investigation?
TWITTY: Yes, they're saying, in the letter it states that the Aruban government has no authority to intervene in the investigation. Now then why have we been running around on the island submitting written and verbal requests for help from the governor, from the minister of justice, the prime minister? I mean the list is endless, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Is there, I mean like where is most of your frustration? Is it directed at a particular person? I mean I know that fundamentally that you want information about your daughter. Every parent wants that. But is there someone who you think is standing in the way more than another?
TWITTY: I don't think it's someone. I think it's something. I think it's the dishonesty that has been coming out of that island since May 31st and all we have wanted for them to be as honest with us and be forthcoming and tell us and lead us in the proper direction. That's all we've asked. That's all we've asked of them.
VAN SUSTEREN: Does some of the dishonesty include, for instance let me ask you this, I know that you gave a statement back in June and then when you took at look at the statement there were things that weren't in that statement is that right?
TWITTY: Oh, absolutely, Greta, absolutely.
VAN SUSTEREN: What has the FBI told you in terms of whether they think there's been any level of cooperation with the Aruban authorities?
TWITTY: Well, you know, what they've told me but what I've seen and experienced when I have had meetings with them is I've seen frustration in them, Greta. I've seen it numerous times. And, you know, of course they're not going to come out and be as verbal as the family is about the lack of involvement they've been able to play in Natalee's case.
But, you know Greta, I've sat in meeting after meeting after meeting. I lived in Aruba for almost four months. I met with the FBI on a regular basis. I saw the frustration that they had in getting information.
And, you know, we all knew, we all knew that there were issues with the interrogations, with how evidence was collected. I mean, Greta, I can give you an example of when I was giving blood for a DNA sample at a hospital there when some of the Aruban officials that were collecting my blood asked the FBI that was standing with me if they wanted to scrape some of my blood off the floor for their sample. That's just a sample of what we've experienced and witnessed in this investigation.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right, here's a real telltale sign. About two and a half weeks ago some tapes were sent to The Hague that were tapes of a conversation with Deepak Kalpoe to see if they were edited so they could be professionally scrutinized. It doesn't take long to do that. Have you gotten the results back from Holland?
TWITTY: No, have not heard a word about that and was so hoping when I flew into Aruba last week to meet with Karin Janssen about that particular issue.
VAN SUSTEREN: But does your lawyer, explain to me like that to me, I mean therein lies some of my frustrations. I mean if I were running this investigation I would want to keep you happy and do this very efficiently and do whatever I could for you.
One of the things I wouldn't do is drag my feet with a bunch of tapes. I mean does your lawyer call up and say what's the story on these tapes? Are they authentic? Have they been edited? Are they going to satisfy you? Has your lawyer done that at least?
TWITTY: I know that she has probably had the same frustration level that I've had in dealing with Karin Janssen and, you know, as far as where we are with these tapes or how many times she's asked I don't know but I do know she has been frustrated with getting information from her and getting Karin Janssen to respond to me also.
VAN SUSTEREN: How about that bone that was found did you ever get a test? Have you ever been told whether that bone is human or not human?
TWITTY: No, Greta, and there have been several bones that have been found on the island since, oh gosh, I guess since August and none of the individuals have ever given us any definitive information on whose those were.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right, Beth, stay with us. We're going to take a quick break. We'll have much more in a moment.
Coming up, Aruban investigators say they want to conduct new interviews with witnesses in the Natalee Holloway case. Do they have a new lead?
And later, this woman disappeared on Halloween and she's not been seen since. A key clue led police to the home of an ex-con who was falsely imprisoned for nearly two decades, the bizarre details coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAN SUSTEREN: Natalee Holloway was on vacation in Aruba with her high school classmates when she vanished on May 30th. Tonight, Aruban investigators say they want to re-interview her classmates about her mysterious disappearance.
Joining us again live in Los Angeles is Natalee's mother Beth Holloway Twitty. Beth, before I get to Natalee's friends I want to ask you a question. The letter that was sent and signed by Natalee's father, by you and the step parents does that letter, I mean let me back up. Does Natalee's father have a line of communication with the prosecutor and the investigators that you don't have or is he now shut out as well?
TWITTY: He did have a little bit more communication with them than I did but I do not believe that that line is still open but I'm just not positive about that, Greta. I don't think so.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. In terms of Dompig who is the deputy, the chief deputy or deputy chief of police says that he wants to interview Natalee's friends who were with her on the trip. Do you know if that is going to happen or whether that has happened?
TWITTY: I don't know but the one thing that we have asked him to do is to utilize the proper channels. The proper chain of command is to contact the FBI in order to make this happen.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right, is the FBI willing to participate in this?
TWITTY: Oh, yes. They have been willing, absolutely. I also want to make it perfectly clear that the Aruban officials have all of the statements from the students. They had those early on. They have had those all along.
VAN SUSTEREN: Actually they have now so bungled this, I guess for lack of better words, they want to go back and start all over and they want to talk to them again. Are the students, I mean if that will advance the investigation, are the students themselves also willing to talk to the Aruban authorities?
TWITTY: Yes, as long as the FBI is present, absolutely.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. And as far as you know they have not yet contacted the FBI to complete this cycle?
TWITTY: I would seriously doubt that they have.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Governor Riley said today that he's going to ask other governors to participate and call for a boycott. Do you know whether or not he has actually begun that process?
TWITTY: I don't know if he has or not, Greta, and, you know, what the family and I are thinking in this — how we've evolved to this position is, is that until the lack of law enforcement on the island of Aruba can be evaluated and we can have resolution in Natalee's case, tourists are not safe on the island, yet alone for the tourists, the citizens are not safe on the island of Aruba with their lack of law enforcement.
VAN SUSTEREN: We only have 20 seconds left. Do you have any plans to go back Beth?
TWITTY: Well, what I would like to see is maybe they need to come to the U.S. and visit Governor Riley and I here.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right, so I guess that's a no answer at least — is that an I don't know is I guess it's best?
TWITTY: Well, I think that it proved that there was no point to me flying into Aruba because everyone refused to meet with me, Deputy Dompig, Karin Janssen and that is specifically why I went. And also to meet the searchers there and finish up some searches and, you know, nothing was able to happen, so maybe they need to make a move to the U.S. now.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right, Beth, thank you very much.
TWITTY: Thank you.
11-9-05
On 11-9 the “AP” reported “The Alabama House passed a resolution during a special session in July urging residents of the state to boycott Aruba. But the resolution never came up in the Senate because the family asked lawmakers to hold off to give Aruban authorities more time. Rep. Leslie Vance, D-Phenix City, plans to resubmit his resolution when the Legislature begins its regular session in January. Sen. Steve French, R-Birmingham, said he expects it to get quick approval in both the House and the Senate. "We are going to do everything we can to resolve this. Our prayers are with you," French said to the Twittys.” “ ‘There are no other alternatives to get Aruban authorities to take this as seriously as they should,’ [Governor] Riley said in calling for the boycott. ‘I am reaching the point of exasperation,’ he said. ‘Every time we talk to them we get a different response.’ ”
On 11-9 the “AP” reported “Aruban government officials have complained to the U.S. State Department about the governor of Alabama's call for a boycott of the Dutch Caribbean island for its alleged mishandling of the investigation into the disappearance of an American teenager. The government of the Dutch territory hopes State Department officials will help halt a boycott that could damage Aruba's crucial tourist industry, Prime Minister Nelson Oduber told reporters. ‘This is a preposterous and irresponsible act,’ Oduber said Tuesday night after attending a closed session with members of Parliament to discuss the boycott. ‘We are not guerillas. We are not terrorists. We don't pose a threat to the United States, nor to Alabama.’ The prime minister, while expressing sympathy with the family of missing Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway, said Aruban Investigators have done their best to solve the mystery and the entire island doesn't deserve to be punished because there have been no arrests in the high-profile case. ‘We condemn and lament what has happened to Aruba,’ he said.”
On 11-9 the DUTCH news-sourced "Expatica" reported:
Aruba Asks if Bush Supports Alabama's Boycott
AMSTERDAM — The government of Aruba wants US President George W. Bush to intervene to stop a tourist boycott of the autonomous Dutch island in the Caribbean.
Alabama governor Bob Riley called for a nationwide travel boycott of Aruba because he accuses the island authorities of not fully cooperating in the search for missing Alabama school graduate Natalee Holloway (18).
Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway-Twitty, joined Riley for the announcement of the boycott.
Riley asked his fellow governors to join him in urging the boycott of Aruba, CNN reported on Tuesday. "There are no other alternatives to get Aruban authorities to take this as seriously as they should," he said.
Holloway disappeared on 30 May while on holiday in Aruba with classmates. Extensive searches have failed to find her. The Police think she was murdered.
A Dutch teenager and two Surinamese brothers are believed to have been the last people with Holloway prior to her disappearance. The three young men were held in custody for some time before being released without a breakthrough in the case.
The parliament on Aruba went into emergency session after the boycott call. Afterwards Prime Minister Nelson Oduber said Aruba wanted the US President to intervene.
"Aruba is not Cuba, North Korea or Iraq. We are friends with America. Most tourists come from the United States and we work together to combat drugs criminality and money laundering," Oduber said angrily.
He wants Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot to seek clarification on the issue from the American Embassy in The Hague. Aruba's representative in Washington will raise the matter directly with the US government. "We want to know if Bush supports this boycott or not," Oduber said.
Tourism figures for the months after Holloway's disappearance do not show a drop in the number of American's visiting the island. Mirna Jansen of Aruba's tourist board noted that US citizens did not appear to be following through on their claims to be less inclined to come to the island.
On 11-9 JUG TWITTY stated to MSNBC “I think Representative Vance talked about this [boycott] a couple of months ago. And I actually wrote a letter to Governor Riley asking him not to do this at this time, because we felt like that they were working with us, that this wasn‘t the right thing. We don‘t want to hurt anybody. And we don‘t want a boycott. We want answers as to what happened to Natalee. That‘s all we‘re asking for.”
On 11-9 JUG TWITTY stated to FOX News that one time when he met with ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN that ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN told him to quit criticizing the investigation, and if JUG TWITTY did not quit, the ARUBAN Police would quit investigating.
On 11-9 JOSSY MANSUR stated to FOX News that the gardener witness man called the ARUBAN Police the same day the jogger called Police (the jogger reportedly phoned the ARUBAN Police 2 or 3 days after NATALEE vanished; June 1st or 2nd, 2005). MANSUR also said that ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reporters and himself has tried to speak with ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN many times, but ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN does not return any of their phone calls. MANSUR thinks she has been holding back on information because of orders “from higher up”--possible from the ARUBA Attorney General.
On 11-9 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to MSNBC “We just—we were just hoping that we never would everyone to this position, but I think the last straw was when we get a letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs, that, after almost six months of us seeking help, written requests, verbal requests, from the governor, the minister of justice, the minister of tourism, the chief of Police, the prosecuting attorney, that we had been seeking—looking for the wrong help. It‘s the Hague all along that was controlling this investigation. Why were they dishonest, and why weren‘t they forthcoming in the beginning and direct us to the proper authority? Why did they let us do that for almost six months, Joe?” “Well, Joe, our concern is that, until their lack of law enforcement can be evaluated on that island and we have resolution in Natalee‘s case, it‘s not safe for tourists on their island, you know, let alone their citizens of Aruba. That concerns me for them, also.” “You know, Joe, there‘s been such an unwillingness, from the very beginning, for the prosecuting attorney, Karin Janssen, and van der Straten, who is the chief of Police, to conduct a proper investigation. Yes, it‘s a cover-up. Look at how the events unfolded from day one. They wouldn‘t even re-arrest—they wouldn‘t even arrest the suspects until 10 days later, after the families became outraged after the two innocent security guards were arrested. Everyone has witnessed and experienced this.”
On 11-9 JOE MAMMANA stated to Court TV “First of all, the Holloway family has been too nice for too long. I spoke to Beth a little while ago before she left for another show she’s going to be doing. There’s no other way to choke these people but financially. I highly suggest that the Aruban people go after these three little pieces of trash and handle their problem internally. That’s what they should do. But since I don’t think they really will, and we’ve given them more than the benefit of the doubt...that right now by cutting them off financially which we’re going to do, it’s going to be devastating for them. This Thursday, the city of Philadelphia will be signing a resolution; bi partisan…Democrat and Republican to shut down Aruba in the state of Pennsylvania. I have outside counties working. We’re going to be going to the school boards. We’re going to do everything we possibly can. I’ll be perfectly honest with you. I would not invest in Aruba right now; I would not buy a timeshare in Aruba. I wouldn’t do anything there; by the time we bring this thing to a head the only thing the island is going to be good for is storing nuclear waste.”
On 11-9 “Philly1.com” reported:
Missing person awareness conference at West Philly High with Beth Holloway-Twitty as guest speaker
Councilperson Juan Ramos brought to order Philly's First Missing Person Awareness Conference last Saturday forty-five minutes late due to the SEPTA strike. Noting the strike, Ramos wondered how State Representative Babette Josephs, who only uses public transportation, made it to West Philadelphia High School from the other side of town (she walked). Josephs acknowledged her thanks to State Representative Harold James who made her aware of the extent of the missing person issue locally and nationally, and "our inadequate response." James told the crowd of 75, the authorities have "a wait and see" position because only a fraction of limited resources can be allocated to the problem.
"Communities must make the difference through organization and vigilance," James said.
DA Lynn Abraham reported her office is doing a good job helping loved ones adjust to terrible realities. Joseph Mooney from the Police Department's Special Victims Unit made it clear that there is no 24-hour waiting period with these crimes, and that a large number of abductions are family-related. Police commissioner Johnson implored the media to post more photographs in newspapers and on a regular basis. Khaliah Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, a chairperson for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, spoke briefly, humbly noting that she comes from "a place of blessings." Khaliah Ali, who seems every bit as smart as her father, if shy of the spotlight, told the University City Review that she does a lot of charity work, but as a mother the missing person issue is close to her heart.
The audience in attendance on this Indian Summer morning were reminded that calling 911 remains the crucial first step. As a preventative, registering children with Amber Alert was strongly advised. Agencies available for victim support distributed information in the lobby, including the Department of Behavioral Health who gave out pens, magnets, and address books with their phone number (1-888-545-2600). But the real primer on what to do was given by the speaker of most interest to the audience, Beth Holloway-Twitty. Her daughter, Natalee, who disappeared in Aruba on a school trip in May, remains missing. If someone you love is stolen from you, she advised, be sure to open up lines of communication. Contact the FBI, your senators, your congress people, your governor. Get a notebook and record everything you do. Document your emails. Network with your family and friends. Find out who is good with computers, who has connections to public officials and the media, who has a copier available for making flyers. Create a command center (a church, for instance), with a tip phone line, email address, and website. Have photos available. Use any time in front of a news camera to full advantage.
Tragedy has made Beth Holloway-Twitty an eloquent spokesperson and advocate with a powerful and authentic voice. The authorities in Aruba would not even take a statement from her for three days to report her missing daughter. This was not a time for her to give up, but a signal to fight. "I thought my daughter would be safe among friends on an island. We let our guard down and we were blindsided. It is not a pretty picture looking for your daughter in a dump or in a barrel. I don't want to be in these shoes, but I am going forward and will continue, if in any way I can make sure that this never happens to one other person."
The tone of the conference was respectful, as in a time of mourning. Blunt talk was also on display in face of the harsh statistics. Herb Jones, Vice President of External Affairs for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, pointed to studies which show that 25 million children have access to the Internet, 10% of whom receive sexual information or sexual advances. Twitty was introduced by Joe Mammana, Philadelphia businessperson and philanthropist. Ramos said that philanthropist meant, in Mammana's case, that he was not afraid to spend his money. He is not afraid to speak his mind either. Mammana has lent moral and financial support to the Holloway cause.
Self-described as politically incorrect, Mammana has been banned from Aruba. Referring to the three suspects in the Holloway disappearance, he pledged to use his money and political connection to boycott tourism in Aruba and "to make sure they don't get a bar of soap from us until those three pieces of trash are brought to justice." Maria Ortiz, a detective with the Long Term Missing Persons Unit, taking the microphone as a private citizen: "These crimes hit home. Don't think I don't take it personal."
The University City Review asked Melvin Figueroa, whose daughter Latoyia was the subject of a long search in Philadelphia before she was found murdered, what message she would give to Philadelphia now. Figueroa responded, "Stick together and stay close to the children." Throughout the day, the speakers enjoined: Talk to your children, and listen.
Resources for further information:
National Center For Missing And Exploited Children 1-800-THE-LOST or http://www.missingkids.com.
Town Watch 215-686-1453 or http://www.phila.gov/townwatch.
Urban Search And Rescue 843-247-0904 or http://www.usark9.org.
On 11-9 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Aruba awaiting declaration from State Department today
ORANJESTAD (AAN): The Prime Minister showed that Aruba is anxiously awaiting today for when the State Department of the US issues a declaration in regards to the action of Governor Riley of Alabama.
Aruba sent a message to the State Department about what took place on Tuesday, and expects to know on Wednesday morning for the State Department to issue a declaration about all the latest happenings. The latter deals with a series of actions Aruba took on Tuesday.
The Plenipotentiary Minister of Aruba in America, took a mes3age of concern and upset to the Kingdom Ambassador in Washington.
Additionally, via the Dutch Government, it is expected that Buitenlandse Zaken requests a declaration from Governor Bob Riley as well.
Today Aruba spoke with Minister Bot of Holland. Aruba wants Minister Bot to call the American Ambassador in The Hague to ask for clarification about what Bob Riley wants to achieve with a boycott of Aruba. Because in reality, it is the judicial system guaranteed by Holland which is being questioned.
Governor Riley could have support from other Governors and Condoleezza Rice.
Because of this, the government knows that the situation is very serious for Aruba, so it has to wait for what the State Department will declare today and wait for Holland to do something given that Dutch Justice is at play.
On 11-9 CNNHN reported:
NANCY GRACE, HOST: A quick update now on Natalee Holloway, the Alabama girl who went missing in Aruba last May. Alabama governor Bob Riley calling for a nationwide travel boycott of Aruba. Riley says the boycott should be kept in place until Aruban authorities step up cooperation with Natalee`s family to solve the case.
11-10-05
On 11-10 the “AP” reported:
Chief Aruban Investigator Headed To Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Aruba has agreed to send its chief investigator to the United States to answer questions about the case of missing teenager Natalee Holloway, an Alabama congressman said Thursday.
Rep. Spencer Bachus said he requested the meeting to help resolve questions about how the investigation has been handled by authorities on the Caribbean island, a Dutch protectorate.
"News reports surrounding Natalee Holloway's disappearance have left the impression that the Aruban authorities are not doing all they can to solve this case," Bachus, R-Ala., said in a statement.
Bachus' district includes Mountain Brook, home of the missing teenager. Holloway was last seen on May 30 while on a senior class trip to Aruba, where classmates said she left a bar with three young men from the island.
Officials in Aruba had no immediate response.
On 11-10 HELEN LeJUEZ said that she has received from several persons several anonymous personal threats against her because she is representing the TWITTY’s. LeJUEZ also said her car has been vandalized twice before, and yesterday her car tires were slashed with a knife. LeJUEZ said that ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN has never once called LeJUEZ, but when LeJUEZ calls ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN she is able to get through “most often,“ but LeJUEZ always receives the same no-new-information answers. (video here )
On 11-10 SCHIPPER, member of the ARUBA “STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE,” claimed to FOX News that when BETH was in ARUBA last week that ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN and BETH did meet. ELLIS-SCHIPPER claimed that there was even video of them meeting. (another lie by ELLIS-SCHIPPER; there was no video of them meeting because they never met, because JANSSEN wrote BETH a note saying that JANSSEN did not have any free time available to meet with BETH) (video here)
On 11-10 FOX News reported that there is word that the ARUBA chief Investigator (ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG?) may be coming to the UNITED STATES.
On 11-10 experienced F.B.I. criminal profiler CLINT VAN ZANDT stated to MSNBC that when VAN ZANDT was in ARUBA in August he knew that SKEETERS was a professional polygrapher and that SKEETERS was also in ARUBA, VAN ZANDT said he had it in mind to arrange a polygraph for Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE. VAN ZANDT said that KALPOE agreed to do a polygraph but KALPOE was re-arrested before the polygraph could be given.
On 11-10 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Via OSSN Network
More than 6,000 travel agent get Governor Bob Riley’s message
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Only 1 day after Alabama Governor Bob Riley proclaimed a boycott against Aruba, the support network for travel agents in America transmitted this for all.
Aruba has to realize that the case is becoming serious. We have just felt an October of super-slow tourism compared with the same time as last year.
The member news update of OSSN, Outside Sales Support Network, which is an organization which gives support to independent travel agents, put this as their first item. They even put this above the travel advisory to France and Monaco.
France is going through serious problems with riots and curfews which have led to a travel advisory. And Aruba where everyone lives in peace and tranquility gets a boycott?
OSSN has more than 6,000 independent travel agents as members in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
On 11-10 “Blair” on the “Riehl World Blog” reported:
Aruba's judicial system Overview:
1. Aruba Criminal system is mirrored after the Dutch criminal justice system
2. Traditionally distinguishes itself from other criminal justice systems including the U.S. on many aspects including the severity of sanctions imposed
3. Basic 2 categories of criminal offenses: (i) felonies equivalent (“misdrijf”) and (ii) misdemeanor (“overtreding”)
Attorneys
4. Appointed by the State or privately engaged
5. Admitted to the bar of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba
Duties and powers of the Prosecutor
6. Limited & specific powers:
7. Denominated as chief of investigation by law. Rarely directly involved in the investigation, usually provides general instructions and Police in charge of investigative activities.
8. Prosecutorial decisions. Monopoly on which cases go to court. If prosecutor chooses to dismiss a case, that decision can be appealed to the Appellate Court, in which case an order to prosecute could follow. Government/executive branch does not have the power to take prosecutorial desicions.
9. Prosecuting attorney at trial
10. Execution of any sentence imposed
Police investigation
11. Under supervision of prosecutor
12. Murder Suspect must be informed of his rights
13. Murder Suspect has the right to an attorney and not to incriminate himself
14. Hours of investigation limited. No investigation b/w 22:00 and 08:00
15. Written record is made of all interrogations, not a complete transcript, which will go on file
Courts & judges
16. All judges appointed by the Queen. Not through elections or political appointments.
17. Appointed for life.
18. Judges must follow special, rigorous training of 6 years, to qualify for appointment.
19. Alternate judges can be appointed based on trial experience & specific expertise
20. Trial by 1 judge in Court of First Instance of Aruba
21. Appeals handled by 3 judges of the Common Courts of Appeals of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba
22. Appeals at the Supreme Court in the Hague, Netherlands
23. Decision of the supreme court do no constitute legally binding precedent, there’s no official stare decisis. Although lower courts tend to follow supreme court views.
24. Role of the examining judge: (i) during pre-trial to independently examine the legality of procedural aspects & well-being of suspects; (ii) upon instruction of the trialing judge to examine or cross-examine witnesses at request of defense; can’t take the role of a trial judge.
25. Examining judge as a rule not the same individual as trialing judge, to ensure objectivity and impartialness
Pre-trial
26. Pre-trial detention possible in cases of felonies in case that there are:
“... facts and/or circumstances that can justify a reasonable suspicion of involvement in a(ny) criminal act ...”
27. Various phases of detention
- Detention (“aanhouding”): detention for up to six (6) hours; followed by release or
- Arrest/detention (“inverzekeringstelling”): per order of the prosecutor plus 2 X 48 hours
- Examining-judge review of the procedural legality of the first 72 hours of detention
- Detention (“bewaring”): extension of 8 days (so far total 10 days)
- Detention (“gevangenhouding”): extensions and subsequent extensions, possibly leading up to the date of the trial
28. During this phase the defense has remedies to file for suspension of detention and/or other injunctive measures
29. Place of detention. First 10 days usually a Police station, after that to the correction facility
Trial
30. Murder Suspects have right to trial within a reasonable period of time
31. Public hearing
32. No trial by jury, but by a professional judge
33. No plea-bargaining
34. No death penalty
35. No permission required by the prosecutor from the court to go to trial
36. Indictment presented, at the prerogative of the prosecutor, after investigations have taken place
37. Defense will have chance to cross-examine witnesses before an examining judge
38. Maximum sentences: (i) Life imprisonment; or (ii) limited time. Section 11 Criminal Code
39. Maximum sentence of limited time sentence is 20 years i.e. 15 plus 5
40. Life sentencing has been issued in the past by the Courts.
41. Death sentence abolished since late 1800’s and since then no serious attempts to re-instate same.
Principles of legality (nulla poena)
42. no conduct can be characterized as criminal, unless defined by a specific statute
43. all legal statutes are subject no very strict interpretation
44. newly imposed (heavier sanctioning) can’t be imposed on a suspect retroactively
45. only penalties imposed by statutes may be applied.
Requirements of criminal act in general
46. (a) conduct by a person; (b) which falls under the definition of an offense; (c) is unlawful; and (4) for which the perpetrator must be held guilty
Justification grounds for criminal acts
47. (a) self defennce (“noodweer”); (b) official orders by an authorized person (”ambtelijk bevel”); (c) hardship/necessity (“noodtoestand”)
Access to information in pre-trial stage
48. No obligation by the prosecutor a/o investigating officers to disclose details of investigation to third parties, incl. the media
49. Press conferences held by prosecution not customary
50. Prosecutor’s office has limited authority to disclose details of the investigation to the suspects
Legal age & prosecution
51. Below 18 years is considered a minor
52. In principle no jail time, but if convicted of a felony, placed at disposal of the Government a/o equivalent to “juvenile hall” a/o in combination with half of an adult sentence. In case of life sentence, maximum of 10 years
Note:
Although this article has been prepared carefully, it may only serve as a summary of the facts presented and its contents should not be relied upon blindly. The text is intended only as an overview of fundamental regulations of the subject and as such may contain inaccuracies and simplifications in its description of the applicable laws, regulations and case law. Application of rules and regulations in each case are on account of special circumstances and it is recommended that advice of counsel be sought in dealing with the application of the law.
On 11-11 CNNHN reported:
HARRIS FAULKNER, GUEST HOST: (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY`S FATHER: I met him the night I got here. He`s sickening to me. He`s a chicken. If he has nothing to hide, why is he running to his car? He makes my stomach turn.
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, MOTHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Paul van der Sloot has changed his story.
HOLLOWAY: I want him to dig into Paulus van der Sloot.
TWITTY: You just don`t do that. A grown man cannot keep changing the times if he has nothing to hide or no involvement.
HOLLOWAY: Paulus van der Sloot should have been a man. He should have stepped forward in the beginning. He should have talked to Joran that night. They should have admitted that something went wrong, and we could have gone on with our lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FAULKNER: Paulus van der Sloot, the father of one of the suspects in the Natalee Holloway disappearance. Of course, we`ve been following that story.
I`m Harris Faulkner, sitting in for Nancy Grace.
Tonight, the family of Natalee Holloway holds out hope, of course, that the mysterious disappearance of the beautiful girl from Alabama will one day be solved. All of the suspects in this case have been freed from jail, including the father -- you saw him there -- of one of them, Aruban Judge Paulus van der Sloot.
Mr. van der Sloot is trying to clear his name, while Natalee`s family continues to search for answers.
Late development tonight. And let`s go straight to Jim Moret, chief correspondent with "Inside Edition." And it looks like Paulus van der Sloot`s going to get what he wants.
MORET: Indeed, Harris. A judge within the past hour-and-a-half officially declared that Paul van der Sloot is not a suspect in this case. That`s Joran van der Sloot`s father.
You remember that there were three boys who were arrested, taken into custody, as was Paul van der Sloot. Paul is now officially not a suspect. NANCY GRACE producer Erica Maripoti (ph) spoke with him within the past hour. He described this development as a relief. He said that not he`s able to go forward and file a damage claim.
In Aruba, if you`re arrested and then you`re declared not to be a suspect, unlike our system, you can actually file a claim for wrongful arrest against the authorities. That`s what he plans to do. Clearly, it is a blow to the Holloway and Twitty families.
FAULKNER: And you know, when I was on the island with Aruba, I actually talked with some people who file such claims. They win those cases. And sometimes it can be for a sizable amount of money.
I`m curious. You know, his contract as a judge in training there on the island runs out December 31st. He`s been off from his job, pending this whole thing, because he was trying to get his name cleared. First he was a suspect in the case, and then now we know that he`s not.
But he`s been still getting his paycheck. Is he going to work as a judge on the island?
MORET: It`s not clear. He says he`s going to stay in Aruba. It`s not clear whether he`s going to be a judge.
But you`re right. He has been receiving salary. And based on the fact that his name`s been cleared, apparently he`s been entitled to receive his salary. But it`s not clear whether he`s going to remain a judge there.
FAULKNER: All right. His son still a suspect. I talked exclusively tonight with the man who`s in charge of the investigation of finding Natalee Holloway on the island of Aruba, Deputy Police Chief Gerald Dompig, breaking his recent silence to me tonight on the phone.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FAULKNER: Where is your heart on this case, in terms of solving it?
GEROLD DOMPIG, DEPUTY POLICY CHIEF OF ARUBA: Well, of course, you can understand you do get sometimes mixed feelings about whether you are working on something that is worthwhile working on.
But I am still, as you remember I told you a couple of months ago, I still believe that this case is a case that we can solve.
I am convinced that these three boys know more. And I just want to mention -- without going into details -- that I have numerous -- I have seen numerous discrepancies. And that`s just not to use the word "lies," but numerous discrepancies in the statements of these boys.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FAULKNER: The boys he`s talking about are teenager Joran van der Sloot, prime suspect in this case, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, the two brothers also suspects in this case, the last three people to be seen with Natalee Holloway leaving the bar, Carlos and Charlie`s, on the island of Aruba, May 30th.
I want to go to Art Wood, a private investigator who was hired by the editor-in-chief by the local paper on the island, "Diario." Art, are you with us?
ARTHUR WOOD, FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENT: Hello, can you hear me?
FAULKNER: Yes, Art, you`re joining us by phone tonight.
WOOD: Yes, I don`t have your volume at all, hardly.
FAULKNER: Well, can you hear me at all?
WOOD: Yes, now I can hear you a little better. If they could give me just a little bit of volume, that`d be great.
FAULKNER: OK, let`s work on that. Let me know when I`m coming clear to you.
WOOD: Now I can hear you.
FAULKNER: OK.
You wrote a letter recently on behalf of Natalee`s parents, specifically Beth and Jug Twitty, her mom and stepfather. And that letter was pretty scathing. And in it, you named Deputy Police Chief Gerald Dompig and several others to be pulled from this case.
We`ve heard from him tonight. He`s saying he still has the heart to see this case through. He thinks the suspects are all lying, but his goal is to get everybody, all of his ducks in a row, before they go back to court.
He told me tonight his greatest concern is that the case will get thrown out again, because it`s a tough one to win. Why write a letter like that?
WOOD: Well, first of all, Dave Holloway and his family and Beth Holloway Twitty and her family were at the end of their rope in this case. I mean, they have gotten very little response from the Aruban officials.
Gerald Dompig, the only reason he was even named in this letter, on that short list that we wanted replaced, is because of two weeks ago he attacked Beth Twitty in the newspaper down there, saying that she needed to be investigated for the Natalee Holloway Fund.
It indicated that she was receiving millions of dollars through the Natalee Holloway Fund, which is absolutely ridiculous. I have confidence in...
FAULKNER: And he told me tonight he was misunderstood and wanted to - - and even went so far as to say, no matter what the relationship is, his heart is still in solving this case. So I go back to it now. Since that`s the essence of this, do you think that letter accomplished anything?
WOOD: Well, I hope it did. I hope it was a wake-up Gerold Dompig and the rest of the officials. First of all, I think that this case can be solved, but they`re going to have to get rid of Dennis Jacobs, the lead investigator in this case, who keeps sabotaging the case, either through incompetence or for some other reason.
But there is a ton of evidence that indicates these three boys are involved in Natalee`s disappearance.
FAULKNER: And the deputy police chief agrees with you.
Stay right where you are, Art Wood. We`re going to come back on this.
…
And of course, we`re talking about the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. We have her father, Dave Holloway, by phone, I believe, tonight.
And good evening, Mr. Holloway.
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY`S FATHER: Good evening.
FAULKNER: You know, the letter that was written on your behalf calling for the resignations, basically, or at least the removal of some key people in this investigation, and then a boycott called for by the governor of Alabama of your home state, Bob Riley.
How do you think all of this is helping in finding your daughter?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I don`t know. You know, I`ve been very passive on the boycott issue. But, you know, this Paul van der Sloot issue, I just want to make one other comment.
About three weeks ago, I was called in by the investigators to supplement my original statement. And I felt like they were calling me in to help defend their case against Paul van der Sloot`s issue.
And I went through about an hour-and-a-half of interviews. And I talked about all of the hour-and-a-half I spoke with Paul and Anita. And when I got my statement back, it had one little line, that I had met him at the prison.
And it kind of struck me that that was the extent of the statement, when I gave them all of the details of what had happened that day.
FAULKNER: Do you think the boycott`s a good idea?
HOLLOWAY: You know, for the regular people of Aruba, I had a good contact with everyone there and developed some good, strong relationships with a lot of people. I think they need to lean on their officials, the prosecution`s office, the attorney general`s office, and the government to bring this case to a conclusion.
FAULKNER: All right. Dave Holloway, thank you so much for joining us.
11-11-05
On 11-11 ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG told CNN “I am convinced that these three boys know more. And I just want to mention -- without going into details -- that I have numerous -- I have seen numerous discrepancies. And that’s just not to use the word "lies," but numerous discrepancies in the statements of these boys.”
On FOX News on 11-11 HELEN LeJUEZ exposed ELLIS-SCHIPPER’s 11-10 statements as nothing but lies. LeJUEZ stated flatly that not only did the ARUBA chief Prosecutor ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN never meet with BETH last week (LeJUEZ was with BETH), but ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN also wrote BETH a letter saying that ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN’s schedule did not give her any time to meet with BETH. (video here)
On 11-11 JULIA RENFRO (the transplanted AMERICAN who moved to ARUBA 17+ years ago and owns an interest in many ARUBA businesses including the “Aruba Today” news) claimed to MSNBC “A judge flew in this morning to Aruba and heard the case between Paul van der Sloot and the prosecutor, and he judge made the decision to set Paul van der Sloot free of suspicion in the Natalee Holloway case.” “Actually—actually, the prosecutor does have the right to appeal the case, which would bring in the three panel of judges. And of course, then after that, it could go all the way to the superior court.” “Right now, basically, what this means is he is no longer a suspect. But if evidence is brought forward, he could be re-arrested.” “That was one of the reasons for releasing him from suspicion, is he now has until December 1 to basically put a list on paper of the damages he‘s received as a result of his arrest in June. And then after that, the prosecutor will have until the 15th of June to counter it. Then the judge will in the beginning of January make a decision on whether or not he will receive damages.” ???? Is the DUTCH judge who “flew in this morning to Aruba” (from CURACAO) the same DUTCH judge (RICK SMID) who released out of custody Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT and Current Murder Suspect "Steve" CROES in June, and/or released out of custody Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE , and Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE in early September?
On 11-11, when BETH heard that Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT has, for now, been cleared by a DUTCH judge as a Murder Suspect, BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to MSNBC “You know, Rita, when I hear that, it doesn‘t even phase me. Not surprised at all because, I mean, I think back, if the judge would release three rapists on their island, you know, nothing surprises me coming out of the judges or out of the prosecuting attorney‘s office of Aruba. Absolutely nothing, Rita.” “You know, it‘s just mind-boggling that they would even consider such a measure brought forward by PvdS. I mean, he—you know, obstruction of justice, a lying witness, I mean, the list is endless of what he has done in order to throw barriers in having a resolution in Natalee‘s case. It‘s just incredible, and reprehensible that he was ever even considered to be a judge.” With respect to the theory that NATALEE may be alive, BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated "You know, there‘s been a lot of different leads that we‘ve followed and—you know, and one thing I want to make sure everyone knows is, in the beginning, even for the first three weeks, we followed so many live sightings of Natalee that it‘s not new to us to have some of these sightings to where we‘re searching for Natalee alive instead of not alive. So you know, we just have to take each one and either rule it out or in, Rita.”
(video here)
When on 11-11 FOX News asked DAVE HOLLOWAY if he talked to the prosecutor about Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT case to be released from being a Murder Suspect before ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN argued it on 10-21?, DAVE responded “No, when I got on the island that wasn’t even mentioned. I heard about it in the news reports. But I was called in by the Police detective the following day. He took a statement and I went over all the conversations I had with Paul van der Sloot at the prison and went into minute details. When that statement was printed out, I was disappointed that it had a one liner on there that I met with Paul and Anita at the prison. And that was it. I thought that was a statement that was being taken to defend against Paul’s release as a suspect and apparently it was not.” DAVE further said “Have they talked to this new witness yet? And they have not. I asked her what the reason was and she said: ‘Well, they’re trying to formulate some questions so they can call him in.’ I’m thinking, what are they trying to do…coach him…or what? It seems like the same tactics they used with the boys. I just cannot believe it. I read on the Internet that Paul was released and that they were going around trying to find witnesses who might come forward. And I’m thinking you already have a witness, why don’t you interview him? It just amazes me.” DAVE further said they have known about this witness (GOTTENBOS) “since the beginning.” “I have spoken with one of the assistant prosecutors and that’s one of the reasons she resigned. It was because the Police would not follow-up on her suggestions as well. She became so frustrated that she had to call it quits. You have dissensions within the prosecutor’s office. You have Police officers who for some reason or other don’t trust each other.” “I’ve been passive on the boycott all along. I asked the governor to stay it until I could go and continue looking on the island. But after what happened today and all these other things….I’m at my wits end with everyone down there. I know the Aruban people elect their government and government officials and they depend on them to make decisions for them and for their island. Those government officials have spoken and they basically have made a backlash against the governor. I see him striking back, I see him submitting 49 letters to the other governors. We’ve had the run around from day one.” (video here)
On 11-11 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to CNN “You know, I’ve been very passive on the boycott issue. But, you know, this Paul van der Sloot issue, I just want to make one other comment. About three weeks ago, I was called in by the Investigators to supplement my original statement. And I felt like they were calling me in to help defend their case against Paul van der Sloot’s issue. And I went through about an hour-and-a-half of interviews. And I talked about all of the hour-and-a-half I spoke with Paul and Anita. And when I got my statement back, it had one little line, that I had met him at the prison. And it kind of struck me that was the extent of the statement, when I gave them all of the details of what had happened that day.” “You know, for the regular people of Aruba, I had a good contact with everyone there and developed some good, strong relationships with a lot of people. I think they need to lean on their officials, the prosecution’s office, the attorney general’s office, and the government to bring this case to a conclusion.”
On 11-11 MSNBC reported that UNITED STATES Senator SHELBY “wrote a letter today, I don‘t know if you know this, to the ‘American Society of Travel Agents.’ And it says, in part, ‘For the safety, security and well-being of our citizens, I do not believe that we can trust that we will be protected while in Aruba.’ ”
On 11-11 HAROLD COPUS stated MSNBC “I would say to you there‘s about a 20 percent chance that this could be true [NATALEE alive]. I think the thing you have to realize, Rita, is that what fuels this economy in Aruba is tourism, which we all know about. But the thing that‘s the dirty secret there is the other portion of their economy is fueled, candidly, by money laundering and by drug trafficking. This is a corrupt area. It‘s not safe, as Beth has said. If the American public can work behind this boycott, maybe we can get some justice for Natalee.”
On 11-11 Rob Wheeler, a Homicide Detective, and Juan Ramos, a city councilman in Philadelphia, appeared on The O’Reilly Factor to discuss the effects of the boycott of Aruba. Juan Ramos said that the Philadelphia council supports the boycott.
(video here)
On 11-11 “The Birmingham News" reported:
Bachus: Arubaans coming to U.S.
Missing teen to be discussed; police official says island's government hasn't approved
U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus said Thursday the Aruban government has pledged to send its lead Investigator to this country to discuss the case of missing Mountain Brook teen Natalee Holloway.
But Aruban Deputy Police chief Gerald Dompig said the idea, although discussed, did not yet have official government approval.
Bachus said he asked the Arubaans to explain the investigation "to get a more accurate reading of how the Aruban government has cooperated."
"News reports surrounding Natalee Holloway's disappearance have left the impression that the Aruban authorities are not doing all they can to solve this case," Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills, said in a statement.
Holloway's mother has said the Aruban authorities have been unhelpful since her daughter disappeared on a graduation trip to the island May 30. At her request, Gov. Bob Riley on Tuesday urged Alabamians not to travel to Aruba.
The unofficial boycott may be spreading. Two city councilmen in Philadelphia plan to introduce a bill suggesting a travel ban for residents of that city, The Associated Press reported Thursday. Also, Jefferson County commissioners said they plan to pass a boycott resolution during Tuesday's meeting.
"We're asking our congressional leaders to put some pressure on the state department to boycott travel to Aruba," said commissioner Gary White. "The investigation has not been handled properly. She is one of us, a member of our community."
Dompig said the lead Investigator Bachus referred to would either be him or the chief prosecutor. He said he had no travel plans yet.
"I have to tell you that I know nothing about it," he said Thursday. "I have to assume that something that was in the very early stage leaked out somehow prematurely."
Dompig said he is awaiting permission from the United States to question graduates of Mountain Brook high school who accompanied Holloway on the trip. He said Investigators want to add to earlier statements students gave the F.B.I. to build a stronger case against three men who were released due to lack of evidence. Joran van der Sloot, Deepak Kalpoe and Satish Kalpoe are still considered suspects, Police and prosecutors have said.
"We want to be able to look at other pieces of the puzzle because we still believe that they were involved," Dompig said. "We're on an alternative route, trying to reach the same location."
On 11-11 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Now the city of Philadelphia wants to boycott Aruba
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Now there are two city councilmen from Philadelphia who are proposing a local boycott of Aruba, due to their concern about Aruba and they way its functionaries have treated the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
Juan Ramos and Jack Kelly came up with this law, which urges Philadelphia inhabitants to boycott Aruba, after that Alabama Governor Bob Riley made a petition for all of America to stop traveling to Aruba.
TV Channels had an interview with those involved in the boycott, and showed again that Joran van der Sloot, Deepak Kalpoe and Satish Kalpoe lied consistently.
Everyone knows that they are involved in this, otherwise they wouldn’t have lied. They want that the Public Ministry of Aruba detain the youngsters again and start investigating them again, let them sweat out their guilt.
Apart from this, now that they have come out with the boycott group, they even want to stop cruise ships and even cargo ships from coming to Aruba. They don’t want any American product sent to Aruba anymore.
They are thinking that all cargo companies have to stop sending merchandise to Aruba.
One of the ones who has expressed himself more openly is Joe Mammana. He went as far as saying that Aruba is a place that is a 'terrorist den’ and that Americans could be attacked at any moment. According to him, there is no more security in Aruba anymore.
On 11-11 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Parliaments ask minister Bot for action
ARUBA – The Lower House party of the CDA, D66, and the Labour Party, and the Aruban Parliament have asked Foreign Affairs-minister Ben Bot (CDA) to request the American authorities to speak out against the boycott.
American tourists not coming to Aruba will be catastrophic for the economy.
They ask Bot to say that he is not pleased with the call for a boycott or explain to us why he will not do that. Parliament-chairman Mervin Ras (MEP) emphasized that Riley’s condition to replace specific persons in the investigation team is an invasion on the sovereignty of the Realm. The House-committee for Antillean and Aruban Affairs will discuss the case today.
On 11-11 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
According to international source
Paul van der Sloot gave Joran quite the gift
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Thursday, DIARIO received a call from a contact who was in Holland, about the case of Natalee Holloway, who was following Joran van der Sloot’s steps.
This person told DIARIO that he was in Holland last month, where he was staying for a few months.
He said that Joran was staying in a house a little outside Arnhem with his father and is studying at Hoge School Arnhem.
The person says Joran is living a life like the majority of students in Holland do, where he goes to school, studies and goes out until late at night.
Joran met a girl [KRISTINA PEDERSEN] who he didn’t know was working for a known magazine and went out to drink with her and tried to seduce her.
The girl was trying to find as much information as possible, for an article on which she was working.
One of the times that Joran went out with the girl, he showed her a portable DVD player that he got as a gift from his mother and father after he got out of KIA.
What surprises that girl was when Joran showed a movie that his father gave him as a gift.
The movie he showed the girl was a pornographic one and he said his father gave it to him, so that he wouldn’t fall asleep in class at school.
According to the Dutch reporter, Joran went to see a few football matches in Holland with his father and they also went to England to see a Manchester United match.
The intention was also for them to go to an East European country to see a Champions League match.
According to DIARIO’s contact who was in Holland, Joran van der Sloot was planning last month to go live with his two friends in student housing, close to the school he’s attending and he will come to Aruba to vacation in Easter, where he will come see his mother again who hasn’t gone to Holland.
11-12-05
On 11-12 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Lampe asks for international investigation on the Holloway-case
ARUBA – RED has requested an independent and international investigation on the entire development in the matter of the disappeared Natalee Holloway. The request was made during the emergency Parliament meeting on the appeal to boycott Aruba.
According to Rudy Lampe, this is the only way to get the Americans to have confidence in the integrity of the OM and the Police corps again. You won’t achieve this by saying how beautiful Aruba is. That the Americans have doubt is due to the fact that the main suspects in this case were walking around free for 10 days; the public conflict between the Attorney General and the chief Public Prosecutor; the fact that the Attorney General has prohibited the chief Public Prosecutor to give statements; the statements of the investigation teams towards the Holloway family. “If you can prove that the level of integrity is high, you don’t have to be afraid when a foreign instance investigates this. It can only help you”, said Lampe.
On 11-12 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
They are interested in the version related to the investigation
U.S. requests declaration from head of Natalee’s investigation
ORANJESTAD (AAN): As was previously published in Friday's edition, from sources generally in good standing, and it is DIARIO’s understanding that ‘Foreign Affairs’ has recently received a request from the US.
Apparently, the letter mentions that Washington is very interested in the matter of the disappearance of Natalee. It seems that government officials want a communiqué about how the investigation is going at this current time.
According to the source, there hasn’t yet been an answer nor has it been decided who will handle the request from American Congress members. It is not excluded that, according to our information, the justice department can give a communiqué exclusively according to the system and laws, they can give the F.B.I. a version of the case.
It is not known in this case if there will be a delegation sent to America, headed by Attorney General Mrs. Teresa Croes Fernandez-Pedra related to the request, which at the moment is awaiting the competent authorities. In the course of Monday, there could be clarification about the letter sent from the US which is being handled by the department of Foreign Affairs.
On 11-12 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Editorial: Natalee, Boycott and Stupidity!
by Jossy Mansur
Every day I grow more surprised when I see and hear the stupidities which are being said and done by some bad characters in Aruba, supposedly in the name of ‘patriotism’ which seems ill-conceived to me! You are not a true patriot when you change a cause for its result, [...], taking to the streets or the plaza to shout slogans, harming your own island instead of coming to its defense.
The cause? The disappearance of an American citizen on our island! The result? An investigation characterized by a good dose of error and negligence. If we feel the compulsion to protest, first go do so against what is causing the negative atmosphere, not against the ones who are doing their best to discover what is being hidden in the mysterious disappearance of Natalee, and in this way eliminate the possibility of a boycott!
The case of Natalee and the fight that the mother is carrying on to find out what happened with her child, and where she is, are the causes and effects of the negative atmosphere we are all feeling, that have arisen at the root of imprudent protests, absurd accusations against the mother, and calling certain American media terrorists.
Has common sense come to an end? Those who caused the harm now want to shift the guilt to the few Arubaans who have the courage to show their face and put the correct name to the correct facts. Are we, by any chance, not aware that Natalee went missing when she was in the company of Joran and the Kalpoe brothers?
How then, are all three suspects free? They have no evidence to detain them? Of course they have! It is in black and white in the Police reports, by their own admissions and on a videotape brought recently by Jamie Skeeters, a professional Investigator who was able to get the suspect Deepak to talk and tell things that weren’t surprising, but which did confirm what a few of us suspected and even knew beforehand!
One of the most compelling pieces of evidence is that all three admitted they had forced sexual relations with Natalee, given that this took place when they girl was constantly losing consciousness. How can a person who is not conscious be in a condition to consent? Around the civilized world, under the empire of the law that mandates over anarchy or cronyism, such a situation is categorized as ‘sexual assault’, which is the same or a worse case of what is otherwise known as rape.
Being aware of this and all other severe accusations that the three suspects threw out against each other, how can there be a handful of people in Aruba who can’t comprehend what is happening outside of the island, and that it is negatively affecting a place that does not deserve it? Until what extreme of stupidity have they arrived?
The Americans feel that, at least in this case, Justice has not been well served. And the effects are being felt far, reaching even in the direction of the Dutch justice system, which in this particular case leaves much to be desired!
What can an insensitive person, combined with some social parasite, who believes that because they can go to the street to hold a demonstration, the American television media will run and hide from them? In a democratic country such as the U.S., no medium will let itself be threatened by the government in charge, because of a handful of shouters outside!
This manner of confronting this crisis is not placating Beth (Natalee’s mother) or the American media who want to discover the truth of what has happened.
The negative reception which welcomed Beth by the little group protesting during her last trip to Aruba ended up adding fuel to the fire. Is this the way to treat a mother who is a fighter, who hasn’t thrown in the towel about finding out what happened to her daughter? She is not demanding anything else than to uncover the mystery of the disappearance of Natalee, locate what remains of her, if she is dead and go back to her native city for the posthumous honour she deserves. And in case she is alive, sold to the world of sexual slavery or whatever other group of thugs, she wants to find where she is so authorities from her country proceed to her rescue.
What people in Aruba have to protest is the slowness in which the case has proceeded from the very beginning, the destruction of the declarations and admissions by the suspects, according to evidence presented to those who saw them; the complete negligence with the belt discovered behind the lighthouse; the human bone given to the Police station which was not submitted for a rigorous examination; the sworn declarations of eye witnesses; the latest recording of Deepak; Joran’s previous accusations that he believed that Deepak raped and killed Natalee on the beach; the contrary accusations of Deepak and Satish against Joran; at last, a multitude of concrete things that deserve the protest of an honest people such as Arubaans.
Let the mother continue with her investigation; one must give her all the support necessary for her to get the answers she is looking for; let her know she has the support of a people who understand her suffering about the disappearance of her daughter.
In such a way we can prevent any negative action against Aruba, but putting all this aside to speak imprudently and unjustly against the mother and the American media is counterproductive and harmful for Aruba.
You want to show patriotism? First use reason instead of protesting, and show the world that we are concerned about a person who has disappeared on our island while she was in the company of three suspects who were inexplicably set free by a judge who is not from Aruba and who does not have the well-being of our island in mind.
These are the things that have to provoke our protests, not the visit of a persistent mother, a lady who lives with the distress of what happened to her daughter and although she loses patience every so often, our tolerance has to be greater than her desperation.
How can I be in favour of any type of boycott against Aruba? Everyone who knows me knows that this isn’t possible; additionally, I went on an interview last week on NBC on this topic, and I explained that a boycott against Aruba is unfair and unproductive.
Finally, what the Dutch Ambassador has to do is go to the State Department and explain to them that the justice system in Aruba is the Dutch one, that the judges are appointed in Holland and are also Dutch, that the prosecutor in charge of the case is Dutch, that the Investigator in charge when the case began is Dutch, that the five judges who dealt with the case are Dutch and that the principal suspect is Dutch.
Because of this, it is logical to conclude that Holland can help to clear up many things, given that Aruba’s hands are tied, especially when you consider the nationality of the most important authorities related to the case.
11-13-05
On 11-13 FOX News reported that “Investigators in Aruba are going to interrogate the three suspects in the case of Natalee Holloway, Joran van der Sloot, Deepak Kalpoe, and Satish Kalpoe, once again. The anchor from FOX asked an ex-FBI agent what he thinks about this prospect, that after so many times the suspects were interrogated, that now this will happen once more. The ex-FBI agent explained that maybe the Investigators feel that there are still certain questions that remain unanswered after all the interrogations, or that maybe they have important new information that has come forward recently and that it would be good to speak with these youngsters once again.
Another FOX reporter indicated that he conversed with commissioner Dompig recently, where he asked him his opinion about the fact that on the tape, Deepak Kalpoe said that they all three had sex with Natalee Holloway, when the young American wasn’t fully conscious. The reporter said that Dompig confirmed that perhaps they will prosecute the suspects on rape charges. The reporter also asked the ex-FBI agent what he thinks about the fact that Dompig wants to speak with Natalee Holloway's classmates in the US. The ex-FBI agent explained that he believes that these kids after all this time could have forgotten certain important details, which wouldn’t have been lost if this had happened at the beginning of the case. However, he said that the he believes the F.B.I. will interview the kids adequately if needed.” (quote from November 14, 2005 ARUBAAN's news-source “Diario” article)
11-14-05
On 11-14 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News about the UNITED STATES F.B.I. Special Agents that were in ARUBA at the start of the case, “They were not allowed in the interrogations in the beginning. It wasn’t until probably June the 15th or a little later that some were allowed to remain in the interrogation room. But remember these were all being given in Dutch. With the language barrier it was just so difficult for them to have any kind of direction or assistance in the interrogation.” Of Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT ’s recent DUTCH judge’s decision, on 11-14 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News “After chief Dompig had mentioned on another media station that Paulus van der Sloot is not only a person of interest in the disappearance of Natalee but also after the fact I’m a little bit surprised.” BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated that she has been told nothing by the ARUBAN authorities about the status of the DUTCH forensic testings of the SKEETERS video tapes of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE admitting that NATALEE was gang-raped. Of the most recent found-in-ARUBA bone [there have been 3] that was immediately turned over to the ARUBAN Police, on 11-14 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News “No I was just speaking with Dave [HOLLOWAY] about that tonight. I think that was a concern from Dennis Jacobs. He was very upset that he did not have access to this evidence. I believe he was even calling Dave frantically as he left the island of Aruba. For some reason, I think that Dennis Jacobs likes to be in charge of all evidence that’s gathered.” With regards to the 3 young girls who were going to file sexual assault and/or sexual rape charges against Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated "Well I believe that when Art Wood and Dave Holloway were on the island that week, they were determined that Dennis Jacobs had spoken with the girls. We were concerned that he had tried to get the girls to probably recant their stories. It’s very concerning to us if Dennis Jacobs had been involved or had contact with these young girls.”
On 11-14 FOX News reported that an ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN spoke today with ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG and ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG told the CONGRESSMAN that IF the DUTCH allow it, ARUBAN Investigator(s) may come to the UNITED STATES.
On 11-14 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News that they believe that ARUBAN Police detective JACOBS has been deliberately hindering the progress of the case and JACOBS and Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT have some kind of relationship. BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated FLANEGIN went over ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN’s head and got permission to speak with DAVE directly from the ARUBA Attorney General CROES. BETH considers FLANEGIN as one of several ARUBA prosecuting attorneys they are aware of that could take over the case. BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated FLANEGIN and ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN do not get along and that FLANEGIN told DAVE HOLLOWAY that the case investigation has been badly mishandled. When asked why if the ARUBA Attorney General CROES knows the case has been badly handled, why doesn’t the AG simply replace ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN, BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to "That‘s what we‘re seeing now--that even the Attorney General is controlled by the Hague--so, evidently, the Hague is keeping Karin Janssen in place as prosecuting attorney.” When asked what she thinks the motive is for keeping ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN in place despite her failings in the case, BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY state$ to "It has to be someone who is lobbying for Joran in the Hague--protecting him. It has to be.”
On 11-14 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Investigative team will get new faces
Very dirty handling of the Holloway case in the prosecution’s office
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Information DIARIO investigated the whole weekend is what happened with the letter which was sent directly to the attorney general at the Public Ministry by the Holloway and Twitty families to remove those mentioned by name, those in the investigative team orchestrated by the very same Public Ministry.
Dave Holloway, in a secret meeting with prosecutor Flanegin: on the basis of information we have continued to find and search for, about the people in our own Public Ministry, we have been able to uncover that Dave Holloway had a secret meeting with prosecutor Flanegin who apparently got the green light from the attorney general to speak with Dave Holloway in secret.
It is well known that the relationship between the chief prosecutor Karen Jansen and the attorney general Teresa Croes Fernandez-Pedra is not one of the best and because of this, communication between the two is not very good.
Still, it can be recalled how they had a disagreement with each other when the prosecutor notified the attorney general via a letter that it would be best if her daughter didn’t act as spokesperson for the Public Ministry in the case of the disappearance of Natalee, given that she looked like a kid.
This and more, was the reason that the relationship between the two of them turned bad. The day that Dave Holloway was in Aruba he conversed with prosecutor Flanegin and on the basis of this conversation some days later came the scathing letter demanding the removal of three people on the investigative team.
Still, one can recall the letter that appeared in DIARIO where it was asked to pull prosecutor Karen Jansen, commissioner Dompig and Investigator Dennis Cabez [Jacobs?]
This meeting took place at the invitation of Dave Holloway who called prosecutor Flanegin, who in turn asked for the attorney general’s permission who also gave her the green light. In this meeting were present Dave Holloway, prosecutor Flanegin and another American whose name was not released.
The meeting took place in a local restaurant and Dave Holloway asked many questions to prosecutor Flanegin who on a few occasions was in contact via telephone with the attorney general so that she could provide complete answers to Dave Holloway.
The truth came out that no one knew directly of the secret conversation between prosecutor Flanegin and Dave Holloway, but although it was hidden, one day reality came out and the hidden truth came to be known.
Karen Jansen confronted her colleague Flanegin with this fact and there was no other alternative than to confirm the truth and say or come out with everything and that behind her back, the attorney general gave the ok to speak with Dave Holloway in secret.
On this basis also, on Friday Karen Jansen brought an extensive letter to show her displeasure in and her distrust with her colleague.
In this way also it came out that the whole letter which came from the Twitty Holloway family was orchestrated by the very same people at the head of the Public Ministry and the attorney general who want to remove Karen Jansen and commissioner Gerold Dompig, along with Dennis Jacobs.
The attorney general called the High commissioner: related to this same letter, the attorney general continues to try to achieve her goal and apparently got in contact with the high commissioner and demanded that those mentioned in the letter be removed.
Perhaps the attorney general herself will take case of the Public Ministry and the high commissioner has to take care of the agents and commissioner at the head of the case of Natalee’s disappearance.
Perhaps the time has come for Karen Jansen to start coming out with things she knows because it is very clear that someone is trying to stab her in the back.
But the Public Ministry has a double edged sword. New faces starting today: starting today the investigative team will have new faces in the case of the investigation of Natalee Holloway.
This does not mean that those mentioned in the letter will no longer be there, but it does mean that people will enter the team which the attorney general will officially announce on Tuesday.
The wish to remove those in the Police corps in the case of the disappearance of Natalee will surely not be honoured by the Police command given that this would become a very serious situation where the message would end up being that no other people would work on the case anymore.
Or it will stay the same and they will put new extra people on the team, but nothing about removing those who are there and putting new people. This situation shows that many people have doubts about the investigation of the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
We have not heard anything: for some time we have not heard anything about the case of Natalee via official channels. It is sad if the Public Ministry is sending information to the American press but nothing to the local one.
When calling with questions for the prosecutor or the attorney general, they could not be located. The case of Natalee Holloway has resulted in many people at first talking, then deciding to stay quiet.
We at the local press cannot help the whole situation when there’s a public ministry or [cos robez?] who speaks to the American press which turns against the public ministry.
We hope that the public ministry also breaks the silence they have held so that everyone knows the truth or better still how this case is going and in this way everything ends because the real problem is being caused as much as for Aruba as for the public ministry itself where the attorney general is barbarically failing with her working system.
On 11-14 “Michelle’s Blog Spot” reported:
A MESSAGE FROM JOE MAMMANA
Beth Holloway Twitty stayed with me and my family last week in Philadelphia. I watched this mother cry. My family and I cried with her. Her tears are tears of pain, sorrow, loss. My mother's tears are of sympathy. Mine, however ARE NOT – mine are of pure anger.
Even if, by some miracle, Natalee walks through the door tomorrow, I want the cowardly PUNKS who hurt her to know that THEY STILL HAVE ME TO CONTEND WITH – and I am a problem that NOBODY wants. Yes, I've been on both sides of the law. I was young once. Things happen. That's life. It's not how you start the race; it's how you finish it.
Several of my associates are in Aruba as we speak. Within the next five days, several more will join them. The ability to easily enter this third world cesspool continues to astonish all of us. It's more difficult to enter the New York City subway system than it is to enter Aruba – security there should be at an all-time high, not NON-EXISTENT. I want Americans to know that they are vulnerable to our enemies from all over the world while in Aruba, as vulnerable as if they were wearing a white shirt with a red Bull's eye on the back.
I have spoken to Philadelphia City Council and many high-ranking elected officials and asked when a Resolution will be passed calling for a BOYCOTT of Aruba as a tourist destination. As a result, pressure will be put on the cruise ships to use other ports, and THEN we will have the UNDIVIDED ATTENTION of Aruba and its government.
Speaking of the people of Aruba, I am not after them – I feel bad that they are going to suffer due to a lethargic and lackadaisical response from their government. I suggest that the people of Aruba apply pressure from within to get some answers in the Holloway case, and do it quickly.
I have vowed on World television, to Beth Twitty, to myself, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, to my own mother, that I WILL NOT GIVE UP until this case is resolved to MY satisfaction. Screw closure. Screw justice. I believe in REVENGE.
These three pieces of TRASH have a Sicilian on their tail who has arms and eyes that can reach and see AROUND THE WORLD. They can run, but they can't hide. I want them and the Aruban government to look at me and know that they are out of their league.
On 11-14 ARUBAAN's news-source “Diario“ reported:
According to FOX
Authorities in Aruba to interrogate Deepak, Satish and Joran again
ORANJESTAD(AAN): There was a news report Sunday on FOX, where the channel said that Investigators in Aruba are going to interrogate the three suspects in the case of Natalee Holloway, Joran van der Sloot, Deepak Kalpoe, and Satish Kalpoe, once again.
The anchor from FOX asked an ex-FBI agent what he thinks about this prospect, that after so many times the suspects were interrogated, that now this will happen once more.
The ex-FBI agent explained that maybe the Investigators feel that there are still certain questions that remain unanswered after all the interrogations, or that maybe they have important new information that has come forward recently and that it would be good to speak with these youngsters once again.
Another FOX reporter indicated that he conversed with commissioner Dompig recently, where he asked him his opinion about the fact that on the tape, Deepak Kalpoe said that they all three had sex with Natalee Holloway, when the young American wasn’t fully conscious.
The reporter said that Dompig confirmed that perhaps they will prosecute the suspects on rape charges.
The reporter also asked the ex-FBI agent what he thinks about the fact that Dompig wants to speak with Natalee Holloway's classmates in the US.
The ex-FBI agent explained that he believes that these kids after all this time could have forgotten certain important details, which wouldn’t have been lost if this had happened at the beginning of the case.
However, he said that the he believes the F.B.I. will interview the kids adequately if needed.
11-15-05
On 11-15 FOX News reported that ARUBAN Police authorities have stated they may wait 30 more days to again interrogate Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT only after he returns to ARUBA for Christmas vacation.
???? What if Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT does not return to ARUBA? If they are waiting to re-interview Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , when will they again interrogate the Current Murder Suspects KALPOE’s--who are still walking around ARUBA?
On December 14, 2005 JOSSY MANSUR stated to FOX News that “reliable sources” have told him that if the ARUBAN Police cannot come up with solid evidence and/or information to base charging someone(s) with a crime(s) by mid-January 2006, that the ARUBAN justice system will close the case. MANSUR stated that the ARUBAN Police received the notification in mid-November of only 60 more days, making the deadline for closing the case mid-January. MANSUR also stated that ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN has prosecuted the case to the DUTCH judges as best she could, and that it has been the DUTCH judges who have freed the son of an ex-DUTCH judge-in-training, Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , and, it is the DUTCH judges who have freed the Current Murder Suspects KALPOE’s, allowing them to walk among ARUBAAN's.
????WHO set this, supposed, mid-January 2006 deadline; the ARUBA Minister of Justice, and/or the ARUBAN Attorney General, and/or HOLLAND?
On 11-15 former prosecutor and MSNBC consultant WENDY MURPHY said “This is a cover-up and these three little pieces of trash on this island, as far as I‘m concerned, they‘re like minor terrorists, We might as well go to Iraq and Afghanistan and vacation there because what these people are doing on that island. Allies are friends, and friends help each other in a time of a crisis. This is a crisis. You have an American. You took one of our people on your soil. You know what happened to her and you know who did it, and you‘re letting this go by?”
On 11-15 when MSNBC asked DAVE HOLLOWAY about a phone call that came to Beth after Natalee disappeared saying that the caller was Natalee Holloway (BETH is not totally ruling out that the call was from NATALEE), DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "Well, I listened to the telephone call, it sounded like maybe it was some kid who had misdialed a telephone number. They did not say Natalee or anything like that. I could hear someone in the background just said, ‘Help me,’ and then hung up.” “That [phone call] was probably made six weeks to two months ago, somewhere around there. Somewhere around Hurricane Katrina.” [circa 8-30] "I listened to the tape, and it didn‘t sound like her.” Of the ARUBAAN's saying today that ARUBAN Police "detectives" are being added to the NATALEE HOLLOWAY disappearance in ARUBA case, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to "They‘ve added people to the team and taken people off. That‘s nothing new. In fact, when I was down there a month ago, I was introduced to a couple of other new detectives and it sounds like to me it‘s just a rotating circus around the individuals that we feel like that should step aside. It‘s very simple. Three or four people, a couple of detectives and a secretary, and manage these people out of the prosecutor‘s office or an independent location and that would throw water on all of this.”
On 11-15 when “MSNBC asked JAMIE SKEETERS if the DUTCH authorities have authenticated the SKEETERS videos of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE confessions or if the DUTCH authorities have picked up SKEETERS computer hard drive that contains the original videos of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE confessions yet, SKEETERS said “Well, I‘ve talked to chief Dompig quite a bit. For some reason we‘ve lost communications for about the last 10 days. I keep calling but his people hang up on me. So, I don‘t know what is going on but I do know that he asked me he would love to have the hard drive of my computer that has Deepak‘s confession on it, so to speak. And nothing yet, so I‘ve been in contact with the FBI. And as of tonight, about two hours ago, I was contacted by the Ventura department of the F.B.I. who is in the process of picking this tape up tomorrow with or without their request at this time so they can be ready.” (SKEETERS showed a box, apparently pre-addressed, that he said contained his computer hard drive)
On 11-15 JULIA RENFRO (the transplanted AMERICAN who moved to ARUBA 17+ years ago and owns an interest in many ARUBA businesses including the “Aruba Today” news) “This afternoon I spoke to commissioner Dompig. And he told me that there‘s been quite a few meetings Monday as well as today. And there‘s a confirmation of three new detectives that will be joining the investigative team.”
On 11-15 FOX News GRETA VAN SUSTEREN of FOX News reported that her and her TV show’s personnel have offered many ARUBAN authorities the opportunities to appear on her TV show, but, to date, the ARUBAN authorities have chosen not to appear to present their observations and/or thoughts about NATALEE’s disappearance while in ARUBA. FOX News GRETA VAN SUSTEREN also reported that if the DUTCH government allows it, an ARUBAN Police Investigator(s) can come to the UNITED STATES (purportedly to interview NATALEE’s classmates on the ARUBA trip)
On 11-15 ARUBAAN's news-source “A. M. Digital” reported:
SPA: Team will not be changed – it will be expanded
After having taken note of several rumors, the Police Union (SPA) decided to meet with the [Natalee Holloway] Investigating Team to learn of the latest developments. SPA wished to know if is true that the Public Prosecutor sent a letter to Police commissioner Bernadina to change the investigating team.
SPA has all the information and has taken the position not to permit any changes in the investigating team. If the Public Prosecutor and the Police commissioner order the change just like, there will be no other alternative than to disobey such order. What assurance will the next group of detectives have that after a while Beth Twitty will not demand their removal when she sees fit?
After meeting with the investigating team it turned out that two of the members of the team are not feeling well and can not continue with the team because of their health condition. This was confirmed and as such SPA does not have any objections to, as proposed by commissioner Bernadina, add more detectives to the team to help with the investigation. Two new members will certainly join the team and probably it will be expanded with another two to three detectives in order to speed up the investigation in the Natalee Holloway disappearance case.
On 11-15 ARUBAAN's news-source “A. M. Digital” reported:
Will there be changes?
PP requests High commissioner to effect changes immediately
While the President of the Police Union (SPA) emphatically declared that his organization stands for the integrity and credibility of the Public Prosecutor and of the investigating team in the Natalee Holloway case, we understand that possibly there will be changes in the team.
Information has reached us that the Public Prosecutor (PP), mrs. Teresa Croes Fernandes Pedra, requested High Police commissioner Bernadina in writing to apply some changes in the investigating team. In hierarchy of the local legal system the PP has the right to request changes from the Police commissioner.
If indeed changes are made, this means that commissioner Dompig will probably have to move although he replaced ex-commissioner van der Straten who retired. In their letter to the PP the Twitty and Holloway families also request removal of detective Dennis Jacobs from the team. We do not know if the official who has been assisting Jacobs in this case will also be moved.
commissioner Bernadina is finding himself in a very tedious situation and we think that only serious and intensive discussions within the Police Top will determine if, and how the changes will be made.
On 11-15 the Aruban Boycott blogspot reported:
A MESSAGE FROM JOE MAMMANA
Joe emailed me this...I think it's profound and wanted to share it with you. This man is the kind of person that I share common personal philosophies. I also admire the fact that he is putting his time, money and effort to help so many families that have missing loved ones.
How often do you hear about a millionaire that puts all aside for this deep-rooted personal mission to help others? Batman, maybe? That's about all I can come up with.
Beth Holloway-Twitty stayed with me and my family last week in Philadelphia. I watched this mother cry. My family and I cried with her. Her tears are tears of pain, sorrow, loss. My mother's tears are of sympathy. Mine, however ARE NOT – mine are of pure anger.
Even if, by some miracle, Natalee walks through the door tomorrow, I want the cowardly PUNKS who hurt her to know that THEY STILL HAVE ME TO CONTEND WITH – and I am a problem that NOBODY wants. Yes, I've been on both sides of the law. I was young once. Things happen. That's life. It's not how you start the race; it's how you finish it.
Several of my associates are in Aruba as we speak. Within the next five days, several more will join them. The ability to easily enter this third world cesspool continues to astonish all of us. It's more difficult to enter the New York City subway system than it is to enter Aruba – security there should be at an all-time high, not NON-EXISTENT. I want Americans to know that they are vulnerable to our enemies from all over the world while in Aruba, as vulnerable as if they were wearing a white shirt with a red Bull's eye on the back.
I have spoken to Philadelphia City Council and many high-ranking elected officials and asked when a Resolution will be passed calling for a BOYCOTT of Aruba as a tourist destination. As a result, pressure will be put on the cruise ships to use other ports, and THEN we will have the UNDIVIDED ATTENTION of Aruba and its government.
Speaking of the people of Aruba, I am not after them – I feel bad that they are going to suffer due to a lethargic and lackadaisical response from their government. I suggest that the people of Aruba apply pressure from within to get some answers in the Holloway case, and do it quickly.
I have vowed on World television, to Beth Twitty, to myself, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, to my own mother, that I WILL NOT GIVE UP until this case is resolved to MY satisfaction. Screw closure. Screw justice. I believe in REVENGE.
These three pieces of TRASH have a Sicilian on their tail who has arms and eyes that can reach and see AROUND THE WORLD. They can run, but they can't hide. I want them and the Aruban government to look at me and know that they are out of their league.
Joseph Mammana
On 11-15 FOX News reported:
(Thank You and Hat Tip to “Heli”)
Not verbatim Not complete
The Aruban Deputy Chief spoke to Alabama congressman about coming to interview the MB students ......
Greta:
What would it take you to give up boycott?
Beth:
We need a new investigative team and we need a resolution to Natalee's case
Janssen has to go, Van der Straten has to go, Dompig has to go, Dennis Jacobs definitely has to go.
Greta:
I thought he was gone last July, van der Straten that is.
Beth:
He has had his hand in this investigation since Day 1, Dave discovered that about a week ago ...
Greta
What's the relationship between van der Straten and Paul van der Sloot.
Beth
It's well known on the island they're very close, there's no secret that vd Straten was quoted as saying "How can I do this to my best friend's son"
On May 31, I waited in the lobby for 3 hours, we feel that he has been placing barriers all along to the resolution of this case, we need him removed.
Greta:
They won't give us any answers ...
Beth:
They won't anybody any any information, what are they hiding ...
Greta:
The AG won't let the Prosecutor speak but lets the Assistant Prosecutor speak to Dave Holloway, ppl don't talk to us b/c they have to get permission from Holland ...
Beth:
Sounds to me like they're just like the suspects, playing the blame game
Greta:
Any hope at all that they will get new investigators or prosecutor....
Beth:
I don't think they're going to have an alternative, if they want the boycott to end, they have to do what we say. We're not going to give up on it
I think that we looked at it as hoping that they, you know Greta, it's a safety concern, it's not safe for tourists to enter that island until it's fully evaluated.
Greta:
Do you think they'll forget you....
Beth:
....... it's the right thing for us to do to protect future students from entering that isalnd...
Greta:
Do you worry about who might replace Karen Janssen ... ?
Beth:
A couple of Prosecuting Attorneys, I believe are expressing a problem with dealing with Karen Janssen
Beth:
...the case has been totally mishandled....I knew that early on that Croes and Janssen had butted heads about Janssen mishandling of the case.
Greta:
We're saying that even the AG is controlled by The Hague, so they're keeping Karen Janssen on ...
Beth:
Well Greta, somebody is lobbying for Joran in the Hague in order to protect him..it has to be.
Greta:
They want to re-interview J2K's about the night Natalee disappeared. They say they may wait until Joran returns to Aruba next month.
Bernie, they're going to wait another month to reinterview him, what do you think?
Bernie:
Does it matter with this chief, if somebody wasn't missing or dead in this case ... this guy is a joke, it's over. I'm with Beth, it's time to clean house, from KJ all the way down to the bottom. The tape, 3 weeks ago they sent it , nothing ......it's a joke.
Greta:
Ted, I'd like to hear the other side of this, the arubans, we've tried to get them to talk but they have to get permission from Holland....nobody is talking
Ted:
Ever Heard the word smoke screen, they are very concerned about a boycott, this is the reason Dompig is coming out. Bernie is on target, this prosecutor is a joke. Listen Greta, in every metro police dept in the US there is a cold case squad. What happens with them is when the original investigaors burn out, there are others who can step in and take their place, they can at times bring something out. These guys are not going to bring out anything. Beth is absolutely right.
Greta:
Jim the boycott, could Aruba outwait the boycott, if on the other hand Beth can get ppl mobilized to put pressure on them...will it work
Jim:
............I back Beth that this boycott is working, stuff is happening. THe most disburbing is when Beth said a close friend of vdS said How can I do this to my best friend's son. Everybody in America should be backing up Beth.
Greta:
Janssen and Croes, those two women are feuding, to the point that they're going behind each other's backs...then they need permission from Hollland, who is in charge?
Jim:
SOmebody in the top of the government....unless somebody stops pulling money out of aruba..nothing is going to happen..
Greta:
Ted, are you still opposed to boycott, what is your advice to Beth today, if you could whisper in her ear ...
Ted:
I still believe, I would tell Beth to keep the pressure on, investigations are driven by evidence Paul has been released, that is a telltale mark that they have no proof
Greta:
Or it means that there is no evidnece against pvds
Ted:
THis is all part of a puzzle, this puzzle is in a state of disarray
Bernie:
If this boycott results in this entire investigative team being cleaned out, I'm all for it.
11-16-05
(VIDEO here) On 11-16 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to FOX News that he heard FLANEGIN’s name (but did not meet her) about 3 weeks after NATALEE vanished, and he knew FLANEGIN had flew to Quantico, Virginia to provide the F.B.I. information. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated when he was last in ARUBA in October he met with ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN, HELEN LeJUEZ, SOUSA, Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE's lawyer (OOMEN), ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG, ARUBAN Police Investigators and commissioner, people from the “Aruban Strategic Communications Task Force,” and a number of other people, and someone recommend that DAVE also speak with FLANEGIN. FLANEGIN obtained permission from the ARUBA Attorney General CROES to speak with DAVE, so, they met at a restaurant. DAVE asked about why the witness GOTTENBOS was not being interviewed but FLANEGIN did not answer right away. DAVE asked her why FLANEGIN resigned from the case. FLANEGIN eventually opened up and was very candid about the general handling of the case, and FLANEGIN said that she has tried and tried to get the ARUBAN Police Investigators to question GOTTENBOS, but the ARUBA Investigators would not question him. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated that when he was in ARUBA in October he checked on exactly what the “new leads” were that the ARUBAN Police have been claiming, but he discovered that the vast majority of these “new leads” were, in fact, old leads that NATALEE’s Loved Ones had given the ARUBAN Police authorities, and they have not even been followed up on by the ARUBAAN's. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated he expressed his displeasure with some of the ARUBAN Police Investigators with ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG (on 10-26), then the day DAVE left ARUBA (10-27) he went to and met with Prime Minister ODUBER in the morning and, again, expressed his displeasure with “what was going on with this case.” DAVE HOLLOWAY stated he also told ODUBER GOTTENBOS’s name, and further expressed that he has been holding off and holding off on agreeing to the ARUBA and HOLLAND travel and goods boycott as long as he could and shared with ODUBER, but if you don’t do something about this “you know, the big wave is coming, and if you guys are not going to listen, I cannot help you anymore.”
On 11-16 MSNBC reported that the MOUNTAIN BROOK, ALABAMA community members have agreed to start removing the many yellow ribbons that have been prominently posted in support of NATALEE and her Loved Ones. The ribbons are weather worn, and are being collected and stored with NATALEE’s “Wall of Hope.”
On 11-16 when MSNBC asked BETH about it not being true that Natalee may have been found in Mexico, BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated "Absolutely, and the end of this rumor came from Aruba. You know, it just shows their irresponsibility they have had from the beginning in handling this investigation.” “Well, correct, but as we have all these pieces of information carefully analyzed through the F.B.I. through Quantico, then we can rule them out or in. And if we rule it out, Dan, then we‘re looking at more and more that these suspects have committed murder.” When MSNBC replayed an audio of ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG claiming “I think anybody should understand and can understand that we have made a lot of efforts to conduct a professional investigation and in any case, we have given the family every chance to sit with us and to take their statement,” BETH responded “Well, you know Dan, you can say that with words, but when you show it with actions as the investigative team did and the prosecuting attorney by arresting two innocent black security guards, and mishandling this case from the beginning, their words don‘t mean anything, Dan. It‘s their actions that speak loudly and clearly.”
On 11-16 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to MSNBC:
ABRAMS: Family and friends of Natalee Holloway, missing in Aruba for nearly six months, spent the day taking down yellow ribbons that have been hanging in Natalee‘s hometown since she was last seen on May 30, this just days after the Alabama governor called for a boycott of Aruba.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. BOB RILEY ®, ALABAMA: Natalee‘s family believes and I agree, that we‘ve reached the point where there are no other viable options to get Aruban officials to take this matter as seriously as they should. So today, Beth and Jug are here to endorse a travel boycott to Aruba and as governor, I am joining them in this effort.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: And in the wake of Natalee‘s family demanding a new team take over the investigation into her disappearance as well. Joining me now is Natalee‘s mother, Beth Twitty.
Beth thanks for coming on the program. First, let me say I‘m sorry we didn‘t get to see each other in person. I know we had hoped to that and I‘m sorry that wasn‘t able to work out.
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY‘S MOTHER: I know.
ABRAMS: First, let me ask you about the yellow ribbons. Why are they being taken down?
TWITTY: Well, it‘s been a concern of the community that the ribbons are starting to fade and this was now a way to show a really—support and pledge for Natalee by turning these ribbons in, by signing them and stating that, you know, that they support our decision in the boycott of Aruba and I think that just shows the strength that the community has and how strong our feelings are and that this is the right move forward for right now.
ABRAMS: There was a whole bunch of chatter on the Internet. I know you got a lot of calls about this today about some rumor that Natalee may have been found in Mexico. That‘s not true, right?
TWITTY: Absolutely. And the end of this rumor came from Aruba. You know, it just shows their irresponsibility they have had from the beginning in handling this investigation.
ABRAMS: All right. I want to ask you about something because I know that Dr. Phil‘s going to be having a special later in this week about this case with you and you can‘t talk about details of that I know, but you can talk about what he said on “The Tonight Show” back on November 2. Let me play that piece of sound for my viewers and then I want to talk to you about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. PHIL MCGRAW, HOST, “DR. PHIL”: Without creating false hope, we have reasonable belief and some credible evidence that Natalee Holloway is alive. We cannot prove that at this point and we don‘t know where she is, but you know, there is a huge sex slave underground in some of those countries down there. Young women have disappeared from that part of the world before and we have reasonable cause to believe that she may well be alive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: What do you make of that, Beth?
TWITTY: Well, Dan, we have really worked hard to follow every lead that we have had in regards to Natalee, whether she is alive or not alive and you know, if we get one tip out of 100 that has her alive, Dan, we follow it because we have to rule it out or in. And the more that we are systematically ruling these out, that—you know it just shows that we‘re putting forth ever effort we can into finding Natalee and as we rule out a tip that comes in that we think she may be alive, I mean you know Dan, it just shows more and more that these suspects could have then committed murder on the island also.
ABRAMS: Well and that‘s what I was going to ask you. Because if he‘s right and I understand that there‘s going to be something about some sort of audiotape or a phone tape with someone that sounds maybe like they‘re saying I‘m Natalee that Dr. Phil‘s going to talk about tomorrow. But if that‘s the case, if there‘s something like that out, that would mean that Joran and Satish and Deepak didn‘t do it.
TWITTY: Well, correct, but as we have all these pieces of information carefully analyzed through the F.B.I. through Quantico, then we can rule them out or in. And if we rule it out, Dan, then we‘re looking at more and more that these suspects have committed murder.
ABRAMS: So, again, when you say rule out, which I think is a very—is the only way really to look at this...
TWITTY: Right.
ABRAMS: ... because at this point, all you can is begin to try—start ruling out certain things, but he‘s saying that he‘s got reasonable belief and credible evidence that Natalee is alive. I was a bit critical of him when he made that statement. I think it‘s very different to say look, we‘re getting in tips. We‘ve got to rule it out.
He‘s saying there‘s credible evidence to believe it. That seems to me to be a step beyond that.
TWITTY: Well, but as I listen to his interview, he did say as he closed it, if Natalee‘s alive, we need to find her. But if she‘s not, we need answers. So you know we‘re just not definitive, Dan, and whether it‘s a 20 percent chance or a one percent chance that we get a tip that Natalee‘s alive, we have to go on it.
ABRAMS: Let me—as you know, Deputy chief Dompig, who you‘re not a big fan of, has been on this program. He was on, on November 2. Let me play one quick piece of sound from him and then I want you to be able to respond.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG, ARUBAN DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF (via phone): I think anybody should understand and can understand that we have made a lot of efforts to conduct a professional investigation and in any case, we have given the family every chance to sit with us and to take their statement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: You say that‘s not true, Beth, right?
TWITTY: Well, you know Dan, you can say that with words, but when you show it with actions as the investigative team did and the prosecuting attorney by arresting two innocent black security guards, and mishandling this case from the beginning, their words don‘t mean anything, Dan. It‘s their actions that speak loudly and clearly...
ABRAMS: Is there going to be a new team? I mean you had demanded—you and Dave together actually demanded a new team of Investigators, et cetera. We heard that there was going to—they were going to do that. Do you know anything more about that?
TWITTY: Well we so strongly want that, Dan, and the reason why we‘re thinking that needs to happen quickly because if these suspects are re-arrested and reinterrogated, we will be no further along with the current investigative team and prosecuting attorney on board than we were day one, Dan.
ABRAMS: Beth, have a great flight back. Thanks for taking the time.
TWITTY: Thank you.
(JOHN Q. KELLY also appeared on the show, but in a non-related matter)
On 11-16 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News that she now thinks that Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT has personal connections with someone(s) acting within the DUTCH Hague government that are helping protect Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT. NATALEE’s Loved Ones would like to see the DUTCH Hague government to step forward--as the ARUBAAN's have said the DUTCH Hague is responsible--and replace ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN, ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG, and JACOBS onto a new investigation team.
On 11-16 ELLIS-SCHIPPER (member of the "Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force") claimed MSNBC “There are—there’s 12,000 pages of documents that they [ARUBAN law enforcement] have reviewed, and re-heard witnesses and checked out all the tips that they haven‘t been able to check out yet because they have gotten so many anonymous tips.”
On 11-16 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
In the case of Natalee
Former government spokesperson creates even more anger against Aruba in the U.S.
ORANJESTAD (AAN) In the US, things are turning darker day after day for the country of Aruba, its image, and surely its tourism and financial future given the planned actions of the boycott.
It is more than logical that nobody wants to call themselves an Aruban or wants to beat their chest and say that they love this island and will defend it until the end, that they don’t want any manner of boycott against their island!
If everyone knows that in the US certain persons want to use the case of Natalee to create sensation, and while there isn’t a solution to the case, any declaration a little on the outrageous side on the part of Aruba, can end up adding fuel to the fire, then why are there in Aruba supposed heroes who believe that they can go confront them macho-style, who can do even more damage in the case of Natalee?
These are the questions that everyone who loves this island have to ask them because last Sunday again, unnecessary anger arose towards the American public who can see and hear via an American TV channel, how a former government spokesperson went to spin the case of Natalee by telling Americans that the war in Iraq was also something that Americans took care of in an incorrect way from the beginning.
What does the war in Iraq have to do with Aruba and how can this help us to solve the case of Natalee and surely avoid the boycott who will harm the whole island?
The former government spokesperson declared on FOX News Channel (when he was interviewed) that there were truly errors made in Aruba at the beginning of the investigation into Natalee’s case, but that the US also took care of the war in Iraq incorrectly from the beginning!
Well, this was fuel added to the fire of the American TV viewing public’s sentiments and the consequences of the preposterous declarations and statements of the former government spokesperson were to have more and more people in the US asking for a boycott of Aruba.
Appeals have been made to the public to put pressure on cruise ships to not come to Aruba. Until when will these macho acts continue from Aruba to result a total disaster for this island?
Is the former government spokesperson [TRAPENBERG], who now works at the airport, aware that his preposterous statements can result in tomorrow not having any, or having few planes from the US landing in the same airport where he earns his very attractive salary?
Is the former government spokesperson who works at the airport aware that million-dollar investments that the sole owner of the actual work being done at the airport, is how he wins his bread, and is now jeopardized by his preposterous statements made towards the American public?
The time has come for the people of Aruba to pull themselves together and see how together they are going to get out of this problem which has been caused by a couple of people and now is affecting the future of the country of Aruba.
This is also a plea to the public for any person who knows anything, however small, about the case of Natalee, to please contact Police and give the information that Police are missing to solve this case.
For all those who believe that they can fight an elephant, while they are nothing more than an ant: you are doing more harm than you know and the majority of the people didn’t ask for you to do even more damage.
Instead of looking to confront the Police corps, prosecutor, American press and a long list of more people and institutions who have to solve the case of Natalee, the best way to take care of this case when questions are asked, is not to get into confrontations with anyone, but to ask all persons or institutions, be they local or foreign, to help us solve the case because today Aruba stands alone in the battlefield, fighting alone against injustice with a people who have no art or part in this.
The fact is that if DIARIO will continue to work in Natalee’s case and also on other case of those who have lost loved ones (among others, the case of Amy Bradley, who disappeared from a cruise ship in 1998) until the truth comes to the light
On 11-16 FOX News reported:
Hope for the Holloways?
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: Natalee Holloway's parents are desperate to know what happened to their daughter. They admit it is unlikely they will find her alive, but they have not given up all hope. A few weeks ago, Natalee's mother got a mysterious cell phone message. Could it have been from her missing daughter?
Joining us live from Meridian, Mississippi, is Natalee Holloway's father, Dave Holloway. Welcome, Dave.
DAVE HOLLOWAY, FATHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Thanks, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Dave, I don't supposed that you or Beth think that that was a call from Natalee, but you got to chase down every possible lead. Does that pretty much tell it like it is?
HOLLOWAY: Yes, that's right. We received this call probably six weeks to two months ago. And you know, Beth called and said that she received a message on her voice mail and wanted me to listen to it, and I did. And she felt like it was important enough to allow the FBI to record it off. I didn't think it was anything significant.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you remember about when that phone call was?
HOLLOWAY: I think it was probably six weeks to two months ago. And the reason I didn't think it was too significant was the fact that it sounded like it was a regular household telephone call from a child that may have dialed the wrong number. And in that conversation, you could hear some adults talking in the background, and then you heard a child mention, "Help me, Mama," and then the phone call ended.
VAN SUSTEREN: So about how long was this phone call?
HOLLOWAY: Probably seven or eight seconds.
VAN SUSTEREN: And you listening to it the first time through, you were quite certain, without having it enhanced in any particular way or studying it longer?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I dialed up her voice-mail and listened to it four or five times, trying to understand what this person said. And we got out of it that they said, "Help me, Mama," from what I understand, from what I can recall.
VAN SUSTEREN: Does Beth think this could possibly be Natalee, or does she agree with you?
HOLLOWAY: You know, I don't know. She thought it was important enough to allow the FBI to record it. We have not heard anything. I told her that if it shows up on your cell phone bill as an incoming call from a foreign country, you know, we might look at it a little closer.
But you know, as you recall, the hurricane hit in this area, and our phones were just a mess for several months afterwards. So I receive calls on my cell phone — you know, you would talk to someone, and all of a sudden, someone else would come in on the telephone. And I probably attribute it to that.
VAN SUSTEREN: Is it at the point, Dave, where virtually every single time you have anything that could even remotely lead to Natalee or to explain the story is that, you know, you have to chase it down?
HOLLOWAY: Oh, absolutely. Anything that comes in or any tip or lead, you follow it very closely.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you get tips every day now?
HOLLOWAY: I do. I still get a few tips. In fact, I sent one to Aruba tonight.
VAN SUSTEREN: And do you want to share that with us or not? I mean, I know that you're careful not to hurt the investigation, but some tips don't hurt the investigation.
HOLLOWAY: Well, on this one, it may or may not be any significance, but the person who reported it has not given me permission to reveal their name, so I'd rather keep it at that, at this point in time.
VAN SUSTEREN: Is it a new direction in the investigation, or does it sort of help with the ongoing investigation? Because certainly, the focus has been on the three who were arrested and now released.
HOLLOWAY: It's something going on with the ongoing investigation.
VAN SUSTEREN: When you send tips to Aruba, do you get the sense that they are pursued?
HOLLOWAY: You know, you always heard that the police had all these tips, all these leads. And when I got down there the last time, approximately two to three weeks ago, I learned otherwise. I learned that most of the tips or leads were what the family had given them. Very few new leads were available.
VAN SUSTEREN: Where should someone call? If someone should be watching tonight and has a tip — I mean, I guess that, you know, that's sort of the uncertainty. You know, this investigation has been going on so long. Who do you call?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I have a Web site — an e-mail address set up: helpfindnatalee@comcast.net. And when I get those leads, I forward them to a number of individuals, including the attorney and other investigators, so that if that's lead's not followed up on, later on, I want to know why.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you get crank messages and crank tips, I mean, clearly hoaxes to be, frankly, this cruel?
HOLLOWAY: Yea, well, you get all kinds, Greta. You do get prank tips and things of that sort. There's a lot that, you know, I just merely just delete the message.
VAN SUSTEREN: Can you give us any idea, like, in the last month, how many tips have poured in there?
HOLLOWAY: I usually get one good tip usually every other day. But I'll get probably 15 or 20 e-mails that are a lot of theories, speculation, things of that sort. You know, and a lot of those I look at and delete. The things that may possibly lead to something important, I forward that on.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right, Dave, if you'll stay with us for a moment?
Coming up: Natalee's father met with an Aruban prosecutor last month. The chief prosecutor's reportedly not pleased. What happened in that meeting that has ruffled her feathers?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(VIDEO of the next segment available HERE)
VAN SUSTEREN: Last month, Dave Holloway went to Aruba to organize another search for Natalee. While he was there, he met with a prosecutor who is no longer on the case. When chief prosecutor Karin Janssen found out about it, she was so mad, she complained to the attorney general. Why?
Natalee's father, Dave Holloway, joins us again live from Meridien, Mississippi. Dave, first of all, who is Evelyn Flanigan (ph)?
HOLLOWAY: Evelyn Flanigan was or is the assistant prosecutor.
VAN SUSTEREN: Now, when did you first hear her name?
HOLLOWAY: I heard her name probably two to three weeks into the case.
VAN SUSTEREN: Between the time you learned of her name two or three weeks into the case, until the time you actually met with her, did you ever sit down and talk to her?
HOLLOWAY: No, I've never had any contact with her. I've just heard her name and heard that she flew to Quantico to deliver or to provide the FBI with some information.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. So last time you were there, you met with her. How did that come about?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I had met with the prosecutor, Beth's attorney, my attorney, in fact, Satish's attorney, the investigators, the commissioner, the police commissioner, the Aruban task authority and a number of other people. And someone had mentioned that, You might want to talk to her, as well. And I thought, Well, that's probably a good idea. So Art Wood, who is a retired Secret Service agent, and I called her and asked to speak with her. And she said that she would have to speak with her boss before she could talk with us. And apparently, she got permission, and we met with her at a restaurant and started talking about the case.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Now, her boss is Karin Janssen, but the boss over Karin Janssen is the attorney general. Did she go to the attorney general or did she go to Karin Janssen for the OK to talk to you?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I'm not sure if she went to Karin or not. I do know that she went to Theresa Croes.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. That's the attorney general.
HOLLOWAY: Right.
VAN SUSTEREN: So she met with you at the restaurant. And what types of questions did you ask her?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I had talked to Dompig earlier in the week, and he had indicated that he wanted to interview this witness that we'd all been talking about. And as the week progressed, it followed into the next week, and they still had not talked to this witness. So my goal was to find out, you know, what are the issues, what are the theories, where is this case going? So I had met with the detectives, and you know, we had a wide array of theories. You know, is she alive or is she not alive? And I felt like I needed to talk to this prosecutor to find out why she resigned from the case and what was her theory.
VAN SUSTEREN: Did she explain to you why that witness wasn't talked to at that point?
HOLLOWAY: Well, she really didn't want to talk about anything. And finally, I just told her what I knew. And after I got into talking about what I knew about the case and about this witness, she finally opened up and told me, said, Dave, I've been trying to tell them over and over and over again to pursue this witness, and they just won't listen. And she finally said, “This is my country,”…. you know, and she was just literally frustrated and didn't know what to do. And finally, she indicated that, you know, she had no other choice.
VAN SUSTEREN: She's still a prosecutor, but she resigned from the Natalee investigation, is that right?
HOLLOWAY: That's correct.
VAN SUSTEREN: Did she tell you why they didn't seem to “get off the dime” to interview this witness? Did she have an explanation?
HOLLOWAY: She did not. And the more I tried to get into it, the more she really didn't want to get into any of those specifics. I basically wanted to confirm what I knew already or whatnot. You know, I thought that, you know, something's not going right with this case, and somebody else must know. And that meeting just confirmed my suspicions.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. So when you walked away from meeting with her, did you have a sense, you know, what the problem was in the investigation, sort of whether there was a particular person who was holding it up or whether there was, you know, some other problem in the investigation?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I had a meeting with Dompig and discussed my displeasure in some of the detectives and the team. I also wanted to express that to the prime minister, so I did. I went to the prime minister the following morning before I left the island and told him that I, along with some other people, had this displeasure in what was going on in the case.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. And now Karin Janssen is not happy that this prosecutor sat down, with the attorney general's permission, and spoke to you, right?
HOLLOWAY: Apparently not.
VAN SUSTEREN: And are you satisfied that this assistant prosecutor was as candid as could be with you?
HOLLOWAY: She was very candid. And in fact, I made sure that the prime minister understood our position. You know, I had been fighting this--or, holding off on this boycott as long as I could, and I told him, I said, you know, The “big wave” is coming, and if you guys are not going to listen, I can't help you anymore.
Well, I left the prime minister's office. I even gave them the name of the witness that they needed to interview. And I said, you know, If you don't do anything about it, I can't help you anymore.
VAN SUSTEREN: Dave, thank you.
HOLLOWAY: Thank you.
11-17-05
On 11-17 FOX News GRETA VAN SUSTEREN wrote in her “Gretawire” blog:
Information Vacuum
Now that I have more time (I am not rushing to the airport), I will tell you something about our special audience show that airs next Friday (and which we taped in New York City on Tuesday.) I have posted today some pictures from behind the scenes at our taping. We taped a show with three parents — the parents of Natalee Holloway, Taylor Behl, and LaToyia Figueroa. As you know, Natalee has not been found but Taylor and LaToyia have been found... murdered. The three parents have very similar ugly experiences, but with some important differences. One thing they all have in common: a broken heart.
What I was hoping to discuss — and we did — was the impact of having a police force stay in frequent communication with the family even when the police have little to relay. Staying in constant communication helps relieve some of the pain and takes away some of the mystery. It also can have a significant impact on the investigation and lets the family know the case is important. When the police ignore the family, there is a high risk of trouble — including that the family thinks, rightfully or wrongfully, that the investigation is being dropped.
Of course the police or prosecutor should never reveal information that could jeopardize an investigation, but there is much that can be said in every investigation that does not harm it. Even a call like, "I just want you to know we are working on this case" is better than nothing and takes seconds to do. Often the family is sitting at home around the phone — just waiting and waiting and waiting for some news. The pain of the experience of a missing family member can't be described. It IS that horrible. A phone call from the authorities can mean much. The prosecutor has a phone, too, and a one-minute call can make a big difference. Everyone — even a busy prosecutor — can spare a minute. My guess is that in the Natalee disappearance investigation had the prosecutor been staying in constant touch with the family, there would be no call for a boycott by the family.
Incidentally, I always thought it was very bad form for the chief prosecutor to take her vacation this summer when she did. In an important job sometimes it is wise to change plans and keep your nose to the grindstone. Good and dedicated lawyers do it all the time (ask spouses of good lawyers!) Of course if she used her vacation to attend to a sick family member, or to carry some important evidence to the Netherlands, my opinion would be different. But, how do we know? We don't. She is not talking. Incidentally, I have recently heard she wants to talk but that her boss won't let her. How do we know for sure? We don't. Her boss won't talk, either! We don't get information from a press conference or an interview — leaving us to wonder.
From time to time some of my contacts in Aruba complain that the American media — including yours truly — is not fair to Aruba. No one in the business with whom I have worked takes pride in getting it wrong. We want to get it right. But if every day when we make our round of calls to Aruba we get no information, or even the "run-around," what are we to do? Drop the story? Guess what someone might say? No. There is ample opportunity for those who object to the coverage to talk to us — and they know it. I have communicated this myself and often.
On 11-7 RICK SEGALL correspondent for “Americas Most Wanted” reported:
An AMW Producer On The Search For Natalee Holloway
AMW producer Rick Segall has been investigating the case of missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway. He recently spent a week in Aruba with Natalee's dad, Dave Holloway.
With so little communication and cooperation coming from the Aruban Police, Natalee's family and those trying to help them solve the case are forced to wander down whatever road presents itself. A case in point: The Dr. Phil scenario.
Ever since Dr. Phil announced on the Tonight Show last week that Natalee Holloway could be alive and part of the third-world sex slave trade, I get asked about it dozens of times a day. I've been booked onto talk shows and news programs to discuss it. After my trip to Aruba and my frequent discussions with Natalee's parents, people have the mistaken impression that my opinion matters on the subject. I can't talk as an expert on the material because I haven't seen Dr. Phil's evidence. But I can comment as a person who cares deeply about the fate of Natalee Holloway and members of her family.
I have no idea what information Dr. Phil has obtained about Natalee for his program. It just seemed cruel and exploitive to give Natalee Holloway's parents false hope based on such a seemingly ridiculous premise.
Speculating About Aruba's Underside
My first reaction: reprehensible. Perhaps it was Dr. Phil's lack of details. Or maybe it was the outlandish nature of the allegations. Or maybe it was the time and place it was announced. But the whole thing smacked of a ratings ploy during the all-important November ratings period -- when every television program pulls out the stops to draw in viewers. I have no idea what information Dr. Phil has obtained about Natalee for his program. It just seemed cruel and exploitive to give Natalee Holloway's parents false hope based on such a seemingly ridiculous premise. But after talking to Natalee's mother today, I am resigned to go down that path as well.
Natalee's mom, Beth Twitty, says it has been months since she's had the opportunity to search for Natalee with the assumption she's alive. Beth told me that, in her heart, she knows Natalee is probably gone. But if someone offers to send bounty hunters to a foreign land to search for your missing daughter in the hopes she is alive, would you turn down the opportunity? I don't think any of us would refuse the offer -- even if the offer was based on speculation. That speculation centers on the dark underside of Aruba. I heard rumors about much of it while in Aruba myself. Supposedly, Natalee innocently partied in a few clubs that are now known to have ties to the Chicago mob. And there are also rumors about underage prostitutes, sex rings and snuff films. I have no idea how much of that will play into Dr. Phil's upcoming show. We'll just have to wait to go down that road and pray that it sheds some light on Natalee's disappearance.
Desperate Measures
But the current road sign says "BOYCOTT." Natalee's mother has been threatening to call for a boycott of travel to Aruba if the investigation does not improve. After months of waiting, it will likely kick off tomorrow -- November 8th. I spoke to Dave Holloway about it again today. He is aware that a boycott will affect the Aruban people, not just the faceless "tourism industry." But he points out that the Aruban people have tolerated an inept Police investigation and poor prosecution. He hopes the Aruban people, not just Natalee's family, will demand change and answers if the island is facing economic disaster. We can keep our fingers crossed. I just want to see the investigation move forward and Natalee's family get the answers they desperately need.
In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes open for any other paths worth taking in the Natalee Holloway investigation.
Summary and quotes of November 17, 2005 NBC’s “Dr. Phil” TV show:
http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/623/
The Search for Natalee and Amy
In the five months since 18-year-old Natalee Holloway disappeared, search teams have combed the island of Aruba looking for her body, but so far have found nothing. Dr. Phil broke new ground in the case on a previous show. Click here for a look back.
So what happened to Natalee? Did the boys who were last seen with her murder her? Or could she still be alive, and if so, where could she be?
The World's Best Kept Secret
Ty Ritter rescues children who have been sold into the sex slave trade. Learn about his role in the search for Natalee. Also, the explosive phone call that gave hope to Natalee's mother.
Note: This slide show contains graphic descriptions not suitable for children.
"I've never disclosed this to anyone."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2924/?id=2924&isTip=&slide=1&null=null
"My name is Ty Ritter. I recover children who have been kidnapped or sold into sexual slavery, and I've been doing it for over 30 years. I've been a bodyguard all my life. I've trained secret service and Police officers. From there I started my own bodyguarding business. I have my own little private small army."
To help find Natalee, Dr. Phil has assembled a team, including Ty, to work side-by-side with her family and the FBI.
Ty begins with a look inside a brothel as seen through a hidden camera. A woman proffers a young female for sex, while the girl hastily undresses.
"Is she fresh? Is she healthy?" asks the investigator behind the camera.
The woman says, "Sex?" She brings the tips of her fingers to her mouth and kisses them as an indication of quality.
Away from his duties, Ty describes a jump in both the number of child porn Web sites and the cost for sexual services. A blonde-haired, blue-eyed child who used to fetch $12,000 to $17,000, now goes for six figures.
"Natalie Holloway could be worth a couple million dollars. Because it's high profile right now, they could be calling in the big clients, somebody who's going to get a thrill out of having sex with Natalee Holloway, who will come in and pay big, big bucks, just for that thrill. To the kidnappers, this is very big business."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2924/?id=2924&slide=2&null=null
"We raided a place that was doing child porn. They go to great lengths to keep people out: glass embedded in the walls, and barbed wire. There's a security guard that's looking down toward the end of the building here. I got one of my guys watching because we were getting ready to raid it in the early morning hours, and we did. And we brought two children out of there.
"We were trying to recover children that were being filmed, and I found this girl. They had tied her to the bed. They had driven a large nail through the top of her head. When the nail is in the brain, it causes the body to convulse. As she's convulsing they are having sex and filming until she dies. On her bottom, she had a tattoo of a ram's head in a circle. That's a tattoo they use for branding children. The expert told us the tattoo was at least 10 years old. She was approximately 18, 19 years old. So this girl ended up in sexual slavery at a very young age.
"On the last recovery, we found children all on military cots. They had, like, a bicycle cable that came out from the wall. Handcuffs. They did not have pillows. They didn't even have a sanitary pot. There's feces and urine all around them. That was the condition we found them in. And we snatched those babies up. Took them home." His lower lip quivers as the thought brings Ty to tears.
"There's no reward in the world like bringing a child back to those parents. There's nothing like it."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2924/?id=2924&slide=3&null=null
Back in the studio, Dr. Phil says that the team has been in constant contact with the FBI, sharing information about the case. "We've been talking to them so closely because we want to be sure that everything is coordinated and that we don't get in the way of anything, and that we don't have any information they don't have and vice versa." He then introduces a member of the team who is himself a former FBI profiler, Clint Van Zandt.
Clint agrees with Dr. Phil that the possibility Natalee might be alive must be considered along with other theories. "Until someone tells a parent that your child is deceased and we can prove it, that child is still alive, that emotional porch light stays on, and those pervs continue to go for that child, and you keep looking for them, Dr. Phil, until you find them."
"And that's what you want to do, Beth, right?" Dr. Phil asks Natalee's mother.
"Absolutely," she replies.
Dr. Phil tells Beth he's glad to see her back, and that he will not allow Natalee's case to go cold.
Beth says, "Dr. Phil, you've been right all along." He sent investigators to Aruba who obtained a taped interview with one of the main suspects in the case, Deepak Kalpoe. "And you knew when it was time to step up for the boycott, and ... you know when it's time to begin a different search method for Natalee too."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2924/?id=2924&slide=4&null=null
Dr. Phil says, "I don't want to create false hope. But you and I know things that the rest of the world doesn't know and we're going to disclose some of those things today.
"Now let me say something very clear," he continues. "This is a long shot. We don't know, and I don't want us to say or do anything here today that's going to slow the looking for her body. If she has fallen victim to murder we want to find that body, and there are so many dedicated people working to get that done. I'm not saying we should stop that and start this. These things need to be happening in parallel. We need to consider everything. We need to look everywhere."
One of the reasons Beth holds out hope that Natalee is alive is that she recently received a cryptic phone message on her cell phone and believes she heard Natalee's voice. "Now, I've listened to the call," says Dr. Phil. "I've also had it analyzed by a forensic audio specialist. Now, he found two distinct voices on the cell. Beth has asked us not to play the call. And frankly, I want to respect her wishes, and I agree that we shouldn't play that right now. I don't want to give anything away that could put anybody in jeopardy, if it is in fact her. Tell us what you heard on the phone call."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2924/?id=2924&slide=5&null=null
“It just had some very little key elements in it. The first thing that I hear on the voice mail is — it almost sounds as if it's a foreigner, and they say, 'Yeah.' And then you hear, it's almost like a clank, like they're shifting the phone. And then there's music playing in the background, and then I hear what to me is a very subdued — a vocal utterance from Natalee. And Dr. Phil, you know, I've never told anyone this. I've never disclosed this to anyone, and I'm really pretty level-headed. But I'm a pediatric speech pathologist, and I've done this for 22 years. That's how I've made my career is listening to vocal utterances. This was my trained profession of hearing the utterance on this voice mail thinking that it was her."
"And this call came in when?" asks Dr. Phil.
"October the third at 6:50 p.m.," she replies.
"OK, so that's about five weeks ago," he deduces. "OK, and our analyst said, you know, 'Forget about what they talk about on television, and CSI and that sort of thing. The only person that's ever going to be able to tell if that's Natalee is her mother.'"
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2924/?id=2924&slide=6&null=null
Dr. Phil introduces Mark Llewellyn, another former FBI agent and consultant. "There is a possibility that Natalee could be alive, do you agree with that?" he asks Mark.
"Absolutely," Mark says, "and as you said Dr. Phil, you never want to give up hope. If there's the slightest possibility that she could be in some slave trade business or anything, you want to keep looking."
Next, he introduces Harold Copus, also a former FBI agent, who has been actively working on Natalee's case.
"Now, he has said from the beginning that her disappearance could be connected to the sex slave trade industry," he says of Harold. "You also believe that we need to consider this."
"Oh, very much so. I think as long as we don't have a body, we have to assume the worst, and actually being in a sex slave trade could be the worst," says Harold.
"And I think nothing could be more tragic then if she is alive and we weren't looking for her alive," says Dr. Phil.
The Eye of the Storm
The search takes Jamie and Ty from Cancun to Caracas. Learn why Dr. Phil had to send in a plane to rescue these rescuers. And why one of them was attacked and stabbed.
Were they too close to the truth?
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2925/?id=2925&isTip=&slide=1&null=null
"We got a good lead today," says an enthusiastic Jamie Skeeters in Cancun, Mexico.
"When we picked up our car, we asked the manager about sex slave trafficking, and right away he said Mexico City. We made contact with a cab driver who's acting as a pimp, who said he can get us young girls, 15 to 18, blonde."
A hidden camera records Ty as he puts out a feeler.
"Hello, hello!" he says, mimicking the playful tone of someone looking to party. "We want a Norwegian, Swedish, European ... American would be perfect. You bring me an 18-year-old blonde; I'll give you $200."
The driver replies, "Blackjack, my friend. That's where you want to go?"
Jamie says the driver showed them a brochure for the legal gentleman's club in Cancun. "He showed us some pictures, probably two dozen pictures, of nude women," he says, sifting through the photos. "We're looking for Natalee Holloway and any other American girl that might have been kidnapped as a sex slave."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2925/?id=2925&isTip=&slide=2&null=null
Ty and Jamie take a hidden camera into a local brothel. They are greeted in the entryway by a man who speaks to them in Spanish, and then a woman who speaks in thickly accented English.
"OK, you want to see the girls?" she asks.
"We're looking for some white girls," Jamie tells her.
"OK, come on," she says, as the gentlemen follow her to another room.
"The girls will come here, downstairs, one by one. And then you decide which person you like and then I'm coming back, and explain the services, prices and everything, OK?" she says.
As promised, girls arrive, one by one, to greet the gentlemen. "Hola, como esta?" they ask.
"They're all Latins," Jamie says.
"Those are the girls we have for you right now," says their host.
"Oh, right now?" Jamie asks. "Do you have any American girls at all? Scandinavian?"
"Ever?" adds Ty.
"Not right now," she replies.
The men thank her in Spanish and leave.
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2925/?id=2925&slide=3&null=null
The next morning, Hurricane Wilma hits.
"Well as you can see from out here, we're in a 175-mile-an-hour category 4 hurricane right now. The wind has been blowing like a sun of a gun all night. OK, we're right in the middle of the eye. The streets are flooded." But despite the weather, Jamie and Ty persevere. "We're getting ready to go over to a gentleman's club for prostitutes. It's our last spot to check for Natalee. We figure that all the prostitutes will be in the same house because they all live there."
As wind flattens trees and brings down power lines, and rain seeps into the back of their car, Jamie lets out a whoop. "Holy mackerel! Let's get out of here!" he cries.
One day later, the pair is nowhere in sight. Instead, their producer stands alone in their hotel room among shards of glass and rubble.
"The morning after the storm, this is my only camera that works," he says. "This is the room after the fact here. Big pieces of glass all over the floor. Here's the window. This is about where Jamie was standing when he got hit."
Ty says, "The wind blasted through the window, and knocked Jamie across the room and cut him severely. We got him to the hospital as fast as we could, and he was a mess."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2925/?id=2925&slide=4&null=null
The hospital eventually discharges Jamie, but into even more dire circumstances. "It's extremely dangerous here," he explains. "There's no food or water. Bandits are starting to loot. There are no commercial flights. We've got to get out of here. The water is over the rear seat back here. Look at that!" He gestures to a torrent rising within their car.
The pair manage to make their way to an airport, where Dr. Phil has sent a plane to extract them.
As they settle into the plane, the duo is damp but undaunted. "It's been over 15 hours and thanks to Dr. Phil and his staff, we're on a Lear Jet leaving the area. And we're going to find Natalee, if she's alive."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2925/?id=2925&slide=5&null=null
Back undercover in Caracas, Venezuela, Jamie and Ty continue their search for a blonde 18-year-old among the city's prostitutes.
Jamie meets with two girls for hire, who introduce themselves as Marianna and Jane.
He calls their pimp and says, "Yeah, how old are they and so forth ... Nineteen, both 19 ... Yeah, and they're talking they want, like, $200 for one hour ... We're not interested in these girls." He hangs up and tells the girls, "We're looking for Norwegian. American. English."
"No," one of the girls says.
"Scandinavian. German. We're looking for something else."
"Bye, bye," Jamie says as he walks them out.
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2925/?id=2925&slide=6&null=null
As innocuous as Jamie's encounter may appear, it brought danger to the doorstep of his partner, Ty.
"I heard a knock at my door, went to the door. I opened it. Crashed through, knocked me down, guy came at me with a knife, screaming, 'There's no white women, no white women here! No white women, no white girls!" And, came at me, just swinging, slashing with the knife." He shows a knife wound on his chest, held together with stitches. "I got in a couple of punches, and he turned, and he ran. It was more like a warning than anything else. No big deal. It should not curtail what we're doing at all."
Back in the studio, Dr. Phil says to Ty, "These people were clearly getting agitated that you guys were asking for what you were asking for. What's your thinking about that?"
"I think it's very possible that we were getting close," Ty says. "You know, when they keep those girls who are being held, they keep them back. It's more for special customers, or as time goes on they get to know you. If you come right out of the shoot after that, and put pressure on, pushing for that, it can get nasty.
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2925/?id=2925&slide=7&null=null
Taking the conversation in a new direction, Dr. Phil goes back to the summer months to explore why Natalee could be alive. He asks Beth about a journalist with Aruba's Diario newspaper who approached her during that time. "And he reported what to you?"
"I guess it was the end of August, and I was sitting at a restaurant, and he came up and he just said that Natalee is alive," she says. "He was disclosing to me all of the different moves that he had been tracking Natalee on. He said that he tracked her on three moves, and he said each time—"
"On the island," Dr. Phil clarifies, "They had moved her around the island. Now, he's telling you this three, four months after her disappearance?"
"Yes," she confirms. "He said he had been on her case since the beginning. From the first week that Natalee disappeared, that he was the man. And if you go back in the news footage, there was a man, a reporter with Diario, and he was tracking a young girl that they thought was Natalee, and it's in all the media."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2925/?id=2925&slide=8&null=null
Beth continues, "And then I never heard from this individual. I didn't know who he was. I didn't know what reporter was tracking her. But then he surfaced again, like I said, the end of August and said that he had been tracking her since the beginning, and he was saying that they had dyed her hair, and what they were doing was moving her from home to home on the island. Once they were getting close and about to break in to find her, then they were tipped off and that she was moved."
Dr. Phil recounts that on one instance the reporter followed the girl who he says was Natalee. He "followed her in a silver car to a house, and as he approached the house, a helicopter flew over him, landed in the lawn, people got in, and off they went."
"Yes, and that's when he really became so ... he just wanted to go under the radar, and not be involved with any authorities or let them know what he was doing. He wouldn't even approach me because he didn't trust that I would keep this confidential. Because he said that every time he felt that he was close to seeing if this young lady was actually Natalee, then the authorities would come in and just ... destroy everything that he was setting up."
"That's interesting information and we've not talked about that until now." Dr. Phil explains that the investigators didn't want to disclose this information previously because the trail was still warm. They have chosen now to reveal it because the reporter is giving specific information and is confident that the girl he saw was Natalee. "He's not asking you for money or anything of the sort, he's just coming and telling you, 'I have seen her alive on the island in June, July, and August,' with three moves that he's specifically talking about."
The Search for Amy Bradley
Natalee is not the first American girl to disappear in the Caribbean. Amy Bradley disappeared from a cruise ship after spending the day in Aruba. Was she sold into the sex slave trade?
"It's the worst nightmare."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2926/?id=2926&slide=1&null=null
Amy's mother, Iva, explains how the cruise came about. "In 1998 my husband, Ron, won a trip and so we went as a family. Our first stop was Aruba, and then after that was Curacao When we were on the ship, we noticed immediately there was a tremendous amount of attention toward Amy from the crew members. After dinner, the waiter came out of the dining room and asked me where Amy was, and I asked him why, and he said, 'Well, we want to take her to Carlos 'N Charlie's.'"
"When the waiter asked, I thought it was maybe a little forward of him to be asking those types of questions," Ron adds.
"When Amy came back, I said, 'The waiter wants to take you to Carlos 'N Charlie's with his friends.' And then Amy looked at me and said, 'They're creepy. And I'm not going anywhere with them.'"
"There was a dance troupe that was allowed onboard the ship," Iva continues. "There was a bass player who I noticed. And he was a very unsavory looking character. Amy told her brother, Brad, that the bass player had been hitting on her. She said that he was a real jerk."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2926/?id=2926&slide=2&null=null
Iva continues, "At about 1:00, Ron and I decided to go to bed. Some time between 5:15 and 5:30 my husband woke up and he saw Amy asleep on the deck. And about a half an hour later, at 6:00 a.m., he woke back up. He saw that Amy was no longer on the balcony."
"I immediately thought that she was up on the top deck," says Ron, "and so I left to try and go up and find her. When I couldn't find her, I didn't really know what to think, because it was very much unlike Amy to leave and not tell us where she was going."
Iva recounts, "Ronnie woke me up at 7:00 a.m., and he was gray, and he said, 'I can't find Amy,' and I knew immediately there was something terribly wrong. My son went up to look for Amy. He was approached by the band members and they said, 'Sorry to hear about your sister.' How in the world did they know anything about Amy being missing?
"At approximately lunchtime, the captain said, 'She is not on the ship. We have searched every nook and cranny.' And I said, 'Well, you've got to put a picture out.'" And he looked at me and said, 'I cannot do that. It will disturb the other guests.'
"My son was in a fetal position. Ron was vomiting blood, and I had no feeling in my arms.
"The captain made the comment to us that she could have fallen overboard. And I told him absolutely no way. He said that we should get off the boat in case she ended up in Curacao.
"My gut feeling to this day was somebody saw her, somebody wanted her, and somebody took her."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2926/?id=2926&slide=3&null=null
Ron says, "We have reason to believe that Amy was kidnapped and possibly sold into the sex slave market somewhere on one of the Islands. We have gotten thousands of leads since this happened. One of the best leads that we had came from David Carmichael."
"In August of 1998, a friend, Brian, and I were scuba diving on the island of Curacao," David says. "I noticed three people walking along the beach. One of them was a young girl, and she was flanked by two fellows. She had two tattoos. One of them was of a gecko, the other was of a Tasmanian Devil. The girl walked towards me. She started to stare at me. Just as she was about to say something, the fellow motioned her away. In May of 1999, I saw the segment on Unsolved Mysteries. The minute I saw her picture and saw her face, I realized that was the girl on the beach."
David may not be the only visitor to Curacao to have seen Amy. A member of the Navy says he saw her during a visit to a brothel there in 1999. She told him that her name was Amy Bradley and begged him for help. He told her there was a Navy ship five minutes down the road. As Amy's mother recounts, "She said, 'You don't understand, I can't leave. Help me. Please help me.'" But the man dismissed her plea because at the time he didn't know Amy was missing — and because he wasn't supposed to be there.
"And when he saw Amy's picture on the front cover of People magazine, that's when he contacted us, because he realized it was the same girl," Iva says.
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2926/?id=2926&slide=4&null=null
"Our lives have been so drastically changed in the last seven years. Every waking moment is, 'Where is Amy?' I just want people to know that when girls disappear outside of the country, they're disappearing for a reason. And white slavery and sex trafficking is so alive and well, it would absolutely blow you away. We believe with every fiber in our being that someone took her and we want her back. And I have tried to make deals with God. If we find her today, you can take me tomorrow. When they say the worst nightmare, it is. It's the worst nightmare."
Dr. Phil comforts Iva, and asks, "Do you believe she's alive?"
"I do believe she's alive," Iva replies.
Dr. Phil thanks David Carmichael for coming. "You saw her on the beach. Are you convinced it was her?"
"One hundred percent. Without a doubt," he replies.
Before moving on, Dr. Phil shares one of Ty's video diary entries. Ty says, "We're at Le Mirage, outside 10 acres of nothing but flesh for sale. It's got a 20-foot wall around it and steel gates. There are women who are from all over. There were women who were using the phone that had security standing over them. They're listening to every word that the girls were saying. That smacks of control. Prisoners. There's hundreds of girls in there. It's just a haven for flesh." Ty filed this entry from one of Aruba's neighboring islands, Curacao, which is where Amy Bradley disappeared seven years ago.
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2926/?id=2926&slide=5&null=null
Iva and Ron received a picture via e-mail from a sender who wishes to remain anonymous.
Dr. Phil says, "I want to show you this picture of who may very well be Amy Bradley seven years after her disappearance. Now I want to emphasize that we discussed whether we should show this picture on the air with former FBI profiler Clint Van Zandt who has worked on many kidnapping cases. Now, Ron and Clint both agree that because this is the first lead that they've had in nearly eight years, he and Iva would like to show this picture in case this young woman is indeed Amy. Now, we have had top forensic artist experts in the country look at these pictures, and they say that it is possible that it could be Amy.
"I'll tell you what. Why don't we go through the features that the experts have picked out? Now first we want to look at the cheekbones here. And what they do is they measure things that don't change in time." Dr. Phil points out similarities in her cheekbones, her hairline, her chin, and even a mark that Iva pointed out, a freckle below her eye.
"Do you believe that could be your daughter?" Dr. Phil asks Iva.
"I believe it could be Amy," she responds.
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2926/?id=2926&slide=6&null=null
Dr. Phil says, "Now we know that Amy has four distinctive tattoos. One on her left shoulder blade, a baby Tasmanian Devil; one on her right ankle, a Chinese symbol of faith; one around her navel, a green gecko lizard; and one on her lower back, a primitive sun with another Chinese symbol.
"If you have seen Amy, we want you to call (804) 276-8503. Contact the Dr. Phil show. I promise you, we will protect your identity. You don't have to get involved if you've been somewhere you're not proud of being. It doesn't matter. If you will tell us, we have a team in place that can react to this."
Consequences for Aruba
The governor of Alabama is now supporting the boycott of Aruba that started on Dr. Phil. Has the boycott affected the island? And what's next?
A challenge for all the states.
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2927/?id=2927&slide=1&null=null
Standing at a podium with Natalee's mother by his side, the governor of Alabama issues this statement:
"Citizens of Alabama, and indeed the nation, have been saddened by the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. I will be contacting the governors of the other 49 states and urging them to join Alabama in this boycott."
Back in his studio, Dr. Phil says, "Two months ago on this show as y'all know, I called for Americans to boycott travel to the island of Aruba. And now Governor Bob Riley of Alabama has joined me and is calling the other 49 governors to do the same." He turns to Beth. "How do you feel about this?"
"Well, Saint Phil is now your name for our family. You knew when it was time ... And our thoughts on this are, it's not safe for other tourists, and it's not safe for even their citizens. And what we want to prevent is another family having a missing son or daughter in these islands with absolutely no justice."
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/2927/?id=2927&slide=2&null=null
Dr. Phil says, "And I think we have two sets of parents here. Both of you seem to me to be very objective about this. You want to know what's happened to your children. Whatever the answer is, you want to know the answer."
"Dr. Phil, you've said it perfectly well. If she's alive, we need to find her. But if she's not, we need answers," says Beth.
"And as a parent ,it is our job to never give up. And I know that Amy, Natalee as well, are counting on us to fight," Iva adds.
On 11-17 JOSSY MANSUR stated to MSNBC of the ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reporter who said he saw NATALEE, “You know, he is—his name is Hubert Tiel. He‘s been on the case from the beginning. He spent about between five-and-a-half months to practically all six months investigating the possibility that Natalee is still alive and on the island.” “Well, he‘s come to the office to us. He‘s come up with some photos where Natalee appears with black hair, differently cut, with dark glasses. But he hasn‘t come up with any kind of evidence that for us in the Aruban news source "Diario" is believable enough to pursue this angle of investigation further. He‘s left it for a while, and now he‘s back on it because he believes that he‘s still on the track of whoever is holding Natalee, according to him, on Aruba.” “Well, he‘s credible enough in his line of work. He‘s a sports reporter. He took a personal interest in this case from the beginning.” “He is credible in what he does, but in this case, you know, I have to look at it from a very serious point of view and consider that in five-and-a-half months of investigating, of following cars, cars that change tags, numbers, people that disappear, people that came into this investigation, I mean, it becomes a little fuzzy for me to follow. And I haven‘t seen any evidence of this brought forward so far to tell me that Natalee is alive and in Aruba. And that‘s our hope. We hope she is alive.” “Because the main problem with this whole case are the Dutch judges. I mean, the rulings that we‘ve seen that are contrary to whatever reason may exist in the world. I mean, how can this man—because a suspect—the main suspect just exposes his desire to continue with his studies, he puts everything else aside and just sends him off to Holland.”
On 11-17 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated she believes that “Texas EquuSearch” is returning to ARUBA within the next couple weeks, with some search targets being locations “in the water.” (FOX News GRETA VAN SUSTEREN stated that she knows BETH herself does have general plans to return to ARUBA in the future)
On 11-17 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to MSNBC about the cellular phone call BETH received on 10-3 at 6:50 PM, “You know, there‘s a lot of different theories and speculations, but you know, who knows? It did not show up on a—on her bill, so I indicated that if it did show up from a foreign country or whatever, then maybe we could look at it a little bit further. The F.B.I. has recorded it off the cell phone, and they are in the process of analyzing it. We have not heard any results yet.” “There‘s only two helicopters on the island. One is a private helicopter that ferries tourists around the island, and the other is a Police helicopter. So if a helicopter picked her up and carried her off, then the airport authority would surely know about it.”
On 11-17 experienced F.B.I. criminal profiler CLINT VAN ZANDT stated to MSNBC “Well, You know, I‘m at the position—I talked to this—I talked to Beth about this last week—too, that, you know, Americans, we‘re kidding ourselves if we think the Arubaans are ever going to turn this over to the FBI. I mean, that‘s—it‘s not going to happen. We wouldn‘t turn it over to them in America. But what I think could be done—and you know, Dave‘s comment on this is great. You know, the Arubaans have botched this. They‘ve mishandled it. They haven‘t managed it well. So I mean, for me, I‘d like to see a team of Dutch detectives come in, Dutch profilers. I‘ve worked with the Dutch profilers. They‘re good at what they do. Bring in a whole new team and work this as a cold case. Let the Dutch come in, take over, run the case.”
On 11-17 SKEETERS stated to MSNBC that the F.B.I. took possession of his computer hard drive that contains the video of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's confessions “at 9:30 this morning Pacific time, and that’s the best hands it could be in.” “I talked with one of the special agents last night, and they were going to immediately send it over to the scientific lab for testing right away. And not only that, Rita, I also have (INAUDIBLE) hand delivering a copy of the tapes to an individual, “Brooks Institute” in Santa Barbara. And “Brooks Institute”—he‘s chairperson for forensic scientific photography. We‘ve used them before. They‘re the best in the world. He‘s going to examine the tapes, as well.” (an independent examination)
On 11-17 MSNBC reported:
DAN ABRAMS, HOST: Coming up, Dr. Phil continues to suggest that Natalee Holloway could be alive as a sex slave. I still don‘t know what he‘s basing it on. His show on sex slaves today sure didn‘t provide any evidence. First the headlines.
(NEWS BREAK)
ABRAMS: Is it possible that Natalee Holloway is alive and even left her mother a voice mail message? Well certainly that‘s what Beth Twitty is hoping. Today on the “Dr. Phil” show, Beth talked about a voice mail on her answering machine from someone who she thinks might have been Natalee.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY‘S MOTHER: The first thing that I hear on the voice mail is it almost sounds as if it‘s a foreigner and they say yes and then you hear it‘s almost like a clank like they‘re shifting the phone and then there‘s music playing in the background and I hear what to me is a very subdued, a vocal utterance from Natalee. It‘s almost as if—it‘s almost—I know. It‘s almost as if it‘s hi mom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: It seems the show was suppose to provide evidence for this comment that Dr. Phil made on “The Tonight Show” two week weeks ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. PHIL MCGRAW, “DR. PHIL” HOST: Without creating false hope, we have reasonable belief and some credible evidence that Natalee Holloway is alive. We cannot prove that at this point, and we don‘t know where she is, but you know, there is a huge sex slave underground in some of those countries down there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: All right. So you know the evidence about the sex slave stuff, well that‘s where his theory lost some steam. He sent an investigative team down to a brothel in Mexico looking for Natalee. The result, nada, nothing.
Joining me now MSNBC analyst and former FBI investigator, Clint Van Zandt, who appeared on the “Dr. Phil” show today. All right. Look, here‘s my—first of all, Clint, let‘s get one thing clear.
CLINT VAN ZANDT, FORMER FBI PROFILER: Sure.
ABRAMS: There is no evidence, not one scintilla of evidence that Natalee Holloway is a sex slave somewhere, correct?
VAN ZANDT: Absolutely correct.
ABRAMS: OK. So those who are talking about it‘s sort of a—it‘s an interesting compelling, a frightening theory, but there‘s nothing, no evidence to support that, that we know.
VAN ZANDT: Well, first of all, you and I know anything is possible...
ABRAMS: Right. That‘s right.
VAN ZANDT: ... because...
ABRAMS: I‘m not saying it‘s not possible.
VAN ZANDT: ... as Joran van der Sloot‘s father said, no body, no case.
ABRAMS: Right...
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: I‘m not saying...
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: ... it‘s not possible. I‘m just saying...
VAN ZANDT: Yes.
ABRAMS: ... that there‘s no evidence, not a scintilla of evidence to support that theory, correct?
VAN ZANDT: And I have not heard any evidence to support that theory.
ABRAMS: All right. So now on this issue of the cell phone call and you know, look, Beth was on this program last night...
VAN ZANDT: Yes.
ABRAMS: She was talking about that cell—do we have that ready, by the way? All right. Here‘s Dave Holloway talking about his reaction upon listening to that answering machine message.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY‘S FATHER (via phone): Now I listened to it a number of times and you know, I‘ve got children of my own and they like to pick up cell phones and make calls and all this kind of stuff and I just didn‘t buy it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: All right. So Clint, look, why—I thought that they were actually going to be playing that tape on the show. Why didn‘t they play it?
VAN ZANDT: Well, on the show, Dr. Phil says Beth asked her not to. I don‘t know the reason why, but Beth said for whatever the reason not to. Now, Dan, you know you‘ve got to consider this. There is—if we look at our continuum, we‘ve got hope and false hope. You know? And I think Beth is clinging to almost anything that might suggest her daughter could still be alive. Could be, yes, but you know, where‘s the beef? We don‘t have it right now.
ABRAMS: All right. And let‘s be clear. Because we are not challenging Beth because here‘s what Beth said on our program about this last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TWITTY: If we get one tip out of 100 that has her alive then Dan, we follow it because we have to rule it out or in. And the more that we are systematically ruling these out that you know, it just shows that we‘re putting forth every effort we can into finding Natalee and as we rule out a tip that comes in that we think she may be alive, I mean you know Dan, it just shows more and more that these suspects could have then committed murder on the island also.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: That‘s right, Clint, and so what Beth was saying on the program last night was this was just one of the many possibilities that they‘re trying to rule out. Certainly not evidence that Natalee‘s alive.
VAN ZANDT: I sat there with Beth last week before we went on “Dr. Phil”. She‘s sitting there. She‘s shaking. She‘s cold. I put my arm around her, you know, I said Beth, you‘ve lost weight since I saw you in Aruba this summer. She said yes and I said Beth, you got to understand, I said like we talked about this summer; the statistical probability is that Natalee‘s gone.
She‘s dead. Do you understand that? She says, Clint, I understand it, but I still have to cling to hope and I think that that‘s what Beth is doing. For Dr. Phil to make that statement, well you know today they also talked about the Amy Bradley case. There‘s been two or three alleged sightings. You and I know that eyewitness identification is the worst possible evidence there is.
But I sat there between the Bradley‘s and between Beth, both that are desperately clinging on some type of hope that their daughter‘s alive. And at this point, I think any of them would consider any hope...
ABRAMS: And don‘t get me wrong...
VAN ZANDT: ... potential evidence.
ABRAMS: I am not suggesting that I know—I do not know the answer...
VAN ZANDT: No, nor do I.
ABRAMS: I do not know what happened to Natalee Holloway. I don‘t. But what I find to be troubling is the notion that there‘s this whole sort of suggestion that there‘s evidence out there that Natalee Holloway is alive and part of some sort of sex slave ring.
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: And...
VAN ZANDT: You and I know that there‘s abundant evidence that there is a sex slave trade. But to make the quantum leap to say that of that one to four million people that are sold into bondage and sex slavery every year that somehow Natalee fits into that could she? Yes.
Could she been taken up by aliens? Yes. But right now, as an investigator, I still think we still have to stay with the three suspects who law enforcement has looked at who she was last with...
ABRAMS: Yes.
VAN ZANDT: ... and to put her anywhere else is a quantum leap, perhaps made by a wishful mother and Dr. Phil.
ABRAMS: All right. Clint van Zandt, thanks a lot. Appreciate it.
VAN ZANDT: Thanks, Dan.
On 11-17 MSNBC reported:
DAN ABRAMS, HOST: Plus, Dr. Phil is saying he has credible evidence that Natalee Holloway is alive, possibly a sex slave. Today he laid out some of the evidence and well there isn‘t much of it.
ABRAMS: Coming up, Dr. Phil continues to suggest that Natalee Holloway could be alive as a sex slave. I still don‘t know what he‘s basing it on. His show on sex slaves today sure didn‘t provide any evidence. First the headlines.
(NEWS BREAK)
ABRAMS: Is it possible that Natalee Holloway is alive and even left her mother a voice mail message? Well certainly that‘s what Beth Twitty is hoping. Today on the “Dr. Phil” show, Beth talked about a voice mail on her answering machine from someone who she thinks might have been Natalee.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY‘S MOTHER: The first thing that I hear on the voice mail is it almost sounds as if it‘s a foreigner and they say yes and then you hear it‘s almost like a clank like they‘re shifting the phone and then there‘s music playing in the background and I hear what to me is a very subdued, a vocal utterance from Natalee. It‘s almost as if—it‘s almost—I know. It‘s almost as if it‘s hi mom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: It seems the show was suppose to provide evidence for this comment that Dr. Phil made on “The Tonight Show” two week weeks ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. PHIL MCGRAW, “DR. PHIL” HOST: Without creating false hope, we have reasonable belief and some credible evidence that Natalee Holloway is alive. We cannot prove that at this point, and we don‘t know where she is, but you know, there is a huge sex slave underground in some of those countries down there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: All right. So you know the evidence about the sex slave stuff, well that‘s where his theory lost some steam. He sent an investigative team down to a brothel in Mexico looking for Natalee. The result, nada, nothing.
Joining me now MSNBC analyst and former FBI investigator, Clint Van Zandt, who appeared on the “Dr. Phil” show today. All right. Look, here‘s my—first of all, Clint, let‘s get one thing clear.
CLINT VAN ZANDT, FORMER FBI PROFILER: Sure.
ABRAMS: There is no evidence, not one scintilla of evidence that Natalee Holloway is a sex slave somewhere, correct?
VAN ZANDT: Absolutely correct.
ABRAMS: OK. So those who are talking about it‘s sort of a—it‘s an interesting compelling, a frightening theory, but there‘s nothing, no evidence to support that, that we know.
VAN ZANDT: Well, first of all, you and I know anything is possible...
ABRAMS: Right. That‘s right.
VAN ZANDT: ... because...
ABRAMS: I‘m not saying it‘s not possible.
VAN ZANDT: ... as Joran van der Sloot‘s father said, no body, no case.
ABRAMS: Right...
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: I‘m not saying...
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: ... it‘s not possible. I‘m just saying...
VAN ZANDT: Yes.
ABRAMS: ... that there‘s no evidence, not a scintilla of evidence to support that theory, correct?
VAN ZANDT: And I have not heard any evidence to support that theory.
ABRAMS: All right. So now on this issue of the cell phone call and you know, look, Beth was on this program last night...
VAN ZANDT: Yes.
ABRAMS: She was talking about that cell—do we have that ready, by the way? All right. Here‘s Dave Holloway talking about his reaction upon listening to that answering machine message.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY‘S FATHER (via phone): Now I listened to it a number of times and you know, I‘ve got children of my own and they like to pick up cell phones and make calls and all this kind of stuff and I just didn‘t buy it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: All right. So Clint, look, why—I thought that they were actually going to be playing that tape on the show. Why didn‘t they play it?
VAN ZANDT: Well, on the show, Dr. Phil says Beth asked her not to. I don‘t know the reason why, but Beth said for whatever the reason not to. Now, Dan, you know you‘ve got to consider this. There is—if we look at our continuum, we‘ve got hope and false hope. You know? And I think Beth is clinging to almost anything that might suggest her daughter could still be alive. Could be, yes, but you know, where‘s the beef? We don‘t have it right now.
ABRAMS: All right. And let‘s be clear. Because we are not challenging Beth because here‘s what Beth said on our program about this last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TWITTY: If we get one tip out of 100 that has her alive then Dan, we follow it because we have to rule it out or in. And the more that we are systematically ruling these out that you know, it just shows that we‘re putting forth every effort we can into finding Natalee and as we rule out a tip that comes in that we think she may be alive, I mean you know Dan, it just shows more and more that these suspects could have then committed murder on the island also.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: That‘s right, Clint, and so what Beth was saying on the program last night was this was just one of the many possibilities that they‘re trying to rule out. Certainly not evidence that Natalee‘s alive.
VAN ZANDT: I sat there with Beth last week before we went on “Dr. Phil”. She‘s sitting there. She‘s shaking. She‘s cold. I put my arm around her, you know, I said Beth, you‘ve lost weight since I saw you in Aruba this summer. She said yes and I said Beth, you got to understand, I said like we talked about this summer; the statistical probability is that Natalee‘s gone.
She‘s dead. Do you understand that? She says, Clint, I understand it, but I still have to cling to hope and I think that that‘s what Beth is doing. For Dr. Phil to make that statement, well you know today they also talked about the Amy Bradley case. There‘s been two or three alleged sightings. You and I know that eyewitness identification is the worst possible evidence there is.
But I sat there between the Bradley‘s and between Beth, both that are desperately clinging on some type of hope that their daughter‘s alive. And at this point, I think any of them would consider any hope...
ABRAMS: And don‘t get me wrong...
VAN ZANDT: ... potential evidence.
ABRAMS: I am not suggesting that I know—I do not know the answer...
VAN ZANDT: No, nor do I.
ABRAMS: I do not know what happened to Natalee Holloway. I don‘t. But what I find to be troubling is the notion that there‘s this whole sort of suggestion that there‘s evidence out there that Natalee Holloway is alive and part of some sort of sex slave ring.
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: And...
VAN ZANDT: You and I know that there‘s abundant evidence that there is a sex slave trade. But to make the quantum leap to say that of that one to four million people that are sold into bondage and sex slavery every year that somehow Natalee fits into that could she? Yes.
Could she been taken up by aliens? Yes. But right now, as an investigator, I still think we still have to stay with the three suspects who law enforcement has looked at who she was last with...
ABRAMS: Yes.
VAN ZANDT: ... and to put her anywhere else is a quantum leap, perhaps made by a wishful mother and Dr. Phil.
ABRAMS: All right. Clint van Zandt, thanks a lot. Appreciate it.
VAN ZANDT: Thanks, Dan.
On 11-17 MSNBC reported:
Beth Holloway Twitty on the latest in the case
Mother of missing girl in Aruba talks about investigation, Dr. Phil's claim
(BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY VIDEO)
Family and friends of Natalee Holloway, missing in Aruba for nearly six months, spent Wednesday taking down yellow ribbons that have been hanging in Natalee's hometown since she was last seen on May 30.
This comes just days after the Alabama governor called for a boycott of Aruba and after Natalee's family demanded a new team take over the investigation into her disappearance.
On Wednesday evening, Natalee's mother, Beth Twitty, joined MSNBC's Dan Abrams on 'The Abrams Report,' to discuss the latest in the case.
DAN ABRAMS: Beth thanks for coming on the program. First, let me say I'm sorry we didn't get to see each other in person. I know we had hoped to that and I'm sorry that wasn't able to work out.
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S MOTHER: I know.
ABRAMS: First, let me ask you about the yellow ribbons. Why are they being taken down?
TWITTY: Well, it's been a concern of the community that the ribbons are starting to fade and this was now a way to show support and pledge for Natalee by turning these ribbons in, by signing them and stating that, you know, that they support our decision in the boycott of Aruba and I think that just shows the strength that the community has and how strong our feelings are and that this is the right move forward for right now.
ABRAMS: There was a whole bunch of chatter on the Internet. I know you got a lot of calls about this today about some rumor that Natalee may have been found in Mexico. That's not true, right?
TWITTY: Absolutely. And the end of this rumor came from Aruba. You know, it just shows their irresponsibility they have had from the beginning in handling this investigation.
ABRAMS: All right. I want to ask you about something because I know that Dr. Phil's going to be having a special later in this week about this case with you and you can't talk about details of that I know, but you can talk about what he said on "The Tonight Show" back on November 2. Let me play that piece of sound for my viewers and then I want to talk to you about that.
--Begin video clip--
DR. PHIL MCGRAW, HOST, "DR. PHIL": Without creating false hope, we have reasonable belief and some credible evidence that Natalee Holloway is alive. We cannot prove that at this point and we don't know where she is, but you know, there is a huge sex slave underground in some of those countries down there. Young women have disappeared from that part of the world before and we have reasonable cause to believe that she may well be alive.
--End video clip--
ABRAMS: What do you make of that, Beth?
TWITTY: Well, Dan, we have really worked hard to follow every lead that we have had in regards to Natalee, whether she is alive or not alive and you know, if we get one tip out of 100 that has her alive, Dan, we follow it because we have to rule it out or in. And the more that we are systematically ruling these out, you know it just shows that we're putting forth ever effort we can into finding Natalee and as we rule out a tip that comes in that we think she may be alive, I mean you know Dan, it just shows more and more that these suspects could have then committed murder on the island also.
ABRAMS: Well and that's what I was going to ask you. Because if he's right and I understand that there's going to be something about some sort of audiotape or a phone tape with someone that sounds maybe like they're saying I'm Natalee that Dr. Phil's going to talk about tomorrow. But if that's the case, if there's something like that out, that would mean that Joran and Satish and Deepak didn't do it.
TWITTY: Well, correct, but as we have all these pieces of information carefully analyzed through the FBI through Quantico, then we can rule them out or in. And if we rule it out, Dan, then we're looking at more and more that these suspects have committed murder.
ABRAMS: So, again, when you say rule out, which I think is the only way really to look at this ... because at this point, all you can is begin to start ruling out certain things, but he's saying that he's got reasonable belief and credible evidence that Natalee is alive. I was a bit critical of him when he made that statement. I think it's very different to say look, we're getting in tips. We've got to rule it out.
He's saying there's credible evidence to believe it. That seems to me to be a step beyond that.
TWITTY: Well, but as I listen to his interview, he did say as he closed it, if Natalee's alive, we need to find her. But if she's not, we need answers. So you know we're just not definitive, Dan, and whether it's a 20 percent chance or a one percent chance that we get a tip that Natalee's alive, we have to go on it.
ABRAMS: As you know, Deputy Chief Dompig, who you're not a big fan of, has been on this program. He was on (The 'Abrams Report') on Nov. 2. Let me play one quick piece of sound from him and then I want you to be able to respond.
--Begin video clip--
GEROLD DOMPIG, ARUBAN DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF: I think anybody should understand and can understand that we have made a lot of efforts to conduct a professional investigation and in any case, we have given the family every chance to sit with us and to take their statement.
--End video clip--
ABRAMS: You say that's not true, Beth, right?
TWITTY: Well, you know Dan, you can say that with words, but when you show it with actions as the investigative team did and the prosecuting attorney by arresting two innocent black security guards, and mishandling this case from the beginning, their words don't mean anything, Dan. It's their actions that speak loudly and clearly...
ABRAMS: Is there going to be a new team? I mean you had demanded -- you and Dave together actually demanded -- a new team of Investigators, et cetera. We heard that there was going to-they were going to do that. Do you know anything more about that?
TWITTY: Well we so strongly want that, Dan, and the reason why we're thinking that needs to happen quickly because if these suspects are re-arrested and reinterrogated, we will be no further along with the current investigative team and prosecuting attorney on board than we were day one, Dan.
On 11-17 MSNBC reported:
JOE SCARBOROUGH, HOST: Then, could Natalee Holloway still be alive? Her mother says yes. And she went on the Dr. Phil show today and made some very interesting comments about a phone call she received from October. Beth Holloway Twitty will be here to talk about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, MOTHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: I hear what to me is a very subdued vocal utterance from Natalee. It‘s almost as if it‘s, “Hi, mom.”
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCARBOROUGH: Beth Holloway Twitty talks for the first time about a chilling phone call. Could it be a new clue in the search for her daughter Natalee? Beth is here tonight to give us the very latest.
SCARBOROUGH: Beth Holloway Twitty will be here to talk about chilling phone call she received in October and the latest on the investigation for the search for Natalee and justice in Aruba. That‘s coming up.
But, first, is Natalee Holloway still alive? Her mother, Beth, is here. And we are going to talk to her in just a minute.
But, first, today on the Dr. Phil show, Beth Holloway Twitty revealed startling new evidence of a voice mail she received in early October that she says could have been Natalee. Let‘s watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “DR. PHIL”)
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: The first thing that I hear on the voice mail is, it almost sounds as if it‘s a foreigner. And they say, yes. And then you hear, it‘s almost like a clank, like they are shifting the phone. And then there‘s music playing in the background. And I hear what to me is a very subdued vocal utterance from Natalee. It‘s almost—I know—it‘s almost as if it‘s, “Hi, mom.”
And, Dr. Phil, you know, I have never told anyone this. I have never disclosed this to anyone. And I‘m really pretty level-headed. But I‘m a pediatric speech pathologist. And I have done this for 22 years. This was my trained profession of hearing the utterance on this voice mail, thinking that it was her.
DR. PHIL MCGRAW, HOST: And this call came in when?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: October the 3rd at 6:50 p.m.
MCGRAW: OK. So, that‘s about five weeks ago.
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Yes.
MCGRAW: OK. And our analysts said, you know, forget about what they talk about on television and “CSI” and that sort of think. The only person who is ever going to be able to tell if that‘s Natalee is her mother.
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Exactly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCARBOROUGH: Let‘s welcome back to SCARBOROUGH COUNTRY Beth Holloway Twitty, who joins us from Birmingham, Alabama.
Beth, talk about that phone call and why you felt it was important for you to wait a while before telling America about what you heard that night.
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Well, Joe, we have been so discrete about so many of these sightings that—or leads that we have had about having Natalee alive, because, you know, we have tried to deal with the proper chain of command, contacting the FBI.
And, of course, we didn‘t want to jeopardize anything, if that happened to be Natalee. And, you know, we just have to just weigh it very carefully and just have it thoroughly evaluated before we can determine, Joe.
SCARBOROUGH: What did you think, Beth, when you hear that voice that you thought could have been your daughter that you haven‘t heard from in six months now?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Oh, I will be honest.
I mean, when I first received the voice mail, if I played it 40 times, I bet I played it 80 times. But, you know, as time goes on, and we sent it to Quantico—it‘s been analyzed. Dr. Phil has had a professional organization that has analyzed it. We begin coming, though, to the conclusion, Joe, that, you know, it‘s not. It may not have been Natalee.
And, you know, we just have to be so careful with each lead that we get. I mean, the message was so crafted in itself, not only for me to be thinking that I heard an utterance from Natalee. And, you know, Joe, it‘s just something that we have had to deal with very, very privately.
SCARBOROUGH: You know, it‘s so dangerous, too. If you start to go down that path, obviously, then you let the Aruban officials off the hook and possibly give them a reason to pull back even more on their investigation for the truth and what happened that night in Aruba. Isn‘t that case, too?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Well, Joe, what we feel like we‘re showing is that each lead—that we are being open about. We‘re contacting the proper authorities. We‘re having it analyzed. We‘re ruling them out, Joe.
What we see is happening is, we‘re ruling out the possibility that Natalee could be alive, Joe. And it brings us full circle back to these three suspects not only raped Natalee on their island, but could have possibly murdered her that night, Joe.
(CROSSTALK)
SCARBOROUGH: Well, let‘s bring in right now former FBI profiler and MSNBC analyst Clint Van Zandt.
Clint, it‘s so important for us to remind Americans about what happened with Elizabeth Smart. The media all but buried her six months before she showed up out of nowhere. Anybody, Clint, that says they know where Natalee is and whether she‘s alive or dead, they‘re just not telling the truth, are they?
CLINT VAN ZANDT, MSNBC ANALYST: No.
I see people flapping their wings both ways. Some say she‘s absolutely dead. Why doesn‘t Beth get on with her life? I mean, how can they say that? She‘s a parent. She‘s a mother. How can you say walk away from your child?
And, yet, others will say, well, obviously, she‘s been grabbed up and she‘s been carried off in some harem. Or she‘s in some Third World crack house chained to a bed. Well, the reality is, we don‘t know. We don‘t know either one.
And, as a parent, as I just wrote in my MSNBC profiler‘s perspective, MSNBC.com, as a parent, you and I, Joe, know that until, just like Beth, until we know that our child is deceased and, in my case, until I close that coffin door, I‘m going to be looking for my child.
SCARBOROUGH: And you do whatever it takes.
In this case, if authorities decide to move on this possible phone call about what Dr. Phil has been talking about, how in the world do you try to track somebody down that could be a sex slave in Venezuela or some other country?
VAN ZANDT: You know, the terrible dirty secret in this world, Joe, is that, every year, between one and four million women, children, little girls are sold, traded, tricked, kidnapped into bondage and sex slavery all over the world.
Where is the United States? Where is the United Nations? And no matter what we see in movies, the FBI is not going to be jumping out of helicopters in Venezuela looking to rescue an American, nor is the CIA or somebody else like that. So, we‘re kind of challenged. The FBI and the other authorities are left to going to let‘s say Venezuela, going to the police and saying, we have this lead. Natalee Holloway might be here.
Venezuelan, or whoever it is, police on some island are going to say, thanks. We will take it from here.
SCARBOROUGH: Yes. Thanks a lot. Right.
VAN ZANDT: Right.
Are they going to run it down or are they just going to blow the whistle? And if, if she‘s there, is she just going to be moved to another place? The answer is, just like you started, Joe, we don‘t know. But here‘s a mother, here‘s a family, here‘s a country saying we want to know what happened to our child.
SCARBOROUGH: And Beth, there are also reports about a possible Aruban reporter that claims that he had followed Natalee around before she was taken off the island. Tell us about that.
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Well, he claims that he was tracking an individual. Whether it was Natalee or not, it looks like we‘re coming to, Joe, that it strongly was not Natalee.
But this man, he‘s a reporter from “Diario.” He had been tracking this young female in three different moves on the island of Aruba. He didn‘t come forward to me until either the last of August or very early in September with this information, because, you know, as far as he was concerned, he did not want to jeopardize and compromise Natalee‘s position.
And we were very confidential with this information. We have just been so careful with letting this information out until we can rule it out, Joe.
SCARBOROUGH: And, Beth, final question. What is the current state of that pathetic investigation in Aruba? Has it turned the corner? Do you have any reason to hope they are going to start getting more aggressive in searching for the truth?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: No, I don‘t, Joe.
And what concerns me greatly is if they do choose to rearrest these suspects on this taped interview now from Deepak that they have all participated in a gang rape, it concerns me, with the current investigative team on board, that we will be no further along than we were on June 9, Joe.
SCARBOROUGH: It‘s so sad, Beth. Thank you so much for being with us, as always. And, as you know, our thoughts and prayers are with you. And let us know what we can do.
And, Clint, thank you also for being with us.
VAN ZANDT: Thank you.
On 11-17 “Riehl World Blog” reported:
Natalee Holloway: I Don't Get It
I don't get it. I am listening live to Beth Twitty with Greta talking about the Diario reporter tracking someone he thought was Natalee from place to place in Aruba ... Beth said the reporter contacted her through the Natalee hotline, perhaps in September. And this is information which has been kept secret until now.
Wouldn't this be Herbert Tiel, the reporter who came on during a Fox cutaway to Aruba while I was in the Green Room at Fox and he claimed to be tracking Natalee?
That was on Fox and posted in comments months ago on at least two blogs, including mine. This does not compute. See below.
MBM
....
Hubert Tiel, Diario Newspaper:
He told Fox reporter:
We have been working on this case since the first day, since then have picked up every piece of material, so they can have everything to put together this story. Tonight again we are on the road cause the team is following some suspect cars that we need for this story. Looks like we are going to have a nice finish for this story ASAP. His sources say they have moved already from where they were and they want to know exactly where they are going.
She asks who do you think is moving Natalee and is he saying that he thinks she is alive?
He says yes, of course. We are going in a group of 2 ladies, 3 gentlemen. One gentlemen knows a person who knows how to deal with drugs (not from Aruba) maybe from Venezuela or Columbia. The plan was to drive Natalee to Columbia, but the latest news we have right now is that because the plan has failed 3 times already, they may try to reach Columbia before Venezuela.
She asked what kind of condition he thinks she is in.
He says that the Police have their investigation going on, the press does too. We are going to all steps we can, we have put together a group to follow a car that we think are involved in this. We are working on a tip. Have not notified her family, we are working with the Police.
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Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:50 pm Post subject:
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Below was -Posted by AkekoaHoAlethia
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Yes He did he say they are following someone right now, right this minute? a car, with two females and 3 males, one a known drug dealer from Colombia or Venezuela....
They had planned to take NH to Columbia but that didn't work so now the plan is to go to Venezuela first.
I replayed it to get it right.
Hubert Tiel said, "very definitely" when asked if he thought NH was alive.
Hubert did not answer the question about NH's condition. He only said "VERY DEFINITELY ALIVE"
I inquired in an email to Diario and never received a response on this.
Apparently FOX did not want to pursue this story either on air. We never heard another word from any FOX reports.
Perhaps the DIARIO didn't want to be exposed for this type of hype.
11-18-05
On 11-18 the “AP” reported:
Beth Twitty Damaged Investigation According To Aruba's Asst. Chief Dompig
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Aruban authorities have investigated relatives of missing Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway to "exclude all possibilities" and still consider three island men to be suspects in her disappearance, a top police official said.
Assistant Aruban Police Chief Gerold G. Dompig also said in an interview that Holloway's mother, Beth Twitty, has hurt the investigation by releasing sensitive information during her frequent appearances on U.S. television shows. And Holloway's classmates need to be questioned more because of "disturbing" statements they've made public on TV and the Internet, he said.
Dompig made his comments Thursday in an interview conducted by e-mail with The Associated Press.
"We have expanded the team and set crystal clear investigative goals for the next 60 days," he said.
Holloway's father, Mississippi insurance agent Dave Holloway, said Aruban police should have investigated suspects more rather than asking questions about the family. The probe is stalled and police are trying to keep up the appearance of progress, he said.
"I've tried to get them to follow the solid leads they've got," he said Friday.
Beth Twitty, the missing teen's mother, did not return messages seeking comment.
"This is also standard procedure in (the) U.S. in any investigation," he said. "The family should not have felt this as an insult nor a witch hunt."
Despite seeking information on the family, Dompig said police "never stopped looking at our suspects being the three boys in Aruba, and there is no reason at all for us to focus on other individuals when we are speaking of suspects."
FBI agents have questioned some of the 125 or so Mountain Brook students who went on the trip with Holloway, but the group left Aruba before the investigation was in full swing. Dompig said additional questions that need to be asked could be "crucial" to the investigation.
"We still need to question a couple of the schoolmates because some earlier given statements to the FBI do not match and some students also gave disturbing (new) information about the trip on several television shows and on the Internet," he said.
Few of Holloway's former classmates have commented publicly on details about the trip, but some have given seemingly conflicting accounts of when Holloway and other members of the group first encountered van der Sloot.
On 11-18 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to FOX News that he has received no communications nor case updates from any ARUBAN authorities nor Investigators nor prosecutors since he last left ARUBA on October 27, 2005. When asked if any ARUBAN authorities complained to DAVE about anything that any of NATALEE’s Loved Ones have been speaking about in the media, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "Not a word.” When asked if GOTTENBOS has been contacted/questioned by the ARUBAN Police Investigators yet, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "as far as I know, he has not” (on October 26, 2005---now 23 days ago---DAVE personally gave ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG the name of GOTTENBOS as a witness to a boat launching from near the “Marriott Hotel” beach on May 31, 2005) DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to "If they (the ARUBAN Police) would just follow the “yellow-brick road,” follow the lies, they could solve this case. There is some lies out there from these three boys, and from some of these other people they‘ve interviewed.” DAVE HOLLOWAY stated that even though JUG TWITTY and BETH had answered ARUBAN Police questions about NATALEE’s life insurance and the trust fund for NATALLE, yet, when DAVE went to ARUBA in October the ARUBAN Police asked him about the same life insurance and trust funds. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated that NATALEE does have “a very minimal” life insurance policy started when she was age 1 or 2. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated he was asked to come to the ARUBAN Police station on the second or third day he was there in October (21st or 22nd) and was asked, again, by the ARUBAN lead detective (earlier reported to be DENNIS JACOBS ) “How much money do you have?” When DAVE asked “Why do you ask that? Is somebody coming forward? Do we need to pay of a reward or something?,“ JACOBS said, “It’s kind of expensive to coming back and forth to Aruba, and we were just wondering how long are you going to keep looking for your daughter?” DAVE asked “Why is that?, and JACOBS replied “If this had been somebody from Aruba, we would have quit searching a long time ago.” DAVE HOLLOWAY stated this conversation is when he decided to call for replacing ARUBA Prosecutor KARIN JANSSEN, JACOBS , and ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG, and call for the travel and goods boycotts of ARUBA.
11-18 MERI ULRICH wrote:
The Natalee Holloway Case: Almost Six Months Later
By Meri Ulrich
Nov. 18, 2005
The Natalee Holloway case remains unsolved but the cast of characters has grown and expanded and changed.
The Aruban Police: Have admitted that they answer to the Dutch authority in Holland and can't do anything without their permission. They have added detectives from time to time but the same crew that began the so-called investigation remains on scene and the same people who were in over their heads from day one continue to lead the case. They are friendly to the family one day and refuse to take their phone calls the next. Someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes and they continue to dance like the puppets that they are. I believe that they are simply waiting out the required time period in order to clear the suspects and bury the case as deeply buried as Natalee is herself. They will NOT allow the FBI to bring in deep water equipment (at no expense to them), to search offshore where her body may be resting.
The Prosecutor: Is perfectly defined by the petty bickering between her and her staff. One assistant prosecutor resigned because the Aruban Attorney General gave her permission to speak to Dave Holloway and Karen Janssen was put out. She continues to stone-wall and refuse to speak to the family. She has become a master of creative excuses and blames the victim's family for her obvious lack of cooperation. I have no clue what this woman is all about but she too marches to the beat of a far away drummer who resides in Holland.
The Judges: Continue to do everything in their power to make sure that the van der Sloot clan is protected and even cleared the name of a suspect who uttered those now famous words, "No body, no case" concerning Natalee. Where do they come from? Holland. Who gives them their orders? Holland.
Beth Twitty: Since Jug seems to have disappeared from the scene that leaves Beth to run from media outlet to media outlet throwing out small clues that amount to nothing but the fragile hope that her daughter's case will be solved. Her credibility has dwindled and she has now lost a lot of support due to her current associations with people who have their own not so hidden agendas. Beth simply has nothing new to add and her repeated statements have lost all meaning.
Dave Holloway: A man who is in pain and is going through the grief process as a result of losing his daughter with dignity and calm and without histrionics and show business connections. He has Art Woods on his team and he is the only positive thing that has come out of the case Art Woods is the real deal and his theories and ideas are worth listening to and his guidance has been invaluable.
Dr. Phil: What a joke this man is. He announces on the Tonight Show that he has evidence that Natalee may be alive...without any proof. He airs a show that repeats what many people already know...slave trafficking does exist. There is NO proof that Natalee is a part of it and he has NOT found Natalee. Sweeps month was a rousing success for the good Dr. Phil and he used this case to further his ratings bonanza and his self-serving reputation of being the man to go to for ANYTHING. The problem is that he can't deliver and he used the mother of a missing child to benefit himself.
The Mysterious Phone Call: Beth claimed that this was the "first time" that she has mentioned this call. It may well have been for HER but a lot of us already knew about it and we also heard Dave say that it was NOT his daughter on the phone. Again a dead end and a tease that didn't materialize. The FBI is looking into the tape of the call just as they are looking into the Deepak tapes recorded by Jamie Skeeters. So far nothing has come of any of this evidence.
The Lab in Holland: Has had the Deepak tapes for a month and nothing has come of it. Not one word and no confirmation of anything has come from this lab. When a Policeman stated that there was blood in Deepak's car the lab in Holland claimed that it was chocolate. I don't have a lot of faith in this so-called bastion of science. Why? It is in Holland and run by the ever illusive Dutch who are so busy messing up the investigation of what happened to Natalee Holloway that I wouldn't trust them to tell me what day it is let alone whether or not evidence is real.
The Cover-up(s): Are they covering up for the van der Sloots? Are they covering up for their own missed opportunities those first crucial days of the investigation or is it a double cover-up and both factors are in play? I say YES to the last question. No group of people could be that stupid.
Arlene, Jossy, Tito, Julia, Greta, Rita, Dan and Geraldo, et al: The common thread here is that they are either talking heads for or against the Aruban investigation or vehicles for those talking heads. Some of them like Greta and Dan, try to cover the case with fairness to all parties and some are so bias that listening to them is repulsive and useless. Rita is strident, breathy and so desperate to make herself into the next Walter Cronkite or Edward R. Murrow that she cares not about truth or justice. She shows the same exaggerated enthusiasm for a murderer as she does for a victim. The woman is more concerned with "Breaking News" than she is with truth. I doubt that she knows the difference or cares.
Art Woods, Clint Van Zant: Two former members of the top intelligence services in the USA. Art is trying to find answers and so is Clint. I respect both of them and especially Art who is measured in his words and careful in his comments. He represents Dave Holloway who is also a careful man and not a heat seeking media missile.
To sum up: I wrote about this case about two months ago for the first time and this will probably be the last time and nothing has changed. NOTHING.
Natalee is still gone, probably buried in the deep blue sea outside of paradise and even though boycotts have been called for, I doubt that they will help to bring Natalee home.
I have been disgusted, angered, saddened and frustrated by this case and I have come to the conclusion that no matter how much I try to figure it out I will come back to the same place that I started from.
R.I.P Natalee Holloway. You certainly will not be forgotten.
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About the author: Meri has a Medical/Legal background and is a former forensic researcher specializing in psychological profiling.
https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=27335
Email: writers2@cox.net
On 11-18 when MSNBC asked TY RITTER what was the tip that led him to looking for NATALEE having been kidnapped into sex slavery in Aruba, Curacao, Mexico or Venezuela?, RITTER said “Well, it was one of the leads [provided from someone(s)] that we had was going after a lead on another missing girl and the possibility of the link between the two islands. A lot of people don‘t realize it, and we haven‘t totally verified it, but we have missing people, girls, from those two islands that date back as far as the ‘60s.”
On 11-18 when MSNBC asked IVA BRADLEY (mother of AMY BRADLEY, who disappeared in 1998 after her cruise ship left the ARUBA port) if her family has found they were dealing with so many hurdles and questionable law enforcement?, BRADLEY said “Oh, it‘s unbelievable, Rita. The attitude, the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities that we dealt with, the don‘t care attitude. And the thing that‘s startling to us is, we are used to law enforcement here in the United States, and the law is the law, and right is right, and wrong is wrong. We never felt that when we were dealing with anybody on the island. We‘re concerned for anybody that‘s traveling outside of the U.S. to understand that when you do travel outside, there is not jurisdiction, and you‘re placing your life in somebody else‘s hands.
On 11-18 MSNBC reported:
DAN ABRAMS, HOST: I‘ve had my say, now it‘s time for “Your Rebuttal”. Yesterday, Dr. Phil laid out some of the evidence he claims proves that Natalee Holloway is alive, possibly as a sex slave, even talking about a voice mail message that has since been discredited. I said there‘s just no evidence of it.
M.J. Mockler writes, “It was clear to me that this was just one more possibility they could look at. At no time did they claim there was evidence to suggest she had been a victim of human trafficking. I think you did a disservice to you, your show, and Dr. Phil. You had an opportunity to promote the facts on human trafficking and you failed to play your good hand.”
11-19-05
On 11-19 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to FOX News that he has not heard anything from the ARUBAN nor DUTCH authorities on what is the current status of the SKEETERS videos of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's statements and confessions. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated that no ARUBAN Police Investigators have contacted him about coming to the UNITED STATES to interview the “Mountain Brook” classmates, despite the rhetoric of ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated that he personally believes, and he also believes that the ARUBAN authorities theorize and strongly believe that Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE , and Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE raped NATALEE on 5-30, therefore suspicion of rape charges should be filed and the 3 boys be re-arrested. DAVE HOLLOWAY stated that specific ARUBAAN's are not charging them because these specific ARUBAAN's are afraid of that charging the boys with the rape (and possible murder) of a tourist would further cause the ARUBA tourism, and its economy, to fall.
On 11-19 JAMIE SKEETERS said that when Dr. PHIL McGRAW made public on 9-15 the SKEETERS videos of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's statements and confessions, the confessions and statements were offered to ARUBAN Police authorities AND “any attorneys over there who wanted it.“
11-20-05
On 11-20 the “AP” reported:
Three-Quarters of Alabama Residents Support Aruba Boycott, Poll Says
MOBILE, Ala., Ala. — Three-quarters of Alabama residents back the governor's call for a travel boycott of Aruba to protest the island's handling of the disappearance of teenager Natalee Holloway.
The poll, conducted by the Mobile Register and University of South Alabama and released Sunday, also found that seven out of 10 respondents would not travel to the Caribbean island even if they won a free trip.
Gov. Bob Riley proposed the boycott to protest the investigation into the disappearance of Holloway, who went missing in May at the end of a Mountain Brook high school graduation trip.
The teen's family claims authorities in Aruba have conducted a shoddy investigation. Holloway, who was 18 when she vanished, was last seen leaving a bar with three young Aruba residents. Each of the three was later taken into custody but has since been released.
Authorities in Aruba have reacted angrily to the call for a boycott. The State Department has refused to support a boycott, as have many travel groups.
"The governor certainly understands there is nothing he can legally do to stop Americans from traveling to Aruba," said Riley spokesman Jeff Emerson. "This is just using the bully pulpit to urge them to consider other travel options."
The poll, which was taken Monday through Thursday by the USA Polling Group, surveyed 400 adult residents of Alabama. The results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
On 11-20 ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG told FOX News that he agrees with BETH that NATALEE was not sold into sex slavery. “The investigation gives us sufficient grounds to believe that we are dealing with a homicide, probably, and there is a slight--very slight--chance, in my mind, that she is still alive.” “I still believe that these three boys are all involved.” ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG said they are expecting the results of the SKEETERS video statements/confessions from HOLLAND “within a couple days.” “As soon as we the results are back, and we know that the tapes are authentic, I assure you that Deepak will be questioned.” (ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG made no mention of re-questioning Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , nor Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE ) When asked if he will come to the UNITED STATES to question the “Mountain Brook” classmates, ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG said “Well, at this moment, not yet, because we have requested the F.B.I. to assist us further.
11-21-05
On 11-21 FOX News GRETA VAN SUSTEREN posted an email from an M. DOLLAN:
I've done a little research on Mr. Zijlstra's claim that crime rates in the U.S. are "much higher" than in the Netherlands. According to Nationmaster.com, which uses the Seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (1998-2000), the total crimes committed in the Netherlands equate to 79.58 crimes per 1000 persons. In the U.S., it equates to 80.06 per 1000 persons. The same source lists the population of the Netherlands at 16,407,000 and the U.S. Population at 295,734,000. This does not sound to me like the U.S. has less of a handle on its crime situation than the Netherlands at all. On the contrary, looking at the differences in population between the two countries and the relative closeness of the crime rates, perhaps Mr. Zijlstra ought to retract his statements.
On 11-21 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News that the poll result of 75% (plus or minus 5%) of ALABAMANS agree to the boycott would probably be the same results nationwide from the other 49 states ((recall that O’REILLY’s recent 10-10 to 10-13, vote-only-once, Internet poll of 63,000+ people recently detailed that 72% support the boycott of ARUBA)) BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated that in their meetings with the ARUBAN and DUTCH authorities, nether the ARUBAN nor DUTCH authorities have once said that NATALEE’s Loved Ones public comments have hurt the investigation. BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated that the ARUBAN authorities have “severed their lines of communication with them.” “The Investigators, from the beginning, are the ones who have damaged the integrity of the investigation.”
On 11-21 “TravelVideoTV” reported:
The Aruba Tourism Authority Taps Jacky Croes as New Director for the Aruba Convention Bureau
The Aruba Tourism Authority is proud to announce the appointment of Jacky Croes as the new director of the Aruba Convention Bureau (ACB), bringing more than 15 years of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition (MICE) and sales and hospitality experience.
“We are thrilled to have Jacky joining the ACB team and are confident that she will be an intregral part of MICE market development on Aruba,” said managing director for the Aruba Tourism Authority, Myrna Jansen. “With Jacky’s appointment, Aruba is looking forward to growing the meetings market to ensure that the island becomes one of the top MICE destinations in the Caribbean.”
Croes was most recently the senior director of sales at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. In addition to Croes’ tenure at the Marriott, she also served as a sales manager for the Latin American and European markets for the "Holiday Inn" SunSpree Resort Aruba.
One of Croes’ first projects as director for the ACB was to further demonstrate Aruba’s commitment to the MICE market by redesigning its meetings Web site. The Web site was redesigned to make navigation easier and to answer frequently asked questions about the island as a meetings destination. Highlights include the top ten reasons to choose Aruba as an event locale, a quick and easy meeting planner checklist/guide, helpful and convenient tips on local venues, hotels, island tour operators, and other vital information for planning the perfect meeting on island.
“Reworking the meetings portion of the Web site, to be sure it offered more convenience when navigating, along with including important details meeting planners are looking for from a potential meetings destination, was one of the first exciting initiatives I had the opportunity to take on in my new capacity,” said Jacky Croes, Director of the Aruba Convention Bureau. “I am very much looking forward to developing more projects to ensure that Aruba is one of the most coveted meetings locations in the Caribbean.”
For more information on Aruba, please call 1.800.TO.ARUBA (954-767-3395) or visit online at the Website.
Aruba, where happiness lives, is truly a vacationer's paradise. The island is ideally situated outside the hurricane belt and boasts year-round cooling trade winds and perfect weather with average annual temperatures of 82 Fahrenheit and less than 20 inches of rainfall per year. Aruba serves up 27 luxurious hotels/resorts, championship golf courses, sumptuous spas, vibrant casinos, extraordinary international cuisine, exclusive shops and boutiques, exciting land and water activities, unique cultural to-dos, world-famous music festivals and events and more. The backdrop of a pristine tropical escape coupled with the unforgettable hospitality of the islands people keep Aruba’s first-time guests delighted and its repeat visitor rate at 40%, the highest of any Caribbean destination.
On 11-21 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Aruban casino owner with criminal past goes to America
Joe Mammana is not permitted to enter Aruba due to his past but how did we end up with Mike Posner?
ORANJESTAD (AAN) The case of Natalee is taking other unexpected twists and very negative ones that are going to tarnish Aruba’s image as a safe destination for tourists and investors.
Joe Mammana has a very impressive criminal past in the U.S. but for one reason or another he has found publicity with different cases which have set his image straight and in the case of Natalee, he is trying to find national attention in the US by using sensationalism via the American media.
The government of Aruba recently declared that they will not permit Joe Mammana to enter Aruba.
Related to his past and criminal record, the government took the decision via the Minister of Justice that they cannot let such a person enter Aruba and about this there was information circulating that this Joe person sent a threatening letter to those who were detained in Aruba related to the case of Natalee.
The government’s actions in this case were correct because they cannot let this type of person come to Aruba and believe that they can come do what they see fit on our island, and to boot, Mammana is one of those who is trying, body and soul, to organize an unjust and unjustifiable boycott against Aruba.
What is strange is that the government refuses to let this ex-criminal enter Aruba, but on the other hand, permits another ex-criminal, Mike Posner who is going soon to the U.S. for cases of law violations, to be able to have a business in Aruba, and enter and leave Aruba whenever he wants.
To make matters worse, the person in question, Mike Posner, has been able to obtain a permit to operate a casino, where anyone who wants to have a casino in Aruba and the majority of other countries in the world have to have a clean criminal record.
Recently, this information has started to circulate in the U.S. as well, and seeing that it hasn’t been many days since via the American media false information was given that Aruba is a sort of den for criminals and even terrorists, the matter of the Aruba casino owner with a criminal past in the US, is going to help those who want to implement a total boycott against Aruba.
Wasn’t it in Mike Posner’s casino that the principal suspect in Natalee’s case, Joran van der Sloot, was sitting gambling, despite the fact that he was underage and that never should he have been permitted to enter the casino?
Some weeks back, other media in Aruba came out in vanguard of the ex-criminal Mike Posner and wrote and article that praised Mike Posner for his supposed achievements in Aruba and what interest they had with him, nobody knows.
Now that the government refuses an American ex-criminal entry to Aruba, the government has to justify the reason why until today they continue to permit a person with such a Police record such as Mike Posner, can come to set up a business in Aruba, continue to operate his business in Aruba and come and go whenever he wants.
What sort of handling of Justice is there in Aruba and what impact will this case have in the US when the American media start to question the government of Aruba about this matter?
This matter is pending because there are more questionable things here and also the role that certain politicians in Aruba play and continue to play in this matter.
On 11-21 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Editorial: Natalee and the bla bla bla professors
by Jossy Mansur
I didn’t know that in Aruba there were so many professionals who are specialized in bla bla bla, that is to say, those who express their baseless opinions, but what is revealed is their ignorance. There are some media in Aruba who are somewhat politically inclined which have lost notion of reality and which hide the word ‘truth’ behind their forgetfulness.
They can very well continue to wait for a reply from me that will never come, because I am not going to waste time tending to some fanatic blindingly tied to their negative habits of twisting everything and interpreting in their own way what they can’t express or write.
Their sick focus on the case of Natalee has become a pathetic aspect, not because it is difficult to solve, but because of the errors committed and the sentences dictated are obvious to everyone around the world who is aware of them.
It has nothing to do with whether Natalee is alive or not, but with the judge who came from Curacao who preferred to ignore all the good work that the Aruban Police did and the solid presentation of the prosecutor. Are the three suspects guilty or innocent? This will come out because you cannot hide this truth for very long, but sooner or later, it will come to light. On my part, they are innocent if Natalee turns out to be alive!
Some media, addicted to the government of the day converted the case of Natalee into a political circus. We, on the other hand, maintained a posture of looking at the case for what it is, and indicated the factors which came out of the many admissions of the three principal suspects: Joran, Deepak and Satish.
No one has accused them of murder, but they themselves admitted to Police during interrogations that something bad happened to Natalee while she was with them, without specifying what ‘something bad’ was! That they admitted to committing sexual abuse against her, is in the admissions they made to the Police, also confirmed by the latest videotape by Jamie Skeeters with Deepak, who made important revelations which incriminated all three.
I do not share the opinion that our Police agents acted indifferently, or that they intentionally covered up certain details, but I do agree that there were strange things which happened at the beginning of the case that have to be deeply investigated to determine how one or another agent could have diverted, covered or twisted some details which ended up complicating the case more than necessary. My confidence in our agents continues as firm as ever.
It is not extensive that the judge who presided over the case and decided that some things were inadmissible. He could be the best judge in the world, but in this case, he made light of and greatly neglected to pay attention to the three suspects’ admissions, since he didn’t even interrogate them about what was left hanging in the air, such as the declaration of Joran at the beach that he believes that Deepak raped and killed Natalee! How did this matter end there? How were the other accusations and counter-accusations among the three suspects not evaluated for their just content? To say that they are chronic liars is not sufficient; it has to be determined where and how they lied to be able to arrive at the truth.
That Joran is in Holland thanks to the judge? I don’t have a problem with this; where I have a problem is with the official explanation sent to DIARIO from the Justice department specifying that the judge decided to se him free because he expressed his wish to continue with his studies. What will happen if another person in KIA also decides that they want to continue with their studies?
And about the matter of the boycott against Aruba. I have explained on various occasions and on American national media that I am not in agreement with any sort of boycott against our island for any reason.
I have explained to those with a sufficiently open mind to be able to understand, that Aruba has nothing to do with the case, that it is simply the place where it happened, nothing else! Justice is being handled by the Dutch, not by Arubaans!
The boycott will be avoided by avoiding crazy statements, imprudent and mismanaged protests and by trying to engage in a dialogue instead of confrontations. We are known around the world as people who are sensible, hospitable and thankful to those who invest in our island and want nothing but good.
Additionally, I am certain that in Aruba we have enough sensible people to intervene and solve the matter in a way that is acceptable for all involved. If we permit that the intention of the boycott continue to grow, then it can become very serious and we all end up losing.
I will let the bla bla bla speakers continue with their subject matter. They exert no influence on me, no matter how many unfounded and unjust attacks are launched against my way of looking at the case, but there is one thing that I will not accept, and that is to tolerate any indirect comment that I could be against the interests of our island.
I have fought a lot and against great forces to defend Aruba; I have confronted countries and contrary interests in our fight for Status Aparte; I have run all sorts of personal risks during the time I fought against the communist current that arrived to Aruba from Grenada and Cuba, propagated by some cell that is still active on our island.
And I continue to be vigilant, now against the current intention to introduce in Aruba a totalitarian way of thinking and acting, in the creation of a sort of government whose negative alliances with neighboring countries, because it will destroy the peace and tranquility which reign on our island.
That I have an enormous respect for Holland? That is categorical! It is not for nothing that I am fighting for us to preserve our Dutch nationality, for us to become part of Europe on our terms, and for us to continue simply rectifying what is wrong in the justice system, which itself is good.
There are some that interpret the system who are deserving of my criticism; not the system itself, which I have categorized on American television as one of the best in the world.
I maintain my opinion, despite that the judge who came from Curacao to complicate the case and threw it to the wolves. It is through the action of the Dutch judge that the serious problems started for Aruba and it is driving the American national sentiment in a negative direction toward our island.
Look at the problem for what it is, not for what you want to turn it into! It is the sentence of the judge who came from Curacao which gave rise to the impression that the Dutch justice system is full of holes and open to partial interpretations! And they want to attribute this to Aruba, instead of placing the blame where it should be: in Holland!
11-23-05
On 11-23 ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG told MSNBC “Well we received the report today and the first conclusion is that the Skeeters‘ tape, the CD-ROM we received from Skeeters and the VHF tapes we received through the F.B.I. are probably not manipulated. So that‘s a good thing. What was a negative though, is the fact that what was said on the tape doesn‘t match the transcript that we all saw on the “Dr. Phil” show. And the second conclusion of the forensic institute was that the “Dr. Phil” footage was manipulated with.” When MSNBC asked ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG if the ARUBAN Police Investigators intend to call Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE back in for questioning?, ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG said “Of course. But I‘m not giving any timeframe, but—and this goes for all of these boys, so not only for Deepak.”
On 11-23 the "AP" reported:
Dutch experts say Dr. Phil tape in case of teen missing in Aruba ‘manipulated’
ORANJESTAD, Aruba (AP) - Forensic Investigators in Holland have found someone altered a taped interview in which a Surinamese man allegedly claimed to have had sex with a U.S. teen who disappeared while visiting Aruba, the island's Police chief said Wednesday.
The tape was an interview with Deepak Kalpoe by an Investigator hired by the U.S. television program, the Dr. Phil show. In it, Deepak allegedly claimed to have had sex with Natalee Holloway, an Alabama student, before she disappeared in May.
"The tapes played on U.S. television appear to have been altered to suggest Deepak admitted to a sexual act, our forensic Investigators tell us, the original tape did not say that," Gerald Dompig, chief of Police for the Dutch Caribbean island, said in a statement.
On the tape, Deepak allegedly said Holloway "dressed like a slut," and he, his brother, Satish, and Dutch national Joran van der Sloot had sex with Holloway, who would have turned 19 in October.
"I have reviewed the findings of the Forensic Institute in Holland...those results state that the tapes were not authentic in regard to statement made by Deepak Kalpoe," Dompig said.
A spokesman for the Dr. Phil show had no immediate comment.
"We have asked the F.B.I. to review the same tapes to corroborate the conclusion reached by our Dutch forensic Investigators," the statement said.
Holloway was last seen early May 30 leaving a bar with van der Sloot and Surinamese Kalpoe brothers. They were arrested June 9 but released after a court ruled there was not enough evidence to hold them.
Searches of the island failed to find the missing teenager.
Alabama Gov. Bob Riley has called for a travel boycott of the island because of how the case was handled. Holloway's family accuse the island's government of not fully co-operating with the investigation into her disappearance.
Aruban officials have criticized the boycott, disputing charges the case was mishandled.
On 11-23 the “AP” reported that ALABAMA Governor BOB RILEY has finished sending letters to the 49 other AMERICAN governors, urging them to join him in a boycott of ARUBA.
On 11-23 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to FOX News about the SKEETERS videos recorded of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's statements/confessions “I talked to Jamie this afternoon regarding the tapes. The DVD tape that is authenticated is the actual one. What Dr. Phil’s show had was a regular VCR tape that they condensed down to maybe 4 or 5 minutes so it could be shown on TV.” When FOX News asked if the “Dr. Phil” show people manipulated what was being said on the tape to make it look that Deepak was more culpable in this activities than Deepak has insisted all along?, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "No not at all. From what I understand they took a two hour interview and selected questions along with those answers and condensed them down to 3, 4, or 5 minutes.” When asked what are the ARUBAN authorities telling DAVE at this point, and are the ARUBAN Police going to re-question Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE , and Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE ?, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "Well, as you recall they let Joran go right after hurricane Katrina hit. All along I’ve heard rumors on the island as you heard Arlene talking about…the authenticity of this tape. It leads me to believe that they really don’t want to use the tape. They want to find every reason not to use these tapes. Of course this information was obtained by Americans. It seems that Americans and our family are the ones that have pushed this investigation along. I wonder, "What have they really done?"” DAVE also said “The last time I was down there, some of the questions I was asked ‘How long are you going to continue this back and forth to Aruba and continuing this investigation?’ I told them it will continue until we get some answers.” “You know, the searches have just about quit. ‘Texas EquuSearch’ and a group of people are going back down next week to look in some areas off the island.” “I forwarded quite a few of mine (case tips) to Jamie Skeeters and Gerold Dompig.” When asked if ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG has been in touch with him?, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "I spoke to him as a matter of fact on Monday regarding an email I sent him on a tip. I called his cell phone and we talked for two or three minutes…that was about it. He just indicated the investigation is continuing and you know I have heard that all along.” When asked if he thinks that all three boys know what happened to Natalee and if they all have the same “answer“?, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "Oh, there’s no question about that. They have the answers and it’s just a matter of how those answers are going to come out.” “You know this has been going on about six months and you just want to find answers; find out what happened and find your daughter. That’s the first and foremost thing. The second thing is justice going to be served, and if--and when---and how.” “I am just thankful that Jamie had the foresight to give it (the SKEETERS videos of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's statements/confessions) to the F.B.I. first so that they can determine the authenticity of the information and then provide that to the Dutch and Aruban authorities.” “Jamie just gave it (SKEETERS computer hard drive with the SKEETERS videos of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's statements/confessions) to them about a week and a half to two weeks ago. I haven’t heard anything about it yet.”
On 11-23 when FOX News asked JAMIE SKEETERS (VIDEO available here ) what was his reaction to the ARUBAAN's saying the one tape that aired on TV of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's statements/confessions was altered and two tapes were original? , SKEETERS said “Well, after doing about fifteen back flips when I first heard it this morning, I called chief Dompig. I asked him just what the heck's going on cause I know those tapes were not altered. He said that somebody misunderstood him: that the tape I sent him, the DVD is authentic. It hasn't been touched; it is authentic and nothing wrong with it. So I said, what's going on?” When FOX News asked SKEETERS why now are the ARUBAAN's saying that one tape is altered?, SKEETERS said “Well, again I asked the chief because we are on the same page chief Dompig and I. He assures me that my tape is the authentic one. So I said where are the dummy tapes? The cooked tapes? Apparently and to make this short, when I downloaded Deepak's interview onto my DVD; it was on my computer to a DVD...I sent that to the Phil show. Apparently they downloaded my DVD to beta tapes that you use on television where he could take clips of it. Certainly there are going to be clips and evidence of a two hour interview put in ten seconds. This is what they're talking about.” When FOX News commented then asked “So Jamie can I ask you...the clip that we heard where Deepak it could be suggested says that the boys had sex with Natalee. Specifically, that he did and it was very easy to do. Is that authentic? Is that what he told you when you interviewed him?,” SKEETERS said “Yes, the word was ‘you'd be surprised how simple it was.’ What you heard on the Dr. Phil is a two hour tape condensed into about an 8 or 10 second clip.
What you heard in that 8 seconds was not said in one breathe by Deepak; it was said in a period of over and hour and a half.” When FOX News asked what if ARUBAN Deputy Police chief ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG was going to go back and talk to Deepak?, SKEETERS said “Yes, he says he's going to bring him in. He says there were other things said on the tape that he definitely wants to talk to the boys about as well. I haven't even heard the whole two hour tape yet myself because I got it off the island as soon as I downloaded it. But, he indicated they're not sure if he says ‘they didn't’ or ‘did.’ When I sent him a DVD because he only had the working models, even the chief says ‘Yes, I can hear what you're saying and what he said.’ My old? grandmother can even hear what was said on those tapes from the laptop.”
On 11-23 ELLIS-SCHIPPER (member of the "Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force") claimed to FOX News about the SKEETERS videos of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's statements/confessions on SKEETERS computer hard drive “Last week they (the ARUBAN authorities) asked the F.B.I. to also do a complete review of the findings of the NFI (the DUTCH-controlled “National Forensics Institute“), which is a court appointed forensic institute of the Netherlands. To do a review of those findings and also the hard drive of Mr. Skeeter’s laptop.”
11-24-05
On 11-24 the F.B.I., FINALLY, issued a “seeking information”/missing persons alert for NATALEE.
On 11-24 “D3 Football.com” reported:
Holloway's disappearance hits home
By Mike Ferlazzo
Most football players will tell you that they play the sport for the pure love of the game. George Twitty has always loved it too, but football took on extra meaning this season for the 5-11, 180-pound junior starting free safety at Sewanee.
That's because Twitty is the stepbrother of Natalee Holloway, the Birmingham, Ala., teenager who's been missing in Aruba since May 30. Football provided him an outlet from the heartache caused by his sister's disappearance.
He paid tribute to her each time he laced up his cleats this fall ? writing "N" on the left heel, and "H" on the right heel of the spats of white tape that wrapped his shoes. He also wore an orange rubber bracelet under the glove on his left wrist with the words "One Nation."
Most of his teammates also wore the bracelets, which were ordered for a prayer vigil for Natalee in Birmingham where the family is from last summer.
But Twitty and his Tiger teammates have had to endure even more heartache. Only a few days after Twitty had returned from Aruba where he had joined his family in the search for Natalee, he was back at Sewanee for a memorial service for a teammate, 18-year-old wide receiver Stephen Motley, who was killed in a car accident.
They honored both by overcoming a 2-4 start to win three of their last four games and finish 5-5, equaling their win total for the previous two years combined. A returning second-team All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference pick, Twitty finished third on the team in tackles with 65 (47 solo), including six for losses of 14 years. He led the team in pass break-ups with nine, and had two interceptions, returning one for 33 yards for a touchdown in a 33-14 victory at Marysville (Tenn.) on Sept. 24. He also had a forced fumble and blocked kick.
While the decision to return to school was difficult after two traumatic events so close together, Twitty decided he ultimately needed his school and his team ? and the therapy they both brought him
“I guess it (football) is (an outlet) in a way. I try to clear my mind when I get on the field. I put her initials on my shoes, so she's always in my head. But I try and clear everything else when I play," said Twitty. "The camaraderie of my teammates really helps (deal with his recent losses). I guess it could be an outlet. I sometimes get mad, and that makes me want to play harder."
"He (Twitty) has such strength of character, the way he's dealt with it," Sewanee coach John Windham told The Huntsville (Ala.) News. "As hard as I can imagine it is, he's dealt with it beautifully. He's been encouraging all of us while we try to encourage him."
Twitty initially stayed at home in Birmingham with his 17-year-old stepbrother, Matt, following Natalee's disappearance. But after a week or so, they flew to Aruba to join their parents, Jug and Beth Holloway, in the search.
"You don't know what you're looking for," said George. "But you've got to do something."
But after about a week and no new leads, he had to return to Sewanee, where he had registered for summer school as a biology major on a pre-med track. Upon learning of Motley's death, that was almost too much to bear.
“That period during the summer, was really a period I wanted to go home and be with my family. That’s just when talking to my dad was really helpful," he said. "The only time I thought about not really doing anything (going back to school) was when Stephen died, and right after my sister disappeared all at once.”
Ultimately, Twitty's dad advised him that the best thing he could do was stay focused on his dreams of going to medical school and continuing to play college football. That proved to be good advice, particularly at a retreat-like school such as Sewanee, which is located on 10,000 wooded acres on top of Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau.
“I think that (Sewanee's location) helps me. There are not many distractions. I can try and keep my mind on academics. It's a way up here for me to get away from the way it was in Birmingham, when there‘s news everywhere. Being up here when you don’t have to worry about that confusion is good. I try and keep my mind on my work.”
But he always keeps Natalee close to him too by wearing the orange bracelet, which he never takes off, and by writing her initials on his shoes this fall. His stepsister would have been proud of him this fall.
11-25-05
On 11-25 the ARUBA Prosecutors office issued the following statement about the DUTCH forensic scientific testing results of the SKEETERS video tapes recorded statements/confessions of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE :
The results of this investigation are as follows:
There are no differences between the interview with the suspect D.K. as shown in the video-cd of the private Investigator and the tape provided by the FBI.
There are also no indications that manipulation of the images took place.
…
On 11-25 DENNIS BROGAN reported:
Did Beth Holloway-Twitty Receive A Call From Natalee?
by Jim Brogan
Nov 25, 2005
The FBI is currently investigating a voice mail message left on the phone of Beth Hollway-Twitty, the mother of Natalee Holloway.
During an interview on The Doctor Phil Show, she told the audience that she truly believes it was her daughter's voice.
"You could hear a voice in the background say, 'Mom, help me,' and then a few seconds later, regular household activity and hang up," Dave Holloway, Natalee Holloway's father, said.
The stunning new development in the five-month-old mystery raises the possibility that the 18-year-old student may not have been murdered, but is being held somewhere against her will.
However, since the show aired, Twitty has told WSFA 12's NBC affiliate in Birmingham that the voice probably wasn't her daughter's but she was still holding out hope.
It's a theory that the distraught mom will be clinging to - and is supported by at least one detective at the head of the case in Aruba, according to published reports.
Natalee's father says the FBI is investigating Natalee's disappearance as a homicide and that is how he's looking at it, too.
TV shrink Dr. Phil, who had Beth as a guest on his show, declared: "Beth feels the message on the phone is Natalee."
The call was left on Beth's cell phone at 6:50 pm on October 3 - four months after Natalee vanished on the last night of a graduation trip to Aruba with her classmates from Mountain Brook High School, Alabama.
Holloway-Twitty is a child speech expert, according to the National Enquirer. She reportedly told Dr. Phil: "It just had some key elements in it. The first thing that I hear on the voice mail is... it almost sounds as if it's a foreigner ... And they say, 'Yeah', and then you hear almost like a clank, like they're shifting the phone .. And then there is music playing in the background and I hear what to me is a very subdued vocal utterance from Natalee, said Holloway-Twitty.
"I'm really pretty level-headed, but I'm a pediatric speech pathologist and I've done this for 22 years ... This was my trained profession of hearing the utterance on this voicemail, thinking it was her," she said.
Natalee disappeared May 30th while on a senior class trip to Aruba. She was with classmates from Mountain Brook High School.
On the night of her disappearance, Natalee and friends allegedly patronized "Carlos 'N' Charlie's," which is reportedly the last place she was seen alive.
Charlie's, the well known Aruban club in Oranjestad, is a popular hangout for young people on the island.
The melodic tropical sounds are booming throughout the main room, and, and as you follow the tunes inside you see all of the people dancing in the bar. Upstairs, a DJ in a small booth plays the music, which he blasts through large speakers.
Multiple bars are pouring liquor into tall, pink plastic glasses, as two employees with microphones work the crowd. Wandering bartenders use a squeeze bottle to shoot shots of tequila into the willing mouths. The women reportedly get a little longer shot.
It was an encounter at Charlie's with vacationing high school senior Natalee Holloway that thrust Joran van der Sloot into the global spotlight.
Rumors have swirled that Natalee may have been kidnapped by those in the sex-slave business. There have been no clues and the determination is purely speculatory but it's not far-fetched either.
Carlos 'N' Charlie's is notorious for an extremely loose and decadent ambience. What better hunting ground than a place like Charlie's where simulating sex on stage gets you free drinks.
Three people were initially taken into custody, but all have since been released.
-- Compiled from wire reports
On 11-25 the “National Enquirer” reported:
ARUBA BOMBSHELL: SHE'S ALIVE
* Girl says, "Mom... help me!"
* Mother thought it was Natalee
* FBI probes breakthrough
By REBECCA MOWLING and DAVID WRIGHT
The mother of missing Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway got a phone message in which a girl's voice begs: "Mom... help me."
The stunning new development in the five-month-old mystery raises the possibility that the 18-year-old student may not have been murdered, but is being held somewhere against her will.
It is a theory that Natalee's distraught mom Beth Holloway Twitty will be clinging to — and is supported by at least one detective at the head of the case in Aruba.
Natalee's father Dave Holloway told The National Enquirer: "Beth thought there might be something to it and has asked the FBI to investigate the call."
And TV shrink Dr. Phil, who had Beth as a guest on his show, declared: "Beth feels the message on the phone is Natalee."
The call was left on Beth's cell phone at 6:50 pm on October 3 — four months after Natalee vanished on the last night of a graduation trip to Aruba with her classmates from Mountain Brook High School, Alabama.
Beth, who is a child speech expert, told Dr. Phil: "It just had some key elements in it. The first thing that I hear on the voice mail is... it almost sounds as if it's a foreigner.
"And they say, 'Yeah', and then you hear almost like a clank, like they're shifting the phone.
"And then there is music playing in the background and I hear what to me is a very subdued vocal utterance from Natalee.
"I'm really pretty level-headed, but I'm a pediatric speech pathologist and I've done this for 22 years.
"This was my trained profession of hearing the utterance on this voicemail, thinking it was her."
For more on the shocking voicemail, pick up this week's issue of The National Enquirer.
11-26-05
On 11-26 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported another ARUBA tourists safety issue:
Radar-system not watertight
ORANJESTAD — The radar-system that monitors the coastline is not watertight. People still manage to enter Aruba illegally from sea. This was stated by the general commander of Warda nos Costa, Gerold Dompig. His statement challenges the words of Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) who closed a lease contract for the radar equipment last year.
The Amigoe of June 2, 2004 stated that the minister closed a lease contract for one million florins per year. According to the minister, the equipment delivered by the Canadian company Raytheon, would make it impossible for boats to near the coast undetected. Oil refinery Valero was supposed to cover two thirds of the costs and make use of the radar to keep an eye on their own ships.
During a presentation of the Raytheon the Justice-minister and representatives of Raytheon answered questions about the radar system. This paper wrote that “small crafts can be detected from a great distance to trace the course they’re sailing. It’s easier to establish which crafts are sailing with illegal intent. The radar is able to recognize small objects through temperature sensitive mechanisms. Motors of speedboats and even swimmers will light up the monitors.”
This week Gerold Dompig confirmed to the Amigoe that it is indeed possible to enter Aruba through the sea. “The radars do cover a large area of the territorial waters, but the system is not watertight.” Dompig didn’t want to comment on what the radar is unable to pick up, but he did admit that ‘high waves could prevent a small boat from being detected’. Aruba has two radar installations. One is located at TeleAruba, and the other one at Aruba Port Authority (APA). Rudolf Kelly, radar project coordinator at the justice department, stated that the second radar was initially gong to be placed at Valero. “They were afraid of sabotage however and so they decided to erect the radar installation at APA.”
In June, July and August 2004 the radars were put into operation as a test. Vessels were placed out at sea to test the radar’s reach. The results were positive and the lease contract was signed till August 2007. A year later it becomes apparent that the radar’s efficiency is somewhat different in reality compared to the theoretical press presentation of Raytheon. Project coordinator Kelly confirms Dompig’s statement that high waves influence the efficiency of the radar. “The radar works well, but not during all types of weather. Heavy rainfall causes all kinds of spots on the screen, which makes it difficult to discern small boats. But, then again, no radar is full proof.”
11-27-05
On 11-27 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News “Well, I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to review this tape. I’ve seen it in it’s entirety…the uncut copy. And yes Deepak does specifically say “She did and you’d be surprised how simple it was.” I think what we’re having trouble with here Rick is a language barrier. It’s a semantic problem. The Dutch Forensic Institute has stated that the tape they received from the private Investigator and from the F.B.I. has not been manipulated. The one by Dr. Phil was not manipulated, it was edited for television. You can’t have a 2 1/2 hour taped interview on a one hour program. We just needed a 30 second sound-bite or a ten second sound-bite.” “Well I think the significance is now we’re getting a confession that all of these suspects had sex with my daughter on the night that they took her. As we know from JVDS statement he has her coming in and out of consciousness. That is a gang rape I believe in the United States. I just hope that the Dutch are not suggesting something as sinister as that Dr. Phil has manipulated these tapes. Again, that tape was edited, not manipulated.”
11-28-05
On 11-28 ELLIS-SCHIPPER (member of the "Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force") claimed MSNBC that she spoke to an ARUBAN Police Investigator today who told her “that four Investigators of the NFI, the Dutch Forensic Institute, all came to the same conclusion. They say that the answer [by Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE in the “Dr. Phil” version of the SKEETERS video interview] to the sex question was, ‘She did,’ appears to be manipulated and shortened, in the sense that the words ‘no’ and the ‘didn’t’ were cut out.”
On 11-28 SKEETERS stated to MSNBC he listened to his copy of his original (non-Dr. Phil-version) of his interview with Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE. SKEETERS stated to MSNBC “And this weekend, for the first time, I went over the tapes. That night I took the interview, I got it off the island immediately. And then the Phil show did the editing. And until I was told by Dompig recently about the difference in the wording, this weekend over Thanksgiving, I, myself, even went and tried to see what they were talking about. And like Dompig said, there‘s a lot more on that tape than we knew about. And it‘s unbelievable. And what I got today when I looked at it was, ‘And I am sure that she had sex with all of you,’ there‘s a real faint, ‘She did,’ and it caught me off guard, because I‘m not doing an interrogation. I‘m doing a fact-finding mission. I said, ‘Good.’ And then there‘s another statement—and here is one they‘re talking about—where they say—they think he says ‘We didn’t’ or ‘He didn’t.’ The Phil folks, when they did the transcribing, comes up and says, ‘And she did.’ And I looked at it, and, yes, it‘s a rough one in there. And I don‘t remember when I was doing the interview, but I just remember that he said, “She did,” I said, ‘Good,’ and then, ‘And she did,’ then he follows through with that. Now, here‘s what‘s important. Then I said, ‘Well, good, I mean’ and then he interrupts and says, ‘And you would be surprised how simple it was.’ And I found out something else. That‘s what I heard the first time. But this weekend, it‘s been verified by forensics, where he says, ‘And you‘d be surprised how simple it was that night.’ ”
On 11-28 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to MSNBC “Well, I hated to go through the agony of listening to the tape. But I guess it‘s come down to the fact that I‘m going to have to listen to the tape to find out who‘s telling the truth and who‘s not telling the truth. So that tape is supposed to arrive tomorrow. And I‘ll review it.” “Well, as you‘ll recall, you know, they have nothing. And this tape, hopefully, gives them something to re-arrest these guys if it, in fact, is true and legitimate. You know, Joran stated in one of his statements that Natalee was in and out of consciousness or falling asleep, waking back up. And, you know, if these tapes are authentic, which I understand they are, then that would be a basis for re-arrest, for sexual battery, sexual assault and rape.” “You know, you look at this tape, and it seems like the [ARUBAN and DUTCH] authorities are real defensive about even wanting to use it. That‘s what‘s troubling about this whole thing is, you know, you try to solve the case. You try to give them evidence and try to give them information they can use. And, you know, they seem to get defensive about it and not want to use it, rather than being positive about it and let‘s solve the case and move on.”
On 11-28 ELLIS-SCHIPPER, member of the ARUBA “STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE,” claimed to FOX News with regards to the SKEETERS videotaped interview taped statements/confessions of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE “Well, the next step as I explained already is that they have requested a procedure a mutual legal assistance Treaty with the U.S. and the F.B.I. to confirm these results. As well as investigate the hard disk of the laptop of Mr. Skeeters so they can be certain of the real raw material. What they have obtained is all copies of CD’s and VHS tapes by Mr. Skeeters.”
On March 28, 2006 the Aruban Boycott Blogspot reported:
THE $12 MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION
Earth to Dompig, come in Dompig. Ok, Gerold. Here's another question for you. What was your country using for radars PRIOR to November 2005?
OTTAWA --- November 28, 2005--Raytheon Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company, has been awarded a contract valued at approximately $12 million (Euro 10 million) by the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba (CGNA&A) to build an integrated coastal surveillance radar network on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, including long-term maintenance and training. The system will enable the precision monitoring of marine traffic in the waters around the Dutch Caribbean. It will be used primarily for search and rescue and drug interdiction, but it will also help combat illegal immigration.
The baseline system consists of eight radar sites equipped with a single command and control center based at the CGNA&A's rescue and coordination center in Curacao. Each site is composed of a Raytheon Canada Marine Small Target Tracker, Terma Scanter 2001 Radar from Terma of Denmark, wireless communications and physical infrastructure. The command and control center will be provided by HITT Traffic of The Netherlands. "This contract highlights Raytheon's industry leadership in coastal surveillance, advanced signal processing, and small target tracking technology," said Ron Fisher, president and CEO of Raytheon Canada.
"We're delighted to team with HITT to create and design this complex system for the coast guard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. Our Waterloo facility (as provided strong leadership on this project." Raytheon's Airspace Management and Homeland Security business area offers a broad range of automation and surveillance systems that are in use today in more than 50 countries around the world. The breadth of Raytheon's systems includes automation, communication, navigation and surveillance. Products are available to both civil and military markets. Investing in Canada since the 1950s, Raytheon Canada employs 1400 people at multiple sites in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario, serving the aerospace and de&ense sectors with a broad range of high technology products and services.
Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.
Hmmm...a U.S. company to boot!
ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG AND THE "WORKING" RADAR?
Dompig, why would you come out and volunteer information that wasn't asked of you? No one asked if the radar was working that night. Why bring it up or make it an issue unless you are trying to cover something up or lying?
But, A-HA!
Back in November, 2005, I received a tip from a source close to an Aruban native. This individual stated said that the radar to detect boats coming in and out of Aruba does not work, and the radar that detects the airplanes only works sometimes. This person said they are suppose to work, but Aruba won't ask the Netherlands for the money to help repair them because it will put them in greater dept owed to the Netherlands.
Dompig, let's see proof of those radar reports you discussed on 48 Hours. Maybe others can offer information to disprove your lie about the radar working, when it wasn't.
Does anyone notice how Aruba keeps avoiding searching the water? Take a boat about 2 and a half to three miles out from the Marriott and check there.
Why are they concentrating on the sand dunes? Because they are trying to steer the investigation in the wrong direction on PURPOSE...knowing full and well Natalee isn't buried there.
(click here for a lighthearted laugh compliments of the “Aruba boycott.blogspot” take on “Deputy Dog” Dompig)
On 11-28 CNNHN reported:
NANCY GRACE, HOST: Very quickly, everyone, tonight, we have received information from Natalee Holloway`s family. There was a new and decisive development in the case of the teenager missing from Aruba since May. Her family makes a special announcement about the new direction they take to bring their girl home. We`ll bring it to you tomorrow.
11-29-05
On 11-29 BETH confirmed to FOX News that NATALEE’s Loved Ones have hired the services of AMERICAN attorney JACK Q. KELLY.
On 11-29 the "AP" reported:
Governor calls on Arkansans to avoid traveling to Aruba
LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Huckabee is joining Alabama Gov. Bob Riley in requesting that Arkansans consider a travel boycott of Aruba to show respect for the family of missing Mountain Brook teenager Natalee Holloway.
Huckabee notes that the girl's mother, Beth Holloway-Twitty, is originally from Arkansas and that many of the missing teen's other relatives still live in the state.
Holloway's father, Dave Holloway, is also an Arkansas native who now lives in Meridian, Mississippi. A grandmother lives in Pine Bluff and an aunt in El Dorado.
Riley called for a nationwide travel boycott to the island and sent letters to his fellow governors urging them to support his decision. He blames the Aruban government for what he calls "missteps, miscommunication and inconsistencies" plaguing the investigation.
The 18-year-old Holloway was last seen leaving a bar with three young men from Aruba during a high school graduation trip to the island May 30th. Each of the three was later taken into custody but has since been released.
On 11-29 MSNBC reported:
RITA COSBY, HOST: … Also, it‘s six months since Natalee Holloway‘s disappearance, and now there‘s new political pressure against the Aruba government. A possible presidential contender joins us exclusively to tell us why he‘s backing the boycott now.
COSBY: Thank you very much.
And up next on LIVE AND DIRECT, an exclusive interview with Governor Mike Huckabee, who has just announced his support for a boycott against Aruba. He‘s going to tell us why he‘s now getting involved in the Natalee Holloway case.
…
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSBY: More news tonight in the Natalee Holloway case. Beth Holloway Twitty has hired a new high-profile attorney, former prosecutor John Q. Kelly. He‘s best known for his work on behalf of the family of Nicole Brown Simpson. He‘ll help Natalee‘s family by serving as a liaison to Aruban officials.
Meanwhile, it‘s been only a few weeks since Alabama Governor Bob Riley announced a boycott of Aruba. But now the call is picking up some major backing. LIVE & DIRECT tonight is Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Late today, the governor announced his support for the island boycott.
Governor, why did you decide to join in?
GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE, ARKANSAS: Rita, first of all, it was out of respect for my colleague and friend, Governor Bob Riley. But it‘s also because of an intense feeling of respect for the Holloway family.
Many of those family members are from our state here in Arkansas. Natalee‘s mother is from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Her father went to high school in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Many of her family live here. And the grief of that entire family is intense.
And I felt it was a way that we could show our solidarity with, not only our friend, Governor Riley, but also with his family. And then the bottom line is: I have a daughter. It‘s as simple as that. I‘ve got a daughter. If this were my child, I‘d want to know what happened.
COSBY: You know, Governor, why is this, the timing—why is this the right time, right now? Governor, can you hear me?
I think we lost his audio. We‘ll get back to the governor in a moment. And we were having audio problems with him just before the show. But we‘re going to get reaction now to the governor‘s statement.
Actually, do we have his audio now? Actually, we‘re going to have his audio in a moment. But as soon as we do, we‘re now going to get reaction from Aruba. We‘re going to bring in right now the island‘s chief protocol officer, Eric Brete. He works closely with the governor‘s prime minister.
Eric, we‘re going to bring the governor back in, in a second, because we‘re working on some audio issues. But while we‘re waiting on that, Eric, first of all, what‘s your reaction to now another state joining on board?
ERIC BRETE, ARUBAN CHIEF PROTOCOL OFFICER: Good evening. Well, all that I can say is I do not understand this boycott because of for an isolated incident that happened here on this island. I dare to say within 100 years that some governors are calling for a boycott.
I heard the governor say before that it‘s out of respect for the governor of Alabama and the family. I also have respect for the governor of Alabama and the family. And I also have a daughter. My daughter is in school in the United States.
And I mean, I care for my daughter very much, like I care for everybody else. And what if something like that, God forbid, happens to her? Should I boycott the United States? And I mean, if we can keep going, I mean, like, for instance, you have, like, should we boycott California? I mean, like...
(CROSSTALK)
COSBY: Now, Mr. Brete, what‘s your reaction though? Do you understand why the family is so frustrated and why a lot of people in America are so frustrated? You know, they feel like, you know, things are, you know, not—people aren‘t pulled in the second time. Questions aren‘t followed up on. No leads. Do you understand their frustration?
BRETE: Yes, I do understand their frustration. But nobody knows what happened to Ms. Holloway. I mean, nobody knows. And, I mean, if we could just sit all of us together and start or try to come up with solutions or something for the problem and blame people for something that nobody knows what happened.
I mean, like, if we‘re going to call a boycott, maybe we should—because I heard the family also say about safety. She‘s worried about the safety of the people of Aruba. I mean, should we call a boycott for St. Thomas? Two American boys out of New York were killed in St. Thomas.
Should we call a boycott of St. Thomas?
I mean, why where are we going with this? I mean, I do understand for the family. I mean, if it was my daughter, I mean, I would do, I mean, all I could do in this world, to be able to find out where she is. But I cannot go blame innocent people, people that are living on this island that don‘t have anything to do with that. So a boycott, I think, it‘s out of this world to think of that.
COSBY: All right, Mr. Brete, hold on, because I want to get back Governor Mike Huckabee from Arkansas, who just voiced his support for the boycott. I understand we got you back. Governor, thank you very much. I know you‘re holding the phone to your ear because of our audio problems.
I don‘t know if you heard what Mr. Brete was just saying, the spokesman for Aruba, basically saying, look, if we‘re upset with something, why not boycott the whole United States? If we‘re upset at O.J., boycott California. Is a boycott taking it too far?
HUCKABEE: Well, I think that the issue is that there are a lot of unanswered questions about why people have been arrested and released. In Governor Riley‘s letter to me, what he, I think, very passionately communicated was that there are a lot of issues that have not been resolved, things that would be fair enough to be resolved.
And I think what we‘re trying to do is to show that there‘s a need for us to stand with this family and to ask the questions and simply to ensure that there‘s going to be a level of cooperation with American authorities and, particularly, with this family.
COSBY: You know, Governor, what kinds of steps can you take to enforce this boycott? Are you talking about maybe talking with other governors and getting more on board? Are you talking about going to travel agents? How far do you see this going?
HUCKABEE: Well, we can‘t tell people what they should or shouldn‘t do. We‘re certainly making them aware of this family‘s grief and plight, and simply saying that, in their planning vacation ideas, that, until some of these questions are answered to the satisfaction of the officials here in the United States and also to the family of Natalee Holloway, they should think very carefully about where they go.
There are lots of wonderful places to go. Aruba is a wonderful place, and there‘s many great people there. You know, and I grieve for the people of Aruba who are not responsible for the unanswered questions.
COSBY: You know, Governor, because we saw the official on the other end from the prime minister‘s office, I want to give you a chance, Governor, to answer this. In terms of—you know, he‘s basically saying, “You know, look, we‘re doing all we can, in terms of the investigation.”
Seeing this from your perspective, Governor, do you believe the Aruban government is doing all they can? They say they are.
HUCKABEE: I don‘t know. I mean, the honest answer is I don‘t know. I do know that I have a great deal of faith in Governor Riley and in the Holloway family. Again, these are folks who live here in my state.
Beth grew up here. Natalee‘s father is from Arkansas. Many of her relatives live here. And that‘s who I have to believe and whom I have to have some confidence. And I apologize about the audio problems. I wish I could fix it. But I hope it communicates at least somewhat.
COSBY: It absolutely does. Governor, thank you very much. And, Eric Brete, thank you very much, too.
And of course, while it looks like the boycott of Aruba is gaining some steam, some opponents are also getting as vocal as some of the supporters. LIVE & DIRECT tonight are radio talk show Dom Giordano and also Steve Yuhas. Dom supports the boycott, while Steve is definitely against it.
Steve, why are you so against it?
STEVE YUHAS, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, Rita, first of all, thanks for having me on. There‘s any number of reasons to be against a boycott of a country for an isolated incident. I think the official from Aruba made it very clear.
He‘s got a daughter here. If we want to—and I think Governor Riley started this little adventure into boycotthood. Governor Huckabee joined it, and it‘s purely political. That‘s why he did it. It has nothing to do with kinship.
And I‘m a conservative talk show host and saying this about a Republican governor. But you cannot boycott a country because a woman made a tragic error and the family feels that they‘re not being treated fairly.
COSBY: But, Steve, are you saying that, what, she deserve to be killed?
YUHAS: No, I didn‘t—we don‘t know that she‘s dead, Rita. But she deserved to be treated with respect, obviously, if whatever—whatever befell Natalee, I don‘t know what it is. You don‘t know what it is. And certainly none of the governors do.
The investigation is taking its course, but the people who are going to be hurt are the people that people like Governor Huckabee and Governor Riley pretend to care about, the people in their state.
COSBY: Let me bring in, in fairness to time, because we don‘t have a lot of time. Let me bring in Dom.
DOM GIORDANO, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Sure. Hey, Rita...
COSBY: Dom, what do you think?
GIORDANO: Yes, Rita, O.J.‘s name was mentioned. And I‘m hearing Steve say this. These people in Aruba are doing about as thorough of an investigation as O.J. is in finding the people that allegedly killed his wife. And this is not a woman, Steve; it‘s an 18-year-old.
YUHAS: OK. Well, she is a woman. And the fact of the matter is...
GIORDANO: She‘s not a woman. She‘s a kid down there.
YUHAS: If Natalee Holloway were being held for four months in jail, like van der Sloot was being held, America, including probably Governor Riley and Governor Huckabee, would be having a hissy fit saying they don‘t like Aruban justice. They don‘t want the Aruban justice system to run its course. If they want to boycott something, boycott it after it comes out that they did a lousy job.
(CROSSTALK)
COSBY: Both of you, I‘ve got to interrupt, because, Steve, we‘ve even had the chief of Police here who‘s himself admittedly said that, “Look, we did make some mistakes early on.” He‘s also even said on our show, Steve, that we believe they‘re guilty as hell, we just have to prove it.
Dom, let me get you to respond.
GIORDANO: Well, this stuff is foot-dragging. And the guy, Rita—thank God for shows like you. And thank God for people like Mrs. Holloway who will not relent with this foot-dragging and with what I see as a rich kid portrayed here who‘s being cut a break in Aruba. And that‘s why America is angry about this, and that‘s why they‘re reaching for ways like boycotts to do something about it.
(CROSSTALK)
COSBY: And, Steve, I‘m going to give you 10 seconds. Steve, go ahead.
YUHAS: First of all, the boycott is going to hurt the poor people, not the rich kid. If you held so much contempt for rich kids, give some of your money that you make in the radio business back.
But second of all...
(CROSSTALK)
GIORDANO: Well, you don‘t know whether I give money back or not, Steve. To who?
YUHAS: This is going to hurt the poor people of Aruba, who did nothing to deserve it.
COSBY: Steve, after that jab to Dom, I‘m going to give Dom 10 seconds. Dom, you get the last word.
GIORDANO: Well, it is going to hurt them, Rita. You can hear how dependent they are on tourism. This is not about the poor people of Aruba; it‘s about the government. It‘s about their officials. It‘s about their infrastructure and what I see as the foot-dragging and arrogance of the kit and caboodle there. And I‘m glad we‘re putting some pressure on them.
COSBY: All right, guys. Thank you, both of you, very much. Very spirited. I appreciate it.
And a programming note now, everybody. Tomorrow marks six months since Natalee disappeared from the island of Aruba. We‘re going to take you inside the investigation and show you what I learned about the case when I traveled to the island myself.
Also, this is going to be your opportunity to ask questions. What would you like to know about the Natalee Holloway case? You‘ve got to send us an e-mail, to rita@MSNBC.com, rita@MSNBC.com. And we‘ll ask some of your questions right here on the air tomorrow night. It is all going to be tomorrow night on our special report, Aruba mystery, six months later.
On 11-29 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to the “ABC” TV Special "The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2005,” BETH stated that at about 6:00 PM on June 10, 2005 the FBI told her that, “There is a strong possibility that Natalee may not be alive. We just don’t know in what shape they left her when they were finished.” When asked when she is going to give up the search for NATALEE, BETH stated, "Oh, I am never going to give up. I'll always carry her story for the rest of my life."
BETH also showed the host, BARBARA WALTERS, her daughter's bedroom, showing her graduation gifts that remain unopened and stating that she continues to hope that NATALEE is alive. "My biggest hope is that she has only been kidnapped, raped, and drugged, and kept, against her will. I mean, I am hoping that they stopped with that, and didn't go ahead and kill her."
(Video available here 4m 29s)
On 11-29 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
OM arrests witness
ARUBA – The Public Prosecutor (OM) arrested a witness that testified for a suspect that supposedly was involved in a shooting. The OM suspects the witness of perjury. The district attorney didn’t believe the statement and had the 18-year old man arrested during the hearing.
The shooting took place during a party near hotel La Cabana in the night of April 30th. It was a problem between two gangs, Dakota and Madiki. Dakota accuses the 20-year old E.F. from Madiki of the shooting. F.’s lawyer subpoenaed two friends to witness. One of them, the 18-year old D. de la C. declared that he left at 03:30 and didn’t hear any shots. He also declared that his friend F. had left one hour before him. The district attorney didn’t believe De la C., because other people have told the police that they have seen him at the location during the shooting. There is a punishment of at least 3 months imprisonment for perjury.
The case will continue on December 9th and more witnesses are subpoenaed to testify
On 11-29 CNNHN reported:
NANCY GRACE, HOST: To tonight`s "Case Alert." We have new inside information from the Natalee Holloway family. Frustrated with the Aruban authorities` sputtering investigation into her daughter`s disappearance, Beth Twitty taking matters into her own hands, hiring New York lawyer John Kelly (ph) to oversee the investigation and to bring her girl home. Maybe he can help discover what really happened in Aruba.
11-30-05
On 11-30 SKEETERS stated to MSNBC that the current discussions about the video tapes of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's statements/confessions is “one big cigar smoke screen. Deepak admitted he had sex with Natalee and it’s on the tape. It’ll speak for itself. It‘s one of those things where they’re trying to try the case in the court of world opinion. The tapes will say it all. As far as him shaking his head, I‘m looking at my hard drive right now. He’s not shaking his head. And on my tape it’s as clear as a bell. As a matter of fact, I would like for you to have one.” “Listen, even the Dutch folks indicated my tapes are authentic. They haven’t been touched. They are pure. They are virgin. And they’ll speak for themselves.”
On 11-30 when MSNBC asked DAVE HOLLOWAY if in the SKEETERS video interview of Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE if anything doctored, manipulated, or taken out of context?, DAVE replied “No, I don‘t believe so. I think what Dr. Phil’s show did was edited the tape. From what I can understand, you know, this tape has--
the air-conditioner came on about the time Deepak walked in the room-- so you‘ve got a lot of snow in there. But essentially, from what I understand, he said—there was kind of a stutter after Jamie asked the question, and that stuttering part I believe was taken out of the tape. And then he said, No, we did. You‘d be surprised how easy it was that night. When MSNBC asked DAVE if he believes that the 3 Main Murder Suspects had sex with NATALEE on 5-30?, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "Oh, yes. Absolutely. You can‘t have a negative and then turn around and then support it with a positive. I mean, they’ve got to put the whole sentence together for it to make sense. If they said, ‘No, we didn‘t,’ and then turn around and said, ‘You wouldn’t believe how simple it was,’ that just—that just doesn‘t make sense.”
On 11-30 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to MSNBC “I believe there were some chaperones there at Carlos and Charlie‘s. When it let out, everyone just scattered and—you know, and there we go. The—and Deepak, I understand, led her off to the car.” When MSNBC asked about the Christian cross and memorial to NATALEE near the fishermen's huts, DAVE HOLLOWAY stated "A tourist had put that cross up. She was from the States. She came down there and was walking along the beach and decided to put up a memorial there at that spot. The dog teams have searched that a number of times. These dogs have a sensitivity of thousands of times of the human nose. So the cadaver dogs went through that area a number of times and have cleared it.”
On 11-30 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to MSNBC “When I think about what they (the ARUBAN and DUTCH Police and authorities) have done, it‘s what they‘ve done all along. They just try to lose focus of these suspects. And really, take the taped interview and set it aside. Let‘s go back to the facts here. You know, they‘ve had evidence all along. They‘ve had a statement from Joran van der Sloot that admitted to having sex with my daughter at his home. He has her coming in and out of consciousness. I mean, I think that they are just trying to, you know, lose the focus once again on the suspects.” “There‘s a lot of other information on the tape that I would love for people to be aware of. I mean, even Deepak‘s response to Jamie Skeeters that, ‘If Joran knows what‘s good for him, he will keep his mouth shut.’ I mean, it just goes back to these three suspects. They know exactly what they did with my daughter, and they know where she is.”
On 11-30 MSNBC played a videotape (recorded the last week in August, 2005 when RITA COSBY was in ARUBA) of an interview of JULIA RENFRO (the transplanted AMERICAN who has lived in ARUBA for 17+ years and has several business interests there, including an ARUBAAN's news-source) claiming “When Joran was initially questioned by the Police and the Twitty family, he immediately said that once Natalee was in the car, she had asked for a ride back to the "Holiday Inn," she had mentioned that she wanted to see a few sights because it was her last evening. So they came up here to the lighthouse, according to the story, and looked at the view. Also, they said that they never actually got out of the car. They just looked around.” “He ( Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT ) says that he was home at 3:00 in the morning of the 30th.” “They ( Current Murder Suspects DEEPAK and SATISH KALPOE ) claim to have dropped Joran and Natalee off at the beach at 1:50. And then from there, they claimed to be home at 2:00 o‘clock. From there, Deepak received a text message on his cell phone asking for a ride, and that was approximately 2:40, I believe.” “They claims they did not go pick up Joran that night.”
On 11-30 JULIA RENFRO (the transplanted AMERICAN who has lived in ARUBA for 17+ years and has several business interests there, including an ARUBAAN's news-source) claimed to FOX News that ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG, his Investigators, “and another commissioner will ‘crack the case.’” RENFRO also said that currently the ARUBAAN's believe that the 3 Main Murder Suspects are all involved in NATALEE’s disappearance in ARUBA.
On 11-30 MSNBC reported about the belt that ART WOOD found buried in the sand dunes near the California lighthouse (ART WOOD believes the belt is seen in a photo of Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT using it around a young boys neck) “It is still in Police custody in Aruba. They said it was too old to test.”
On 11-30 MSNBC reported about a JOE MAMMANA advertising campaign “Joe, I want to start with you, because you have a pretty bold ad campaign that‘s coming on. And I want to show a little bit of it, a quote from one of the posters. This is one of the boycott posters. It says, ‘A safe care-free vacation, beautiful beaches, sun and fun, plus Aruba authorities guaranteed rapist, murderers get out of jail free,’” to which MAMMANA replied “I‘ve watched this thing go around. It‘s like a hamster on a wheel. You know, last week you have Jorge talk about they have free Internet on the beaches, it‘s a great place. You have Dompig blaming the Holloway family for a life insurance policy. Now you have their strategic command blaming these tapes. I mean, you might as well have Jeffrey Dahmer talking about eating disorders. This thing is getting absurd. We are slowly putting a grassroots operation together. I was just on the phone with Laila Ali a little while ago, Muhammad Ali‘s daughter. She was telling us the support we’re getting down south is unbelievable. This is a slow train moving forward, gaining momentum. And when we hit it, we’re going to hit from every angle, like I had promised you, Rita. You know me by now. I don’t play any games. We’re coming into this thing. They started it. They had a chance to finish it. They didn’t, so we’re going to finish it.” “The only thing I’m saying is, look, we’re not after the Aruban people. Nobody wants to hurt the Aruban people. You know what though? To me, I‘m worrying about more than—one American to me is worth a million foreigners anywhere. We want Natalee Holloway back. We want these pieces of trash that did something to her, who admitted it on a thousand other tapes that you people have that we have seen around the world, we want you to go and do something, take care of this, like—or take out your trash. Do something. But do a public service. Go in there. Show the people. Get this blemish off the Arubaans, and the Netherlands, and the Dutch people, and do what is right. Give her back to us, dead or alive. Bring her back to America where she belongs. She is one of us, cut and dry.”
On 11-30 MSNBC reported:
DAN ABRAMS, HOST: Coming up, the Aruban government is fighting back saying that an audiotape of one of the suspects in Natalee Holloway‘s disappearance that was broadcast on the “Dr. Phil” show is not what it seems. They say Deepak Kalpoe did not admit to having sex with Natalee. We‘ve got the tape and the man who made it.
…
ABRAMS: The Aruban government is fighting back and it‘s about this interview with Deepak Kalpoe, one of the three suspects in the investigation into Natalee Holloway‘s disappearance.
(BEGIN AUDIOTAPE)
JAMIE SKEETERS, POLYGRAPH EXPERT: And the question I‘ll ask you is if you intentionally kill her?
DEEPAK KALPOE, SUSPECT IN NATALEE HOLLOWAY‘S DISAPPEARANCE: No.
SKEETERS: If it was an accident I can help all of you and if you guys were partying, even if someone had given her a date drug—I‘m sure she had sex with all of you.
KALPOE: She did. You‘d be surprised how simple it was.
(END AUDIOTAPE)
ABRAMS: Well Aruban authorities are saying that interview first aired on the “Dr. Phil” show is not what it seems and that Deepak Kalpoe actually gave a very different answer.
(BEGIN AUDIOTAPE)
SKEETERS: And the question I‘ll ask you is if you intentionally killed her?
KALPOE:
SKEETERS: If it was an accident I can help all of you. If you guys were partying, even if somebody had given her a date drug—I‘m sure she had sex with all of you.
KALPOE: She did. You‘d be surprised how simple it would have been.
(END AUDIOTAPE)
ABRAMS: Joining me now is Arlene Ellis Schipper, Aruban attorney and member of Aruba‘s Strategic Communications Task Force, polygraph expert Jamie Skeeters—he‘s the one who interviewed Deepak Kalpoe—and MSNBC analyst and former FBI investigator Clint Van Zandt.
All right. Arlene, bottom line is I think the big problem here is with regard to the translation or if you want to—the words that are being put on the screen to describe what it is that Kalpoe said, correct?
ARLENE ELLIS SCHIPPER, ARUBAN ATTORNEY (via phone): Well, no, not correct. The biggest problem is that the footage on the “Dr. Phil” show, which is video and audio shows Kalpoe that does not move his head and with a transcript which says yes or which says she did.
The CD ROM that we have received from Mr. Skeeters does not show a frozen image. It shows Kalpoe shaking his head no while he said, no, she didn‘t, so that is a clear change of the answer (UNINTELLIGIBLE) denial to an admission. And that was the result from the NFI, the Netherlands Forensic Institute that clearly says that these—the footage of “Dr. Phil” was manipulated both in audio and in video.
ABRAMS: So, again, when you say manipulated look, there is no question they edited the tape. All right and there‘s nothing wrong with editing the tape. But you‘re—but what you are saying is you believe that this was beyond just editing the tape. You are saying that they actually...
ELLIS SCHIPPER: Yes.
ABRAMS: ... manipulated the answers?
ELLIS SCHIPPER: This is not what I believe. This is what the NFI, four separate investigators came to conclude in their report and they specifically used the word manipulation of the answer. And that is—because editing wouldn‘t mean that you have to cut right in the sentence. And that is what has happened.
ABRAMS: Jamie Skeeters, look, you‘re the one who did this interview. This is a big deal because this is what many thought would be the reason that the—at least Deepak Kalpoe might be brought back in for questioning, the idea that he said he had sex with Natalee and they all did. What is—what do you make of the allegation that Arlene Ellis Schipper is making?
JAMIE SKEETERS, POLYGRAPH EXPERT (via phone): One gig cigar smoke screen. Deepak admitted he had sex with Natalee and it‘s on the tape. It‘ll speak for itself. It‘s one of those things where they‘re trying to try the case in the court of world opinion. The tapes will say it all.
As far as him shaking his head, I‘m looking at my hard drive right now. He‘s not shaking his head. And on my tape it‘s as clear as a bell. As a matter of fact, I would like for you to have one.
ABRAMS: Well we have I think talked to you about this and we are going to get those and air those tomorrow on the program so we can really get to the bottom of this.
Arlene, he‘s the one who made the tape and he‘s saying—and look—and when we listen to it, it sounds to me like the difference really isn‘t in what‘s said on the tape. The difference is in the interpretation of what‘s being said on the tape.
ELLIS SCHIPPER: It‘s not an interpretation. This is results—forensic results that I‘m talking about. It is not my allegation. I‘m speaking out of the results of the NFI, four separate investigators and it‘s not smoke screen. The comparison has been made of the video and the CD Rom, which Mr. Skeeters sent to the police and the footage of “Dr. Phil”.
And the specific findings were manipulation, not editing, manipulation. And the reason why we were focusing on this, it‘s not just because we have joined suddenly the defense team of Mr. Kalpoe, the reason is because for weeks and weeks in the media the police have been battered and—because claims were made that it was crystal clear that he admitted to rape.
And this also set the scene for support for a boycott. Now clearly the results from the NFI state that these tapes have been tampered with. This is not the truth that has been broadcasted. And basically, this was used to manipulate the viewers and the governor to call out for a boycott. This is our problem with this tape.
ABRAMS: All right...
ELLIS SCHIPPER: It is not about Kalpoe not being a suspect.
ABRAMS: I understand. I understand...
ELLIS SCHIPPER: He is a suspect. And as a matter of fact he is scheduled to be heard.
ABRAMS: What do you mean he‘s scheduled to be heard?
ELLIS SCHIPPER: Well, the police explained to me that they are—I have the pleasure with meeting the whole investigative team. And the problem with this whole media coverage is that all the leads that goes on one scenario. The police cannot do that.
They have to investigate all kinds of scenarios. There are hundreds of witnesses and leads that support all kinds of different scenarios. So they have to go technical—in a technical way, hear witnesses...
ABRAMS: All right.
ELLIS SCHIPPER: ... and hear suspects again.
ABRAMS: All right...
ELLIS SCHIPPER: ... and one of the suspects that will be heard again is Kalpoe.
ABRAMS: All right, I‘m going to play these two tapes again. But
Jamie Skeeters, again, just to make it perfectly clear, you are—look
they‘re saying that they tested the tapes and they‘re saying that the tapes
the tape that was played on the “Dr. Phil” show was altered. Are you vouching for the tape that was played on the “Dr. Phil” show?
SKEETERS: Dan, yes. Listen, even the Dutch folks indicated my tapes are authentic. They haven‘t been touched. They are pure. They are virgin. And they‘ll speak for themselves.
ABRAMS: All right.
SKEETERS: And as far as Dr. Phil, Dan, he‘s as honest as you are and his entire staff. Nobody is trying to manipulate anything. The evidence is what it is.
ABRAMS: Well I got to tell you, I really do want to see that tape. We‘re going to evaluate that, maybe we‘ll even get an expert. And Clint Van Zandt, I want to ask you in a moment how you go about authenticating a tape like this. But let‘s listen to these again.
First, I want to listen to the “Dr. Phil” version, then I want to listen to what is viewed as the original version, which the Aruban authorities are now saying is different. I don‘t know if the viewers will be able to tell any difference, but I‘ll let you listen and then we‘ll talk to Clint about it.
(BEGIN AUDIOTAPE)
SKEETERS: I‘m sure she had sex with all of you.
KALPOE: She did. You‘d be surprised how simple it was.
(END AUDIOTAPE)
ABRAMS: All right and now let‘s listen to the other one, which is the
what is referred to as the original version.
(BEGIN AUDIOTAPE)
SKEETERS: I‘m sure she had sex with all of you.
KALPOE: No she didn‘t. You‘d be surprised how simple it would have been.
(END AUDIOTAPE)
ABRAMS: All right, I got to tell you, it does sound different to me.
Before I go to Clint, Jamie, those two do sound different to me.
SKEETERS: Well I don‘t know which one that you were playing first, whatever, but when you say the original, is that the...
ABRAMS: The first one was a “Dr. Phil” tape, all right, where it said she did. You‘d be surprised how simple it was. The second was what—I‘m assuming comes from your original DVDs, et cetera, where it sure sounds like he‘s saying no, she didn‘t. You‘d be surprised how simple it would have been.
SKEETERS: Well what I heard on the tapes and what you can hear on the tapes is when I make that statement, she probably had sex with all of you. If you wait about a second and a half, you can hear him say she did. And then I go oh, because I‘m responding to a surprise copout. Then he says something like and she did or did. And then he goes and then you would be surprised how simpler it was that night. Now that‘s what I heard.
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: I‘m going to listen to these tapes...
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: I‘m going to give everyone a very fair evaluation of what I think. I‘ve got no stake in this. Clint Van Zandt, maybe you‘ll listen to them with me. You have been on the “Dr. Phil” show talking about this stuff. What do you make of this?
CLINT VAN ZANDT, FORMER FBI PROFILER: Well Dan, we know eyewitness testimony is one of the worst things there is to deal with but you still deal with it. Here we have eyewitness and ear witness.
Number one, you‘ve got Jamie Skeeters, who was the original interviewer who was standing just like I did when I was in Aruba one or two feet away from Deepak when he talked to him. Jamie says he said it. Jamie says his tape says he said the same thing.
Now what the labs will do, what the FBI would do—in fact I‘ve talked to a former FBI agent who does this, who has worked with me, and he said it‘s not real rocket scientist. He said you know we can take it and we can run the graphs and we can look at the voice pitch and we can compare the two. But of course what they are looking for is that Richard Nixon gap or change in the tape that we all remember...
ABRAMS: Yes.
VAN ZANDT: ... from Nixon‘s day, but when it comes down to it, Dan, you get an audio expert and he or she will sit there with a headset and they will compare one...
(CROSSTALK)
VAN ZANDT: ... against the other second by second, maybe 25, 50, 100 times...
(CROSSTALK)
VAN ZANDT: ... and that‘s how they will ultimately come to their expert opinion.
ABRAMS: You know what? I‘m going to try for tomorrow—because I know we‘re going to have that tape for tomorrow—I‘m going to also try and have an audio expert on the program with us as well to do any kind of evaluation that they can. Hopefully Arlene will come back on. We‘ll continue discussing this.
Arlene Ellis Schipper, thank you for taking the time. Jamie Skeeters, we appreciate it. And Clint Van Zandt, thanks.
For more on this and the investigation into Natalee Holloway‘s disappearance tune in to a special edition of “Rita Cosby” live at 9:00 right here on MSNBC.
