Detailed Timeline.... June 7 - 8, 2005

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

6-7-05
10:00 PM = according to “Blogs For Natalee” Identity “GrannyToad,” any ARUBA Police surveillance of a person(s) suspected of a crime(s) must cease at 10:00 PM.

On June 23, 2005 Current Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT gave the following statements to his ARUBAN Police Interrogators:

I did talk a lot with Deepak, Satish and Joran, from the moment they were interviewed as witnesses until they were arrested. We of course read the newspapers, saw the news and talked about it. I also was in almost daily contact with Jan van der STRATEN. I did not doubt the truthfulness of their story for one second. When we talked about the girl, we discussed what could happen if the girl would not re-appear. I was under the impression that the boys assumed that she would re-appear sooner or later. Af course we also discussed what if the girl did not re-appear. From what little information I got from Jan van der STRATEN, I got some hope that the girl was seen after she was dropped off at the Holiday Inn. He did not say this in so many words but I took that as an explanation as to why the boys weren't asked to give further statements to the police. To your question when I had noticed, that boys were asking a lot about what would happen with missing girl would not re-appear or if she would be found dead, what would happen then, whether this did not make me wonder why they were asking this, I can state the following. According to me it was not the boys who brought this up, but I brought this up. I was usually the one who steered the conversation towards the girl. Why did I steer the conversation towards the girl? I did this because I was getting worried. I was getting worried for the girl and also for the boys. Because of the fact that they had been the last to be seen with the girl they would no doubt come back to them. I however did not doubt the validity of their story for one moment. Comment reporting officer: at 20.05 hours the assistent district attorney, inspector first class J.C. SAMBO informed the suspect P.A.P.J. van der SLOOT that he would be held for questioning at the police station in Noord on which the suspect P.A.P.J. van der SLOOT responded that he would resist the incarceration because it was a completely insane and absurd action. Murder Suspect finds it highly questionable that this is only happening to make his son make statements that are beside the truth. Murder Suspect did remark that he is willing to tell us everything he remembers if this somehow gives clarity into the case of Natalee Holloway gone missing, but that this could best be done in the capacity of a witness. To your question whether I spoke to the boys at home on Wednesday June 1st 2005 and about what we talked, I can state the following. I don't exactly remember anymore what days I spoke to the boys. I only know that I talked to the boys a lot. I did not want Joran to be out of the house for as long as the girl was still missing. Because of that a lot of Joran's friends, including Deepak and Satish came over to visit us. We then often talked about the girl. We were following the reports in the newspapers, on the radio and on television. To your question how it happened that I found a lawyer for Joran and the two Kalpoe brothers, I can state the following. Looking at the facts I had to take into consideration that Joran, Deepak and Satish could at some point become suspects. If that was the case I wanted the proces to go as smoothly as possible, in order for them to be released as soon as possible. Again, I still believed their story implicitly. If they already had lawyers no time would be waisted when they were arrested. The lawyer could be there very quickly, so that the questioning could being immediately and no time would be waisted. In reality I was trying to facilitate the process as much as possible. You are telling me that I have stated that I believed the story but still took preparations with regard to a lawyer and I have explained them the entire procedure of being arrested and being detained, why? To this I can say the following. I have previously said that due to the fact that the boys could possibly be the last people who had been seen with the girl, this fact could be sufficient to cause them to be seen as suspects. As said before, I wanted to facilitate this process. Part of that was making sure the boys did not panic because they were unfamiliar with the procedure. I especially wanted to prevent that they would make statements that were untrue. In the situation they found themselves with a police and judicial apparatus that was under enormous pressure that was not unthinkable. To your question why I would think they would panic if they told their story, the one I believed, or whether I had reasons to be suspicious of their story and whether I know more about the case than I, my son Joran, Deepak and Satish did not tell when they made their first witness statements, I can tell you the following. I have told you before that I believed the boys story, that I had no reasons to doubt it, I also did not get any clues that made me doubtful and thus I assumed that the statement they gave to the police were the correct ones. My fear was more in the desire to score of the police force. I was afraid that the boys would be entrapped/tricked into making a statement that was not correct. I have told them on more than one occasion that they should count themselves lucky that they were with the three of them and that the interviews should not be hard because they were telling the truth. To your question as to how good a liar Joran is, I can tell you the following. In the past Joran lied. About money that he had stolen from us. We have talked about this extensively and it was also discussed at the youth psychologist Dr. XXX XXXXXX, with whom he had several talks about his growth into adulthood. I had the feeling he had made a clean breast of it/fresh start. I at least did not assume I had to doubt everything he said. To your question what I now think after it came out that Joran is making untruthful after untruthful statement and what I can state about that, I can state the following. I can not make a judgement about this. What I have understood that Joran is the one who broke open the case. To your question what I mean when I said that Joran broke open the case, I can state the following. Joran's lawyer has told me that it was Joran who changed his statement. Because of that the case is now broken open and now the truth can come out.



__:__ AM or PM (?) = Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT may or may not have left his office. In his June 18, 2005 statements to ARUBAN Police Detectives he intimated that he normally leaves his office sometime in the middle of the day, supposedly, to go to his home and eat. In his June 18, 2005 statements he gave to ARUBAN Police Detectives he stated “I cannot remember any more if I came home to eat in the middle of the day because that too was different on different days.”
????Did Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT leave his office during mid-day? Do co-workers remember if he left his office or not?
????If Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT did leave his office, what time did he leave his office?
????If Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT did leave his office, has it been confirmed or not confirmed via security video cameras that he took a driving route to his home, or did he drive a route away from his office to some where other than his home?
????If Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT did leave his office, has it been confirmed or not confirmed via security video cameras that he took a driving route back to his office from his home, or a did he drive a route back to his office from some where other than his home?


2:45 PM = According to Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT ’s June 14, 2005 statements he gave ARUBAN Police Interrogators his school day normally ended at 2:45 PM
On June 23, 2005 Current Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT gave the following statements to his ARUBAN Police Interrogators:

To your question whether I picked up Joran during the period between May 30th 2005 and June 9th 2005, I can state the following. It is possible but I cannot remember whether I did. I did pick up Joran from school from time to time but whether it was in that time-period I cannot remember.


On 6-7 FOX News reported:

Lawyer: Murder Suspect to Be Charged in Aruba Missing Woman CaseTeen's Hometown Remains Hopeful
Aruba's Government Asks for Help in Search
Holloway Known as 'Dependable'
Two Arrested in Disappearance
Three Probed in Missing Teen Case
Natalee's Mom Issues Plea
Ala. Teen vanishes in Aruba
ORANJESTAD, Aruba — A suspect will be charged in connection with the disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway in Aruba, a lawyer for the suspect said Tuesday.The suspect will be charged with kidnapping, homicide and accessory to homicide during a court appearance on Wednesday, the attorney said.News of the charges came as searchers continued to scour the island for the 18-year-old woman. Volunteers, Police, soldiers and F.B.I. agents searched scrubland and beaches on Aruba's southeastern tip Tuesday.One Atlanta resident told FOX News that she was vacationing in Aruba and confirmed that she was approached by the same guards currently in custody in the case and was offered marijuana by them.The Dutch Caribbean island's government on Monday let 4,000 civil servants off work early at 2 p.m. to hunt for Holloway, who vanished a week ago on a school trip there. About 700 people participated in the expanded search, which began a day after Police charged two men in the disappearance of the 18-year-old from Mountain Brook, Ala.The honors student vanished May 30 while on a five-day trip with more than 100 classmates celebrating their high school graduation. Seven chaperones accompanied them.Kenneth Angela and three co-workers from Aruba's lottery company were among the hundreds who boarded 10 buses in the community of Santa Cruz, about six miles from the capital, Oranjestad (search), to be taken to the search site."It's the first time Aruba has done such a big search," said Angela, a 31-year-old lottery supervisor. "We want to keep Aruba's name good. That's why we're here, to help find Natalee."U.S. law enforcement officials stressed to FOX News that the F.B.I. is not the lead Investigator in the case but that the agency is "working closely with authorities in Aruba."The FBI's office on the island of St. Thomas is helping, along with a team of agents sent in from various parts of the United States, including the Washington field office and the Miami field office. This team includes trained forensic divers. The FBI's office in Birmingham, Ala., is contacting and interviewing relatives.Official: Murder Suspects Tried to Pick Up WomenThe two suspects, aged 28 and 30, were arrested in a raid before dawn Sunday. Aruba officials declined to provide specific charges. Authorities had not found any of Holloway's belongings at the suspects' homes.Authorities impounded three vehicles and took bags of items from the two homes of the suspects.The two suspects had lost their jobs as security guards at a hotel closed for renovation near where Holloway was staying on her last night on the island because their work contract had expired, a senior Police official said Tuesday.They were known to Police because they had a habit of going around to hotels trying to pick up women or bum cigarettes, said the official. One of the suspects had a brush with the law, but it was not a violent or sexual offense, the official said.Police spokesman Edwin Comemencia said authorities had not ruled out the possibility that other people were involved. The two men in custody were not among three others described Saturday by Police as "persons of interest."Authorities declined to comment whether there was a relationship between the suspects and other three, earlier described as students — two Surinamese (search) and a native of the Netherlands — who told Police they dropped off Holloway at her hotel around 2 a.m. on May 30. Hotel employees, however, say that security cameras did not record her return.The night she disappeared, Holloway went to a beach concert and then ate and danced at Carlos 'n' Charlie's bar and restaurant. She did not show up for her return flight hours later, and Police found her passport in her hotel room with her packed bags.It was not clear if Holloway had been drinking the night of her disappearance, though her relatives say she does not party much, is achievement-oriented and a straight-A student who had earned a full scholarship to study a premedical course at the University of Alabama (search). Her hotel, the "Holiday Inn," is right on the water.The Aruba government and local tourism organizations have offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to Holloway's rescue. Her family and benefactors in Alabama have offered $30,000 in addition.Family Grateful to ArubaansMore than 100 Meridian, Miss., residents gathered at a church Monday night to pray for the safe return of Holloway, who is a Mississippi native. Her father is a resident of Meridian.Holloway's parents are staying in the room at The "Holiday Inn" in Aruba that their daughter was staying in before she disappeared. The missing teen's uncle, Paul Reynolds, told FOX News Tuesday morning that while staying in the same room is difficult for the parents, it gives them a feeling of closeness to her.And the outpouring of support from the Aruban community and at home is holding the family together, he said."It's overwhelming how they [the people of Aruba] have responded — it's almost like a large family here," Reynolds told FOX News. "They've been very supportive ... it's a wonderful thing to see how everyone pulls together."The initial idea for the search called for an island wide effort, but later changed focus to the southeastern area of Seroe Colorado and part of San Nicolas, Police commander Judy Hassell said. San Nicolas is where authorities arrested the two men who were charged in the case.Hassell said Aruba's 74 square miles, slightly larger than Washington, D.C., made a full search of the island impractical."We're going to do as much as we can," he said.Some of the volunteers were tourists, including Bill and Sarah Wise, both 22, of Cleveland."We couldn't leave without trying to help a fellow American," Bill Wise said.The coast guard said Aruba's shoreline already had been searched on foot, by boat and helicopter, but the new search was more thorough.Holloway's disappearance has shaken the sense of security many of Aruba's 97,000 people took for granted. Only one murder and six rapes were recorded last year. So far this year, there have been two murders and three rapes on the island, where the average annual income is a comfortable $22,000.FOX News' Rick Leventhal, Sharon Fain, Anna Persky and Jonathan Serrie and The Associated Press contributed to this report.



On 6-7 the BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA “Birmingham Post Herald” reported:

Sessions' call added FBI to search June 7, 2005FROM STAFF AND PRESS REPORTS As a former federal prosecutor, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile, understands how local law enforcement officials often feel they can investigate a crime without the help of the FBI. So Sessions went over the head of Aruba's prosecutor last week, speaking first with officials at the Embassy of the Netherlands and then Aruba's prime minister, to urge that the FBI be involved in investigating the disappearance of Mountain Brook teenager Natalee Holloway. "We had nice conversations. They were positive about welcoming assistance," said Sessions Monday. Thirteen FBI agents were reportedly assisting in the search for Holloway as of Monday. They included divers, said Raymond Zicarelli, special agent in the Birmingham FBI office. Sessions said his office was contacted by a friend of the family of Beth Holloway Twitty last week after Aruba prosecutors initially declined technical assistance from the FBI. Sessions said he spoke last last week with the chief deputy at the embassy of Netherlands and the minister responsible for Aruba. Then Prime Minister Nelson Oduber called Sessions Saturday to assure him Aruba welcomed any assistance and that all he was trying to do was find Holloway. "He was heartfelt," Sessions said. On Monday, about 700 volunteers joined police, soldiers and the FBI, combing scrubland and beaches on Aruba's southeastern tip in the search. Holloway, 18, of Mountain Brook vanished a week ago on a trip to the Dutch Caribbean island. Aruba's government let 4,000 civil servants off work early at 2 p.m. to hunt for Natalee Holloway, 18. The expanded search began a day after police charged two men in her disappearance. The honors student vanished May 30 while on a five-day trip with more than 100 classmates celebrating their high school graduation. Seven chaperones accompanied them. The initial idea for the search called for an islandwide effort, but later changed focus to the southeastern area of Seroe Colorado and part of San Nicolas, police commander Judy Hassell said. San Nicolas is where authorities arrested the two men who were charged in the case. A court appearance for the two men is scheduled for today. Deputy Chief Jerold Dompig has said kidnapping is one of the possible scenarios. Hassell said Aruba's 74 square miles, slightly larger than Washington, D.C., made a full search of the island impractical. Some of the volunteers were tourists, including Bill and Sarah Wise, both 22, of Cleveland. "We couldn't leave without trying to help a fellow American," Bill Wise said. Hassell said she asked the Justice Ministry for permission to conduct another big search today but had not yet received permission. The coast guard said Aruba's shoreline already had been searched on foot, by boat and helicopter, but the new search was more thorough. Holloway's disappearance has shaken the sense of security many of Aruba's 97,000 people took for granted. Only one homicide and six rapes were recorded last year. So far this year, there have been two homicides and three rapes on the island, where the average annual income is a comfortable $22,000. The two suspects, ages 28 and 30, were arrested in a raid before dawn Sunday. Police said the men work as security guards. Neighbors said the two served as guards at a hotel under renovation near the one where Holloway stayed. Aruba officials declined to provide specific charges. Authorities had not found any of Holloway's belongings at the suspects' homes. Authorities impounded three vehicles and took bags of items from the two homes. An eight-member team of FBI agents supporting the investigation will help perform forensic testing, police said. Police spokesman Edwin Comemencia said authorities had not ruled out the possibility that other people were involved. The two men in custody were not among three others described Saturday by police as "persons of interest." Authorities declined to comment whether there was a relationship between the suspects and other three, earlier described as students — two Surinamese and a native of the Netherlands — who told police they dropped off Holloway at her hotel about 2 a.m. May 30. Hotel employees say that security cameras did not record her return. The night she disappeared, Holloway went to a beach concert and then ate and danced at Carlos 'n Charlie's bar and restaurant. She did not show up for her return flight hours later. Police are investigating three main theories: Holloway was kidnapped; she went off on her own, a possibility her relatives discount; or that she had come to harm. The Aruba government and local tourism organizations have offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to Holloway's rescue. Her family and benefactors in Alabama have offered $30,000 in addition. Meanwhile, Mountain Brook residents gathered Monday at the Mountain Brook Community Church for a noon prayer service for Holloway. Kelly Keim, 42, of Mountain Brook said she attended the service to pray for the missing teenager. "Prayer can change things," Keim said. "If anybody or anything can bring her back ... God can." Keim didn't know Holloway or her family but felt a connection with them through the current ordeal. "I can't imagine what her family is going through," she said. Holly Brown, 18, who attended the service, was one of Holloway's friends. "Natalee has been my best friend since eighth grade," she said. She said the service kept "everybody hopeful and optimistic." Birmingham Post-Herald reporters Rosa Ramirez and James Brosnan, and NBC 13 correspondent Andrew Hayenga contributed to this story.



On 6-7 CNN reported:

Search continues for teen missing in ArubaGovernment workers join hunt for Alabama womanORANJESTAD, Aruba (CNN) -- The search for Natalee Holloway will resume Tuesday in Aruba, a day after government employees joined Police, Dutch marines and F.B.I. agents in the search for the 18-year-old Alabama student.Holloway vanished more than a week ago on the Caribbean island.Authorities said some searchers focused Monday on the eastern tip of the island, the same area searched Sunday by Dutch marines.The area is also near the oil refining town of San Nicolas, where two hotel security guards were arrested Sunday morning in connection with Holloway's disappearance.The security guards were charged with crimes related to Holloway's disappearance, but details of the charges have not been made public. Authorities will hold the men for at least two days, Aruba chief prosecutor Karin Janssen said Sunday.Janssen also said she has requested F.B.I. dive teams to help search craggy areas of Aruba's coast.An F.B.I. spokesman in Miami, Florida, said earlier reports that bureau divers would join the search Monday were in error, as was a report that its agents assisted in Sunday's arrests.Seven F.B.I. agents from Miami are in Aruba, including two divers and evidence collection and analysis experts, and one agent has come from Barbados, the spokesman said. Police chief Jan van der Straten said the two men arrested are security guards at the Hotel Allegro, which is near the "Holiday Inn" where Holloway was staying.Police spent much of Saturday at the hotel, which is undergoing renovations.At a Sunday news conference, van der Straten said Police and the F.B.I. determined that bloodstains found on a mattress near the site of the men's arrests were from a dog.van der Straten said authorities have not found any of Holloway's possessions among items seized.A tip led Police to the men, who were under "interrogation," and others may be arrested, Janssen said. The men, ages 28 and 30, were not among the three men in whose company Holloway was last seen.Carla Caccavale, a spokeswoman for Holloway's family, said Police had briefed them earlier Monday but not given out any new information."They believe that Natalee is still here, on the island, alive, somewhere on the island," she said. "And that is the family's belief right now. They are not considering any other option."In an interview with CNN, Holloway's stepfather, George "Jug" Twitty, described the past week as "an emotional roller coaster," and added that the family has "done everything we can do." He and the girl's mother, Beth Holloway-Twitty, have vowed not to leave the island until Holloway is found."We just try to be strong and we pray and we try to prepare ourselves, we just hope that the best happens," Twitty said.Holloway last seen leaving clubHolloway -- from the affluent Birmingham, Alabama, suburb of Mountain Brook -- was last seen about 1:30 a.m. May 30 leaving Carlos 'n' Charlie's, an Oranjestad nightclub.Witnesses said she left in a car with three local men between the ages of 18 and 25.Authorities said they talked to the three men who left with her. The men said they took Holloway to Arashi Beach before leaving her at her hotel about 2 a.m., authorities said.Holloway's uncle, Paul Reynolds, said he was told security cameras did not show his niece returning to the hotel that night, according to an Associated Press report. Police declined to comment on that report, the AP said."We're still looking, we're still hoping she's alive," Rudi Soemers, Police night watch commander, told CNN.Rewards and yellow ribbonsHolloway was on the trip to Aruba -- a self-governing island off Venezuela under the protection of the Netherlands -- with about 100 Mountain Brook high school students to celebrate graduation.The girl's aunt, Marcia Twitty, said the Holloway family believes the parent chaperones on the Aruba trip did all they could.Holloway is a straight-A student and a member of the National Honor Society and the school's dance team. She has an academic scholarship to the University of Alabama. (Profile)A reward of $55,000 has been donated by the Aruban Tourist Board and government, Holloway's family and an anonymous donor. The family has asked members of the Mountain Brook community to post yellow ribbons in her honor. In addition, area youths are making bracelets. Daily prayer services are being held for Holloway.She is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and 110 pounds. People with any information are encouraged to call a tip line at 1-877-628-2533.CNN's Karl Penhaul contributed to this report.



On 6-7 FOX News reported:

Aruba's Government Asks for Help in Search
ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The Aruban government called on thousands of civil servants and tourists Monday to join the local Police and American FBI in the search for a missing Alabama teen as two men were being held in connection with her disappearance.
Natalee Holloway, 18, vanished a week ago while on a five-day trip to the Caribbean island with more than 100 other classmates to celebrate their graduation from Mountain Brook high school near Birmingham, Ala.
Authorities on the Dutch Caribbean island requested a special FBI diving team to search waters with rough currents, Aruba Attorney General Karin Janssen said.
The Dutch Caribbean island's government on Monday asked most of the 4,000 public employees to meet at a sports stadium in the central community of Santa Cruz at 2 p.m. EDT to be briefed on "a systematic search," Police commander Trudy Hassell said.
"We hope there will be thousands," Hassell said in the capital, Oranjestad. "This effort is a national effort. We feel with the family."
Aruban Police in unmarked cars accompanied by FBI agents made a pre-dawn raid at 5 a.m. Sunday, rousting two suspects aged 28 and 30 from their beds.
An AP photographer watched as the rumpled men — one from the De Vuiyst housing project for poorer islanders and another from an average home in southeast San Nicolas — emerged without resistance, hands cuffed behind their backs.
Police searched the homes and emerged with what looked like a metal safe deposit box and a garbage bag of clothing.
Police spokesman Edwin Comemencia said that authorities had not ruled out the possibility that other people were involved. The two men in custody were not among three others described Saturday by Police as "persons of interest."
"I think there are more suspects ... we're going to arrest more" people in connection with the case, Comemencia told FOX News on Monday.
Authorities declined to comment whether there was a relationship between the suspects and other three, earlier described as students — two Surinamese and a native of the Netherlands — who told Police they dropped off Holloway at her hotel around 2 a.m. on May 30. Hotel employees, however, say that security cameras did not record her return.
Comemencia also said that he didn't believe Holloway ever returned to her hotel. "The investigation looks like, that night, she never returned to her hotel," Comemencia told FOX News.
Janssen declined to provide specific charges, saying the case will go before a judge within 48 hours to determine whether they can be legally held. She said authorities had not found any of Holloway's belongings at the suspects' homes.
"The charges have a relationship with the disappearance," Janssen said. "There is a reasonable suspicion they may be involved."
Authorities impounded three vehicles found at the two homes, and a team of more than a dozen FBI agents helping with the investigation will help perform forensic testing on them, Police said.
"We hope she's alive," Police commissioner Jan van der Straten said. "Everyday I see the light at the end of the tunnel." van der Straten called on the public to be patient because the investigation will "take time."
Neighbors described the two detained men as security guards who worked at a hotel closed for renovation near where the teen was staying at the "Holiday Inn." Deputy Police chief Gerold Dompig confirmed that the suspects were security guards.
At least 70 people showed up for a prayer vigil Sunday evening at California Lighthouse on Aruba's gusty northwest point. They sang a hymn and listened to a brief sermon by Rev. Larry Waymire, 50, of Lexington, Tennessee, who has lived in Aruba for six years.
"This is a trying time, not only for Aruba but for the world as a whole," Waymire said during the 10-minute ceremony. "This has touched the lives of millions of people around the world."
The lighthouse, built in the early 20th century, was named for a steamship that wrecked off the island's coast and overlooks a dive site and one of the beaches that Holloway was reported to have visited.
Hundreds of Arubaans and American residents and tourists have joined the hunt, upset that Holloway's disappearance could mar the image of this tranquil island. About 500,000 Americans visited Aruba last year.
When asked why the teen's disappearance had reverberated throughout the world, 54-year-old Bill Creamer of Fitchburg, Mass., said the impossible had happened.
"It can't happen here and it did. On a smaller scale it's 9/11," said Creamer, who has come to the island with his wife, Nancy, for the past seven years.
Holloway spent her last night at a beach concert featuring Boyz II Men and Lauryn Hill at Surfside beach in southern Aruba, Tourism Minister Edison Briesen said. About 8,000 people attended the concert, which was part of the third annual Soul Beach Music Festival.
She then ate and danced at Carlos 'N Charlie's bar and restaurant. She did not show up for her return flight hours later, and Police found her passport in her hotel room with her packed bags.
Authorities were overheard on a Police frequency Sunday evening issuing a bulletin to stop a rented white Toyota in connection with the disappearance of the 5-foot-4-inch blonde. Dompig declined to confirm it.
The Aruban government and local tourism organizations have offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to Holloway's rescue. Her family and benefactors in Alabama have offered another $30,000.
Holloway's disappearance has shaken a sense of safety many Arubaans took for granted in an island of 72,000 people that saw one murder and six rapes last year. This year, there have been two murders and three rapes, Police said.
Holloway, a straight-A student, had earned a full scholarship at the University of Alabama and planned to study premed, said her uncle, Paul Reynolds.
Many feared the worst when authorities said they found a blood-soaked mattress at a beach in eastern Aruba on Sunday, but it turned out to be animal blood.



On 6-7 CNN reported:

Two Aruba men held on 'reasonable suspicion'
Attorney says he expects clients to be accused of homicide
Oranjestad, Aruba - (CNN) -- Prosecutors in Aruba decided to further detain two hotel security guards in the disappearance of an Alabama student based on what authorities called "a reasonable suspicion" they were involved in "criminal acts" related to the case.
Asked Tuesday if the men were to be charged with homicide and kidnapping, prosecution spokeswoman Vivian van der Biezen said, "I cannot confirm it. I think I will be able to confirm it tomorrow."
Natalee Holloway, 18, vanished eight days ago while on a graduation trip to Aruba with about 100 of her high school classmates accompanied by parent chaperones.
Prosecutors decided to detain the suspects for another eight days. They are to appear in court Wednesday. Acting on a tip, Police arrested the pair Sunday morning in the oil-refining town of San Nicolas.
Van der Biezen would not elaborate about evidence gathered in the investigation, but she did say that authorities would not have prolonged the detention if they only had circumstantial evidence.
Defense lawyer Chris Lejuez said he expects his clients to be formally accused of homicide, being accomplices to homicide, and of kidnapping leading to homicide.
He said his clients are innocent. The guards -- ages 28 and 30 -- worked at Hotel Allegro in Oranjestad near the Holiday Inn where Holloway was staying.
Lejuez said the men were not working the night Holloway disappeared.
"They had not been near the hotel at that hour at that time," he said. "So, there is no reason for them to have to admit to something that they did not do."
He said he has not been able to see the full statements his clients have made to Police.
Aruba Police spokesman Edwin Comenencia said authorities have received more than 200 tips and that searchers continue to comb the island for Holloway, including dive teams that are searching the coastal waters.
"The investigation is ongoing," he said. "All options are open."
Police, Dutch marines, FBI agents and hundreds of volunteers have been scouring the Caribbean island for the straight-A student who earned a full scholarship to attend the University of Alabama this fall. (Profile)
A reward of $55,000 has been offered for any information leading to her whereabouts.
Authorities said some searchers were focusing on the eastern tip of the island, the same area searched Sunday by Dutch marines, and near San Nicolas where the suspects were arrested.
Police said officers were pressing the two men for clues to Holloway's whereabouts, but they were not cooperating.
Police also want to find out if the suspects had any connection to three other men in whose company Holloway was last reported seen.
Holloway last seen leaving club
Holloway -- from the affluent Birmingham suburb of Mountain Brook -- was last seen leaving Carlos 'n' Charlie's, an Oranjestad nightclub, in the wee hours of May 30.
Witnesses said she left in a car with three local men.
Authorities said the men told Police they took Holloway to nearby Arashi Beach before bringing her to her hotel at 2 a.m., authorities said.
Holloway's uncle, Paul Reynolds, said he was told security cameras did not show his niece returning to the hotel that night, according to an Associated Press report. Police declined to comment on that report, the AP said.
She is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and 110 pounds.
People with any information are encouraged to call a tip line at 1-877-628-2533.
CNN's Karl Penhaul contributed to this report.



On 6-7 CNN reported:

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: … The two men suspected in connection with the disappearance of an Alabama girl in Aruba are set to appear in court today. A judge is being asked to determine if the men can be legally held. The police have not announced specific charges against them. Hundreds of volunteers are continuing to search for 18-year-old Natalee Holloway; $50,000 now being offered in reward money in the case.
…
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The two men charged in the disappearance of an American teenager in Aruba expected to find out today if they'll go free. A key ruling as the search for Natalee Holloway continues.



On 6-7 CNNHN reported:

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hundreds of government workers joined the hunt for Natalee Holloway Monday afternoon on the wind-swept eastern tip of Aruba. They were backed by Dutch marines and Aruba's search and rescue team.A senior Police official has told me this morning that two items of interest were found. They're now the subject of intense Police scrutiny. The first item found was a pair of ladies sunglasses. He declined to specify the make.The second item was a man's white shirt stained with blood and bearing the logo of a local security firm. He didn't specify the name of the security firm, but he said that it was not the same security firm that the two men arrested over the weekend worked for.



Third day of final exams of the “International School of Aruba” according to http://www.isaruba.com/breeze/documents/BreezeApril292005.pdf
Aruban Police spokesman Edwin COMEMENCIA said on 6-7 that authorities had not ruled out the possibility that other people were involved. The two men (JOHN and JONES) in custody were not among three others described Saturday by Police as "persons of interest." Authorities declined to comment whether there was a relationship between the suspects and other three, earlier described as classmates — two Surinamese and a native of the Netherlands — who told Police they dropped off Holloway at her hotel about 2 a.m. May 30. Hotel employees say that security cameras did not record her return.
On 6-7 the “Tuscaloosa News” reported about MARCIA TWITTY‘s news conference, “Twitty said she believes that some of the teens who accompanied Holloway on the trip recognize one of the men who were arrested Sunday (6-5) by Aruba authorities. His picture has been shown on a number of TV stations, Internet sites and newspapers nationwide.”
On 6-7 the “AP” reported “Police commander Judy Hassell said Aruba's 74 square miles, slightly larger than Washington, D.C., made a full search of the island impractical. "We're going to do as much as we can," he said.”

On 6-7 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA NBC TV channel 13 reported:

'Wall Of Hope" To Be Built In Mountain Brook
Aunt: 'Natalee Trusted Someone, And They Ended Up Evil'
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Friends and family of missing teen Natalee Holloway have announced plans to construct a "Wall Of Hope," which would allow the public a way to directly send messages to the family.
Marcia Twitty, aunt of missing teen Natalee Holloway, held a press conference Tuesday afternoon announcing the plan.
Twitty, who has become the family's main spokeswoman in Alabama, said that students from Gardendale High School, along with members of the Gardendale Baptist Church, would be constructing the wall Tuesday at the site of Mountain Brook Community Church.
Visitors could post messages at the board, or send messages of support via e-mail to Natalee@inline.com.
Twitty also said that two additional members of Natalee Holloway's family are headed to Aruba to join in the search. Matt Holloway, the 16-year-old brother and George Twitty, the 20-year-old step-brother, will be arriving on the island Tuesday.
According to Twitty, they will be carrying 1,000 multi-colored prayer bracelets to hand out to residents of Aruba.
Monday, about 700 volunteers joined Police, soldiers and F.B.I. agents in an extensive search of the island. They combed scrubland and beaches on Aruba's southeastern tip.
Aruba's government also allowed 4,000 civil servants off work early to help with the search.
Holloway vanished May 30 while on a five-day trip with more than 100 classmates celebrating their high school graduation.

(VIDEO of NATALEE’s “Wall of Hope” available here accompanied by “Natalee‘s Song“)


On 6-7 LeJUEZ told CNN, “I have not seen the evidence as yet. All that I know is that they’re -- apparently there have been people who have described them as possible suspects, but I don’t know anything of a body. I don’t know anything of anyone being dead in this case. So it’s a very strange thing that they have been accused as of now of these charges.
I wouldn’t call them formal charges. We will call them accusations for the time being, until the trial is at hand. The charges -- the formal accusations would be murder, that would be a premeditated homicide, premeditated murder, accomplice or accessory to murder, and then also homicide, which would be the same thing without the premeditation, and also being accessory to homicide and the next one would be kidnapping with a fatal consequence.” (after being asked if JOHN and JONES were being uncooperative) “I don’t know where you got that information from. I don’t know from both these people, because I spoken with both of the persons who are detained right now, they both have stated to me very clearly that they gave a very ample statement to the Police. I have seen them at the Police station where they were giving their statements. So I have no reason to believe that they did not cooperate with the Police. I can assure you that both the people who are in detention right now here in Aruba for this case have denied ever having any contact with Natalee Holloway. They both say they know her only from the press. They are not working for the “Allegra Hotel.” They are working for a security company. They were dismissed a few days after that, dismissed in the sense that they are not working at the hotel right now. They were going probably to be placed at some other place for this security company.”
On 6-7 CNN reported, “Yes, earlier in the week, we heard of this mattress stained with blood. That was ruled out, turned out to be dog’s blood. We also heard earlier today about a security company t-shirt stained with blood. But again, that seems to be ruled out, or at least Police don’t seem to be making too much of that discovery. And certainly that security company t-shirt wasn’t anything to do with the security company that the two suspects were working for.”
On 6-7 the Police are investigating three main theories: Holloway was kidnapped; she went off on her own, a possibility her relatives discount; or that she had come to harm.
Aruba government announced 6-7 that the Aruba government and local tourism organizations offered a $20,000 combined reward for information leading to Holloway's rescue.
On 6-7 PAUL REYNOLDS said, “We’re doing well. It’s an overwhelming outpouring of support and concern from the island, everyone in the States, the authorities. It’s an amazing series of events, and we’re just touched as to how Natalee has reached people's lives.”On 6-7 JUG TWITTY stated, “I hope, I pray to God that she walks through that door or that we find her somewhere. I don’t care if she's, you know, in a crack house somewhere and she's been drugged up for, you know, seven days or whatever. We can work with that. We can fix her. We can do whatever to get her back.”
On 6-7 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ABC TV channel 5 “WCVB” reported:

Local Woman Recalls Alleged Assault In Aruba
North Shore Resident Says Hotel Worker Took Advantage Of Her
BOSTON -- The search for the missing Alabama teenager on the island of Aruba has prompted another Massachusetts woman to come forward with a story of a vacation gone horribly wrong.
NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that Police and F.B.I. agents have scaled back the search for Natalee Holloway. On Monday, more than 700 volunteers combed the island looking for any sign of the 18-year-old girl. Two men have been charged in connection with her disappearance.
A common thread links the Holloway case to a pair of Massachusetts women who say they were sexually assaulted on the island after leaving the popular nightclub called Carlos and Charlie's.
The North Shore woman, who does not want to be identified, said that she came forward with her story as a warning to others. She said that two years ago in Aruba [2003], she befriended a hotel worker, who she says turned against her.
"On my last night there, I decided to go out on a date with him. I thought it would just be a friendly, harmless affair, and it turned out to be a disaster," she said. "He took me to the local bar in Aruba, Carlos and Charlie's. He bought me drinks, and after we left the bar, he proceeded to take me to a parking lot where he assaulted me."
While no one is certain what happened to Holloway, many fear the worst. The North Shore woman believes that some hotel workers are using their positions to take advantage of young girls.
"I guess I wasn't thinking and I felt like I was safe with this person. He seemed friendly, and I thought it would just be an innocent date -- you know, go out dancing. I really didn’t think such a tragedy would happen," she said. "A lot of locals go there at night just for fun. A lot of American girls go there and party and they even have a stage there where the young girls, they get them drunk, and they get up on stage and they start doing foolish things that they probably never would do at home. They are under the influence and they are on vacation."
The woman did not tell Police at the time of the alleged assault.
"After this happened, I wish that I did come forward because this could have been one of the people that harmed this young girl," she said.



On 6-7 CNNHN reported:

NANCY GRACE, HOST: Tonight, the search turns desperate for an 18- year-old American girl who took her senior trip with classmates to Aruba and vanished into thin air. Tonight, Police and FBI agents descend on the tiny island of Aruba desperately searching for the 18-year-old Alabama girl, Natalee Holloway. Update, the two hotel security guards suspected in her disappearance lost their jobs just one day before Natalee went missing.
And Aruba is under siege as FBI, Police and even their own citizens bear down on the search for 18-year-old Natalee Holloway. And tonight, two suspects still in Police custody. Tonight, in Aruba, defense attorney for one of the two arrested men, Chris LeJuez; in Santa Barbara, defense attorney Debra Opri; in New York, defense attorney Jason Oshins, psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere. But first, let’s go to Aruba, and CNN correspondent Karl Penhaul. Welcome back, friend. Karl, bring me up-to-date. KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Another day of intense searching, Nancy. There have been search-and-rescue teams out there. We understand the FBI divers have been in the water, too, for the first time. And also U.S. tourists are continuing to join this search, Nancy. They’ve been joining rescue teams looking along the north coast of the island, putting some of the -- sacrificing the Pina Coladas and white, sandy beaches for rocky, thorny scrub hunting. But so far, no further clues, Nancy. GRACE: Karl Penhaul, what can you tell us about these two men that are still in custody? Are there formal charges yet? PENHAUL: It would be best to describe these as formal accusations, Nancy. As you know, the Dutch system of legal system here is very different from the U.S. system. But we can describe these as formal accusations. And the formal accusations, we understand, that are being leveled at these men are murder, homicide, and kidnap leading to death. GRACE: Karl, if they don’t have a body of this girl, how are they coming up with a murder accusation? Why have they charged them with murder? PENHAUL: That is the big question. That’s the big question the legal experts are answering. And when, today at an afternoon news conference, the public prosecutors said that they would remand those two suspects in custody for a further eight days, they declined to reveal publicly any of the evidence that they may have gathered against them. So we can’t answer that right now. And the legal experts, we don’t think, were in a position to answer that right now, either. GRACE: With us also tonight, the defense attorney for one of these two men in custody, arrested in the connection with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, everyone, as you recall, the 18-year-old Alabama girl who went missing on her senior trip in Aruba. Chris LeJuez, thank you for being with us. What is the evidence by which they’re holding your guy in custody? CHRIS LEJUEZ, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I have not seen the evidence as yet. All that I know is that they’re -- apparently there have been people who have described them as possible suspects, but I don’t know anything of a body. I don’t know anything of anyone being dead in this case. So it’s a very strange thing that they have been accused as of now of these charges. GRACE: What are the official charges against these two men, Chris? LEJUEZ: Well, I wouldn’t call them formal charges. We will call them accusations for the time being, until the trial is at hand. The charges -- the formal accusations would be murder, that would be a premeditated homicide, premeditated murder, accomplice or accessory to murder, and then also homicide, which would be the same thing without the premeditation, and also being accessory to homicide and the next one would be kidnapping with a fatal consequence. GRACE: Mr. LeJuez, we were told last night that your client is being uncooperative with Police. Why won’t he give a full statement? LEJUEZ: I don’t know where you got that information from. I don’t know from both these people, because I spoken with both of the persons who are detained right now, they both have stated to me very clearly that they gave a very ample statement to the Police. I have seen them at the Police station where they were giving their statements. So I have no reason to believe that they did not cooperate with the Police. GRACE: Mr. LeJuez, did either of the two men, to your knowledge, come in contact with Natalee Holloway the night she went missing? LEJUEZ: I didn’t really quite catch your question. Would you please repeat the question? GRACE: Sure. Did your client come in contact with the girl the night she went missing? LEJUEZ: Well, I can assure you that both the people who are in detention right now here in Aruba for this case have denied ever having any contact with Natalee Holloway. They both say they know her only from the press. GRACE: Mr. LeJuez, were they -- was your client still working at the Allegra Hotel the night Natalee went missing as a security guard? LEJUEZ: They are not working for this hotel. They are working for a security company. They were dismissed a few days after that, dismissed in the sense that they are not working at the hotel right now. They were going probably to be placed at some other place for this security company. GRACE: I understand. So you’re telling me, Mr. LeJuez, they did not work for the hotel, they worked for a separate security company? Did that security company provide security to the Allegra Hotel? LEJUEZ: That’s correct. GRACE: Did they work at the Allegra Hotel? LEJUEZ: They were working at the Allegra Hotel for some time now. GRACE: And Mr. LeJuez, how far away is the Allegra Hotel from the "Holiday Inn" where Natalee was staying? LEJUEZ: Approximately two hotels further down, down the beach. GRACE: Let’s go back to CNN correspondent Karl Penhaul. Karl, do you have any idea what the forensic evidence is, what the evidence is at all, that leads officials to keep these two guys in custody? PENHAUL: We don’t, at this stage, Nancy. Although, talking again to senior Police officials, they have also described to me that there’s tremendous political pressure in this case. You must remember that Aruba is highly dependent on tourism. This kind of case is really out of character for the island, which traditionally has had a very low crime rate, and none of that crime has traditionally affected the foreign tourists here. And so there is tremendous political pressure to resolve this case, and even the Police are saying that they are feeling that pressure. And so, also, for that reason, prosecutors are playing cards very close to their chest. They haven’t presented any of the forensic evidence. Yes, earlier in the week, we heard of this mattress stained with blood. That was ruled out, turned out to be dog’s blood. We also heard earlier today about a security company t-shirt stained with blood. But again, that seems to be ruled out, or at least Police don’t seem to be making too much of that discovery. And certainly that security company t- shirt wasn’t anything to do with the security company that the two suspects were working for, Nancy. GRACE: Take a listen to this. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)PAUL REYNOLDS, NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S UNCLE: We’re doing well. It’s an overwhelming outpouring of support and concern from the island, everyone in the States, the authorities. It’s an amazing series of events, and we’re just touched as to how Natalee has reached people’s lives. GEORGE "JUG" TWITTY, STEPFATHER OF MISSING GIRL: I hope, I pray to God that she walks through that door or that we find her somewhere. I don’t care if she’s, you know, in a crack house somewhere and she’s been drugged up for, you know, seven days or whatever. We can work with that. We can fix her. We can do whatever to get her back. (END VIDEO CLIP) GRACE: Just to hear him say, "We can fix her," back to Chris LeJuez. Sir, are you the defense attorney for one of the suspects or both of them? LEJUEZ: I have been the defense attorney for both of them for the last two days. But as of tomorrow, I will be only for one of them, because apparently there will be a conflict of interest in defending them both. This has been told to me by the public prosecutor, so I will be resigning from one of the cases. I have no evidence yet that, that is the case, but I do take her word for it. GRACE: Very quickly, let’s go to Jason Oshins, defense attorney. Jason, you know what that means, that writing is on the wall. If there is a conflict of interest, that means one is turning on the other. That means somebody clearly knows something. JASON OSHINS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, at least one would hope that, from the prosecutor’s perspective. I mean, clearly the fact that there is so much political pressure on this tiny little island, the prosecutor has got to tread very, very carefully and needs to look out for things in advance of what could be a problem. So, yes...GRACE: Jason...OSHINS: Yes, Nancy?GRACE: ... I asked you what it means when there is a conflict of interest between two defendants. It means one is going rat on the other or else Mr. LeJuez could represent both. OSHINS: Well, no, either way -- yes, you’re right, with respect to that, if that’s what the end result, that one is going to flip on the other, or at the very least, the prosecutor wants to lean on one of the defendants, not knowing which one they’re going to lean on. So that possibly, if there is that flipping, as you say, that information could come out without having already been a conflict that would taint any of the evidence. GRACE: Very quickly, back to defense attorney Chris LeJuez. He is representing tonight both of the men in custody in Aruba. Sir, do your clients know these three guys that escorted Natalee Holloway away from the Carlos and Charlie’s bar that evening? LEJUEZ: Both of these persons have told me -- these clients have told me that they don’t know the three people who have brought them to the hotel that evening. GRACE: Everyone, we are live in Aruba with the latest regarding the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway. Please stay with us. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our family isn’t really focusing on the fact that there are dive teams. They’re just focusing on the fact that it’s more help, and the more help the better. And if they don’t turn anything up in the water, that’s great news, because they believe that Natalee is still here on island, alive, somewhere on island. And that is the family’s belief right now. They are not considering any other option. And they are remaining very, very strong. And they have a great support system here on island from family, from friends, from the local community, and, of course, the U.S. government sending in help is a huge, huge, you know, relief for them. (END VIDEO CLIP)(COMMERCIAL BREAK)(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BETH TWITTY, MOTHER OF MISSING GIRL: Our primary goal is to bring Natalee back home. We will do whatever it takes. As I’ve said from the beginning, I’m not leaving Aruba without her. (END VIDEO CLIP) GRACE: That’s Natalee Holloway’s mother speaking out. She is in Aruba with many other family members tonight, along with Aruban citizens and tourists helping the FBI and Police scour the island for 18-year-old Natalee Holloway. She went on her senior trip to Aruba, well-chaperoned, and vanished into thin air. In fact, yesterday, the government gave government employees half a day off to help find Natalee Holloway. Let’s go straight back out to Chris LeJuez. He is the defense attorney for both suspects that are in custody tonight. Mr. LeJuez, I understand that you’re telling us tonight you represent both of them. Tomorrow, you’re going represent one of them. Which one are you going to represent? LEJUEZ: Well, one of the Js. They’re both called J, with their initial. And I will be representing J-1. GRACE: OK, so are their names not public? LEJUEZ: They might be, but I don’t public names. You might try to get them from the prosecutor’s office. GRACE: No, that’s fine. Sir, you’re choosing to represent J-1 or are you assigned J-1? LEJUEZ: I chose to represent one of the two. GRACE: Why did you choose him over the other one? LEJUEZ: It’s not really one over the other. But one of the two, not both of them. GRACE: Do you believe that your client is less culpable than the other client? LEJUEZ: I have no reason to believe so, because both of them have given extensive statements to the Police that they are not implicated in this case whatsoever. And I have no -- you’ve mentioned just now they would be ratting, one would be ratting on the other. I have no reason to believe that is the case. I do have reason to believe that their stories don’t match exactly. GRACE: Well-put. To Karl Penhaul, CNN correspondent there in Aruba. Karl, when will these two men be having their first court appearance? Karl, are you with me? OK, for some reason our satellite is down on Karl Penhaul. Elizabeth, let me know when we get Karl back.To Chris LeJuez, sir, when will your client and the co-suspect have their first court appearance? Darn. Both gone. We’ll let you know when we get them back. To Jason Oshins, let’s talk another moment about why LeJuez has chosen one client over the other. You’ve been in that predicament before as a defense attorney. Explain. OSHINS: Well, clearly, as you’re looking at a case there, as he indicated, there could be conflicts between the two. He said there is some inconsistencies in the story. You don’t want to jeopardize one client’s ability to have a not-guilty verdict if that’s the direction it is going to go. You need to be certain about not impeding one or the other’s ability to have a clear defense. GRACE: Take a listen to this. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LIZ SANDNER, MISSING GIRL'S BIBLE STUDY LEADER: This is someone who, if she wasn’t going to be at bible study, would call before, say she couldn’t, make an appointment at a different time, sometimes 7:00 a.m. Friday morning, to come recite, you know, her scripture memory for the week.We just want everybody to keep praying for Natalee because we know she’s going to come home. She’s a strong girl, and she’ll get through this. And she knows that we’re all praying for her. And we’re here for her, waiting for her to come back. (END VIDEO CLIP) GRACE: Debra Opri, what’s your take on these breaking developments regarding a conflict? DEBRA OPRI, JACKSON FAMILY LAWYER: I’m looking at the big picture, Nancy. Obviously, there is guilt. There is a lot of culpability. This individual attorney out there, he’s representing one, the other one. They will turn against each other. And listen, I’m like the rest of the citizenry listening to this case. Let’s get the girl alive. And if we can’t get her alive, let’s get the evidence to put these people away for a long time. GRACE: To Dr. Jeff Gardere. Jeff, what’s your take on this? DR. JEFF GARDERE, PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, my take on this is, from what we’ve heard from the relatives of Natalee Holloway, this is a young woman who does things by the book, she does things the right way, she’s a good girl. So if something happened to her, it was probably something against her will. She may are gone off voluntarily. We don’t know. But if she was taken, she was taken against her will because her pattern is not one to just drift off and...GRACE: Gone off voluntarily? The girl was leaving the next morning. Here bags were packed. The room was neat.GARDERE: Nancy, what I’m talking about is when she was at the nightclub, she met a few people. She might have talked with them. But from her profile, her history, she’s not one to just be carefree. Therefore, if something happened to her, it probably happened to her against her will. And I fear there may have been some violence in this, looking at her psychological profile. GRACE: Jeff, I’ve got to agree with you.



On October 31, 2005 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated she will be in ARUBA for 3 days. BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News that during the first weeks after NATALEE vanished in ARUBA, they had arranged for and rented a plane to be waiting in ARUBA for 2 days to pick up NATALEE and take her off ARUBA after, apparently, someone had told NATALEE’s Loved Ones that NATALEE was alive and in an ARUBA crack house. NATALEE was not in the crack house, so the plane the family had rented returned back to the UNITED STATES, and the plane rental had cost NATALEE‘s Loved Ones $37,000. BETH stated, “I would hope that Deputy Dompig realizes that we’re not flying family, friends and searchers in and out on brooms to Aruba. You know, we pay air fares. We pay hotel bills. We pay the exorbitant attorney fees, private Investigators. You know, one sample of a bill was $37,000 to “Medjet” because we had the jet sitting on the tarmac for two days because that’s when we thought we were pulling Natalee out alive of one of their crack houses, being held by a crack addict against her will. So you know, there have been some expenses that we have incurred during this investigation.”
On November 1, 2006 “Blogs For Natalee” reported about the October 28, 2006 meeting:

Was a medjet ever in Aruba and if so what were the reasons for it being there? They did have a medjet available due to the possibility that Natalee was being held in a crack house and would not know her condition when they found her. Personal note: the family was told over and over by the ALE to check the crackhouses in the first few days of the investigation.



***NOTE*** at no time between the 2 security guards arrests on 6-5, and their own arrests on 6-9, did Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE , nor Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE come forward to tell authorities that their “Holiday Inn” “security guard” alibi-lies were, in fact, lies.

6-8-05
10:00 PM = according to “Blogs For Natalee” Identity “GrannyToad,” any ARUBA Police surveillance of a person(s) suspected of a crime(s) must cease at 10:00 PM.

On June 23, 2005 Current Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT gave the following statements to his ARUBAN Police Interrogators:

I did talk a lot with Deepak, Satish and Joran, from the moment they were interviewed as witnesses until they were arrested. We of course read the newspapers, saw the news and talked about it. I also was in almost daily contact with Jan van der STRATEN. I did not doubt the truthfulness of their story for one second. When we talked about the girl, we discussed what could happen if the girl would not re-appear. I was under the impression that the boys assumed that she would re-appear sooner or later. Af course we also discussed what if the girl did not re-appear. From what little information I got from Jan van der STRATEN, I got some hope that the girl was seen after she was dropped off at the Holiday Inn. He did not say this in so many words but I took that as an explanation as to why the boys weren't asked to give further statements to the police. To your question when I had noticed, that boys were asking a lot about what would happen with missing girl would not re-appear or if she would be found dead, what would happen then, whether this did not make me wonder why they were asking this, I can state the following. According to me it was not the boys who brought this up, but I brought this up. I was usually the one who steered the conversation towards the girl. Why did I steer the conversation towards the girl? I did this because I was getting worried. I was getting worried for the girl and also for the boys. Because of the fact that they had been the last to be seen with the girl they would no doubt come back to them. I however did not doubt the validity of their story for one moment. Comment reporting officer: at 20.05 hours the assistent district attorney, inspector first class J.C. SAMBO informed the suspect P.A.P.J. van der SLOOT that he would be held for questioning at the police station in Noord on which the suspect P.A.P.J. van der SLOOT responded that he would resist the incarceration because it was a completely insane and absurd action. Murder Suspect finds it highly questionable that this is only happening to make his son make statements that are beside the truth. Murder Suspect did remark that he is willing to tell us everything he remembers if this somehow gives clarity into the case of Natalee Holloway gone missing, but that this could best be done in the capacity of a witness. To your question whether I spoke to the boys at home on Wednesday June 1st 2005 and about what we talked, I can state the following. I don't exactly remember anymore what days I spoke to the boys. I only know that I talked to the boys a lot. I did not want Joran to be out of the house for as long as the girl was still missing. Because of that a lot of Joran's friends, including Deepak and Satish came over to visit us. We then often talked about the girl. We were following the reports in the newspapers, on the radio and on television. To your question how it happened that I found a lawyer for Joran and the two Kalpoe brothers, I can state the following. Looking at the facts I had to take into consideration that Joran, Deepak and Satish could at some point become suspects. If that was the case I wanted the proces to go as smoothly as possible, in order for them to be released as soon as possible. Again, I still believed their story implicitly. If they already had lawyers no time would be waisted when they were arrested. The lawyer could be there very quickly, so that the questioning could being immediately and no time would be waisted. In reality I was trying to facilitate the process as much as possible. You are telling me that I have stated that I believed the story but still took preparations with regard to a lawyer and I have explained them the entire procedure of being arrested and being detained, why? To this I can say the following. I have previously said that due to the fact that the boys could possibly be the last people who had been seen with the girl, this fact could be sufficient to cause them to be seen as suspects. As said before, I wanted to facilitate this process. Part of that was making sure the boys did not panic because they were unfamiliar with the procedure. I especially wanted to prevent that they would make statements that were untrue. In the situation they found themselves with a police and judicial apparatus that was under enormous pressure that was not unthinkable. To your question why I would think they would panic if they told their story, the one I believed, or whether I had reasons to be suspicious of their story and whether I know more about the case than I, my son Joran, Deepak and Satish did not tell when they made their first witness statements, I can tell you the following. I have told you before that I believed the boys story, that I had no reasons to doubt it, I also did not get any clues that made me doubtful and thus I assumed that the statement they gave to the police were the correct ones. My fear was more in the desire to score of the police force. I was afraid that the boys would be entrapped/tricked into making a statement that was not correct. I have told them on more than one occasion that they should count themselves lucky that they were with the three of them and that the interviews should not be hard because they were telling the truth. To your question as to how good a liar Joran is, I can tell you the following. In the past Joran lied. About money that he had stolen from us. We have talked about this extensively and it was also discussed at the youth psychologist Dr. XXX XXXXXX, with whom he had several talks about his growth into adulthood. I had the feeling he had made a clean breast of it/fresh start. I at least did not assume I had to doubt everything he said. To your question what I now think after it came out that Joran is making untruthful after untruthful statement and what I can state about that, I can state the following. I can not make a judgement about this. What I have understood that Joran is the one who broke open the case. To your question what I mean when I said that Joran broke open the case, I can state the following. Joran's lawyer has told me that it was Joran who changed his statement. Because of that the case is now broken open and now the truth can come out.



__:__ AM or PM (?) = Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT may or may not have left his office. In his June 18, 2005 statements to ARUBAN Police Detectives he intimated that he normally leaves his office sometime in the middle of the day, supposedly, to go to his home and eat. In his June 18, 2005 statements he gave to ARUBAN Police Detectives he stated “I cannot remember any more if I came home to eat in the middle of the day because that too was different on different days.”
????Did Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT leave his office during mid-day? Do co-workers remember if he left his office or not?
????If Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT did leave his office, what time did he leave his office?
????If Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT did leave his office, has it been confirmed or not confirmed via security video cameras that he took a driving route to his home, or did he drive a route away from his office to some where other than his home?
????If Former Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT did leave his office, has it been confirmed or not confirmed via security video cameras that he took a driving route back to his office from his home, or a did he drive a route back to his office from some where other than his home?


According to Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE's June 10, 2005 statement to the ARUBAN Police, on 6-8 for over 3 hours (from 10:45 PM to 2:00 AM) Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE and Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE meet, again, at Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT ’s home with PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT and Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT. According to Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE , he cannot recall any of the topics that were discussed, other than the media persons were focusing their attentions onto the 4 Murder Suspects.
2:45 PM = According to Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT ’s June 14, 2005 statements he gave ARUBAN Police Interrogators his school day normally ended at 2:45 PM
On June 23, 2005 Current Murder Suspect PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT gave the following statements to his ARUBAN Police Interrogators:

To your question whether I picked up Joran during the period between May 30th 2005 and June 9th 2005, I can state the following. It is possible but I cannot remember whether I did. I did pick up Joran from school from time to time but whether it was in that time-period I cannot remember.


On June 10, 2005 Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT gave the following statements to his ARUBAN Police Interrogators:
(Thank You and Hat Tip to the “Scared Monkeys blog" and “Debbie”)

To your question whether I had contacts the day before I got arrested by the Police, I answer you that I did. A day before [on 6-8; my insertion] Deepak, Satish and myself were arrested by you they both were at my house. We had been on internet and we went on the website http://www.rhealworld.com/ on which my picture stood. We closed down my e-mail address REMOVED@hotmail.com and closed down a tickle account. My tickle is http://www.tickle.com/. My username on the tickle account also was loverboy362.



On 6-8 CNN reported:

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We could learn more today about the disappearance of the 18-year- old Alabama student in Aruba. Two men held in connection with Natalee Holloway's disappearance will appear in court today, and prosecutors could lay out more of the case against them.Karl Penhaul has more for you from Aruba.(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've just sent people off to the left, so maybe if you guys go a little bit to the right.KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): New Jersey plumber Mario Belviso and his wife Carla hadn't planned to spend their dream vacation quite like this. But when they heard Natalee Holloway's parents were desperate for volunteers to hunt for clues for their missing daughter, they didn't hesitate.CARLA BELVISO, SEARCHER: You don't want anyone to go through what the parents are going through, especially if you're a parent yourself. So you want to try to help out all you can.PENHAUL: It's nearly midday, and by now Mario could be sitting on a white sandy beach, sipping his first pina colada. But he doesn't mind.MARIO BELVISO, SEARCHER: I'll give them one day, two days, whatever they need. No biggie. The island will always be here.PENHAUL: Search leaders have told them to keep their eyes peeled for vital signs.M. BELVISO: The lady just told us to walk around and see if -- look for disturbed dirt, shallow grave, or something like that.PENHAUL: In twin raids Sunday, police arrested two hotel security guards, a 28 and a 30-year-old in connection with Natalee's disappearance. Their attorney, Chris Lejuez, says they've been formally accused of multiple crimes.CHRIS LEJUEZ, ATTORNEY: They are mentioning murder, accomplice to committing murder, homicide, accomplice to committing homicide, and kidnapping with the consequence of death.PENHAUL: But investigators have not yet offered any conclusive proof whether Natalee is dead or alive. Lejuez says his clients were not at work near the Holiday Inn where Natalee was staying on the night she disappeared. One was out partying with his wife.Prosecutors have not publicly revealed what evidence led them to arrest these men who are now being held in separate jail cells at opposite ends of Aruba. LEJUEZ: Both of them are very concerned. They are nervous. They know that they are being suspected of something very -- very heavy, very serious. But they are confident, both of them, and they have shown that confidence to me that they very categorically deny being involved in this case.PENHAUL: At a Tuesday afternoon news conference, prosecutors said the two suspects would be held for at least another week while they gather more evidence.Back on Aruba's north shore, Mario, Carla and their buddy, George Christopher, also a plumber from New Jersey, are drawing a blank. Just the usual flotsam and jetsam litters the craggy coastline. Nothing to report in the thorny scrub or between the cacti either. It's more than a week since she disappeared, and the only sign they see of Natalee anywhere is this missing poster in an abandoned fisherman's retreat. There's now a $55,000 reward for anyone who finds her.UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, god forbid it was my daughter, I'd want people out here helping me.PENHAUL: Karl Penhaul, CNN, Aruba.(END VIDEOTAPE)COSTELLO: And get this, Natalee Holloway isn't the only American woman reported missing in Aruba. Twenty-three-year-old Amy Bradley disappeared back in 1998 during a family cruise to the Caribbean. Aruba was one of the ship's stops. She even reportedly the very same nightspot where Natalee Holloway was last seen, which would be Carlos 'N Charlie's.Amy Bradley was never found. If you have any information, please call the FBI office in Richmond, Virginia. That number, 804-261-1044. Bradley's family in Virginia has offered a $250,000 reward for her return.



On 6-8 AL.com” reported:

Judge allows suspects held longer in teen’s disappearanceA judge ruled today that prosecutors can detain for an additional eight days two men accused of being responsible for the death of a Mountain Brook teen missing in Aruba. Antonius Mickey John, 30, and Abraham Jones, 28, face a range of charges that include murder, conspiracy to commit murder, homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide and capital kidnapping. Under the Dutch system, which Aruba follows, prosecutors may now hold them for eight days while police continue to gather evidence and mount a case. A judge could then allow their detention to be extended. Attorneys for the two men, who were arrested Sunday, say they are innocent. Police have said witnesses spotted Natalee Holloway with someone who met John’s and or Jones’ description the night she disappeared. But Jones’ girlfriend, Cynthia De Graf, said she and a friend were with Jones all that night, and she can’t imagine why he’s being held. “I have no idea,” she said. “They’re looking for a victim, and they chose him.” Police continue to say they have not ruled out any possibility in the case, including the idea that Holloway might still be alive. Searches are continuing on the island for any sign of the teen, who disappeared May 30 on a trip to the Caribbean island with fellow graduates of Mountain Brook High School. Hannah Wolfson

**NOTE** WOLFSON is a reporter in BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA for the “Birmingham News”


Fourth and final day of final exams of the “International School of Aruba” according to http://www.isaruba.com/breeze/documents/BreezeApril292005.pdf
On 6-8 the “AP” reported “Judge J.S. Kuiperdal will review the case again June 15 and every eight days after that if needed, officials said. Authorities may hold the suspects for a total of 116 days without filing formal charges.”
On 6-8 a "Wall of Hope and Prayer" for NATALEE is built by Eddie Culpepper, who said he worked with classmates from Mountain Brook high school The wall was unveiled after a prayer vigil for NATALEE. It stands under an awning outside the “Mountain Brook Community Church” on UNITED STATES 280. The wall filled up with prayers and messages in less than six days. From top to bottom, an array of messages express thoughts and prayers for HOLLOWAY and her family. (over the summer, the wall was expanded larger 5 separate times)


On 6-8 CNN reported:

Federal Agents Believe They've Cracked Terrorist Cell in Town of Lodi, California; Men Being Held in Aruba Expected to Appear Before Judge
…
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN: In just about three hours, two men being held in Aruba in the connection with the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway are expected to appear before a judge. Holloway has been missing since May 30th. She was visiting Aruba with some classmates on a senior trip from Alabama.CNN's Karl Penhaul in Palm Beach, in Aruba this morning. Karl, good morning. The suspects go back to court today. What charges are they facing? KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They look as if they're going to be facing murder or accomplice to murder, or homicide and accomplice to homicide. Those are manslaughter charges, in fact. And also kidnapping, leading to death. But while those men are in court, the intense land and sea search is still going to be going under way. FBI divers once again are going to be back in the water, and dozens of volunteers from around the island are also going to be carrying out their searches -- Soledad. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)PENHAUL (voice-over): In twin raids Sunday, Police arrested two hotel security guards, a 28 and a 30-year-old in connection with Natalee's disappearance. Their attorney, Chris Lejuez, says they've been formally accused of multiple crimes.CHRIS LEJUEZ, ATTORNEY: They are mentioning murder, accomplice to committing murder, homicide, accomplice to committing homicide, and kidnapping with the consequence of death.PENHAUL: But Investigators have not yet offered any conclusive proof whether Natalee is dead or alive. Lejuez says his clients were not at work near the Holiday Inn where Natalee was staying on the night she disappeared. One was out partying with his wife.Prosecutors have not publicly revealed what evidence led them to arrest these men who are now being held in separate jail cells at opposite ends of Aruba. LEJUEZ: Both of them are very concerned. They are nervous. They know that they are being suspected of something very -- very heavy, very serious. But they are confident, both of them, and they have shown that confidence to me that they very categorically deny being involved in this case.PENHAUL: At a Tuesday afternoon news conference, prosecutors said the two suspects would be held for at least another week while they gather more evidence.(END VIDEOTAPE)PENHAUL: The two suspects are likely to be brought briefly before a judge, but we're unlikely, Soledad, to hear much publicly about the evidence against them. O'BRIEN: All right, Karl, thanks for the update. And as we've reported, Natalee's family has vowed they will not leave Aruba without her. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)O'BRIEN: George Twitty is Natalee Holloway's stepfather. He's in Palm Beach in Aruba this morning. Mr. Twitty, thank you for talking with us. We certainly appreciate it. GEORGE "JUG" TWITTY, NATALEE'S HOLLOWAY'S STEPFATHER: Good morning. O'BRIEN: It has been -- good morning. It has been a week and a half now that Natalee's been missing. How are you holding up, and how is your family holding up?
TWITTY: We're trying to be strong. It's been incredibly tough. This is a difficult situation that I hope that no other mother or father has to ever experience. And basically we've said our prayers. We pray together, just try to stay strong and get through this ordeal. O'BRIEN: Authorities -- do you feel they're being forthcoming with you, the information they have? There are two suspects, as you well know. Have they given you any specifics about these two men? TWITTY: No, they have not. And yes, they are forthcoming. It's just that the laws in Aruba are different, and the way they do their investigations are totally different than they do in the United States, and it's difficult, it's frustrating; but on the other hand, I do feel like that they're doing everything they can to try to find Natalee. O'BRIEN: The defense attorney for one of the men says that his client has been charged with homicide and kidnapping. Do you believe that Natalee is alive? TWITTY: I do believe Natalee is alive, and every day that goes by even gives us more hope that Natalee's alive. The charges, as far as what the defense attorney is saying, I know nothing about that. The authorities here, our liaison with the Police department has said nothing to us about that. O'BRIEN: I know you're getting lots of support in the community, not only your hometown, of course, but in Aruba as well. How do you hold out hope for her safe return after so much time has gone by? TWITTY: It's difficult. There was a period there of, you know, after about the third day, that you think, well, definitely something's happened, that, you know, they may find her, you know, somewhere, but as we go further into it, and there's no physical evidence, nobody can provide any evidence of any foul play at the present time, so it gives us hope that maybe somebody's holding her somewhere. O'BRIEN: Is that the theory that you're operating under? Because nothing has really been found, you're hopeful that she's being held in that way, at least can be recovered? TWITTY: That's the only hope I can have. I mean, I don't know any other -- I don't have any other details. O'BRIEN: How long do you and your wife plan to stay on the island to search for Natalee? TWITTY: As long -- until we find her. I mean the time doesn't matter. I mean, we're here to find her. Her mother's not going to go back without her. I'm not going to go back without her. O'BRIEN: There are more court proceedings today. Will anyone from the family be attending those proceedings? TWITTY: If we're advised, if we're asked to be there, I'm sure that one of us will be there or all of us will be there. O'BRIEN: George Twitty is Natalee Holloway's stepfather, talking with us this morning. Thank you for talking with us. I know how busy you are and what a terrible time it's been for your family. TWITTY: Thank you.O'BRIEN: We wish you the best of luck in your search. TWITTY: OK, thank you. (END VIDEOTAPE)HEMMER: And best of luck to them.



On 6-8 CNNHN reported:

NANCY GRACE, HOST: Tonight, breaking news in the case of an 18-year- old Alabama girl who went on her senior trip to Aruba and vanished into thin air. Tonight, two men suspected in the case court-ordered to remain behind bars. Could Natalee Holloway still be alive somewhere in Aruba?
…
But first, to Aruba. Eighteen-year-old Natalee Holloway still missing, day ten. Tonight, two men, Anthony John and Abraham Jones, ordered behind bars, as evidence appears to mount that they were involved with NATALEE’s disappearance. Could the girl be alive? Natalee, where are you? Tonight, in Aruba, we’ll be bringing the lawyers of both the suspects to you. With us tonight, Noraina Pietersz and Chris LeJuez; in Santa Maria, California, defense attorney Debra Opri; in San Francisco, defense attorney Daniel Horowitz; in New York, psychotherapist Lauren Howard. But first, let’s go to Aruba and CNN correspondent Karl Penhaul. Welcome, Karl. There was an appearance today. I would have thought a court appearance. But wasn’t it there in the Police station? What was the point of the hearing? KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was in the Police station, Nancy. And it was a closed-door appearance. There was no media nor any of the relatives allowed into that hearing. The judge went to the Police station to hear evidence from prosecutors and make a decision whether they were able to remand these two suspects in custody for a further eight days. The judge gave the affirmative on that. And the two suspects will remain in separate Police cells on opposite sides of the island for the coming eight days. GRACE: Karl, you said separate Police cells on opposite sides of the island. They’re not even in the same jail house? PENHAUL: They’re not in the same jail house. One’s being held in a Police station on the northern part of the island. And the other, we understand, on the eastern side of the island. This seems to be a procedural matter here on the island of Aruba. And the prosecutors and Police are taking no chances that the men can confer in any shape or form. It’s a procedural matter, so that they don’t compare notes. GRACE: A question regarding the two men. Their families were not allowed at the hearing today? PENHAUL: Their families weren’t allowed inside the hearing. The mother of one of the defendants, of Abraham Jones, appeared at the courtroom expecting her son to appear there and for her to catch a glimpse. She wasn’t able to see him there, and she maintains that he is innocent, that her son wouldn’t do anything like that. Also, his girlfriend was there, and she maintains that she was with her boyfriend on the night that Natalee Holloway disappeared. We’ve also talked to the mother of Mickey John, the second suspect. And she also has been talking to us a little about his character. GRACE: Well, Karl Penhaul, I understand the girlfriend of one of the suspects says she was with him the night before -- they went to a concert, I believe -- and that he reported to work the next morning. But just last night, his then-attorney said that he was between assignments, that he didn’t have a place to report to. PENHAUL: What we actually have been told by the attorney, and what my recollection of last night’s conversation is, Nancy, is that the assignment as security guard at the Allegro Hotel was due to finish later in the week, either Tuesday or Wednesday, because the Allegro is up for refurbishment and that the security company there is a contract company, not permanently assigned to that hotel. So they would have either then been moved out of the security company altogether or that contract would then have been assigned somewhere else. GRACE: Last night, we met the defense counsel for one of the men, Abraham Jones. That attorney, Chris LeJuez. Tonight, we are joined by the attorney for the other young man. With us tonight, Noraina Pietersz. She is defense attorney for Antonius John. Welcome ma'am. Thank you for being with us. NORAINA PIETERSZ, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Yes, Nancy, thank you. GRACE: Tell me what happened at the hearing today. PIETERSZ: Well, this morning, my client, Mr. John, Antonius John is his name, he had to appear in front of the prosecutor, also in front of the judge of instructions. As well, the prosecutor decided that, according to her, there has to be done more investigation. So she decided to prolong the detention with eight more days. GRACE: Now, how long can your client be held behind bars while prosecutors get their case together? PIETERSZ: Can you repeat that question, please? GRACE: Yes. How long can your client be held in jail while prosecutors get evidence against them? PIETERSZ: Well, actually, at this moment, he’s not in jail. He’s in Police detention. He’s by the Police station. And basically, he could be held as long as ten days. The prosecutor has the authority to prolong his detention with eight days. She’s authorized to do that by law. There’s no legal problem with that. So if within those eight days there’s no hard evidence, or at least more indication of guilt, which at this moment there’s very little indication or none, at all, according to the defense, she will have to ask, in case she wants to keep them longer in detention, she will have to ask the judge of instructions permission for that. GRACE: With us, Noraina Pietersz. She is the attorney for Antonius John. Ma'am, you’re saying he’s not in jail. Is he free to leave? PIETERSZ: Excuse me? I cannot hear you. GRACE: Is your client free to leave? PIETERSZ: He’s not free to leave. At this moment, not. He will have to stay by the Police station until next Wednesday. GRACE: Ma'am, when you say he is by the Police station, what kind of a structure is he in? PIETERSZ: Well, it’s not -- actually, it’s an administration office. And in the back, they have several cells. And the suspect will kept in those cells for the ten days. No longer than that. GRACE: So he’s in a cell. He can’t leave. Police are holding him. But you say he’s not in jail? PIETERSZ: Well, the thing is that the judge of instructions, when we appeared in front of him, he decided that a detention of my client was legal. And while he did that, that means that he will have, for now, stay there by the Police station. Of course, there are legal measures that we can take as defense. But we have to see if that will be practical, yes or no. Since the maximum time he will have to stay there are ten days, for the prosecutor to prolong that or to ask for prolongation, we will have to appear in front of the judge of instructions, and he will have to gave his (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for that. (CROSSTALK) GRACE: OK, let me quickly go to defense attorney Daniel Horowitz standing by. Daniel Horowitz, this is basically bass-ackwards from the way that it works in America. Because you don’t arrest somebody and put them in a cell of an administration building by the jail unless you’ve got a case against them. You don’t get arrested while the state, while the prosecutor, tries to put together a case. DANIEL HOROWITZ, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Exactly, Nancy. And there’s a problem with this, also. It focuses on these two men so much, and it doesn’t give them the freedom to be out and prove their innocence or gather evidence on their own behalf. You know, Nancy, these guys could be patsies. I’m concerned about those three rich kids who were with this young lady and supposedly dropped her off at a hotel and then she just vanishes. I don’t like the idea of the focus on these two guys alone. GRACE: Let me go back to Karl Penhaul on that very issue. Karl Penhaul, CNN correspondent, is with us in Aruba. Karl, there are murmurings to that exact issue, that these two security guards are being targeted while the actual guys that were with her, that took her away from the restaurant, have been set free. Explain. Why are these two being held? Did they run into the girl after the other three let her go? I mean, why are they being held and the other three have been let go? Is it true they are from rich or influential families, while these two are not? PENHAUL: That’s the question on a lot of people’s lips right now, Nancy. We’ve been talking around. We’ve also been talking to the suspects' families. A number of answers to that. The three young men last seen in the company of Natalee Holloway outside Carlos and Charlie’s, we understand, were never arrested, were never detained by Police. Yes, they were interviewed. But the Police in a press conference earlier this week have said that no evidence in terms of the car that they all drove away in was confiscated at any stage. Meanwhile, the two suspects, three of their vehicles have been confiscated. One of the suspect’s mother’s cars, a cousin’s car, I believe, and one of the cars belonging to one of the suspects. Those are being looked at, even though there’s nothing, apparently, according to the defense attorneys, in any witness statement to suggest that Natalee Holloway was ever seen in the company of these two suspects, let alone got in their cars. As far as the identities of the three people, the young men that are being named or were named as persons of interest, indeed, they do seem to be from influential families, certainly middle-class families, a little difficult in this context to spell out exactly whom they are. But what the mother of Mickey John -- Antonius John, but Mickey his mother calls him -- what she says is that here what is at stake, or one part of the problem is, is that there’s a race issue here, because the people, the three young men are of influential, middle-class, largely white families, descendents of the Dutch colonizers that once came here, whereas the two suspects are from black immigrant families who maybe have been here for many years but nevertheless are still regarded as immigrants. And so the mother of one of the defendants says that she believes that there is a color, a race issue here at stake, as well. GRACE: Very quickly, Karl Penhaul, before we go to break, let me just put race and money out of the picture. And tell me this: The cars belonging to the three guys that took her from the hotel have been searched and released. What about the cars belonging to these two security guards? Have the cars been released or do the Police still have them impounded? PENHAUL: The Police, we understand, still have them impounded. We talked to Mickey John’s mother just a few hours ago. Her car is still impounded. She has been unable to go to work for the last three days. She has no transport. GRACE: We’re about to go to break. But very quickly, to attorney Debra Opri, if they still have these guys' cars, now that’s a whole different matter. If they release the other car, they’re holding onto this one, that suggests maybe they found some forensic evidence in it. DEBRA OPRI, JACKSON FAMILY LAWYER: You know, Nancy, look at it this way. I don’t believe in this instance with the eyes of the world watching Aruba that there’s going to be any preferential treatment. I do believe, if they follow the leads that they’ve gotten, or including the forensic evidence, it may lead to, in fact, Aruba being a way station for some sort of activity in drugs or prostitution movement to 17 miles away to a country called Colombia. And I think that’s going to be more evident in future days. GRACE: Quick break, everybody. We are live in Aruba with the defense attorneys for both of these young men, men that are being held in suspicion of the disappearance of an 18-year-old American girl from Alabama. She was on her high school senior trip, Natalee Holloway. Please stay with us.(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CYNTHIA JONES, MOTHER OF ONE OF SUSPECTS: Abraham is a very quiet guy. No child is a saint, but Abraham goes to his work. He goes out with his girlfriend. Marta (ph) was (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you know, he goes to the place. Yes, you understand? But God do it so, God put it so, that night when this thing happened my child was in his house with his woman. But God is above. God is above. God knows my son is innocent. And I will go down for it. My son is innocent.(END VIDEO CLIP)(COMMERCIAL BREAK)(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CYNTHIA DE GRAF, SUSPECT'S GIRLFRIEND: We went to the soul beach festival together. Me, Abraham and my friend, Bernadine (ph). QUESTION: So you know he wasn’t there? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He wasn’t there. He was with me. He was with Bernadine (ph). We went and picked up our daughter by my mom. We went home. He was even sick. He got up in the morning, went to work. And now they’re going to put it on him? Come on. (END VIDEO CLIP) GRACE: Welcome back, everybody. Her boyfriend is in custody tonight along with another man in connection with the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway, an Alabama student on her high school senior trip. She disappeared about ten days ago. This is a shot of her and her mother, her family distraught, vowing not to leave Aruba without Natalee. Tonight, let’s go straight back down to Aruba. Joining us, Abraham Jones' lawyer, Chris LeJuez. Thank you for being with us again, Chris. Still with us, CNN correspondent Karl Penhaul. Very quickly to Karl Penhaul, Karl, did either of the three young men who took Natalee from the bar that night ever tell Police that they had slept with her, had sex with her? PENHAUL: We haven’t heard that directly because the evidence here and the witness statements here are highly confidential. The defense attorneys have seen some of those witness statements, I understand. But I do understand that, in the file, there are not three witness statements. I understand there are possibly only two witness statements. We do hear from Police sources, however, that the three men, at least one of them, says that they did go to the beach with Natalee and had some fun. The interpretation of that, I’m not aware of, Nancy. GRACE: Now, is this coming from the defense attorneys? PENHAUL: That "fun" bit of information was from a Police source, that the three men or one of the three men, at least, had said that they’d gone to the beach with Natalee after leaving Carlos and Charlie’s and "had some fun." They didn’t specify what "had some fun" meant, but the beach where the two had gone or where the group had gone have been searched. That, I believe, is called Arashi Beach.GRACE: You know, Debra Opri, I have been assigned several rape-murder cases, all right? You handle felony prosecutions, you’re going to get one of those, at least one. Normally, the guy that had sex with the woman just before her death is somehow involved in the death. It’s just common sense, OK? If that is in the defense file, from one of these three guys, this is a very, very unusual arrest of two other suspects. What do you think, Debra? OPRI: I have to tell you, I just don’t think this is a rape-murder case. I don’t. My gut is telling me this is part of a transport, a prostitution business with the country of Colombia. I hear too many stories. I know too many people who have gone down to Aruba...GRACE: Oh, good God, Debra, you heard a story? That is the basis of this theory? OPRI: Nancy, Nancy, let me finish. There are many instances where women will go down there, that age, that type, blonde-haired, and they are drugged and transported to Colombia, period, bottom line. Those are what the investigation and the facts tell you, and those are the stories. Now, looking at a potential rape-murder, we don’t have any evidence. We don’t have anything to give us that result. That’s just your opinion based upon your experience. I believe, because there’s no evidence at this point in time, no body, I’m going to pull away from a murder and go with kidnapping and transport to Colombia. GRACE: Well, Debra, I don’t entirely disagree with you. Hey, Elizabeth, can we show...OPRI: No, I know. We’re in agreement. GRACE: Can you show us the picture of the island, Elizabeth? I mean, so far, Karl Penhaul, the island is 19.6 miles long. It’s six miles wide. It has been searched by Police, by the FBI, by the citizens. They were given a half a day holiday to look for Natalee. And you would think that in this geographic area, if a body was there, it would have been found, although it’s sitting right in the middle of the ocean. There’s that possibility, too, Karl. PENHAUL: Well, there have been a number of developments on the search front, in fact, Nancy. Because the FBI specialist dive team, you’ll remember that was requested, and that was going to be brought in. It was brought in, but those divers never dived. And those divers have now left, according to our FBI contact. And the reason they left is because no area was ever pinpointed for them to search. We’ve also talked to Aruba search-and-rescue teams. And they say today they have been doing their own thing, basically. Normally, they take the lead from the government in order to pinpoint certain areas where they can search. But the government ministries are no longer providing them with any area to search because most of the public areas have now been searched. So that throws up the question, where to search now? GRACE: Karl, wait a minute. You told me the divers left without putting a toe in the water? Is that correct? PENHAUL: Not a toe, not a flipper, Nancy. They haven’t been in the water. GRACE: OK, wait a minute. Wait. Wait. And you’re saying it’s because they don’t know which part of the beach to search? Why don’t they try starting with the beach where the guys say they took her? PENHAUL: Again, I’m not privy to that kind of information. But what one of the search-and-rescue team members did explain is that he would have expected the dive teams to be diving off some of the craggy shorelines where the currents are strongest, the currents that are being channeled in through that narrow stretch of sea between the southern coast of Aruba and the northern coast of Venezuela. But again, they’re also here as guests of Aruba. They can’t operate independently. And the FBI contacts have said it’s because the government of Aruba hasn’t pinpointed the areas where they should be searching. That’s why they didn’t go in the water. That’s why they’ve now left, Nancy. GRACE: Quick break, everybody. We’re going back live to Aruba. But first, to "Trial Tracking." Tonight, as you know, we have been looking for Patrick Welsh. Welsh, the 22-year-old college student who disappeared in April during a trip to New York City. His body was found last week in New York’s Hudson River. His family was contacted just last night. Patrick was a writing major. He had planned to graduate in December. No word on Patrick's cause of death. As of tonight, what happened to Patrick remains a mystery. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)GRACE: Natalee Holloway went on her senior trip. She’s a beautiful Alabama girl. She looks like a beauty queen, full scholarship to University of Alabama. She has not been seen since. Welcome back. Let’s go straight to Aruba. Two men in custody tonight. Let’s go to Chris LeJuez. He’s defense counsel for Abraham Jones. Chris, do you have any idea what the evidence is against your client? CHRIS LEJUEZ, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The evidence is that someone said that they have seen my client around that hour, the hour of 2:30 in the morning, when Natalee probably disappeared, down at the pool area of the hotel. That is basically all the evidence that they do have. GRACE: And what is your client’s alibi? LEJUEZ: My client states very categorically that he has been with his wife and a friend at a sun beach soul festival. He met people there. After that, he went to pick up his son at his mother’s house. They took the friend home, and they went home to sleep. The next morning, he went to work at around 8 o’clock. So he has a perfect alibi. He has several witnesses to the fact. GRACE: Chris LeJuez, what is the penalty, the maximum penalty in Aruba for murder? LEJUEZ: For murder, the maximum would be 20-to-life. I can assure you that we have -- I have not seen any kind of evidence that murder has been committed (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that somebody is dead anywhere, with regard to this case. GRACE: Thank you, sir.



On 6-8 MSNBC reported:

Murder Suspects in teen’s disappearance held after hearing
Jailed Aruban men deny knowing American
Updated: 4:42 a.m. ET June 9, 2005
ORANJESTAD, Aruba - A judge ruled Wednesday there was sufficient cause to keep holding two former hotel security guards in connection with the disappearance of an Alabama high school honors student.
The decision means authorities may hold Nick John, 30, and Abraham Jones, 28, for nearly four months while prosecutors investigate possible murder and kidnapping charges in the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway, defense attorneys said. Neither man has been formally charged.
Attorney General Caren Janssen confirmed the decision handed down at a closed hearing at a Police station where the men are jailed outside the capital of Oranjestad.
Few leads
Holloway, of Mountain Brook, Ala., vanished May 30 while on a five-day trip with 124 classmates celebrating their high school graduation on this Dutch Caribbean island.
Police and the FBI kept up their search for Holloway but said a lack of any solid leads was hindering progress. Local officials have asked the FBI to bring in dogs trained to search.
Police and volunteer land searches continued Wednesday with no results, while water searches, also unsuccessful, had been suspended “at this time,” Police spokesman Edwin Comenencia said. “We’re getting tips,” he said, adding nothing has panned out yet.
The two men were arrested Sunday on suspicion of first- and second-degree murder and capital kidnapping, the latter of which is invoked when a kidnapping victim is killed, according to court-appointed defense attorneys Noraina Pietersz and Chris LeJuez.
Judge J.S. Kuiperdal will review the case June 15 and every eight days after that if needed, officials said. Authorities may hold the suspects for 116 days without filing formal charges.
The former security guards worked for a hotel two blocks from the Holiday Inn where Holloway stayed. Their work contracts had expired May 29.
Investigators have not found any solid proof of what happened to Holloway, despite land and water searches. Holloway’s parents were holding out hope that she is alive.
LeJuez has said the suspects deny any connection to Holloway. Both men are Aruban citizens, although one is originally from Grenada, LeJuez said.
In an interview after the hearing, Pietersz said prosecutors asked that the defendants be kept in jail at least until June 15, when they hope to conclude their investigation.
Vivian van der Biezan, spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office, said Investigators must come up with some evidence to hold the suspects beyond that date.
Der Biezan also said she would check into whether Dutch law allows a charge of murder if no body is found. Investigators “cannot exclude the possibility of a criminal act because of the days that have passed.”
Under Aruban law, only serious suspicion from Investigators — not solid evidence — is needed for a judge to rule that suspects can be held, Pietersz said.
“I do believe my client is innocent, that’s all I can tell you,” she added.
At least one of the suspects had a reputation of trying to pick up women at tourist hotels on the Dutch Caribbean island, Police said. But both men insist they never met Holloway, LeJuez said.
Murder Suspect's common-law wife: 'He was home'
Jones’ common-law wife, Cynthia De Graaf, said she and her husband were together continuously May 29 and May 30.
“He was home. He was even sick,” De Graaf said, breaking down in tears as she waited for the hearing to start. “They ruined everything. My daughter has been asking for her father.”
Jones’ mother, Cynthia Rosalie Jones, 54, added that the only way her son knew about Holloway was from seeing the television news.
“They have my son there for something he knows nothing about,” Jones said emphatically. “My son is innocent.”
Police last week questioned and then released three men they referred to as “persons of interest.” The three told Police they took Holloway to a beach and then dropped her off at her hotel the night she vanished. The attorney general’s office said the three were considered witnesses and not suspects.
Authorities have not said Holloway was a victim of foul play and have not ruled out any possibilities, including that she may have drowned, Janssen said Tuesday.
“I haven’t seen any proof she is not alive,” LeJuez said Wednesday, adding that regarding his clients, “In my opinion, there is no evidence whatsoever that they are involved in the disappearance of Natalee.”
Investigators searched the suspects’ homes and impounded three vehicles, carrying away bags of items, but said they had not found any of Holloway’s belongings.
A graduation trip gone awry
The night she disappeared, Holloway ate and danced at Carlos’ n Charlie’s bar and restaurant. She did not show up for her flight hours later, and Police found her passport in her hotel room with her packed bags.
Seven chaperones accompanied the students on the trip.
It was not clear if Holloway had been drinking the night of her disappearance, though her relatives say she does not party much and is a straight-A student who had earned a full scholarship at the University of Alabama.
The Aruba government and local tourism organizations have offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to Holloway’s rescue, her family and benefactors in Alabama have offered an additional $30,000, and Carlos’ n Charlie’s donated another $5,000 for a total of $55,000.



On 6-8 MSNBC reported:

JOE SCARBOROUGH, HOST: Tonight‘s top headline, the desperate search continues for missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway, as a judge rules that two men can be locked up while the investigation continues.
…
Ten days, still no sign of Natalee. Today, the suspects appear before a judge and they could be charged with murder. We are live in Aruba.
…
SCARBOROUGH: You know, it‘s been 10 days now since 18-year-old honor student Natalee Holloway disappeared from the island of Aruba. Today, as her parents and hundreds of volunteers continued the search—I think it‘s up to 700 now—we are finally learning the names of two former security guards that are being held as suspects.
Now, in a minute, we are going to talk to a friend of Natalee‘s who was with her on the night she vanished, and also talk to her because she is still in Aruba trying to find her friend.
But, first, let‘s go to NBC‘s Martin Savidge, live in Aruba with the very latest on today‘s developments.
Martin, what do you have tonight?
MARTIN SAVIDGE, NBC CORRESPONDENT: Good evening, Joe.
This was a pivotal day, a pivotal day at least as far as the investigation, the criminal investigation. You had the two suspects. They were arrested on Sunday. Today, they were brought before a judge. They were allowed to speak. The prosecutor spoke, as did the public defenders.
And, basically, the judge is weighing the evidence here, trying to determine whether it‘s valid enough to continue holding these two suspects. The judge came back and said, yes, you can continue to hold them. These men are charged with serious offenses. They include murder and kidnapping. Yet, other people say, well, wait a minute here. There‘s no proof that there‘s a crime. Yes, a girl is missing, but no proof of murder, no proof of kidnapping. Family members are outraged.
They say their loved ones are being used as scapegoat. Here‘s a mother of one of the suspects speaking this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CYNTHIA ROSALEE JONES, MOTHER OF SUSPECT: My son have nothing to do with this thing. And that girl is alive somewhere all over (INAUDIBLE) but God is above. God is above. God know my son is innocent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: So you can hear that the family members are deeply distraught. The attorneys say that both of their clients can provide alibis.
Meanwhile, the search goes on today. About 100 tourists gave up a day of their vacation to search the westernmost point of the island. It‘s near the lighthouse, a famous landmark. It‘s believed Natalee might have been there the night she disappeared. And, once again, they found nothing—
Joe.
SCARBOROUGH: Hey, Martin, you know, this place is the size of Wichita, Kansas. We hear there are up to 700 people that have been searching now for 10 days. You have got the FBI down there. You have got divers down there. You have got dogs down there.
I guess the question a lot of us are asking is, what is left to search on that tiny island?
SAVIDGE: Well, the island may be small, but there are still many places where a person could be hidden or a body could be put to rest. There are many rugged and even remote parts of this island, despite its size.
Now, if this person was being kidnapped and being held against their will, it‘s very possible you could move them around the island without them necessarily being seen. It could be done. Is it being done? Many people doubt it. They think something has happened, something tragic. We just don‘t know what, and we don‘t know where she is at this point, Joe.
SCARBOROUGH: All right, Martin Savidge, thanks, as always. We appreciate the report tonight.
Now, earlier today, the girlfriend of one of the suspects spoke out and said that the suspect was at the home, at her home, in fact, at the time of Natalee‘s disappearance.
Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CYNTHIA DE GRAAF, GIRLFRIEND OF SUSPECT: We went to (INAUDIBLE) with me, Abraham and Bernadine (ph), my friends.
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)
DE GRAAF: When we finished, we went to get my daughter at my mom‘s.
We went at the gasoline station, get some bread. Dropped off Bernadine.
He went home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCARBOROUGH: Now let‘s bring in Noraina Pietersz. She‘s the attorney for suspect Nick John.
Thank you so much for being with us tonight, Ms. Pietersz.
NORAINA PIETERSZ, ATTORNEY FOR NICK JOHN: Thanks.
SCARBOROUGH: Help us out with the law in Aruba. We understand that your client can be held in jail for up to four months without any evidence whatsoever that he even saw this young woman on the night she disappeared. Is that, in fact, the law in Aruba?
PIETERSZ: No, that‘s not the law.
The law in Aruba is that the prosecutor, after the suspect has been in police custody for two days, she can decide. She has the authority to decide whether she is going to prolong the detention with eight more days for the investigation. That‘s all the authority that she has. She can get those 10 days for investigation. And based on that, she prolonged the detention of my client and the other suspect.
SCARBOROUGH: Now, did your client ever see this young woman on the night she disappeared?
PIETERSZ: He never saw her. He doesn‘t know her. He never met her, only by the news. He heard the news, too, but he has never met her. He doesn‘t know who she is.
SCARBOROUGH: You know, one of the things we don‘t understand here is that there were reports early on across America and the world that there was the son of a Dutch judge that actually saw this girl, and along with two other persons of interest, had her in the car. People witnessed that happening. And yet the Dutch judge‘s son is walking free tonight, and your client is in jail. Can you help us understand why these persons of interest are not in jail tonight?
PIETERSZ: I couldn‘t give you a direct answer on that, because, as you know, according to the Aruba law, the prosecutor is the one who decides who she is going to prosecute, yes or no.
In the case of those three guys, I am aware of that. Apparently, she
heard them—because it‘s a she. She heard them as witnesses. She never
heard them as suspects. That was her decision. Whether that is a good
decision, I don‘t necessarily agree with that. I just got into this case
yesterday. I don‘t know all the details, but from what I have received
from the prosecutor‘s office, all the relevant documents about—
concerning my client, and his statement he is giving, there is absolutely -
· it doesn‘t add up.
There‘s absolutely no way he could be involved in this case. I think they are on the wrong track.
SCARBOROUGH: OK. Well, let me ask you one final question here, because I will tell you what. There is conflicting reports from the island, and, again, what we read in papers in America. Has your client been charged with murder or kidnapping, or is your client merely a suspect?
(CROSSTALK)
PIETERSZ: At this moment, they are accusing—if I understood your question—if not, you can correct me—at this moment, they are accusing him. He is a suspect of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, deprivation of freedom, with death as a result. Those are the three accusations.
And according to the local law, Aruban law, you can take a person in on a suspect based on little indication. There just should be some indication as where to that person might have committed a crime. You can take them into police custody. You don‘t need to have the hard evidence. Of course, after these 10 days are due, which will be next Wednesday, the prosecutor will really have to come with more evidence, because then she will have no authority to keep these suspects into custody, then only with the permission of the judge of instruction, which, as to my opinion, as for now, as a defense, I don‘t see that happening.
SCARBOROUGH: Do they have—final question. Do they have any evidence at all, any evidence whatsoever against your client, other than he may have liked talking to American girls and other tourists in the past?
(CROSSTALK)
PIETERSZ: Not at all. Not at all.
I even asked the prosecutor where she got that little indication of guilt. I even asked her that. And, according to her, she is getting that from information she has. Well, if she has the same information that I have, which should be the case, I don‘t know how she is coming to that conclusion. But, as I said, she has the authority to prolong the detention with eight days.
We don‘t agree with that. We can take legal measures against that. But we have to see if it‘s really practical to do it, or we can wait until next week, before Wednesday, yes.
SCARBOROUGH: All right. All right. Noraina Pietersz, thank you so much for being with us tonight.
PIETERSZ: You‘re welcome. Thank you.
SCARBOROUGH: And clearing up some issues.
Now, friends, here you go. There‘s a disconnect here. We are reading in the papers tonight, the Associated Press is reporting that these gentlemen have still not been charged with any crime, that they can be held up to four months. That‘s not exactly what their attorney is saying tonight. In fact, last night, when I had the attorney for the other gentleman on, I said, has your client been charged yet with a crime?
He said, yes, my client has been charged with a crime.
Again, the Associated Press last night around 7:15 p.m. said they still had not been officially charged with a crime. There‘s so much confusion around this case, so much confusion about what happened that night, so many people who aren‘t talking. And it seems the law authorities even down there in Aruba don‘t have their stories straight.
And, again, this is a question, friends, I would love to know. What about the reports, again, about this Dutch judge‘s son? He—again, he is seen that night with two other locals allowing Natalee into the car, driving them away. Then they come back. She is never seen again. And yet these two gentlemen who are now being arrested and who haven‘t been charged yet are being held, and, again, according to reports, can be held up to four months.
These two gentlemen, from what we have heard on the island and back in the states, have absolutely no evidence against them. Something just doesn‘t add up.
Now, back in Natalee‘s home town of Birmingham, Alabama, her friends and neighbors have been stopping at a special wall. It‘s called a wall of hope. And it‘s where they go in to pray and share stories about their missing friend.
Meanwhile, the organizer of the graduation trip talked about why Aruba was chosen as the destination for Natalee and her Mountain Brook classmates.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JODI BEARMAN, TRIP ORGANIZER: From the research we have done, and the options for teens traveling from 18 to 20 years old, really, this is the safest spot. And we knew that the students wouldn‘t be driving cars. We did know that they would be old enough to drink and that they would be legal age to do so. And we provide chaperones. And, basically, the chaperones‘ jobs are simply to be there for emergencies.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCARBOROUGH: Boy. I will tell you what. I have been talking to some people in Birmingham, some officials high up in government. They believe that things just weren‘t handled right down there.
And the fact that they are admitting on camera that one of the reasons they chose Aruba was because they knew these young 18-year-old high school students would be of legal age to drink alcohol, not going to help also in the future.
Now, let me bring in Haleigh Uncapher. She‘s a good friend of Natalee‘s who was also on the trip in Aruba.
Haleigh, thanks a lot for being with us tonight. We know this is a very difficult time.
And let me start by saying, obviously, everybody‘s thoughts and prayers are with you and also your classmates as you look for your friend.
HALEIGH UNCAPHER, FRIEND OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Thank you. Thank you.
SCARBOROUGH: Tell me about—let‘s start—I am going to ask you about the night. I am going to ask you about the search.
But, first, let‘s start with the most important thing. Tell me about Natalee. What type of person is she?
UNCAPHER: Natalee is very outgoing.
She is happy, straight-A student, on honor roll, just all around a great person, a leader in our grade.
SCARBOROUGH: And you were with her the night she disappeared, right?
UNCAPHER: Yes, I was with her.
(CROSSTALK)
UNCAPHER: I was not with her, but I was there at the same place she was.
SCARBOROUGH: Yes. You were there at the same place.
And what is the last time that you saw her?
UNCAPHER: Well, the last time I saw her, we were all taking pictures out on the beach. And that was the last time. And then I kind of went my way, and she went her way, and then we just happened to end up at the same spot.
SCARBOROUGH: Yes. And there were all—how many of your classmates from Mountain Brook High School were there?
UNCAPHER: I would say around like 40, 50, maybe. There was a good bit there.
SCARBOROUGH: Yes, a good bit. That‘s what we have heard.
Hey, if you can, stay with us, Haleigh. We will be right back on the other side of the break.
And we are going to talk about the search, get everybody up to date on what the very latest is.
…
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
…
SCARBOROUGH: Hey, welcome back to the show.
Now, let me bring back Haleigh Uncapher. She‘s a good friend of Natalee‘s who was also on the trip to Aruba.
You know, Haleigh, whenever something like this happens, you hear so much garbage. You hear so many rumors. That‘s why I am glad you are on the show to clear a lot of this stuff up.
Talk about Natalee. Talk about her week in Aruba. Was there any indication that anything was amiss down there?
UNCAPHER: Nothing.
We were just down there having a great time. We had been doing the same thing every night. We had all gone out and gone to Carlos ‘n Charlie‘s and all come home. There was nothing out of the ordinary. And she was right there with us. She wasn‘t like wild or anything like that.
SCARBOROUGH: Yes, she was—I mean...
UNCAPHER: So, like, she was just having a good time, just like the rest of us.
SCARBOROUGH: Everybody says she was a very conservative, intelligent...
UNCAPHER: Oh, yes.
SCARBOROUGH: Sharp, young woman. Did anybody know these guys? We keep hearing about this Dutch judge‘s son who was a person of interest that supposedly drove her away from the bar. Did you hear anything about this Dutch judge‘s son? Did any of the other friends hear anything about him throughout the week?
UNCAPHER: No, I had not heard anything about him until that morning, after, that she had hung out with him the night before. That‘s the only thing I ever heard, because I had never seen her with him the nights before, nor did I see her with him that night, you know. But there were so many people there. She very well could have been there with him, but—and she was.
But that‘s the only thing I heard about him, was from that one night.
I hadn‘t seen him at the hotel or anything like that.
SCARBOROUGH: Yes.
You know, Mountain Brook is obviously—I mean, I went to University of Alabama, so I know Mountain Brook well. It‘s a great community.
UNCAPHER: It is.
SCARBOROUGH: Obviously, a lot of people stunned with what went on there. Are there some people in Mountain Brook that you know of that are concerned there weren‘t more chaperones on this trip when you all went out at night?
UNCAPHER: I don‘t think that‘s the case, really. I mean, we all—everybody knew when we were going on that trip that we were 18 and we are all adults. We all had to, you know, carry our own passport. And they were there for emergencies only.
So, it was up to us. And every parent knew that—you know, the risks they were taking when letting their child come down here.
SCARBOROUGH: Everybody knew that going in.
Haleigh, give us final thoughts. Tell us something that you want America to know tonight about your friend who you are searching for and who we are all praying for that she turns up well. Tell us one final thing about your friend tonight.
UNCAPHER: I just want to say, you know, that she is a great girl, and that keep us in your prayers, and just hope for the best, because we are all still looking for her. And we won‘t stop until we find her.
SCARBOROUGH: All right. Thanks so much, Haleigh Uncapher.
UNCAPHER: Thank you.
SCARBOROUGH: Thank a lot for being with us tonight. We really appreciate it.
UNCAPHER: Thank you.



***NOTE*** at no time between the 2 security guards arrests on 6-5, and their own arrests on 6-9, did Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE , nor Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE come forward to tell authorities that their “Holiday Inn” “security guard” alibi-lies were, in fact, lies.