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
4-1-06
On 4-1 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
A request goes out to the lady who called Policeman Soemers, for her to call back
ORANJESTAD—commissioner Dompig sends out a notice to the lady who called Mr. Eric Soemers, for her to call back. According to Mr. Dompig, this lady called Mr. Eric Soemers who is in the Natalee Holloway investigative team, and later said that she will call him back.
Until today the lady hasn’t called back. Commissioner Dompig calls out for this lady to call back Mr. Soemers because he said that it is very important to the investigation. If she cannot find Mr. Soemers, she can call Mr. Dompig himlsefat ___-____.
On 4-1 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Indicating that the reason for the seizure was for reenactment of case for Dutch TV
Judge rejects complaint from Deepak Kalpoe’s attorney related to the seizure of his car
Kalpoe will get his car back Monday at the latest
ORANJESTAD – The car of the suspect in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, Deepak Kalpoe, will remain in custody until at least Monday. This is what the judge involved in the case decided yesterday morning. It was when the car was taken into custody by the Public Prosecutor, last Thursday, that Kalpoe’s defense attorney, David Kock, sent a complaint about the Public Prosecutor.
CHIEF PROSECUTOR
It was the chief prosecutor’s turn to defend herself against this complaint, and the judge heard both sides. This is where the prosecutor explained to the judge that the reason for the seizure was to have access to the car as part of the plan for the reenactment of the Holloway case, for Dutch film crews who are in Aruba for the reenactment.
She used the term ‘onderzoeksbelang’ [research importance] since it will be used in the pre-recordings of Opsporing Verzocht.
PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
In a conversation with the spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor, Mariaine Croes, she confirmed that the judge rejected the arguments of attorney Kock and declared the ‘beklag’ as unfounded.
As much as he was preparing himself for the case against the government on the matter of legal papers [work visa] for his client Deepak Kalpoe, now he has another problem to deal with.
AUTHORITIES
It was Thursday afternoon that authorities confiscated the Kalpoe car again, based on the investigation which is taking place now. As such, the lawyer wasn’t thinking of keeping quiet about this case either.
SEIZURE
It is Bon Dia Aruba’s understanding that initially it was believed that it had to do with the actual investigation that the Dutch are now conducting in Aruba, but it was for the Dutch film crew.
On 4-1 FOX News reported:
(Thank You and Hat Tip to “Heli”)
NOT VERBATIM NOT COMPLETE
KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE, HOST: Searchers are using cadaver dogs and high tech sonar equipment. These searches are based on some of the best tips to date.
Joining me from Aruba is Julia Renfro. Julia why is this so much better?
JULIA RENFRO (the transplanted AMERICAN in ARUBA who moved to ARUBA 17+ years ago and owns an interest in many ARUBA businesses including an ARUBAAN's news-source): Apparently, this particular tipster came forward several months ago and they found him incredibly credible. His tips matched other witness statements. A taxi cab driver came forward with similar information. The cab driver came forward several months ago, if not last year. He was re-questioned in January and corroborated the story.
GUILFOYLE: I'm hearing a cab driver, a manager of a bar, and I've heard about the gardener. Are they all credible witnesses?
RENFRO: I'm not sure the gardener fits in that group.
GUILFOYLE: Will it be solved Julia?
RENFRO: We certainly hope so. You and I can easily see that something happens in this case every day. Over the past week we've had the Netherlands Forensic Institute come in and continue the search in the sand dunes.
GUILFOYLE: Joining me is Fred Golba with “Child Watch,” just back from Aruba. What makes this search different than previous searches?
FRED GOLBA, PROFESSIONAL SEARCH & RECOVERY PRESIDENT: This last trip I had a chance to search a lot more area. Some totally new terrain. There is a lot more to do out there. It's difficult out there. I did shoreline and caves, Baby Beach area, and four miles east of the lighthouse.
GUILFOYLE: Did some good positive things come out of this?
GOLBA: Just getting more area searched. Did the Bird Sanctuary and a few other areas. You need follow through. You have to go all the way through and finish, eliminate some grids.
I have to be optimistic in my field, but I don't have a lot of confidence in the sand dunes, but it's good to go out there with ground penetrating radar.
GUILFOYLE: Fred, are you going back to Aruba?
GOLBA: yes, we're working on that now.
GUILFOYLE: Joining me is Art Wood who's been involved since Day One. This is the main guy behind the scenes helping the cops. I have to ask, do you think it will be solved?
ART WOOD, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR & FORMER U.S. SECRET SERVICE AGENT: I do think the case can be solved. I will tell you, Fred Golba is a professional searcher, and if he's given the opportunity he'll come up with something if it's there. Also, be advised that so many people are involved in Natalee's disappearance, that's why it's going to be solved. Somebody will crack. These suspects are getting to the point they're at each other's throat--throwing barbs at each other.
GUILFOYLE: Do you think these tipsters are credible?
ART WOOD: I'm not sure there is a new tip. There's some tips that have been reiterated by the same people. It outages me that this [Aruban Police] chief goes on the air and says he has a reliable source that Natalee was in possession of illegal drugs. They interviewed 132 Alabama teens, and none have said that anything about Natalee with drugs.
4-2-06
On 4-2 BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY ABC TV channel 13 reported:
Beth Holloway-Twitty in Bowling Green
"Natalee has created a form for parents to initiate dialogue with their sons and daughters. "Throughout Natalee's disappearance we've learned we need to learn the infrastructure of country we're visiting."
That's just one of the tips provided by Beth Holloway-Twitty's non-profit organization called "International Safe Travels Foundation."
Holloway says the movie "The Wizard of Oz" was Natalee's favorite. The famous phrase "you're not in Kansas anymore", spoken by the main character, Dorothy, was echoed in her speech given at the Sloan Convention Center.
She wants teens to understand that the protocol we have in the U.S. may not be the same in other countries.
"The dangers that can exist are right around the corner from where they are within the borders or not. It also shows them challenges they face if they find themselves victims of crime in a foreign country."
She explained her statement in her speech when she spoke of the Aruban law enforcement.
Holloway-Twitty says she may never know what happened to her daughter last May.
But, she moves forward knowing her role as a mother in her daughter's disappearance is to help others.
Her non-profit website is designed to help and protect young adults before it's too late.
"What our intention is to hopefully partner with hospitality industries including hotels, wireless service providers and travel agencies."
You can read more tips and details about the search for answers in her daughter's disappearance on the island of Aruba. www.safetravelsfoundation.org
On 4-2 the SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA “San Francisco Chronicle” reported:
Aruba increases effort to boost tourism image
Island tries to offset publicity in case of missing teenager
Widespread publicity about the disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway might be having an impact on the number of American tourists visiting Aruba -- though not in every market.
Officials at the Aruba Tourism Authority say arrivals from Massachusetts, the island's second-largest U.S. market behind New York, totaled more than 61,000 through the first 11 months of 2005, an increase of 12.5 percent over the same period in 2004. Overall, however, arrivals from the United States were up less than 1 percent over the 11-month period, well off the pace of previous years.
Gina Lopez, a spokeswoman for the tourism authority, said travel numbers softened in the second half of the year because some hotels shut down for renovations, room prices rose dramatically, and many travelers crossed the Caribbean off their lists after the harsh hurricane season.
Lopez said the publicity over Holloway's unsolved disappearance "may have had some impact," but she maintained it was minimal. "The effect was mostly on Aruba's image rather than its tourism numbers," she said.
Still, Aruba is eager to put the negative publicity behind it. Officials say a record $230 million in public and private money is expected to be invested in the island's tourism economy this year. Tourism represents 85 percent of Aruba's economy, Lopez said.
Aruba is known as a fairly upscale, tourist-friendly place, far enough south -- it is off the coast of Venezuela -- to miss the hurricanes that regularly sweep through the region. The island is popular with Americans looking for sun in an environment that is a little different from Florida, but not strikingly so. The intense poverty that characterizes some Caribbean islands is absent from Aruba, where the standard of living is relatively high and the unemployment rate relatively low.
After Holloway's disappearance last May and the ensuing media barrage, the island's image took a beating, particularly after Holloway's family and Alabama officials called for a boycott to put pressure on the island's justice system. The tourism industry saw the story as a serious threat and created a team of local officials that operates under the name Aruba Truth.
"It's an incident of very great concern to everyone that has a stake in the tourism industry," said Carlos Aquino, director of Caribbean sales and marketing for InterContinental Hotels Corp., which operates a "Holiday Inn" on Aruba.
Holloway, 18, went to Aruba with other graduates of Mountain Brook high school near Birmingham, Ala. She was last seen at a tourist-oriented bar and grill at 1:30 a.m. on May 30. She never showed up for her departing flight later that day.
No one has been charged in connection with Holloway's disappearance. In a CBS "48 Hours" broadcast on March 25, the lead Aruban Investigator said authorities now believe she might have died due to the effects of alcohol and/or drugs, and that her body was buried and possibly moved and reburied. The investigation is in a "critical last phase," said Gerald Dompig, Aruba's deputy chief of Police.
Officials have stressed that the incident was an aberration for their peaceful island, and that they have been diligent in trying to solve the case.
To offset the negative publicity, government and industry leaders are pushing ahead with a number of projects to ensure tourism growth.
In addition to hotel renovations and expansions and restaurant openings, Aruba is spending $34 million on airport improvements and planning to spend another $16 million to build a greenway park that will stretch from the airport to the end of the high-rise hotel corridor. The park project will involve relocating parts of the port facility.
Officials are also starting a training program called "The Aruba Promise" for people involved in the tourism industry. Lopez said the training is designed to make sure tourism workers are in sync with Aruba's tagline, "One Happy Island."
"We have to pay attention to the little details," Lopez said.
4-3-06
On 4-3 the “ArubanBoycott Blog” reported:
SEARCH FOR NATALEE BY SATELLITE
I don't know how much credibility I would give this article...let's just say I'm not holding my breath. I'll believe it when I actually see some action and results.
Source: AD Newspaper
Saturday April 1, 2006
ORANJESTAD - Joran van der Sloot took a drunk Natalee Holloway home and had sex with her.
She died from alcohol and drugs, he panicked and buried her somewhere in the dunes. In accordance with this theory Dutch experts are searching the Aruban dune area with the help of satellite images for the remains of 18-year old Natalee.
Thus says a high ranking Aruban Police official (a/k/a Dompig? Of course it is...), who is deeply involved in the investigation into the disappeared American girl. In accordance with this theory the Dutch investigative team is to search the apartment of the 18-year old van der Sloot next to the estate of his elders inch by inch. (Like I said, I'll believe it when I see it.)
The Dutch team is working on an investigation of the dune area since Wednesday. Starting point of the search are the satellite images which are made around the 30th of may last year. The areas with most difference in coloration qualify for examination. "This might very well be the first crime which is solved through satellite imaging", the official utters enthusiastically.
"Joran is a disturbed young man", the Police official, whose identity is known by this newspaper, and says, "He isn't very good with details." (Neither is the ALE!)
The search team, according to him, is working from the assumption that van der Sloot is lying both about the fact he took Holloway to Lover’s Lane, the beach next to the Mariott Hotel, and that he left her there. "He took Natalee to his home and had intercourse with her there." the official says adamantly.
According to him however, van der Sloot is not a killer. (Not a killer...just a rapist? And that makes it a-okay, huh?) "We know from different sources Natalee used drugs. (First it was one source, now it's source(s)?) She also had consumed a large amount of alcohol. A combination of alcohol and drugs may have proven fatal."
This would not have left a lot of traces, according to the official. "When one is strangulated and suffocates, the body lets everything go; urine, feces. But when one 'slips away', that doesn't happen. It was a clean death." This would explain why in Joran's apartment no traces have been found in prior searches.
According to the Police theory, Joran panicked because his DNA was on the body of the girl. He called to his friend Deepak Kalpoe. The Police thinks Deepak's brother Satish then picked Joran up in Deepak's car to dump the body. The Police official: "They went to the dune area and buried her there." An anonymous witness, a taxi driver and gsm-records allegedly serve as substantiation for this theory.
The Police officer does not want to rule out that afterwards a reburial took place, led by Paul van der Sloot, Joran's father, who, as a former judge-in-training would know exactly how to make a body disappear.
On 4-3 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
To use in their program Opsporing Verzocht dedicated to the Holloway case
Dutch film crew continued their taping over the weekend in Oranjestad
Yesterday Carlos & Charlies street closed to film in front of the establishment
ORANJESTAD – During the weekend, the dutch television team from Opsporing Vermist of VARA continued with their taping in Aruba for the program which will air on the coming April 11 on Dutch television. They continued with their taping in the Oranjestad area, both Saturday and Sunday. All this was as a plan to tape the reenactment of the case of Natalee Holloway. The filming will continue today and some more days in order for them to finish up this week and return to Holland.
POLICE
The presence of some official agents were ‘accompanying’ the film crew could be noted. It was interesting to observe how the American reporters, among others FOX and CBS, came in contact with the Dutch film crew and how one was filming the other doing their work. One thing was for certain, that was the attention that the filming drew on the street this past weekend. Yesterday, they closed the street in order to be able to do their taping in front of Carlos & Charlies. In the collection of photographs, one can see the filming moments.
On 4-3 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Using radars, dogs and more sophisticated equipment
Dutch search teams continue their work in the dunes over the weekend
They still haven’t located anything concrete related to the Holloway case
ORANJESTAD – During the weekend, work for the search of Natalee Holloway continued in Aruba. From Wednesday, the work for the search intensified with the special group from Holland which came with a total of 11 persons and 2 special dogs to search, and continued over the weekend. Their focus this weekend was around the Lighthouse dunes. But they still haven’t located anything concrete of the Holloway person.
SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT
It was of note during the weekend how the search was planned, using sophisticated equipment, such as a subterranean radar, which registers specific activity underground. At the same time, helicopters were used to survey along with the radar as well. Another group was in charge of the dogs, but it could be noted that one dog was used at a time.
SYSTEMATIC WORK
The manner in how they let the dogs work was systematic. Certain terrain was marked with long blue ‘spaca’ [lines?], where the dog had to stay inside and leave all that was found. Tied with a pretty long chain and with assistance from its trainer, the dog was smelling around where he believed it was necessary.
PRESS
Another person who was in the action was those who have to cover certain locations that the dog indicated. But again, nothing was achieved. As long as this work was happening, a group of Police on quad-racers was watching over and controlling the work of this Dutch team. For security reasons, the press was not allowed to come too close, more so for the protection of the work being done, and for the dogs’ concentration.
It was at a distance that certain members of the press were able to cover this search, as the photographs indicate. The search will continue for one more week, before the Dutch team returns to Holland another week.
On 4-3 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Deepak does not get his car back
ARUBA – Deepak Kalpoe’s car will not be returned to him until Monday. The examining-magistrate decided in a lawsuit instituted by Kalpoe’s lawyer David Kock that the confiscation is not illegal, because the shootings for Opsporing Verzocht are of relevance to the investigation on the disappeared Natalee Holloway. The car, a grey Honda Civic was confiscated by the Public Prosecutor last Thursday afternoon. Their motivation to do this is that the program must reproduce the situation as real as possible. The program Opsporing Verzocht with the Holloway-case will be transmitted on Tuesday, April 11th.
On 4-3 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Taping the ‘reenactment’ of Natalee’s case
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Last Sunday night, using the car that Police confiscated for the weekend from the Kalpoe brothers, they held a ‘reenactment’ to record for Dutch TV.
DIARIO’s photographer barely had the chance to take a picture, given that 3 different American TV crews were standing around and they did not want to bother ‘Recherche Yearwood’.
Has the Police force declared war against the local press?
They want more witnesses to come forward this way.
For this reason, starting today, DIARIO is giving key witnesses and ‘alternative’ to give information. Read page 3.
On 4-3 JOHN Q. KELLY and others stated to MSNBC:
RITA COSBY, HOST: … And it could be the final search for missing teen Natalee Holloway. Aruban cops follow up on what they say is a promising tip, combing the sand dunes where she may be buried. And they’re getting some unusual help in the search. We’re going to tell you who’s now playing a role.
…
COSBY: And now, the increasing efforts in the search to find missing teen Natalee Holloway. They include a new team of Dutch experts scouring sand dunes and beaches in Aruba. A Dutch TV show and a brand new image, also, from inside the casino, and some big questions about that, as well. Some say they show Joran van der Sloot’s father, Paulus, talking with Natalee the night that she disappeared.
Let’s bring in the attorney for the Holloway family, John Q. Kelly. John just returned from Aruba with information on a lot of different developments.
John, first of all, is there a possibility that Paulus might have been talking to Natalee the night that she disappeared?
JOHN Q. KELLY, HOLLOWAY FAMILY ATTORNEY: Well, if you look at the surveillance video footage, it appears that he’s the one sitting directly next to her and tries to engage her in conversation a couple of times. And it’s sort of ironic that it’s his father who brought his underage son to a casino and left him there after he left, with access to his line of credit, to put this unfortunate chain of events in process.
You know, if Joran had never been there, not been allowed in there, because he’s underage and wasn’t accompanied by his father, the whole rest of the night wouldn’t have happened.
COSBY: You know, and, John, also, why would that be a significant—why is that in conflict to something else we’ve heard maybe from Paulus before?
KELLY: Well, he’s just claiming that, you know, he’s kept an eye on his son, you know, he’s kept him on a short leash, and, you know, his son is very well-behaved. And it turns out that he’s, you know, got him at casinos. If you’re under 18, you’re not legally even allowed in casinos, so his son was breaking the law with him enabling it.
COSBY: And did he ever say that he had talked to Natalee or not before?
KELLY: No, it’s never even been addressed before whether or not that’s Paulus in the videotape there sitting next to her. And it certainly appears to be to me.
COSBY: Let’s talk about it—there was supposed to be a decision today in the civil suit. What happened? That was the Paulus, the civil suit that he was waging in Aruba there.
KELLY: Yes, it’s my understanding that the judges were waiting for a final determination from Karen Janssen, the prosecutor, whether she was going to continue with the prosecution of Paulus van der Sloot. And it’s my understanding she also asked for a delay, asked for additional time, because they’re in the middle of what appears to be the final throes of the investigation right now.
COSBY: You know, one of the things, John, is this Dutch TV program. We know that they were filming through the weekend. They’re recreating the events, you know, leading up to when Natalee disappeared. Have they contacted the family at all? And how does the family feel about this?
KELLY: Well, you know, they had contacted me. I actually, you know, worked fairly close with Karen Janssen on certain aspects of the reenactment and provided her a bunch of information and some other things that I won’t get into right now.
So I was well aware of it. We’re more than happy to help her with it. Anything that advances (INAUDIBLE) we’re cooperating with. And, you know, I’ve got my own thoughts on the likelihood of success of it, but that’s another thought. But, you know, whenever they’re actively pursuing something, they want help, the family is always there to help them in it.
COSBY: You know, we were just getting some pictures of the search efforts, too, John. I understand some interesting, you know, sort of different types of people have been coming and helping in the search in recent days. Who are they?
KELLY: Well, they have the ground-penetrating sonar equipment. Along with that came eight individuals from the Dutch Forensic Institute, including an archaeologist and a forensic pathologist.
The archeologist, my understanding, is to sort of take a survey, the lay of the land, and determine what, you know, vegetation, what dunes have shifted, or, you know, changed since nine or 10 months earlier based on surveillance photographs to sort of zero in and assist in the search with the sonar equipment.
And the forensic pathologist is there, obviously, in case of, you know, Natalee would be located.
COSBY: Have you heard if there’s been any progress whatsoever, John, or anything unusual?
KELLY: Nothing unusual. The progress is that, for three days now, they’ve been searching the sand dunes. And it’s my understanding they’ll be completed by the end of the day Wednesday or Thursday.
So in terms of completing the long-discussed search of the sand dunes, which first came out in December that they wanted to, at least they’re searching that and, if nothing else, they’ll eliminate that as a possibility right now.
COSBY: John, keep us posted. Thank you very much.
KELLY: I sure will, Rita, sure.
COSBY: And let’s now bring in Steve Cohen. He’s a spokesman for the Aruban government. Steve, we were just hearing from John that he thinks the sand dune search will be completed by Wednesday or Thursday. What happens after that?
STEVE COHEN, ARUBA “STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE” MEMBER: Well, I think John really has stated it very clearly for your audience. It took it a while for this to be put together, but now it is commencing.
I do think that there are some other ancillary sites on the island, as well, that I am sure that they will take a look at, since they have such strong forces on the island right now to help out.
I’m just returning from a week there myself where I had an opportunity to observe, as John has, as well.
I think something that is really important to note is the spirit of cooperation by the family and John Kelly with the prosecution and the chief inspector, Dompig. I mean, this is unprecedented, actually, in the nature of this case, as long as it’s gone. And the government of Aruba quite appreciates this cooperation. It puts us all on the same page and, I think, puts our spirit in the right place to really see if we can solve this.
COSBY: But, Steve, do you think you’ll find anything? Do you think -
I mean, are you optimistic?
COHEN: I’m not going to characterize my feelings. I think that, you know, this is a tough search. It’s been a very difficult case. I think we just have to wait and see what the results are going to be, Rita.
COSBY: You know, Steve, have you heard these claims that, in this video—there’s this surveillance video that we saw in the casino that was showed a while back—that Paulus van der Sloot may be in the casino actually even talking to Natalee. And what we just heard from John, it doesn’t sound like that was asked of him before, if he actually even engaged in some conversation with her that night.
COHEN: I have to say that, unfortunately, I have not had a chance to view that tape. I’ve been in transit in the last 24 hours. Once I get a look at it, I think I’ll be able to give you a better comment. But I don’t think it would be outside of the realm of possibility that Paulus van der Sloot would have been with his son that evening at some point.
COSBY: If that’s the case, if he was indeed talking to her on the videotape, will the Aruban government re-question Paulus van der Sloot and say, “Was there something she said to you?” Just it could be something helpful.
COHEN: Well, that could happen, but you know that we are involved in some legal machinations here, as you just discussed with John, which has to do with the case that Paulus is bringing. And I think that we’re going to have to go through very careful ground here before we would think about any other steps.
COSBY: Real quick, let me also play—this is a clip. We had the director from the Dutch TV on our show last week. I want to play a little clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRITS SISSING, DUTCH TV DIRECTOR: We ask the Police of Aruba to find some people who will look like the people who are in the reconstruction. And they told me that they found people who would seem like Natalee and the other people.
Because we will ask people if they can remember something. And, of course, you can remember something if you see on television what you could have seen in real.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: Steve, do you think that it could jog someone’s memory? A lot of people think this is a big lead.
COHEN: I think we just want to be hopeful here. Anything that can help is what we want to do. And, again, we’re very thankful that the family and John has come forward to help us in this pursuit.
COSBY: All right, Steve Cohen, thank you very much. Of course, we wish you luck. And, of course, we hope that this gets solved one way or the other. Thank you very much. We appreciate it.
On 4-3 FOX News reported:
(5m02s VIDEO)
(Thank You and Hat Tip to “Heli”)
NOT VERBATIM, NOT COMPLETE
JOHN KASICH, HOSTING FOR BILL O’REILLY: Prosecutors are set to present evidence that Joran is still a suspect. Julia Renfro and Joe Tacopina. What happened today Julia?
JULIA RENFRO (the transplanted AMERICAN in ARUBA who moved to ARUBA 17+ years ago and owns an interest in many ARUBA businesses including an ARUBAAN's news-source): A hearing where the Judge from Curacao had asked the prosecutor to give information about her case. She asked for an extension based on some possible new leads. They have worked together with the Police and a TV show which is preparing a step-by-step of what Natalee did on that last night in Aruba.
KASICH: The father has filed a lawsuit that they are owed damages as a family. It's to be heard on May 1, this Judge in The Netherlands said he can't rule unless he knows how serious the case is in Aruba. The prosecutor asked for an extension. Joe, you are representing the van der Sloot's in the civil suit that the Holloway family filed. You got to look at the Police file.
JOE TACOPINA, LAWYER FOR ANITA VAN DER SLOOT , FORMER SUSPECT PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT , and PRIME SUSPECT JORAN VAN DER SLOOT : Without getting into the details, when we got the files, which we wrangled from Aruba law enforcement by court order, we found leads in there that were very real and live and not followed up on. Witness statements that gave a lot of ammunition for the material for the chief to give an interview where he speculated that Natalee's demise was based on alcohol, none of which I subscribe to. This case has been about rank speculation. Much has been said that simply has no evidence to support it.
KASICH: Julia, the prosecutor doesn't want to show all her cards. How strong a case do you really think she has?
RENFRO: We're not really sure. The show will air on April 11 and we hope to get tips from Aruba and also Holland. This show will work with “America Most Wanted” and do the entire step-by-step of Natalee's case account in English. From that, during that period of time when the kids were here, we had 50 to 60,000 tourists on the island...
KASICH: (sarcastically) Now, we're going to do some “reality” show on tv...
TACOPINA: (sarcastically) More to the point, this is how to solve the case--on tv with hypotheticals.
KASICH: The civil case will come up and we need witnesses. Isn't that the real issue?
TACOPINA: Let's assume the civil case survives. I think it will be dismissed. I'm pretty confident of that.
KASICH: We have a case filed in Holland by the father. We have the criminal investigation. When will it be wrapped up? When does this criminal case finally get wrapped up?
RENFRO: The Investigators with the prosecution have been working on a daily basis. The Judge from Curacao is to put all the cards on the table and at that point he will make a decision if this case goes to trial.
KASICH: From what's going on in Holland we may find out how serious this case is before anything ever happens in Aruba.
On 4-3 FOX News reported:
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: A Dutch TV crew spent the weekend in Aruba filming a made-for-TV reenactment of the Natalee Holloway's case. Aruban Police and prosecutors say they asked the TV show to reconstruct Natalee's disappearance in hopes it would generate more leads.
Anniko van Santen is the host of the program, and she talked to us about it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNIKO VAN SANTEN, "OPSPORING VERZOCHT": "Opsporing Verzocht" is a program with a very long history in the Netherlands. It has been aired there for 23 years, and you can compare it to your own "Most Wanted" show. Every week, we show different crimes, where we don't know who the criminals are, and we appeal to the public to step forward with evidence. So that is our program.
And the episode we're going to do here in Aruba is a reconstruction of the days of Natalee here on the island, and we're appealing to the Dutch public to step forward with every shred of evidence that could help solve this case. We have reconstructed the days of Natalee and the rest of her group here on the island, and basically, that has two functions. It has to help people identify with the group and give them the feeling that they have to step forward with everything they know. And it also has the function of triggering the memory of people. So that is what we're going to show, a reconstruction of Natalee's days here.
Our program is based on the facts, and we're asking the public to fill in the voids. And in this particular case, there are a lot of voids. So maybe people will say this is a long shot, but there are a lot of Dutch tourists visiting Aruba, and in many cases -- and we've seen it in the history of the program -- people have seen things that have been crucial to solving a case without even realizing that they have seen that until they see our program. So that's what we're hoping to do with this program.
Of course, this story -- and it's not really a story, in that you realize that when you're here, this is reality. A girl of 18, who was on a trip with a lot of girls of other 18, has vanished without a trace. That is very emotional, but it feels very good that we're trying to help solve this case together with the Dutch Police, who are, of course, doing the search right now, and with Aruban Police. It feels good that we have these different parties and we're all aiming at the same goal, trying to see what has happened to Natalee.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAN SUSTEREN: Police seized Deepak Kalpoe's car to use for their made-for-TV reenactment. What does Deepak think about that? Joining us live on the phone is Deepak and Satish Kalpoe's attorney, David Kock.
David, what did your client think about the fact that a tow truck pulled up at 3:00 o'clock on Thursday and took his car?
DAVID KOCK, DEEPAK AND SATISH KALPOE 'S ATTORNEY: Hi, Greta. Now, of course, disbelief. No, I mean, disbelief that the DA would want to use kind of a movie prop to be so realistically possible, so much that they just come and take the car of the, you know, the suspect himself. So we were in disbelief.
VAN SUSTEREN: Now, has the car been returned to Deepak?
DAVID KOCK: Yes, the car has been returned to Deepak, and that happened today. So at least that aspect is done. But we are still, you know, awaiting a base (ph) for a motion where this whole act of the DA is going to be point of discussion.
VAN SUSTEREN: What do you mean by that, a point of discussion?
DAVID KOCK: Well, you know, the question is going to be, did the DA have the right to do this? And what is the consequence now of such an action, in our opinion, totally unfounded?
VAN SUSTEREN: David, in this reenactment, do you know if they're using your clients' pictures and their real names?
DAVID KOCK: You know, we haven't seen the program yet, so we do not know. We know that they have, like, kind of doubles acting for everybody. And so we assume that they wanted to have two boys that look somewhat like my clients.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. So they're not using the real people. They're not using your clients, your two clients. Why did they need the real car? Why not just go out and pick up a silver Honda?
DAVID KOCK: You know, that beats me. Greta, I wish I had the answer for that, but I think, you know, there were other cars. It doesn't have to be the exact, exact same car. I mean, it's not that 10 months later, somebody's going to say, Oh, you know, if you brought a silver Toyota, I would not know what's going on, but now that you brought a silver Honda, now I know exactly what happened.
VAN SUSTEREN: Who's doing the editorial control on this? Is this being run by the prosecutor or the Police chief?
DAVID KOCK: No, we understand that the control is being run by the Dutch program itself, no? I mean, it seems that data is made available to them, and they're the ones really in charge. I don't see Mrs. Janssen, you know, guiding the cameras.
VAN SUSTEREN: Have you ever seen this show? Does it play in Aruba?
DAVID KOCK: No, you know, we get this as a Dutch channel, so you know, you can see it here. You'll see it in the Netherlands. But you know, I don't think, 10 months later, somebody's going to see this film, and all of a sudden, you know, people are going to come up and say that, Now I exactly remember what happened.
VAN SUSTEREN: Were you told anything in advance that this was going to happen, or was the first sort of notice you had of this when your client's car got towed away?
DAVID KOCK: No, we had kind of notice that this was coming. And you know, since my clients say that they have nothing to hide, you know, we weren't afraid of this. Now we're not protesting, really, that they do this. I mean, to us, it's a desperate act, but I mean, it's their right to do it. But it's just the way that they want to try to get information, in the sense of, you know, taking my client's car and just, we find it's a little bit like abuse of power.
VAN SUSTEREN: David, did the prosecutor say anything to you to indicate that this investigation is moving forward?
DAVID KOCK: No. I think, from the actions that they are taking, you see that, you know, once again, for some days now, they are again being -- exploring the dunes. And up to now, nothing has been found. And as I indicated before, to me, when you go to such kind of a show, it's a little bit like, you know, cold case files that you want to bring forward, try to put it back in the news. To me, you know, you have nothing and you want to try to see, as a last resort, if some information can still be obtained.
VAN SUSTEREN: So in your view, is this their sort of last resort, that the prosecution and the chief of Police have nothing else planned?
DAVID KOCK: I see that if this does not, you know, give any results, to me, then the investigation would have to be closed. At a certain point, it has to happen (INAUDIBLE) You cannot just keep having a file open because you want to solve the case. At a certain moment, there's nothing much more that one can do, really, no?
VAN SUSTEREN: David, thank you.
DAVID KOCK: You're very welcome. Take care.
4-4-06
On 4-4 LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS CBS TV channel 11 reported:
Emotional Rollercoaster For Holloway Family
It's coming up on a year for Ann Reynolds and the rest of the family since Natalee's disappearance. With no arrests and little information as to what could have happened to her granddaughter, she says it's not been easy.
Reynolds says, “It's just hard. She was such a bright child and everything. We had such high hopes for her."
What might have happened that fateful night is the latest revelation as one Dutch television show is retracing Natalee's steps. The case continues to draw interest from other news programs as well.
Reynolds admits sometimes it’s not easy seeing her granddaughter's life played out on TV, “Taking the drinks didn't bother me because she was there in the bar that was obvious. But I know Natalee never did drugs."
She continues, “It's hard. It hurts your feelings, but you've got to realize or at least I realized they're only repeating what they heard."
She feels Aruban authorities are right in making Joran van der Sloot and brothers, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, suspects in Natalee's disappearance.
“I firmly believe they put something in Natalee's drink. I don't think they could have gotten her into a car with three boys."
For Reynolds and her daughter, Beth, they have faint hope that Natalee is still alive.
She says, “I have to have a little hope. I couldn't get through all these days without thinking something—that we'll know something."
Reynolds says she's not sure how this will all end. It's been her friends, family and faith in God that has helped her get through.
On May 22-23, her daughter, Beth Twitty, will be in Lonoke speaking with students on safe travel awareness. Twitty plans to visit all 50 states by the end of the year. Twitty has also started a foundation called International Safe Travels Foundation.
On 4-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Although it is not the final report and there is still no decision taken as to who will be prosecuted
Prosecutor handed over to the Court report related to the investigation into Joran van der Sloot
ORANJESTAD – Yesterday, chief prosecutor Janssen went to the court building to deliver to the clerk a report related to the criminal investigation that the Holloway investigative team conducted on Joran van der Sloot.
NOT A FINAL REPORT
An investigation conducted by Bon Dia Aruba shows that the report that mr. Janssen delivered to the court clerk is not the final report of the criminal investigation. Since there are still investigations taking place, it is difficult for mr. Janssen to comply with the verdict of the Curacao judge in the case of damages for prejudice that mr. Paul van der Sloot started against the government.
This is how last moth, the judge, in his interim verdict, instructed chief prosecutor mr. Janssen to hand over the procesverbaal dealing with the criminal investigation into Joran van der Sloot, at the latest on the 3 of April. The reason the judge instructed mr. Janssen to hand over the procesverbaal was on the basis of mr. Janssen’s own statements during the case proceedings. The judge, in his verdict, showed that mr. Janssen said that in March 2005 [sic 2006] the procesverbaal on the investigation on the Holloway case will be closed and also that the Public Prosecutor will take a decision whether they will prosecute people or not.
NO DECISION TO PROSECUTE
An investigation conducted by Bon Dia Aruba shoes that chief prosecutor mr. Janssen handed over the report related to the criminal investigation, but still has not taken a decision whether she will prosecute the suspects or not. This is due to the situation that still the investigation hasn’t been closed and still the final report is not closed.
Now that the report has been delivered, mr. Swaen, who is the attorney of the van der Sloot family in this case, will have to react to the report and has to hand over this reaction by April 17, at the latest. The judge will analyze these and on the 1st of May he will hand over the verdict.
Given the fact that mr. Janssen did not completely comply with the judge’s instructions, it is not known what will be the judge’s reaction. There are two possibilities. Prosecutor mr. Janssen will notify the judge about the situation and the judge will decide according to this report or the judge will say that the report is not sufficient and wants mr. Janssen to comply with what he instructed.
Time will tell what will happen. The fact is that chief prosecutor mr. Janssen handed over a report related to the criminal investigation into Joran van der Sloot.
On 4-4 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Public Prosecution distances itself from the article in Algemeen Dagblad
ORANJESTAD – The spokesperson for the Public Prosecution, drs. Mariaine Croes reacted to an article that Algemeen Dagblad published Saturday, April 1, 2006. The title of the article is: ‘Search for Natalee by satellite’. Drs. Croes made it be known to Bon Dia Aruba that in this case, a Police worker made these statements to a reporter from Algemeen Dagblad. The Public Prosecution distances itself completely from the content of the statements made by the Police officer. Also, the Public Prosecution distances itself emphatically of the fact that these statements were made, who they were made by.
Drs. Croes explains that in dealing with the press, the Public Prosecution is always aware of the following points:
- the protection of the privacy of the suspects and witnesses;
- the fact that you have to avoid dealing with a case through the media, and not speak regarding the supposed culpability of the suspects;
- always have to avoid damage to an ongoing criminal investigation.
Given that the Public Prosecution observes the points mentioned above, the giving of information in specific cases by the Public Prosecution is limited.
On 4-4 CBS reported:
Natalee Case Hurting Aruba Tourism?
(CBS) PALM BEACH, Aruba On an island where it's a breeze to find yourself in a picture postcard setting, it's no wonder tourism makes up 85 percent of Aruba's economy. Some 800,000 Americans visit each year.
But one of them, Alabama teen Natalee Holloway, vanished from the popular vacation destination while on a graduation trip 10 months ago.
And, as the latest round of searches for her continues, it appears that the steady stream of news about the disappearance may be hitting Aruba where it hurts: in the pocketbook.
"There is this stigma. When I was telling people, 'We're going to Aruba for spring break,' people kind of looked at me like, 'Oh?' " tourist Jill William told CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano.
Rob Smith, who's with Aruba's Hospitality and Security Foundation, concedes the peaceful island he loves may be feeling some tourism heartache, saying, "It's obviously affected our worldwide integrity, or at least our perceived integrity."
Smith says that after 10 years of steady growth, tourism in Aruba is suddenly flat.
"I think that a lot of people think that Aruba is not safe, and it's just not the case," he insists.
When Solorzano approached a group of four teens and asked if they felt safe on Aruba, she got a resounding "Yeah, definitely, definitely," as a reply.
Teens Solorzano spoke with say they're now more aware, but Holloway's disappearance hasn't kept their families away.
Tourist and father Ed William told Solorzano, "One hundred percent, we believe it's safe, and we feel the Arubaans have done everything they can in terms of solving this mystery."
Aruba's Smith stresses there may be other factors at work, such as the increased cost of accommodations, and tourists spooked by a harsh hurricane season.
But he admits he hopes the Holloway case is solved soon: "I believe that, long-term, the world will know the truth about our destination."
Solorzano points out that after the Holloway case broke a group called Aruba Truth was formed to try to make sure news about the island is accurate, with the hope of shielding the island's tourist industry.
On 4-4 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News:
COLMES: Joining us now is Beth Holloway-Twitty. Beth, you are always welcome here. How are you holding up? How are you doing?
BETH: Okay, okay.
COLMES: The last time you were on last week, a week and a half ago, we talked about supposedly new information--a possible location near sand dunes--and that a search was going to take place. What's become of that?
BETH: Well, I know that they have been searching. I know that a team came in from Holland, and I believe they were conducting searches last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and then resumed again Monday. Of course, you know I do not think that it has yielded anything. And, secondly, I know that the filming of this show was conducted over the weekend, so.…
COLMES: There was a new witness, supposedly, at least new to the media, and that witness supposedly gave a specific location, and there was, I guess, some hope. Do you still have hope that particular lead could lead to some closure here?
BETH: You know, I did have hope when I first heard about this, because it did seem like it was coming from someone other than the ones we had heard before, you know the gardner, the man at the dump. I mean, this was somebody who was a bar manager at “Carlos and Charlies,” and I was thinking, well, if the information was so specific, maybe it would yield something. Each day that they search and find nothing, I just don't put too much in it. Plus, they are making this TV show. It just does not coincide. I mean if they had credible information, why would they be moving forward with this made for TV show?
COLMES: This TV show claims to have some success in apprehending criminals and solving some crimes. Does this give you some hope?
BETH: You know, I have heard some good feedback from it, and I think that anytime that Holland gets involved and can get the reward money out there, a million for her safe return, and $250,000 for her whereabouts. It is just has to be positive. And I am glad to hear that they are going to have different tip lines set up, because maybe that would generate someone to call when they wouldn't have before. So I have to think maybe those are two positive things and see what happens.
HANNITY: Hey Beth, Shawn Hannity. Welcome back to the program. Glad to have you back here. What supposedly is making this so-called new witness so credible, and is that the only reason that they went back to the dunes, because they have been before? Is that the only reason that you know of?
BETH: I think so, and this witness has been around for a long time. I think it was as early as January, when I was speaking with the F.B.I. in Barbados on how to coordinate and get some search teams involved from the FBI. But, you know, what was happening was Aruba just wanted to withhold the information of the individual, and the F.B.I. wanted some information to see who this was, that had come foward and what information he had. I mean, this has been going on a long time that we knew about this witness, and it just took that long for Holland to get involved. I just think that they were skeptical of the witness.
HANNITY: Alot of this has to do with tourism. There is an article in one of the papers today entitled “Natalee Case Hurting Aruba Tourism.” Is that one of the reasons that this is happening? Is this a “p.r.” effort on their part?
BETH: Well, I hope it is just not a “p.r.” move, and when I hear that Natalee is hurting tourism...I mean, that is just so not fair. You know, the reason that Aruba's tourism is suffering is from Joran and Paulus van der Sloot and the officials and how they handled the investigation early on. Natalee is not capable of affecting tourism. It's the people who are involved in handling her investigation and the suspects--that is who is affecting tourism.
HANNITY: You know what, I agree with you. The last time you were on, it was the day before this television program that came on that quoted the Deputy chief of Police of Aruba that went on to say, they believe, though they didn‘t have hard evidence. That your daughter had drugs in her possession. That she had been drinking heavily that night. You have now had the opportunity to examine those comments more closely, because I think it was just a smear campaign, with little or no evidence, only heresay from somebody. Does that upset you? What is your thoughts on those comments?
BETH: Oh, absolutely! That is very upsetting to hear them in anyway suggest that Natalee was responsible for this. And, you know, we have never denied that they had been drinking, but something that was a concern to us was the way that Natalee was behaving...it was as if she had been drugged. You know, if they want to go after the suspects, you know, as far as drugging her, yes. Natalee was not responsible for, you know, if she had taken drugs. I mean it would have been, absolutely, not to her knowledge, if she would have had drugs. No way.
COLMES: Beth, stay right there. We are going to have more with you in just a moment. Also, Dr. Michael Baden will join us, and he will contribute to the discussion.
HANNITY: Welcome back to Hannity & Colmes. We continue now with Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway-Twitty. Also joining us now is forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden. We have talked at length about this character assassination, and for the Police chief to say that they believe, you know, that even steps were taken to carefully hide the body, perhaps bury her twice, that they believe she had drugs in her possession. This is now an official smear campaign by the State.
Dr. BADEN: It is very disappointing that both the law in the “48 Hours" piece and now whatever is going on with Dutch television. That this is more public relations than it is a good investigation, and I think the results of all this is to say that we did everything right in Aruba, and she died because of her own doings. They even went on to say that she died of too much alcohol, and that is just not possible under those circumstances.
HANNITY: There is no---Beth, this is your daughter--I mean--this is a girl who is headed to medical school. This is a girl, as I understand it, who had a scholarship. That part of her is not being told at all here! This is idle speculation, and now they are going to come out with this Dutch program, “Arrest Requested,” and they are going to reenact your daughter's final hours according to who’s account here? Joran van der Sloot?! The Kalpoe brothers?!
BETH: Exactly. When I think about what the details are that they are reenacting, and I think about the timeline, and yeah, I just think where are we going with this. And I think making the show speaks volumes that they don't have a credible witness, they don't have any information on where Natalee may be.
HANNITY: Rather than the Police chief focusing in on heresay, speculation, shouldn't they be focusing in on the lies and the inconsistences of what they said? Shouldn't they be focusing in on their admitted crimes, Beth?
BETH: You know, the professionalism that has been displayed, of course, has just certainly been lacking in some areas, and it is just hard to be--it is hard to be supportive of, you know, something as inept in this program, although, I have said the one good thing is going to happen is hopefully we will get the reward out there, but just to have, you know, made all the disparaging remarks about Natalee during the “48 Hours” interview, it is just--they were just so unwarranted and unnecessary that they would do that.
HANNITY: Well, it is mean-spirited, but Dr. Baden, you and I have discussed this both, on the air and off the air, that this is about rehabilitating their image here. But lets talk about, you know, the idea, you know, what would we be able to find out? Could she have been drugged against her will? Is that a likely possibility in all of this? I mean, do you ever know at the end of the day as a forensic expert?
Dr. BADEN: Well, I think if, as the chief said on “48 Hours,” she had so much alcohol in her that she could have died just of the alcohol.
HANNITY: Why do you say, “No”?
Dr. BADEN: Well, because when somebody dies of alcohol, it takes many hours to die of alcohol. First, you become unconscious. It is not a sudden death--you go--it may take three or four or five hours to go gradually go into coma, and if the ambulance is called during that time, they likely are saved. Also, she would have to drink more alcohol that she had when she got into the car. I think his saying, that she died of alcohol is not really a homicide, is, and then these boys decide to bury the body. There is no reason to bury of somebody dies of alcohol or drugs. Why hide the body?
COLMES: Unless they got scared. They felt they might have done something to contribute, didn't really know, they got nervous.
Dr. BADEN: It just doesn't happen. The way, the way we have lots of times when people die of with other people's presence. They never bury the body--they never--they may move the body out of the house into the hallway or something, but there is no reason--there is no crime that they have committed, whereas if they bury the body, now they are committing a crime.
COLMES: Is it your sense the body is buried? Is it your sense?
Dr. BADEN: Well, I think, from the beginning that, given the hours that Natalee gets in the car--about 2 o'clock in the morning--sunup is around 4:30. That they only have two and a half hours to do whatever happens, then Natalee dies, and bury the body, to get rid of the body, and I think they don't have enough time to get a boat to go out and put the body in the waters far enough away, so, that it is not washed on shore, so, I think there is a good chance the body is on the Island.
COLMES: Beth, it has got to be painful for you to be having these conversations, but, I know you are striving for closure, as we all are here. Do you believe the Aruban authorities, at this point, are doing everything they can do? If not, what could they be doing?
BETH: No, I don’t, and I think what they can be doing is they could allow the F.B.I. to participate with them, and not hold this so close. Something else they could have done--they could do--Gerold Dompig could have met with John Kelly when he flew into the island of Aruba. I mean, that is a difficult trip to make, and why just turn your back on sharing information with people who are just trying to have a resolution. I mean, why treat us like that?
COLMES: Wouldn't Aruba, regardless of what you think of that country now, wouldn't they want, for their own image, to solve this? Get it behind them and be motivated for their own reasons to get--to want to get closure on this?
BETH: Oh, they would, but how can they convey to their tourists, should a tourist fall victim to a crime as Natalee did--the tourist is going to see this is how they are treated. That they can't even get a meeting with the chief of Police? They can see how the family was treated during the investigation. I mean, who would feel comfortable with that?
COLMES: Michael, what's going on there?
Dr. BADEN: Well, I think what happened in his “48 Hours” piece, Dompig says that they are bound by Aruban law--that they couldn't--they had to do surveillance for ten days before, before, interviewing them, but, in fact, that is not true because the first 24 hours, when you had all the forensic evidence, they did arrest and put to jail the two black security guards, took their clothing, examined their bodies, took their cars, did all the things they should do to get forensic evidence, and you don’t get forensic evidence by surveilling somebody.
COLMES: The prosecutors are saying now that they think there are people on the Island who have information that have not come forward. Does that.…?
Dr. BADEN: That would be great! There might be--maybe Joran or the Kalpoe brothers told other people. There were people who have said on Greta's show that the next day when he came to school Joran had scratches on him that could result in a struggle in a sexual encounter. None of that was documented. Nobody looked at that. Ten days later that is all healed up.
HANNITY: Alright, good to see you. Appreciate it Michael Badin, and Beth, thank you for being with us. As always, appreciate your time. I wish you the best.
BETH: Thank you.
HANNITY: Thank you.
On 4-4 TACOPINA said to FOX News:
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: Tonight, a new twist to the mystery of where is Natalee Holloway. Joran van der Sloot's attorney just gained access to previously sealed Police reports. Joining us live in New York is Joe Tacopina, who represents Joran and Paul van der Sloot. Welcome, Joe.
JOE TACOPINA, PAUL AND JORAN VAN DER SLOOT 'S ATTORNEY: Thanks, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Joe, first of all, Police reports — you're getting some that had been sealed, is that right?
TACOPINA: Yes. In the last week-and-a-half or so, we had a court victory in Aruba in that the judge mandated — they ordered the ALE, the Aruban law enforcement, to turn over Police documents that under Aruban law, we would have been entitled to a while ago and just for some reason hadn't — you know, had not received.
We got them. We've been — I mean, there are reams of pages, Greta. But you know, what I'm finding here is nothing short of remarkable in that there are so many leads that I have not heard a word about. Our Investigators, you know, who are some there, some here, have been telling us that some of them not even followed up. And some of the most astounding things I'm seeing here.
And you know, I can only hope that someone down there with some investigative skill is going to look into these things, or already has. But there are some astounding things, Greta, I must tell you. And I think it really — you know, it should provide some, I think, context to this investigation.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Let's pick some of this apart. First of all, the hotel key. What did you learn about the hotel key?
TACOPINA: Well, we learned that we have a Police report from the Dutch Police officers who were down there investigating, two of the investigative officers, whose names are on the document. And they indicate that they had an interview with the hotel front desk clerk. And that front desk clerk has a computer system that enables her to determine when she handed out these room keys for the hotel, which are not, obviously, literally keys, they're these credit-card-looking devices. And the room key for Natalee was turned over to Natalee on a certain date, a certain time. They have it to the exact minute.
And the key for room 7114, which was her room, with some roommates — her key was used, Greta, on the morning of May 30 last year at 1:26 a.m., more importantly, 3:22 a.m. and 3:36 a.m. It was a key that was issued to Natalee, according to this Police document, by the hotel. They have a time stamp.
VAN SUSTEREN: Let me ask you this. You know, whenever I check into a hotel with my husband, they give us two keys. And they go back and forth all the whole time we're there. I don't know who has what key. How do you know that this was the key Natalee used? She did have three roommates.
TACOPINA: Again, one of our Investigators has spoken to someone who was actually able to distinguish whom the keys were given to. And while the report's in Dutch, we've had it translated. And there's copy numbers on these keys, and the copy numbers of the keys that correlate to those times were keys that, according at least to the hotel, were given to Natalee.
And by the way, Greta, let me just say this, if I may. You know, I am not ready to subscribe to, Aha, Natalee was in the room at 3:22 or 3:36 a.m. that morning. I mean, you know, other people have been prone in this case to then take the quantum leap and then say, Well, therefore, you know, there's no proof she wasn't in the room, so...
(CROSSTALK)
VAN SUSTEREN: Oh, no, I'm asking you these questions to investigate. I mean, I haven't reached any conclusions.
TACOPINA: No, no! Not — I'm...
(CROSSTALK)
VAN SUSTEREN: I'm trying to figure out whether or not — I mean, if there's any rock-solid proof, if the keys were used at 1:26, 3:22 and 3:36...
TACOPINA: Right.
VAN SUSTEREN: ... if there's any proof. You know, are there any surveillance camera in the hall to indicate who might have used that key?
TACOPINA: They did not pick up anybody at that timeframe. Again, we've spoken to an individual who has viewed these surveillance tapes that has claims there's absolutely no one on it.
And I'll give you one little twist, Greta. And I'm not suggesting you were jumping to that conclusion, but I'm sure people will. The twist is this. One of our Investigators and individuals has a tape of a witness who's known to chief Dompig and Aruban law enforcement and is an individual, I think, that they, at least at some point, should have been or were looking into in regards to this investigation. That witness and/or suspect is on tape saying he knows for a fact that Natalee was in her room after 3:00 AM on the morning of May 30, '05.
VAN SUSTEREN: And is this someone who was traveling with them, or is this someone an Aruban? This is someone who was on Aruba, a tourist or someone who lives there.
TACOPINA: Right. And his name is not Kalpoe or van der Sloot, either.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. And this person came forward and told this to the Police, and it's on an audiotape.
TACOPINA: Did not come forward and tell this to the Police. And we, you know, Greta, I don't mean to be coy with you. I'm not going to get into what our investigation's revealing, but we have a tape where this individual is stating this and other things regarding Natalee in no uncertain terms. This individual is known to Aruban law enforcement. He's known to chief Dompig very well, and I'm sure he knows who I'm talking about. But you know, hopefully, this is all going to come out and...
(CROSSTALK)
TACOPINA: This is a little part of what we're looking into.
VAN SUSTEREN: Joe, when this was tape made?
TACOPINA: Within the last two weeks.
VAN SUSTEREN: That this audiotape was?
TACOPINA: That's right.
VAN SUSTEREN: Was Natalee's key to her room — that credit-card thing — ever found in her room to suggest that maybe she got her key cards slipped up with one of the other three roommates?
TACOPINA: Can't answer that, Greta. I can only go on what's in this Police report. And you know, I don't want to guess or speculate as to that. But you know, the Police report is pretty clear. It's in Dutch. We've had it translated. And again, what significance it has, I don't know, but I do know one thing. It's something that should be looked into. It's something...
VAN SUSTEREN: I agree.
TACOPINA: That should be, you know, investigated, and let's get some final answers on that.
VAN SUSTEREN: I agree. Joe, thank you.
TACOPINA: Thanks, Greta.
On 4-4 DUTCH news-sourced “Brabants Dagblad” wrote (utilizing an online language translator):
Experts crack research in matter of Holloway
by Floor LigTVoet
Tuesday April 4 2006 - The Hague – Dutch legal scholars are strongly critial of the Aruban Police investigation into the disappearance of the missing American teenager Natalee Holloway. They are describing the methods used by the investigative team "strange and unprofessional." They are also critical of the actions of acting chief of Police Gerold Dompig.
"It is unfathomable that the Police didn't start looking for Natalee's body immediatly after having received an important tip-off," according to Menno Dolmam. Dolman teaches criminal law at the University of Amsterdam. The place in the dunes where they searched last week was left totally undisturbed for weeks, which could have meant the loss of vital clues.
Specimens
It took a months after the anonymous source called Dompig in tears with information about the spot where Natalee supposedly was buried, before Aruban authorities came into action. "That is highly curious" according to Maastricht legal psychologist Peter van Koppen. Usually such an area is cordoned off immediately "to dig and take samples," but not on Aruba.
Even before one shovel went into the ground, Dompig spoke at length with the media about this new clue and the searches that were in the planning. A really "insane" action, according to professor of Law (at Leiden University) Hans Nijboer. "It is a huge mistake to do something like that." One has to be deprived of all good senses to publicly proclaim concrete clues before the search has even started. "Experienced detectives investigate first."
The media are a place of last resort for a detective, according to Dolman. "You don't want to give away information that only the true culprit could possibly know. If that happens it will be extremely hard to prove whether or not a suspect actually knew this or has just read about this in the newspaper, making it nigh impossible to verify the authenticity of the statements made by the suspect.”
Overdose
Gerold Dompig doesn't seem to care about that. He generously throws around details in the case. But the facts and theories he talks about are sometimes even contradictory. For example, in the US media he has proclaims Natalee's death most likely was due to an overdose of drugs and alcohol she took that night. Against this newspaper he told a different theory. According to him Natalee most likely died of a criminal act (rape and murder).
These two versions are contradictory, according to Dolman. He suspects the chief of Police to give several versions of the events to keep newsmedia at bay. "Maybe it is an investigative tactic," theorizes van Koppen, "he might be listening in on the phones of all suspects and others in this case." As soon as one of the suspects reveals the truth on the phone, he can arrest that one.
Master Move
Dolman doesn't believe Dompig is that good a tactician. "You cannot speak of any tactics if a detective starts telling eveyone he knows where the body is hidden." That would be more of a last resource in a stalled investigation.
On 4-4 the “Riehl World blog” reported:
Natalee Holloway Update - Corruption Alleged
Previous reports have touched upon the possibility of corruption within the Dutch Justice system as regards the Natalee Holloway investigation.
Now reports from multiple sources in Aruba have suggested to me that could be one of the ways the Holloway investigation unfolds. In various reports I've received and retained over time while seeking corroboration, several potentially key items have emerged.
Some allege that individuals at Joran's school who could speak to his demeanor and possible statements the day after Natalee Holloway disappeared were purposefully omitted from the investigation when what they had to say may well have been relevant.
Additionally, it has been alleged that Steve Cohen has stated that Joran van der Sloot was playing tennis either with him, or near him, the day after Natalee disappeared. It has been alleged that alibi is false but no effort was made to expose it.
The significance of that potentially ties into recent statements by Dompig which suggest the body may have been dug up and moved after an initial burial. If Joran's whereabouts can not be accounted for that following day, it could have freed up enough time to participate in such activity. Also, note, Joran and Deepak were together at the casino that second night, yet Joran's own statements have indicated that he did not usually hang out with Deepak as a matter of course.
Some believe their being together that second night is, if nothing else, a bit curious. You may also recall that there was a controversy and shake up early on within the investigation.
More than one individual with knowledge of the investigation has suggested that there may well be substance to previous speculations of high level Dutch corruption with regard to the Holloway investigation.
4-5-06
On 4-5 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
He won’t be saying anything more on the Natalee Holloway case
commissioner Dompig practically without power
Dolfi Richardson now heads Natalee Holloway case
ORANJESTAD(AAN): What is happening was a question to which we wanted an answer.
In the afternoon hours of Tuesday, DIARIO was able to obtain confirmation of the news that Monday DIARIO reporters asked the High commissioner about him, but he refused [to answer] or didn’t want to say anything.
We continued to look for information and it results that commissioner Gerold Dompig is not at the head of the investigation into the case of Natalee Holloway. Neither is the substitute High commissioner, now that Mr. Ronny Bernadina is no longer there.
Although it has been heard that there is discontent with commissioner Gerold Dompig’s handing [of the case], on the other hand it has been heard that there are changes underway in the whole system of districts and commissioners because it’s not good the way it is now.
The way it is, four islands have them on them [?], and this has not worked. Now, each commissioner will be in charge of one task which they will obtain from the High commissioner and the Minister also has to be aware of this.
Aside that the case of the young Holloway has brought enough problems within the Public Prosecution, it has also brought problems in the core of the Police department.
How sane it is for Aruba to put and removed commissioners on the Natalee Holloway case is not yet known, but it is perceived that it is not very good.
This coming Monday, the changes that High commissioner Bernadina introduced will officially be enacted, but already as of yesterday, they started working on the basis of these changes.
Soon each commissioner will have one task and the issue that each one manages a district will be a thing of the past.
The reorganization did not take a good turn in the Police force and now High commissioner Ronny Bernadina is adapting this in his way.
On 4-5 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Host of the program Opsporing Verzocht Anniko van Zanten explains:
In the case of Natalee Holloway there are many holes that need to be filled
This is what the program has to try to solve when it goes on the air
ORANJESTAD – The Dutch television group AVRO, which produces the Dutch program "Opsporing Verzocht" hopes that via this program, there will be people who come forward and declare something which they remember after watching the program when it will air next week, Tuesday, April 11. Something that according to the host, Anniko van Zanten, is a big possibility given their reputation of 23 years on the air.
HISTORY
According to van Zanten, the program has its history, when it started 23 years ago. It can be compared to the American program "America’s Most Wanted" every week this program airs different programs based on crimes committed, where it is not known who the author of the crime is. The intention of the program is to get the attention of certain people who could have information and can come forward with this information to solve the crime in question.
HOLLOWAY
The episode on the Holloway case, is to clearly seek help from the Dutch public (although the local Aruban market will also see it) to see if they could have any type of valuable information to share with the producers of the show. In this case, they reenacted Natalee Holloway's vacation in Aruba.
TWO GOALS
According to van Zanten, the program has two goals. The have to help people identify with this group and give them the indication that they have to come forward with any information they may have. Also, it has to work as a trigger for people’s memories to remember things that the person could remember now, that they couldn’t remember a year ago. All this is based on real facts, compared to speculation and possibilities.
HOLES FILLED
The program serves to close holes in an investigation. “And in this case, there are many holes,” said van Zanten. As such, people will be able to say that there is a minimal possibility that they can find something about Holloway. “However, there are many Dutch visitors in Aruba and the history of the show demonstrates that people see things that end up being crucial to solving a case, without having any notion of this” van Zanten said. Until the program is seen, then the memory comes back. This is what van Zanten will try to accomplish with this program.
On 4-5 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
AOL survey shows that 72% less Americans are likely to visit Aruba now
ORANJESTAD(AAN): It was a hard knock that Aruba took yesterday from subscribers to AOL, “American Online” which is the largest Internet provider in the U.S. They participated in a survey and it indicated that the majority of them do not want to come to Aruba anymore!
Before commenting on this, DIARIO commented on a recent reportage from CBS News in the U.S. which conducted an investigation, to see how much the disappearance of Natalee Holloway is affecting Aruba’s tourism.
In an article, CBS News says that Aruba is very beautiful and that it is not surprising that tourism makes up 85% of Aruba’s economy, where 800,000 American tourists visit Aruba every year.
However, one of these Americans, Natalee Holloway disappeared 10 months ago. While the young American is being searched for once again, it seems that the constant news of Natalee’s disappearance has hit Aruba hard in the pocketbook.
According to a tourist, Jill Williams, when she told people in the U.S. that she was going to Aruba for Spring Break, they looked at her very surprised.
The article continues to say that Rob Smith of the Aruba Hospitality and Security Foundation also said that the peaceful island that he so loves, perhaps is suffering due to this case.
He said that the case is perhaps affecting our global integrity. Smith continued to say that after 10 years of growth in tourism, suddenly this has stopped. “I believe that many people think that Aruba is not safe, however, Aruba is safe.”
When the reporter from CBS News, Solorzano, approached 4 young Americans on vacation in Aruba and asked them if they feel safe on the island, they all said that without a doubt they feel very safe in Aruba.
A few teenagers with whom Solorzano spoke said that the disappearance of Natalee made them more prudent, but this didn’t stop their families from coming to Aruba.
Tourist and father Ed Williams said to the CBS reporter: “100% we believe that it is safe and we feel that Arubaans did everything possible to try to solve the mystery.”
Rob Smith explained that perhaps other factors contributed to tourism being lower than normal, such as the fact the cost of accommodations is higher, while many Americans were affected by and worried about the hurricane season.
AOL SURVEY
However, America Online now has a survey on their web site and asks: “How likely are you to visit Aruba since Natalee Holloway vanished?“
The answer that no native son wants to hear follows: “less likely than before” is ahead with 72%, at the time when some 75,000 people gave their opinion on this online survey, which is not a scientific one. Millions of Americans who are members of AOL saw this survey which appeared in large format on their computer screens.
Although Arubaans do not feel this is fair, now the moment has arrived to conclude that perhaps the mismanagement of island leaders, as well as some in the judicial field, who do not know how to correctly deal with the American media, can be guilty of this “lack of good judgment.”
For you to raise your voice and tell our main clients (Americans) for them to kiss our behinds, is very probably what has put us in the position to start to feel the economic pain that is barely now showing itself.
Pray some more. Hotel workers already know how the real situation is from last week! Many were sent home because “there is no work to be done.” Now, in April, occupation is this bad. How will it be this coming May?
On 4-5 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Public Prosecution will not use Deepak Kalpoe in reenactment but will use his car
ORANJESTAD – The attorney for Deepak and Satish Kalpoe was stunned by the fact that the prosecutor gave an order to seize his client’s car last week to use as a ‘prop’ in a case of reenactment of a possible crime. ‘Stunned that the prosecutor wants to use an artifact as in a movie, to recreate a situation as realistically as possible, that they have to have Deepak Kalpoe’s original car’, Kock declared on American television this week.
CAR RETURNED
The fact that they returned the car to his client does not take away that there’s a pending case to question the prosecutor and the judge commissioner where they have to be formally question about this action. Particularly, if the prosecutor had the right to do this and what the consequences of this will be. ‘It is a totally unfounded action’, Kock continued to say.
REENACTMENT
A point that is very remarkable is that the attorney confirmed that in the reenactment they are using actors to play the role of his client. However at no time are they using his client, which is a normal process. As such, he doesn’t understand if they are not using the clients for the reenactment, why are they not using a car that resembles his client’s car, and decided to use his exact car. It is something that is not logical. Something about which the attorney has no answer either.
EXACT CAR
According to the attorney, the fact that they are using the exact car, will not make a person react 10 months later, in a way that now he does remember something to solve this case. Another question is the fact of who controls the editorial content of the program which is pre-recorded. ‘I don’t see prosecutor Janssen directing the cameras’, Kock continued to say.
SEE PROGRAM
While the program will be available here in Aruba via BVN, attorney Kock does not believe that it will generate the reaction that the program has to generate. ‘I don’t believe that people will see the program 10 months after the act, and come forward to say with exactitude what happened in the case’, Kock continued to say.
ORIGINAL CAR
Kock also noted that he feels the program will take the step to look for the original car. However, his clients have nothing to hide. It’s not that he wants to protect them from this, but it is the manner in which they want to use information via the car, it is simply an abuse of power according to Kock. At the same time, Kock doesn’t have any indication that the investigation is moving forward or is progressing. They explored things which have already done in the past. ‘When you are going on such a show, you want to bring old things old things forward and bring life into them again’, Kock finally said.
On 4-5 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA NBC TV channel 13 reported:
Lead investigator Taken Off Holloway Case
BIRMINGHAM -- Aruba's lead Investigator in the search for Natalee Holloway has been taken off the case.
NBC13 News spoke to Natalee Holloway's father, Dave, on Wednesday, and he confirmed that Aruba's deputy chief of Police, Gerold Dompig, has been released from the search. Neither Holloway nor other Aruban Investigators are saying specifically why Dompig has been removed.
Natalee Holloway has been missing for almost an entire year now. She was on a graduation trip with dozens of other Mountain Brook teenagers when she vanished. A total of five people have been questioned, three of whom were held for several months in the case. All of them have been released.
Another witness, who is reportedly Dompig's brother-in-law, has come forward in the case, NBC 13 reported.
Dave Holloway said he believes Dompig might have tried to protect someone.
"I think it's been his actions. Even from the beginning, they've been, you know, just awkward. He was the one who refused to allow the F.B.I. on the island, you know. Just some of his characteristics, if he's involved in what I feel like is a cover-up and, you know, maybe he was trying to help someone else out. I'm not sure, but there's something strange going on there, maybe some others who are involved in it," Dave Holloway said.
Dompig's brother-in-law is reportedly a drug dealer who claims Natalee Holloway was high on the night she disappeared, NBC 13 News reported.
Dave Holloway said that the brother-in-law has been questioned before and has no credible information about his daughter.
Search crews are scouring the sand dunes and an area near a lighthouse where Natalee was last seen. But since her disappearance, there have been no hard clues that would give any insight into her fate.
On 4-5 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to Court TV:
(Thank You and Hat Tip to “Heli”)
DEBRA NORVILLE, GUEST-HOST FOR CATHERINE CRIER : This latest bombshell comes from Joran's attorney, Joe Tacopina.
Nobody has worked harder to keep the investigation going than Beth Twitty, she has even questioned the 3 suspects herself.
Also with us is Red, the editor of something called Scared Monkeys, a website he's created. He's travelled to Aruba and his website is one of the best sources of information in this case. This info from Joe comes in the form of the record for the key card. Here we see part of the key log. What do you make of this Beth?
BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY, MOTHER OF MISSING WOMAN, NATALEE HOLLOWAY: I think you said it perfectly well--Natalee's case has had more breaking news than any case in history. The key history is simply not true. They had this key history from the students who entered the room at the beginning. It just can't yield any breaking news. There's just no way.
NORVILLE: Mr. Tacopina was pretty excited about it today on satellite news.
JOE TACOPINA; LAWYER FOR ANITA VAN DER SLOOT , FORMER SUSPECT PAULUS VAN DER SLOOT , and PRIME SUSPECT JORAN VAN DER SLOOT : The room key that was issued to Natalee was used the night she went missing at 3:20 in the morning.
NORVILLE: Now, maybe that would be significant, but I know she didn't stay in that room alone, isn't that right Beth?
BETH: Debra, I'll tell you exactly what happened that night and why the authorities have that information--It's because I pulled it and gave it to them. They didn't have working security cameras. There was no way I could prove she was not back at the hotel. I remember pulling the card key record. It was 2 or 3 in the morning when I did that. I'm the one who gave it to the authorities. The only reason they have it is because I pulled it and gave it to them.
NORVILLE: Red, I know you've been looking at how this case was handled. Just the other day on CBS there was an interview with Dompig. He was saying he thought drugs and alcohol could be involved with Natale's disappearance. He also spoke about the latest search of the sand dunes. Hasn't this area been searched before?
RED, “SCARED MONKEYS BLOG” CO-FOUNDER: It really has, and we were there in late June--early July. People had gone there at that point and searched over and over. A new witness came forward in December and its taken them until April to act on that witness' tip which they've called “very credible.” Who knows about the info coming from the witness. We were told by Dompig that this info came from a credible witness. They've searched this area already. They're searching now. Nothing was found then it comes to this latest bombshell Tacopina states that he has a witness that says Natalee was in her room that night. What Joe fails to mention is the door was opened at 1:26. If it was opened with Natalee's card key at that time, it blows his client's statement out of the water.
NORVILLE: It just shows that these girls were running around, in and out, getting their suitcases ready to leave the next morning. We've learned that the Netherlands is sending a small contingent to Aruba Does that strike you as little bit delayed Beth?
BETH: I'm not really sure. I know that Holland sent 4 interrogators early on, but to be honest, I'm not aware of the new development. I knew they were conducting searches.
NORVILLE: Next week there will be re-enactement of Natalee's disappearance--the Dutch version of “Crime Stoppers.” Do you think that will prompt anybody to come forward with information?
BETH: The one positive thing--at least it will be airing in Holland. It will be a chance to get the reward information out there. The investigation is still open. That's a good thing. I’m glad they teamed up with “America's Most Wanted.”
NORVILLE: Do you believe there is someone who knows something who has not yet had contact with Aruba law enforcement?
BETH: I cannot belive there's not one thing. I was thinking about the way they're doing this show--they will have new tiplines, that could be critical. People don't want to call Aruba law enforcement tips.
NORVILLE: If money hasn't prompted anybody or conscience hasn't prompted anybody, why would a new tipline encourage anybody?
BETH: I can't tell you the endless number of Aruban citizens that were telling me that nobody would call the Aruban tipline. It wouldn't happen. I was always so puzzled about that.
NORVILLE: You think the new tipline might reveal something?
RED: I think it would, the only problem is the delay in doing the entire thing. To put an Aruban tape and Dutch tape to do a reenactement. Maybe that's what it will take for somebody to do the right thing. It's been over 10 months. The family has gone over everything. It comes to a point when somebody in Aruba says, “Enough is enough. We're tired of tourism going down” and somebody will come forward.
NORVILLE: The program airs on April 11th. We'll be anxioius to see what happens. Red, thanks for all your insights into this case as well.
On 4-5 the “Riehl World blog” reported:
Natalee Holloway - Room Key Controversy
Appearing On The Record tonight with Greta van Sustern, van der Sloot attorney Joe Tacopina insisted that hotel records showed the precise room key that Natalee Holloway was given was used in her hotel room a few times early in the morning after her disappearance - at 3:22 and 3:26 AM. [and 1:22 AM, Dan]
It's possible this was the reason for checking DNA on a toothbrush early in the investigation. It is also possible that though there may have been individually coded keys, a roommate actually used the one initially given to Natalee at check-in.
More information would have to be known to conclude the key was used either by Natalee, or someone who took it from her. If other early reports suggest her roomates were down at the pool, it would be interesting to note that ealier speculation held that one of the two security guards arrested was said to have items possibly stolen from tourists in his possession.
Unfortunately, none of this is presently confirmed.
4-6-06
On 4-6 the “Aruban Boycott Blog” reported:
BREAKING NEWS--JOSSY MANSUR CLAIMS BODY FOUND
The name of the dead man is Maikel Juddan AKA Pitbull. He was a bouncer at the Bar "Choose a Name". Ironically, Deepak named this bar in his June 9, 2005 statement to Police. It is unclear at this time how this is related, if at all. More to follow.
About the bar, Choose a Name:
Choose-a-name is aimed toward an older (thirty-something) crowd than other spots like Carlos & Charlies and Bahia. It is popular for the friday happy hour, which, seeing as that nightlife is expensive in Aruba, is a good deal (an Afl. 25,- cover includes an all-you-can-drink bar for 2 hours -6 to 8- and small snacks). There is often a life band, sometimes 'Claudius Phillips & Oreo', the best local band. Lots of local professionals like to go here to start out the weekend. It is situated on the second floor behind the pink Royal Plaza building.
Jossy Mansur--"It's not a rumor, it's a fact. A body was found in a cave that we call "wadirikiri". It was very seriously burnt. When the Police got there, the body was still in flames. A lady apparently saw the flames and notified the authorities. The Police have not been able to identify the body as yet."
UPDATE:
The body is not Natalee's. An adult male body was found in the Quadirikiri Caves, which are in Arikok Park near the Fontein Cave...close to where the piece of fabric that looked like Natalee's shirt was found last summer. This man was found dead with his head bashed in, his legs cut off, tied up, and burning by the caves at Guadirikir. So, it's not Natalee...then who is it? Someone that was maybe a witness? Someone wanting to talk? Was this his punishment? Who will be next?
On 4-6 the ARUBAAN's news-source “Caribbean Net News" reported:
Mixed results in region’s fight against crime
CASTRIES, St Lucia: The carnage continues in some Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries, with first-quarter homicide reports that vary from unchanged numbers to new record highs.
But while the nature of killings takes on more sadistic tones in some territories, there is evidence in some others that investing in public confidence is paying off.
In St Lucia, the homicide rate remained the same in 2005 as it was in 2004, with 37 murders reported each year.
This year, the first quarter figure stands at nine homicides between January 1 and March 31 -- a figure hardly different from that of the same period last year.
In several other Caricom member-states, the homicide ratio has been basically the same. But in some other territories, the nature and size of serious crime and homicides continues to escalate.
The changes in pattern were seen last month across the region in the murder of the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, the killing of a member of St Lucia’s gay community and the murder of a six-year-old in Trinidad & Tobago by two young men.
In Jamaica, the number of homicides and the effects of gang and drug-related violence continue to alarm the public and the Government, with the new Portia Simpson-Miller administration putting crime-fighting at the top of its list of priorities.
The new Jamaican Prime Minister has also called on the nation’s religious leaders to bring the country together in prayer against crime.
But the carnage continues in Trinidad & Tobago, where the recent kidnap, rape and murder of a child by two young men has also resulted in religious leaders calling for the nation to pray and repent.
The homicide rate in Caricom’s richest country has escalated to previously unimagined proportions, with a major local newspaper describing the comparative figures for the first quarter of 2006 as “the highest for the century.”
In its March 30, 2006 issue, the Trinidad Guardian reported comparative first-quarter statistics on the island’s homicide rate over the past six years.
The report indicated the number of killings in the twin-is,and republic moved up from 17 at the turn of the century in 2000 to 58 in 2003 and climbing steeply to 106 in 2006.
Crime watchers in Port of Spain note that the figures increased by 300% in 2003 over what it was three years earlier and there was a 200% increase in 2006 over 2003.
But there is evidence in St Lucia that investing in the fight against crime can pay dividends if the correct avenues are found.
While the homicide rate remained stable in the first quarter of the year, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is also reporting continuing progress in the recovery of illegal weapons.
A Government-funded programme initiated by Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony that rewards informants in the sum of EC$2,500 for information leading to the successful recovery of illegal firearms, has so far netted 38 illegal weapons between January 1 and March 31, 2006.
Encouraged by the success of that programme, the Police last week announced a new reward programme offering $8,000 for information leading to the solution of each of 34 unsolved murders.
The Police commissioner said at a press conference announcing the new initiative that it was being undertaken in light of increasing evidence of renewed and growing public confidence in the Police.
Commissioner Ausbert Regis said a reason for the success of the reward programme for illegal guns has to do with the fact that in no case has the identity of any informant been compromised.
On 4-6 ARUBAAN's news-source “Cayman Net News” reported:
Cayman Islands lost credibility in eyes of media
HAMILTON, Bermuda: The Royal Gazette, April 6, 2006 – On the subject of crisis management, be it the devastating effect of a hurricane or, as experienced by Aruba last year when a young tourist went missing in suspicious circumstances, the importance of having a plan of action and telling the truth is paramount said Richard Khan, president of public relations company Khan Travel Communications.
He praised the authorities of Aruba for the way they handled themselves regarding the disappearance of American tourist Natalee Holloway and said: “They were in a no-win situation from day one. Aruba was very open and truthful. They definitely handled it very well.” Having a crisis action plan was important. Mr. Khan said: “One thing you need to do is be prepared.
You have to have a crisis communication plan in place. “Our plan for the Caribbean region is over 30 pages long. That needs to be practiced, there needs to be very specific spokespersons in place. Aruba had all this in place so they were able to react very quickly, That was the first good thing that they did.”
He contrasted Aruba with the actions of the Cayman Islands in the wake of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 when the Chief Minister had told more than 100 journalists that the Islands would be back up-and-running within weeks – only for it to take months. That statement had cost the Cayman Islands credibility in the eyes of the media for a long time afterwards, said Mr. Khan.
PERSONAL NOTE: WHAT COLOR is Khan’s sky?
On 4-6 the “Aruban Boycott Blog” reported:
TACO JOE, ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG & THE BOOTY
So Sorry Joe T. you blew it again
By Meri, Aruban Boycott Blogger
It was Dave and Beth who turned over the room key information to the Aruban authorities MONTHS ago. It was Dave and his Investigator Art Woods who first interviewed "Booty" the drug dealer (who Dave mentioned was "High as a kite".) He NEVER mentioned Natalee buying drugs from him or going back to her hotel that night.
Suddenly he has a wonderful "CREDIBLE' story and it creates a need for massive searches that produce nothing. Guess who Booty is? Dompig's brother-in-law. Yep, folks, the "CREDIBLE" witness that Dompig referred to on "48 Hours" was his OWN brother-in-law and a KNOWN drug dealer on Aruba.
Joe T. is basing his information on the word of a drug dealer and old information supplied to the Police by the family of Natalee Holloway. Some investigative techniques Joe...really good, solid work...NOT. Old news, drug dealers related to the Deputy Police chief? What more could one want in the case of the dirtiest Police investigation to come along in years.
Tacopina is using what he wants from information with no solid foundation and Booty is trying to SELL his story to the highest bidder. I wonder if Dompig was going to get a cut? Sorry Joe, it just won't go...none of this will help clear your client and it only proves one thing...ARUBA is dirty and corrupt and not safe for tourists...at least if those tourists want to stay alive.
Since Natalee disappeared....the body of one man (Robert Wayne Benson) was found dead in a container, another man found with his throat cut, and today, yet another body found in flames in a cave.
Let's hear from you Arlene and Julia Renfro and Steve Cohen...care to tell us how Aruba never has any major crimes? Care to explain why Aruba never solves any of them?
BOYCOTT...BOYCOTT...BOYCOTT...BOYCOTT...
On 4-6 the “Aruban Boycott Blog” reported:
BOOTY NAAR--THE NEW CREDIBLE WITNESS!
The new credible witness is the infamous Booty Naar...brother in law to Gerold Dompig. He is a cokehead and dealer. That's what you get for "credible" on Aruba. What do you expect?
It soon was reported that EDUARDO “Boeti” NAAR is a homeless, off-the-beach-living beach bum, an illegal drugs convicted 7 years felon, an illegal drugs dealer, and an illegal drugs junkie, who, as reported, is also ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG’s brother-in-law.
On 4-6 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Parliamentary committee Tourism is waiting for action plan
ARUBA - The Parliamentary committee Tourism is waiting since late January for the action plan drawn up by the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) to reverse the dramatic downturn in the tourism. At that time, the ATA had already sent the plan to minister Edison Briesen of Tourism and Transportation for forwarding, but the committee had still not received the plan, says AVP-parliamentarian Andy Lee. The committee had even sent a reminder letter.
"Briesen's way of acting makes one feel dubious about his capacities to shape the tourism in Aruba proactively and dynamically", said Lee. He is of the opinion that the action plan is highly necessary. The manager of the airport said that the tourism had dropped with 1 percent in January and February and the tourism figures had dropped drastically since August. ATA's PR-plan should return Aruba's positive image in the United States. What the plan is going to cost will exceed ATA's budget and the 2006 budget has not been submitted yet. Lee is of the opinion that the minister should act more decisively. "It has become clear that Briesen is not really interested in the actual tourism figures, and they are still not up-to-date. Therefore we do not know yet to what extend the total tourists have dropped in the first months of 2006 and what influence it had on the economy of Aruba since the second half of 2005. Now that there is a plan to improve the image of Aruba in the US, this same minister doesn't take actions and leaves everything as is."
On 4-6 the “COURT-TV Crime Library” reported:
Aruba Police chief Taken Off Natalee Holloway Case
ARUBA (Crime Library) — The search for Natalee Holloway took yet another new twist yesterday when it was announced that Gerold Dompig, Aruba's deputy chief of Police was taken on the case. While the Aruban government is not commenting on why this has occurred, recent comments by chief Dompig to the media have been criticized.
Last month chief Dompig told 48 Hours that the investigation was in a "critical last phase." He shocked the listening public with his statement that he did not believe that Natalee was murdered, but rather that she died from accidentally from consumption of drugs and alcohol. He did not explain why, if his theory is correct, that Natalee's body has not yet been found.
In that same interview Dompig said a credible witness claimed Natalee Holloway had drugs in her possession and that she was drinking excessively the night she disappeared. This witness was not identified until yesterday.
Last night's cable news shows aired a segment last night of an interview with this alleged witness claiming that he provided Natalee with drugs. His face was not shown during the segment. Ecstasy, a popular drug among young people, is supposedly a readily available commodity for tourists in Aruba.
This individual is said to be chief Dompig's brother-in-law, although there has been no official confirmation of this allegation.
Dave Holloway, Natalee's father, told NBC 13 in Birminghamhe believes Dompig might have tried to protect someone.
"I think it's been his actions. Even from the beginning, they've been just awkward. He was the one who refused to allow the F.B.I. on the island. Just some of his characteristics, if he's involved in what I feel like is a cover-up and, maybe, he was trying to help someone else out. I'm not sure, but there's something strange going on there, maybe some others who are involved in it."
The Aruban and Dutch governments have come under increasing criticism for their handling of Natalee Holloway's disappearance. Natalee vanished almost a year ago and still there is no resolution to the case. Dave Holloway said that Dompig's brother-in-law has been questioned before and is not a credible source of information.
Recently another search of the sand dunes has commenced and a Dutch television program is filming a re-enactment of the night that Natalee disappeared.
On 4-6 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Gerold Dompig remains spokesperson but not head of the Natalee Holloway investigative team
ORANJESTAD – commissioner Gerold Dompig remains as the person in charge of the investigation of the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. This was declared yesterday morning by Minister Rudy Croes during a press conference. At the same time, the Minister indicated that although h preferred for inspector Dolfi Richardson to be the spokesperson for this case, Richardson himself asked for Dompig to remain the spokesperson, due to his knowledge of the case. As such, Dompig was re-appointed as spokesperson for this case.
MEDIA
It was yesterday that a few media outlets reported that Gerold Dompig will no longer be at the head of the investigation, and that he wouldn’t be the spokesperson either, and finally that he wouldn’t be acting interim High commissioner. A question from Bon Dia Aruba indicated that according to the Minister, this information was not known by him, and that as far as he knows, Dompig remains spokesperson and the one in charge of the investigation.
ROTATING POSITION
Where there really were changes was that the Minister obtained counsel from High commissioner Bernadina to name Coizy Krozendijk as interim High commissioner, replacing commissioner Dompig. This is something normal, due to the fact that he decided to rotate this position every year. Last year was Dompig’s year, and this year it has to change, but the change had not taken place. When Minister Croes asked Bernadina how much time he wants for the change to take place, Bernadina said that it could take place immediately, that is to say, this past 1st of April.
NEWS REFUTED
With this, the Minister of justice wants to refute the news that Dompig was already stripped of his functions and responsibilities, as some media outlets published previously yesterday morning.
On 4-6 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Serious accusation from American journalist
MSNBC producer connects possible ‘witness’ with high ranked Policeman
ORANJESTAD—The fact that there is another commissioner in charge of the investigation of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway led to some speculation about what was the real motive. These speculations took life especially in the American media, which in one way or the other continues with a twisted view about Aruba.
Bon Dia Aruba received information that a producer from the cable channel MSNBC made a connection between a supposed drug dealer, B.N., and Natalee Holloway, given that the former admitted to selling drugs to the latter. The problem is, according to this producer, that this person is commissioner Dompig’s brother-in-law. The American journalist related the whole conversation he had with B.N., in the presence of Fred Golba, who recently was still in Aruba, under the request of commissioner Dompig himself. Among other things, one of the Investigators in the investigative team admitted to the journalist that B.N. is a person of interest, and that he gave Fred Golba the freedom to investigate him, but not officially. The Police never let Golba conduct an official investigation.
According to the MSNBC producer, B.N. is known on the beach in front of Moomba. He himself was present when B.N. was selling cocaine and marijuana. “Police were passing by, but never even saw what was happening”, the reporter said in a letter which arrived at Bon Dia Aruba. So much so that B.N. even showed Fred Golba a ‘hiding place’ from where he was able to see Natalee’s hotel room, according to the American producer.
B.N. related too that he knew beforehand of the Alabama group’s travels, and that Natalee approached him to buy drugs. Here, the journalist quoted B.N. saying that Natalee even asked for alcohol (something which is not logical, given that the Alabama group had an ‘all inclusive’ package which also included alcohol). Following the American journalist’s account in a letter, B.N. procured for the whole Alabama group to obtain access to drugs during their stay in Aruba. B.N. went into detail about everything to do with Natalee and the group with the journalist, and this whole conversation was recorded. The same member of the investigative team who was in contact with the journalist asked for this recording, given that the team did not have all these details. But the reporter did not give him the recording.
It was interesting that B.N. said to the American gentleman that he knows more about the case, but that only money would make him talk.
It has to be said that it is not the first time that Bon Dia Aruba has heard of this person B.N., however, there was no way to obtain official confirmation of what exactly was his involvement and whether the relation he has to commissioner Dompig plays a role in this investigation or not.
In any case, he got in contact with Fred Golba, who mentioned him to the MSNBC reporter. His reaction was that [with?] the journalist is frustrated and that B.N. has a kid’s mind. “You can quote me. A parrot has more consciousness than B.N.”, Golba said to Bon Dia Aruba.
In what relates to the journalist, Golba said that he really did meet with him in Aruba, and even brought him to the Police station once. But now that the reporter didn’t get what he wanted, he started to act irritated. Golba is not aware if there truly was a conversation between the journalist and B.N., or if there was really an exchange of drugs. “If I was aware of this, I would have gone to Police immediately”, Golba assured Bon Dia Aruba. “The authorities are doing the best they can, under the current circumstances. B.N., in my mind, is not a person that can be counted on”. He also got in touch with the investigative team to see what their comments were, and the only reaction that he found was that they could not say anything. Bon Dia Aruba is aware that in the past they have already spoken with B.N. and that they are aware of his statements. What’s more, B.N. called other reporters (local) to say that he knows what happened to Natalee Holloway. But this person never really concretized what he wanted to say.
On 4-6 FOX News GRETA VAN SUSTEREN reported in her “Gretawire” blog:
Off the Case
As you might have guessed, I get e-mails from viewers telling us to stop doing the Natalee Holloway case AND I get e-mails thanking us for doing the Natalee Holloway case and asking that we keep up. Yes, you can't please everyone all the time and we are not totally driven by what pleases people. We don't program for ourselves and we don't always do stories that please us (if we always did shows that pleased me, the show would look like it belongs on Animal Planet channel since I am so fond of animals.) Each night we do several topics in the news in an effort to please everyone.
We try to program for what is going on in the news and we try and complete stories that we start and get deep into. Yes, we are deep into the Holloway case. I would love to move on and not cover the Holloway case any more. I would love to have a resolution to the story so that we could say we finished it. But I also don't want to drop it simply because it has gotten hard to figure out the investigation.
In the beginning, I had an expectation that the resolution could be — maybe not would be — a great one, perhaps even an "Elizabeth Smart" one. Now the resolution I hope for is simply answers. The family wants answers and so do many viewers who have become very interested in what happened to Natalee. Everyone can deal with and be satisfied with truth, not spin. No one likes to feel that they've been had and when you think you are getting less than candor, you feel had.
The latest information coming out of Aruba — that Deputy Police chief Dompig no longer heads the investigation — has me perplexed. What is going on in the investigation? I had tried to tell myself for months that the investigation is not and was not what it appeared to me on the outside: a bunch of PR and no more. I hoped that I was imagining that the investigation was going nowhere. More often than not, investigations seen from the outside are very different from what it is when you are on the inside, so I figured that perhaps my doom and gloom view of the investigation was wrong. I hoped I was wrong. I want this investigation to succeed, so even in the face of ominous signs, I have told myself that it really is not what I have been thinking. I still hope that.
In December, I was told that the chief prosecutor had told one of our sources that "fireworks would happen in January." I was excited to hear that. I read into that statement about fireworks that there was progress... and significant progress. That did not happen. January came and went with no fireworks. Two weeks ago on CBS News' "48 Hours," Dompig said the investigation was in its "last critical phase." That sounded good to me, too. Does that mean they are close to solving it? Last week a reporter told me that the Police said there would be big news within 24 hours. That 24-hour period has come and gone more than seven times and no big news — unless, of course, the Police meant the security cameras they plan for the beach, which we just learned about last night! (By the way, married men and women beware! Don't bring your girlfriends/boyfriends to the Aruba beach. You could get caught on camera. And the rest of us? How long can we hold our stomachs in when we strip down to our swimsuits?)
Maybe this new switch in the investigation will really result in action and in resolution. I hope so. I would love to have egg on my face in this investigation and be proven wrong in my thinking that this case will is not going to be solved.
Yes, there are perfect crimes and perfect mysteries. People can vanish with no sign and this could be one of those cases. But what is wrong here is that there appears to be a lack of information — or worse, candor — from Aruba. The family can accept candor and we who follow this investigation with great interest can accept candor. It is when you hear odd things about the investigation — or worse, you suspect spin or lies — that your mind begins to wander. Yes, sometimes revealing information can jeopardize an investigation, but I think we are beyond that in Aruba. And some information from the authorities might go far towards helping the family deal with this crisis.
On 4-6 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Dutch criminal law scholars express
Big criticism about Aruban investigation in the case of Natalee Holloway
ORANJESTAD(AAN): Dutch criminal law experts recently expressed big criticism about the Aruban Police investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
They call the investigation methods strange and unprofessional. They expressed much criticism as well about commissioner Gerold Dompig’s behavior.
“It is incomprehensible that Police, after an important tip about the location of Natalee Holloway's body, to not go search immediately.”
This is according to a criminal law scholar of the University of Amsterdam, Menno Dolman.
The place in the dunes where they searched last week was left alone for long weeks, which could have made that important tips be lost.
It was a month after that an anonymous man called Dompig in tears with information about where the body of Natalee was buried, that authorities sprung into action.
“This is very strange,” according to a legal psychologist, Peter van Koppen. “Normally the area is closed off immediately, to dig and search for clues, but not in Aruba.”
Before Police started to search, Dompig spoke openly with the press about new clues and another search which was on the way.
“Total madness,” according to a criminal law expert of the University of Leiden, Hans Nijboer. “This is a total error.”
According to Nijboer it is against all principles and illogical to bring forth details of the tips, before starting the search. Competent investigators investigate the case.
“The media is the last option for Investigators,” according to Dolman. “You do not give out information that only the guilty could know. If this happens, then it becomes very troublesome to know if the details in the declarations are authentic or if the person read this in the newspapers.”
According to the Dutch article, Dompig does not appear worried about these details. He gave details of the case easily to the press. However, the facts and the theories of which he spoke, contradict each other.
He said that he believes that Natalee perished due to an overdose of a combination of alcohol and drugs, that she consumed on the night of her disappearance.
However, in an interview with a Dutch newspaper, he said that he believes that Natalee lost her life as a victim of a criminal act (rape and murder).
According to Dolman, these two versions contradict each other. Dolman suspects that Dompig did this to keep the media at bay.
According to van Koppen, perhaps this is an investigation tactic on the part of Dompig, where he is now tapping the suspects’ conversation along with their friends and families, in order to catch something perhaps during a telephone conversation. Dolman doesn’t believe in a tactical action of such magnitude. According to Dolma, this is done for a stalled case.
On 4-6 MSNBC reported:
FILAN: Deputy Aruban Police chief taken off the Natalee Holloway investigation. Dave Holloway is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FILAN: Big news in the case about missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway in Aruba. Authorities there have pulled Deputy Police chief Gerald Dompig off the case. You‘ll remember Dompig; he‘s been leading the investigation for months. Well, he recently talked about new information and he said the case was entering its critical last phase. But now he has been pulled from the case with lots of questions surrounding his departure.
Joining me now is the editor of “Aruba Today” newspaper, Julia Renfro and former Investigator, MSNBC analyst Clint van Zandt. Julia, what happened? Why is Dompig off the case now?
JULIA RENFRO, (the transplanted AMERICAN in ARUBA who moved to ARUBA 17+ years ago and owns an interest in many ARUBA businesses including an ARUBAAN's news-source) (via phone): Well, Susan, I heard you mention that he has been pulled off the case. That‘s not exactly how it happened. He most recently requested to be taken off the case. And maybe you‘re not aware, but he was only an interim lead Investigator in between the original lead Investigator, which was (INAUDIBLE) and now the recently appointed Investigator, which is Dolfi Richardson.
FILAN: OK, but is this just sort of spin? I mean is this nice language to cover up the fact that he is not on this case anymore and there is probably a good reason for it?
RENFRO: No, I wouldn‘t really say so. I do know that he has recently and on similar occasions made several comments to the press, which is a little bit out of character for, you know, an investigation. As you might know, very, very little details are usually given in a case from the Police department or from the prosecution.
FILAN: So was it just out of the ordinary or was it actually inappropriate?
RENFRO: Well I‘m not going to exactly say it‘s inappropriate. Of course, you know, a lot of people were shocked by some of his statements, but did that cause an uproar and is that the reason why he is off the case? No, absolutely not.
FILAN: All right...
(CROSSTALK)
FILAN: Let me bring in Clint van Zandt here.
RENFRO: ... for this position.
FILAN: Clint, let me bring you into this discussion.
CLINT VAN ZANDT, FORMER F.B.I. PROFILER: Sure.
FILAN: I mean you are a very, very experienced lawman here.
VAN ZANDT: Hey, Susan.
FILAN: Don‘t you think it is just a little bit odd? The timing is just a little too close to when he made these what could be characterized as really inappropriate statements, blaming the victim, saying he is going to solve the case, it‘s entering its critical last phase and he thinks basically she was drugged and he‘s gone now.
VAN ZANDT: Well, you know we‘re someplace between inappropriate statements and a cover-up, Susan. I mean what bothers me about this whole thing, I watch like probably a lot of America did a couple of weeks ago when the deputy chief was on television giving his theory of how really Natalee just almost died of natural causes. She drank too much. She died. She went and buried herself, something like this...
FILAN: Suicide, right Clint?
VAN ZANDT: Yes. Yes. You know she beat herself to death with a shovel and then she took Joran van der Sloot‘s tennis shoes and slid into the sand and we‘ve not seen her since. I mean come on, chief. You know, who do you think you are telling these tales to? And most recently he comes up with well I have this witness who knows this information that Natalee was doing drugs.
Well, where was this witness 10 months ago? The witness is the chief‘s brother-in-law who has been accused of selling and dealing and using drugs. I mean, you talk about nepotism and nepotism now brings out the secret witness? And lastly, we‘ve got Joran van der Sloot‘s U.S. attorney coming up with this theory that Natalee‘s card for her "Holiday Inn" room specifically issued to her had been used at 1:15, 2:30, 3:00 a.m. Therefore, of course, she must have got into the room herself...
FILAN: Yes. Clint, let me...
VAN ZANDT: ... and Joran couldn‘t have done anything to her.
FILAN: Clint, let me bring in Dave Holloway. Dave, this is my first time ever talking to you and I just want to tell you how truly sorry I am. I just can‘t imagine how difficult this is for you. Let me ask you; are you sort of relieved that Dompig is off the case? Because I‘m guessing that you guys weren‘t the best of friends and maybe in some way him being taken off the case vindicates the position that you have been taking all along.
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY‘S FATHER (via phone): It does. As you recall, the Dutch law professor reviewed the case and he said that his character was strange and unprofessional and I‘m hoping now that the Dutch from Holland has gotten involved and they‘re looking into the case. The Police really need to investigate the Police because there have been things going on since the very beginning that has been strange and unprofessional. And maybe that‘s where we‘re headed. Clint said it right. Cover-up?
That‘s a very understatement in my opinion.
FILAN: And it‘s really awful that when we should all be focusing our attention on solving this case and investigating this case, we have to take resources away and now investigate the people that are supposed to be helping you find justice for Natalee.
HOLLOWAY: Yes.
FILAN: Clint, do you want to respond to that?
VAN ZANDT: Hey, Susan...
FILAN: Yes, Clint, go ahead.
VAN ZANDT: ... you know, one of the issues is nine and a half months ago, the Aruban Police Department should have taken a step backwards. They should have asked the Dutch to come in. The Dutch have got great homicide Investigators, great profilers. They have the authority. The Aruban Police Department and the government would have been so smart to take a step backwards, asked the Dutch to come in, and then let the F.B.I. come in and...
FILAN: Right.
VAN ZANDT: ... support that investigative effort. But instead, they stopped the Dutch. They stopped the FBI. They kept the case themselves and here we are almost a year later...
FILAN: Right.
VAN ZANDT: ... not one step closer than when Dave Holloway stepped foot on that island...
FILAN: And that‘s what‘s got my blood boiling...
VAN ZANDT: ... and told the Aruban Police what the problem was.
FILAN: That‘s right. And I think Dave Holloway knew that all along. Let me just ask Julia very quickly, then I‘m going to go to you, Dave, and give you the last word.
HOLLOWAY: OK.
FILAN: Julia, what‘s happening with the digging on the beach now?
Where are we with that?
RENFRO: It has been going on for about nine days now and although they haven‘t revealed this information to us, I‘m imagining by the weekend, it will be concluded.
FILAN: And will they have found anything or is this another dead-end?
RENFRO: You know, this is based on a tip that came in earlier in the year and this has nothing to do with any relative of Dompig as Mr. Van Zandt suggested. And you know that‘s what they have been doing. They‘ve been following up on leads...
FILAN: But Julia, real quick. When you say it‘s going to end this weekend, do you think they are going to find anything or not?
RENFRO: You know I can‘t speculate on that at all.
FILAN: All right. Dave...
RENFRO: I believe that they feel very hopeful.
FILAN: OK. Dave, let me ask you, are you updated regularly? I mean do you have any idea what‘s going on with this most recent phase?
HOLLOWAY: I was updated today, as a matter of fact, and I learned that the sand dunes operation would be completed by tomorrow.
FILAN: And do you think—I mean do you have any idea whether—I mean I‘m so sorry to ask you this, but do you have any idea whether anything is going to be found or is this another dead-end?
HOLLOWAY: Well, you know when the chief of Police announces to the world that he knows where she‘s located back in December and they don‘t cordon the place off and then just now start to search I doubt it very seriously. Like I said, a lot of strange and unprofessional issues have been going on, on this island and the answers are right there in Aruba. And hopefully Tuesday, when the Dutch is equivalent of “America‘s Most Wanted” will air and hopefully, some of these people who have kept their mouth shut...
FILAN: Right.
HOLLOWAY: ... will eventually speak out.
FILAN: Dave, I‘ve just got to admire your courage and sticking with this and my heart goes out to you. Julia Renfro, Clint van Zandt, Dave Holloway, thank you so much for joining us.
HOLLOWAY: Thank you.
On 4-6 CNNHN reported:
NANCY GRACE, HOST: Very quickly to tonight`s case alert. Aruba`s lead investigator in
the Natalee Holloway case kicked off the case. Aruba`s chief of police Gerald Dompig
booted from the search. Neither Holloway`s father nor Aruban investigators say why.
Holloway theorizes Dompig might be protecting somebody in the case. Search crews
continue to scour the sand dunes and areas near the lighthouse where this young girl,
Natalee Holloway was last seen.
4-7-06
On 4-7 ABC News provided an excerpt here from DAVE HOLLOWAY’s non-fiction book, "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise," that details his search in ARUBA for his daughter, NATALEE HOLLOWAY.
I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH IT HURTS TO LOSE A child. There are no words to describe the feelings that choke a parent who outlives a daughter. It is not supposed to happen this way. I was never prepared for this kind of pain, this type of emptiness. My heart has an insurmountable void that used to be filled with Natalee's presence.
I watched as she received her high school diploma, and I took pictures of her at her graduation ceremony. I planned to be there when she graduated from college and then medical school. My pride would have enveloped us both. I had long imagined the day when I would see my Natalee in her beautiful white wedding gown. We would meet in the back of the church for her last moment as "daddy's little girl" and, as she encircled my arm with hers, I would lean down and whisper the words that all fathers must say to their daughters on that very special day, "I love you." I would walk her down the aisle and proudly offer her hand to her fiancé, and I would return to my seat knowing that my girl had accomplished all that a father could desire. At that moment, it would be clear that the first tier of her life with me had come to an end and that the man she would now look to for approval and love would be her husband. But she would always be my little Natalee...always.
When Natalee and her brother Matt were young, we lived in Clinton, Mississippi. We had been building some very special memories, but lately it has been difficult to recall them without a lot of pain. I try to picture Natalee riding her bike around the neighborhood, or envision the excited expression on her face when she woke up on Christmas morning and spotted the toys we had stayed up half the night putting together. I remember how she loved climbing up onto my back as I crawled along the floor on my hands and knees and how when she wanted to show off her dancing, she jumped up on her miniature table to do a routine and it tipped over, throwing her off and breaking her arm. I think back to her first days of kindergarten when she was only five and how I drove her up to school every morning and walked her to class to show her around and get her used to it. I can still see her sad little face during the second week when I told her it was time to go in on her own. She still wanted Daddy to walk her to class. I keep thinking back because I'm so afraid that if I don't, the memories will begin to fade. And, for now, that is all I have of her to hold on to.
Natalee was seven and Matt was five when their mother, Beth, and I divorced in 1993. After I remarried in 1995, my wife, Robin, and I lived in Jackson, Mississippi, but we relocated back to Clinton in 1996 to be close to Natalee and Matt. When Beth remarried in 2000, she and her husband, Jug, moved to Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Robin and I moved to Meridian, Mississippi, where our two daughters, Brooke and Kaitlyn, were born. Natalee and Matt live in Mountain Brook with Beth and Jug and visit us in Mississippi as often as their schedules allow. Prior to Natalee's sixteenth birthday and obtaining her driver's license, she and Matt had been coming to our home every other weekend and more frequently during their summer vacations from school. But, during Natalee's senior year in high school, her visits were a bit less frequent due to her many extracurricular activities. So Robin and I made it our business to visit her and watch her dance at football games with her dance team, the Dorians.
Robin and I have maintained a close, loving relationship with Natalee throughout her childhood and teenage years. We have tried to instill certain values and traits in all of our children that would enable them to succeed in life. Those values include honesty, integrity, morality, and a deep faith in God. We believe that Natalee has a solid foundation in those values. Robin and I have our own set of faith-based values that guide us in our daily lives. At this time of upheaval, we have gained strength from our reliance upon those values. We have felt God's presence every step of the way, and that is what has sustained us in these, our darkest hours of need.
Natalee is missing.
I desperately want her back.
From the moment that she was born on October 21, 1986, she has always been an exceptional human being. A father could not ask for more from a child. Her younger sisters lovingly call her Sissy, and she is a sensitive, loving, and articulate young woman. She is blessed with being beautiful both inside and out.
As Natalee completed her senior year, we were all excited about her next stepping stone in life. She was prepared to go off to the University of Alabama on a full scholarship to major in premed after graduating with honors and a 4.15 grade point average from Mountain Brook high school. She participated in numerous extracurricular activities, including the dance team and the Bible Club, and she was a member of both the math and Spanish honor societies. She had a part-time job at a health food store and performed volunteer work. She has some great friends, is well-traveled, and has always looked toward the future. She never showed any interest in drugs or alcohol, and she kept close ties with her siblings and classmates who all care for her very much.
In February 2005, Natalee called me and asked for permission to go on a trip to Aruba with her graduating class. This is apparently a rite of passage for teenagers all over the country. They convince their parents to allow this one-time privilege as a gift for all of their hard work, and parents often agree, even when their instincts tell them otherwise. I was apprehensive about Natalee taking this type of trip, and I tried to talk her out of it. I did not like the idea of her traveling that far away with so many other students and so few chaperones.
When I received the trip brochure I saw that the cost was approximately $985. Robin and I are from the old school, and we felt that was a bit extravagant for a high school graduation trip. After a few days of consideration, I told Natalee that we could not approve of the trip for two reasons: it was too extravagant, and we did not think it was appropriate. However, I told her that I would give her a graduation gift of half the amount of the cost of the trip for her to do with as she pleased. Since Natalee's stepbrother had been to Aruba with his class two years earlier, and her twin cousins were graduating with her class and were going along with her this year, Beth felt comfortable allowing Natalee to make the trip.
The months passed, and upon receiving the invitation to Natalee's graduation, she advised us that the school had opted to hold the ceremony at a local university theater hall. Due to the limited amount of seating, each graduate was allocated only eight tickets. We were to have three of them for my wife, Robin, Natalee's grandmother, and me. That left her two sisters out. Due to the distance, I asked Natalee if she could get two more tickets for her sisters otherwise Robin might have had to stay behind to care for them. As graduation weekend drew near, Natalee and I spoke again of the tickets, and she assured me that she would call all three hundred of her classmates if she had to in order to come up with them. On Monday, May 23, we heard from Natalee, and, in a hoarse voice, she told us that after calling nearly every student, she was finally able to get us the tickets. She said that she was just not going to give up on us. I praised her determination.
On graduation day, we arrived at Natalee's home expecting to rush up to the door, grab the tickets, and leave. Instead, she insisted that her two sisters come in to see her room. Natalee's grandparents, Beth's mother and mine, also wanted to catch up, so Robin and I and the family spent about forty-five minutes in my ex-wife's home. The situation was very unusual for us and somewhat awkward for me, but it was Natalee's big day. Looking back, I think that God had a hand in putting us all together on that very special day, the last day that we may be sharing a momentous occasion with Natalee.
As we were about to leave, Natalee informed us that she and her friends would be going somewhere after the graduation ceremonies, so she might not see us later on.
There were approximately three thousand people in attendance at graduation. When the ceremony ended, I realized that I hadn't given Natalee the gift we had brought, so we tried to locate her. Everyone had headed outside to a reception, but there were so many people, all wearing the same graduation gown, I just assumed that we would not see her again that day. I thought she might have already hooked up with her friends and left. We headed for the car, but Robin insisted that we go back to try to find her. Suddenly Natalee called my cell phone and said she wanted to see us. We communicated back and forth until we were able to locate each other. I gave her our graduation present, a check for $500. She was thrilled and thanked us. We hugged, and I took some photos. I mentioned the trip to Aruba and asked her to be careful. We all said our good-byes and left. Later that evening, she called to thank us again.
The day before Natalee was to leave for Aruba, she called and spoke to Robin. She told her how excited she was about the trip, and Robin once again strongly cautioned her to be careful. The next day, Natalee left with approximately 125 students and 7 chaperones. We heard that, upon their arrival in Aruba, the chaperones scheduled daily meetings with the students and collected their passports before distributing their room keys. Every day the students were to check in with the chaperones at a specific time.
On Monday, May 30, Natalee's trip came to an end, and she was due to fly home to Alabama. But late in the afternoon, I received a call from Matt telling me that Natalee had missed her flight and that Beth was getting on a plane to Aruba. She had told him to call me, but had no details yet. I attempted to get in touch with Beth. No answer. I googled hotels in Aruba and found a number for the "Holiday Inn" where the kids had been staying. I called and was able to talk to one of the trip chaperones who had stayed behind in Natalee's room. He filled me in about Natalee missing her flight. At the time, there was not much to go on. Someone from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency was there on vacation, and he made a few calls to the Police. Apparently, they have the same rule that we have in the United States about waiting twenty-four hours before taking a report on a missing person. I would later find out that it is one of the very few rules or laws that the United States and Aruba have in common.
Beth had flown out of Birmingham on a friend's private jet as soon as she learned that Natalee had missed her flight. I contacted a commercial airline and booked the next flight out for 5:30 a.m. the following morning. I immediately started a checklist and packed my bags. I stayed in contact with Matt, and by around 10:00 p.m., some of the Mountain Brook kids who had arrived back in Birmingham indicated to him that Natalee left a bar with a nice kid who played soccer and was visiting Aruba from Holland. Some of the Mountain Brook boys said they sat with him around the poker table in a casino on the previous evening.
Later that night, Matt called again to tell me that Natalee's flight had been rebooked, and she would be coming home the next day. Someone from Delta Airlines had confirmed that a female had called and changed the flight. Matt felt that Natalee had simply missed her plane and rebooked it. I cancelled my flight, but I was still concerned because no one had heard from Natalee. The next morning, I started making more calls. I could not reach Beth, and I was unable to get a member of the Aruban Police force to talk to me on the phone about Natalee. I called the "Holiday Inn" again, but nobody answered the phone in Natalee's room. By noon I learned that Natalee was not getting on the plane. I found out that it had been a chaperone from Natalee's group who had changed her flight in the hopes that she would reappear. It was then that I knew something tragic must have happened. I feared the worst, but prayed for a miracle. I hung up the phone and broke down. My mind was racing with so many "what ifs." Once I was able to regain my composure, I called my brothers, Phil, Steve, and Todd, and my brother-in-law, Michael. Phil, Michael, and I all tried to book flights out right away but could not get any until the next day. I tried to discourage my youngest brother, Todd, from coming. He was in bankruptcy and couldn't afford the trip. But he said he had to come, and he stayed behind to sell two of his vehicles just to get the money for the plane ticket. Steve, a fireman, had to make arrangements to get coverage for his job, so he also came in a little later on.
My pastor heard the news and called from out of town to pray with me over the phone. I can still hear his comforting words, "God, please give Dave and his family the strength to get through this." Our family is very strong, and we were determined to find out what happened to Natalee and bring her home.
My world was turned upside-down, and my emotions ran wild. I could barely function. I had to keep myself together in order to help Natalee. She needed me to find her. The search-and-rescue planning began immediately.
We left Meridian, Mississippi, on the evening of May 31, 2005. The flight to Aruba was long, and I was in a panic. On one hand, I was traveling there to bring Natalee home. On the other hand, I was afraid of the worst.
When I arrived in Aruba with my family, we hit the island running. We rented a car and immediately headed out to find a Police station. There were only four on the island and I was amazed to find that the first two we entered knew nothing about Natalee's disappearance. We were then directed to a third one, the Noord Police Station. I walked in and said, "I'm Dave Holloway, and I need to talk to you about my daughter who is missing." A man in the back stood up and said, "How much money do you have?" That was how I first met Detective Dennis Jacobs, the Investigator who was assigned to handle Natalee's case after Beth made a report to him upon her arrival on the island. I thought his comment about money was odd, but I ignored it and just tried to talk to him about finding Natalee.
Jacobs painted a scenario that questioned all of the beliefs and values that we had instilled in Natalee. He insinuated that she had met someone and fallen in love. "This happens all the time. She will probably show up in a few days," he theorized. "She was just partying hard," he added. "Don't worry. Just go down to Carlos'n Charlie's and have a beer." It was June 1, 2005, our first evening in Aruba, my daughter was missing and a detective was telling us to go to a local bar and have a beer. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He said it was the hot spot for vacationing kids. "Maybe she will show up." In fact, he was so confident that she was just partying it up or on drugs that he told us this particular bar would be the best place to find her. However, he did warn us to watch our drinks very carefully, adding that sometimes people put drugs into them. When I talked about searching for Natalee, he questioned why we would want to do that.
He told us to go to Carlos'n Charlie's rather than the crack houses where he said that Beth's husband, Jug, and his friends had gone the night before. They went there due to information received from the Police that a lot of the kids do drugs and party and that Natalee was probably with them. Jacobs told us that he had received reports that Jug's people were busting up the drug houses?he didn't want us going there and stirring things up too. He said we should leave any searching to the Police, and if we had reason to believe that Natalee was in a crack house, we should call him and he would check it out. He then told us that the government controlled the crack houses in order to keep the drug addicts off the streets and away from where tourists shop and dine.
Jacobs also told us that the day before we arrived, he had interviewed the boys who eventually became the three main suspects in Natalee's disappearance, Joran van der Sloot, Deepak Kalpoe, and his brother Satish. Beth had informed him of them after receiving information about videotapes taken from the security cameras outside of the "Holiday Inn" and in the hotel's casino. It had been determined that they were the last people to be seen with her. Jacobs considered the boys' statements to be consistent in that they had all said that they dropped Natalee off at the hotel. However, I did not realize at the time that Beth had already told him that the tapes did not show Natalee returning to the "Holiday Inn" that night.
We left the Police station in a state of shock. We couldn't believe the attitude of the detective. Just the fact that he asked how much money I had took me by surprise. What kind of question is that to ask the father of a missing child? It seemed as if he was not at all concerned about our daughter. But, since he was in charge of the investigation, we followed his instructions and traveled to Carlos'n Charlie's hoping to find out what had happened to Natalee. We arrived there at about 10:30 p.m. and what I found was not like anything I had envisioned. While customers must pass by a bouncer at the door, there was no indication that he was stopping anyone from entering. The bar was packed with teenagers doing Jell-O shots and sleazy-looking island boys preying on the beautiful young female tourists. The place has more than one bar, and people were dancing and singing in every corner of the bi-level establishment. It was an unbelievable scene, one that I wish I had known about before Natalee left on her trip. I did not want to stay inside, so we hung out around the street corners. In less than two hours, we probably experienced at least ten to fifteen offers from various drug dealers who wanted us to buy from them. Some government control, I thought. Out of curiosity, my brother asked one of them what he had. "Whatever you need," he answered. "I have it or I can get it." We managed to strike up conversations with some of them who confided that the "higher ups" wanted them to always remember one thing: while peddling their drugs, they were never to commit a crime against a tourist, especially any American around the cruise dock areas. Later that evening, we went back to the hotel and planned our next strategy.
The following day, we began searching the beaches and mountain areas in the morning; in the evening, we returned to the street corners looking for leads about Natalee. After several nights there, we were confronted by some of the stray drug addicts who had come into the tourist area with tips about Natalee. Apparently, Jug's friends had started handing out money for information about Natalee's whereabouts. We had heard that Beth and the people who were searching with her were handing out hundred dollar O'REILLY:s. Due to the information that we were receiving about drug use on the island, Beth's side of the family was pursuing the possibility of a drug-related kidnapping, and they were going into drug houses and driving around town.
One particular drug addict gave us a tip that Natalee was in a specific drug house operated by "Tanya and Jim." He said there was an escape door in the back of the house, and if we entered, she might be whisked away into a secret room. My brother Phil knew this was just a hoax as we had several others trying to get money from us for the same type of tip. The drug addicts were only interested in getting more money, and when word got out among them that the family was paying for tips, all of them wanted in on the action. Some asked us for $10, and when my brother began asking more questions without paying, the price dropped to $5. Phil started to walk off, and one man kept following him. He wanted money, any amount, and he finally yelled out, "Isn't she worth at least two bucks?" Phil was just about ready to bust him with a right-hand fist when an off-duty Police officer walked by. The drug addict knew him by name and asked if he was on duty. He said no and kept walking. The drug addict then turned and walked off.
Meanwhile, I did some investigating and found out more about the locals Natalee met who had been hanging out with the students from her hometown. Apparently, the boys had been throwing around lies about where they were staying. We heard that one of them, Joran van der Sloot, the son of a Dutch justice official, did not reveal that he lived on the island, but instead led the girls to believe that he was a vacationing student from Holland staying at the "Holiday Inn." He was the boy Matt had told me about and one of the three that Dennis Jacobs had questioned.
From what we had learned, on what was to be her last night in Aruba, witnesses saw Natalee leave Carlos'n Charlie's with the three locals, Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch boy, and Surinamese-born brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. After that, she disappeared. When the boys were initially brought in for questioning, they all admitted having been with Natalee on the night of her disappearance, saying that they were at the bar but left there with her around 1:30 a.m. to take a fifteen-minute drive out to the lighthouse because she wanted to see it. They claimed to have brought her right back to the "Holiday Inn" where she was staying, and to have left her there with security guards who helped her inside because she was supposedly very intoxicated.
According to what we found out from the Mountain Brook students, Natalee had met Joran van der Sloot in a casino the day before she disappeared. It's inconceivable that Natalee would have gone off with any of those boys so late at night and voluntarily. Everything about their story was unsettling. I know my Natalee. She must have been forced or drugged to go with them, if she really did. And, if she did go with them, then the last men to see her alive were walking around free. That gave them more than enough time to get rid of any evidence that Natalee might have left behind with them.
Incredibly, the Police did not feel there was a need to search for Natalee. My daughter was missing without a trace, and the Police considered the situation a kid's prank, something that responsible children just go off and do on a whim. No way. I disagreed with their theory of what happened. I know my daughter. She would never worry her family like that, and there was no way that she would get involved with three strangers unless she did not know what she was doing.
There I was in Aruba, a strange place, searching for my little girl, not knowing where she was, how she was, or what had happened to her. As I reflected on what the Police had told me, I realized that they were trying to use the most innocent details to create a motive for Natalee to have voluntarily disappeared. For instance, they had somehow seen the quote that she had put in her high-school yearbook. It was from Lynyrd Skynyrd's song
"Freebird":
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now,
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.
They wanted us to believe that those words were an indication that our daughter had been planning to leave of her own free will and that she needed to get away. Natalee had disappeared, leaving every one of her possessions, including her passport, behind in a hotel room. Their hypothesis simply does not make sense. She is not the type of person to be so irresponsible as to deliberately miss a plane flight home without a word. Not my Natalee!
From my first day on the island, I realized that I could not rely on the Police to find my daughter. If they refused to search, we would organize and do it ourselves. We were able to obtain enough information to learn the route the boys had taken with Natalee. We decided to start the search at the California Lighthouse on the northwestern tip of the island and work our way back to the "Holiday Inn." I enlisted about fifty tourists to help. We searched the ground area but did not do any type of digging at that time. Incredibly, a publicity agent named Carla, from a New York City firm that handles publicity for tourism in Aruba, tried to stop us from searching near the California Lighthouse, a tourist attraction, saying that it would be harmful to the island and bring too much negative media attention. She said she had even discussed it with Beth and that she had agreed. But I advised her that the search would go forward, no matter what kind of attention it brought. Natalee made a statement when giving us those graduation tickets: "I wasn't going to give up on you." And my statement to her now was, "I'm not going to give up on you either!"
While I was frustrated by the complete lack of Police involvement, the process of an investigation wasn't completely foreign to me. My employment background includes sixteen years of investigation into auto accidents. Some of the cases I have dealt with involved lawsuits, and as a manager I had the opportunity to work closely with many attorneys. In fact, I managed a claim unit that supervised the litigation process prior to becoming an agent. During those years, I learned that in order to do a thorough investigation, whether in a criminal or civil case, a top priority while gathering evidence is patience. However, I also know that the first few days are always the most critical because, as time goes by, the evidence is increasingly difficult to obtain or is lost. Witnesses forget details or confuse them; important facts may be overlooked that could end up making or breaking the case. If the Police were going to let those crucial days pass by without searching, then I was thankful that I was able to use my years of experience and knowledge in the investigation to do my own search for our daughter Natalee.
While Beth's side was taking care of most of the public areas, such as visiting schools, putting out posters in shops and public places, and riding around in vehicles at night chasing leads, my team focused on the ground search. The terrain on Aruba is unforgiving. The island is volcanic, and most of the land is uneven, jagged, pitted, rock formations. In some areas, if you fall without protection, you will cut yourself to shreds on the rocks. Almost all of the vegetation involves some sort of thorns, stickers, or cacti, including the trees and bushes. Due to the heat and rough terrain, it was similar to being in the desert. We searched through caves and other treacherous areas, and we came in every evening, sweaty, sunburned, cut up by thorns, briars, and most anything else we touched. It was an ordeal, but if we could find Natalee, it did not matter what we had to endure.
One day, while searching in a rocky area on the south side of the island, we surprised some mountain goats that were lazily sleeping in their safe cave hideout in a secluded inland mountain rock ridge overhang. I was probably the first human being that a couple of those baby goats had ever seen. Their parents trotted off out of the opposite end of the open cave while the young ones curiously watched as I sat on a rock and allowed myself to briefly let go. Tears ran down my face. I was worn out, and I was having one of those moments that I suppose was perfectly normal, under the circumstances. I still could not believe what was happening. How was it possible that I was in a foreign country searching for my missing daughter?
After a few minutes of much-needed rest, I regrouped, and we continued to clear the area. When we felt that we had exhausted our search there, we moved down to the beach and discussed our next plan of action. We searched by foot one day, by four-wheeler the next, and alternated with a four-wheel drive and walkers. We worked in groups of two each, for a total of four people, my brother, brother-in-law, and me. The other person was Patrick Murphy. He was from the Cayman Islands, and when he first saw Natalee's story break, he decided he would come to Aruba to help out. He joined in and assisted us for about two weeks. He said he was a little surprised when he found out that the three of us were conducting the search. The way we worked it was that two people would be let out of the vehicle. The second two would drive the vehicle approximately half a mile down the road at the southeast beach. They would get out and move forward. The other two would work toward the vehicle, then get in and drive past the other two and park the vehicle and continue to move forward. We each had radios to communicate.
During our daylight searches throughout the island, our group came across many abandoned houses where drug addicts had left razors and other drug paraphernalia. Some were filled with foul smelling odors, feces, urine, cardboard boxes they used as blankets or beds, and general trash. One of those houses was located right next to a fine restaurant near the hotel area and a McDonald's.
In a conversation with some locals, I was told that the island was a major shipment area and that drugs were abundant. After what I saw, I couldn't disagree. Several times, people came into the hotel to meet with other locals and an apparent drug deal was taking place. The person would come in to scope out the area prior to doing the deal. I witnessed a number of twenty-to-thirty-year-old couples entering the hotel after a hard night of partying, and it was obvious that their intoxicated state was from something other than alcohol. Where else could you go and have a weekend of crack or cocaine and return home without having to worry about being arrested for buying or using drugs? You certainly couldn't risk doing it that freely in the United States!
The days passed with no real leads and nothing to indicate whether Natalee was still alive. Hundreds of calls came in with tips that led nowhere and suggestions of crazy schemes that would try anyone's patience. We kept searching and praying. It was all we could do for Natalee, and we hoped it would be enough.
Aruba, being a Dutch protectorate, falls within the jurisdiction of the Dutch government, so I was told to arrive at the Coast Guard headquarters at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 5, 2005, to meet with the captain of the Dutch Marines, along with some people from the Police department. When everyone had assembled, I asked them what the plan was. They stared blankly at me and said that they were just told to show up and I would be in charge. I couldn't believe that I was expected to run the show, as though I knew their island better than they did, and well enough to tell them where to start looking. What an unbelievable situation! I wondered if they were either too incompetent to conduct a search on their own or whether they were trying to cover up a crime and hoping to appease me with the offer to look for Natalee wherever I suggested. Either way, it was incredibly frustrating, and it made me feel somewhat helpless. But I had brought a huge map with me that my team had been following and had crossed out where we had already searched. I showed them all where I thought they should begin. My brother and I arranged for the Dutch Marines to help search at the south end of the island in the sand dunes while we were going to search the area just south of the "Holiday Inn" in four-wheelers. We all agreed to meet back at the "Holiday Inn" at 11:00 a.m. to discuss our next move, then we left for our assigned areas. Phil rode in a Police helicopter while Patrick and I split up and searched the beach.
Everything came to a sudden halt when the Dutch Marines found a bloody mattress in a shack on the beach. The media immediately swarmed the area. I went back to my hotel to notify everyone of the find. Thankfully, the blood turned out to be from a dog.
Not even a full week had passed, and I had become so engrossed in my daughter's disappearance that I was hardly aware of what was going on in the rest of the world. I had absolutely no idea that Natalee's situation had sparked widespread news coverage until I phoned home and heard about it from Robin. The only news channel that we were able to view in the hotel by the time we got back to our room late at night was CNN, and to hear from Robin that Natalee's picture was being broadcast all over the world was unbelievable. And it brought home the message that everyone, not just her family, took her situation seriously. I was glad to see that our plight had gained so much support in such a short time.
Natalee had become everybody's child.
On 4-7 DUTCH news-sourced “BN DeStem” reported:
Joran--The Good Son?
by Floor LigTVoet
For many Americans Joran van der Sloot is guilty, no doubt about it. He was the last to see Natalee Holloway in Aruba before she disappeared without a trace and is thus considered to have assassinated her. He is big news for the American television broadcasters, but who is Joran really? From what kind of nest does he come? - Portrait of a rebellious adolescent who plays fast and loose with the truth.
"Wanna have a good time?" a small, bloated Aruban with a yellow cap roars into the microphone. Around him on the dance floor, five hundred slightly high young people let it all hang out. Most come from America. It is ten at night and the peak time to be amused in the popular bar Carlos n Charlie's in Oranjestad that is synonymous with drink games.
Super fast five little girls in summery skirts and very thin shirts are lifted up on the podium. They get tequila shots and mugs of beer handed to them. Then they must wiggle their ass twice to get the next beer and tequila shot.
Soon the first little girl starts to totter. The public crows with pleasure. Out of this bar the previous year Joran led the Alabama blonde Natalee Holloway.
Now the American is already missed almost year. Joran is the last known to see her. For this reason the Police force considers him as a chief suspect in her disappearance. Joran did not improve matters for himself by lying to the Police force.
After some flirting at Carlos n Charlie's and necking in the car, he explained, he brought Natalee back to her to hotel. Instead he left the little girl alone on the beach, he later admitted. The American media jumped on an all out hunt for Joran. Weekly photographs and old video of the Dutchman filled the American news shows. He is called a liar, a rapist, and an assassin. Joran's possible involvement in Natalee's disappearance proves to be a ratings hit.
In one go the seventeen-year-old adolescent is world-famous. Who he is and from what kind of a nest he comes, is well known. Still for Anita van der Sloot’s mother, in the family house in the rural district of Noord where the dog smells the visitor before the gate opens. "Quiet," Anita quiets the loudly barking dog, "It is okay."
The small blonde woman enters to a large dining table to sit. She is really not in the mood to talk. The family has already had so much crap poured out about them. But the flow of rumors concerning Joran does not stop. A day earlier a high-level Police source whispered anonymously, that joran had been treated for lying. Nonsense, asserts Anita firmly. Her son has undergone only counseling to improve his study habits.
Joran's father, former judge-in-training Paul van der sloot arrives after a long workday. Tired, he gives a deep sigh: "Joran lies no more than every other adolescent." (Oh, so that makes it ok? It's one thing to lie about a curfew or getting drunk...it's another thing to lie about a missing girl that your son was last seen with. Quit minimizing the situation.) Paul wants rest at home. The family has the last year stood under enormous pressure, he complains.
Their oldest, Joran, is surely not an angel. Every detail from his personal life is entirely taken out of context. "We must refer to the disappearance not the murder." He talks gently and in a controlled way concerning his child, but Anita excites herself concerning the bad tales that circulate on the island. Joran gambling - and sex-addicted?
“He is simply a delicious youth! A delicious adolescent, who lives for friends, sport, and family. Oké, he has adolescent traits. Not always sticks to his appointments. If he is supposed to be home at one at night her turns off his cell so his parents can't call him. If he gets in trouble later, he gives his concerned mother three thick kisses.”
They don't have to worry, he is home now. Anita is enraged that her son is accused of rape. "He was in fact very loving with his girlfriends" Joran had always many little girls around him but the contact was frequently only friendly, she says. "They went with each other for as a brother and sisters" Paul wants to show Joran's room. However, friends, both little girls and boys, could always spend the night he says as he crosses the garden to the outbuilding.
Since he was 15 Joran had here, beside the swimming pool and at a reasonable distance of the parental house, his own bedroom and bathroom. Paul opens the door carefully. "Look, here slept four or five during the sleepovers. It was always completely normal. On Aruba it is normal to sleep over at someone else's place. Minors are on the island entirely dependent on parents or friends with a driver’s license pick up and bring them.
During a conversation in Arnhem Joran says he was always super-glad have his own room. “The privacy was very fine, especially if there were friends." Of course he had also ordinary friendships with girls, says he as he hears his parents reaction. "One girlfriend slept ten times in my bed without ever something happening between us." Attraction must come, as it happens, however, from two sides, finds he. If that is the case, however, he does not see, honestly said, the problem.
Joran was already from age 14 having sex with girls. Also American. "On the island there lives a little the feeling that they are easy. There are guys who go to the beach to hook up with them. He has done that himself "but” he emphasizes, "I have always treated them with respect." So if the girl does not want sex, then okay, its back to the hotel." It should have been that way with Natalee but she wanted to stay on the beach, he says. Thus he left her behind. Joran has always affirmed he did not have sex that fatal night with Natalee because he that evening had no condoms on him.
Typical Joran, says Aruban Melody Granadillo (19). The little girl with long dark brown rolling curls is his ex-girlfriend. In their eight month long relationship they always used condoms. "He is completely clear on this." The Dutchman was her first love. For months on end they spent every day with each other. Taking a mouthful of ice she gestures to the green Wilhelminapark bordering the sea. There they could sit interminably and talk. I know him better than he knows himself. Joran is playful, in his heart a child. A possible assassin? No, that never.
Joran is often misunderstood she observes. Take his openness: "people take it as flirting." His friends also found him arrogant. That is not him according to her. He is only self-assured. Walks straight up, head high. Eventually Melody broke the relation because Joran was unfaithful.
Magda, administrator of the Aruba Racquet club, shrugs her shoulders. That is the mentality here. If it clicks with someone, it happens simply, even if you already have a girlfriend. Aruba seems like a village where, via-via, everyone knows everyone. Every week a new cargo of anonymous tourists arrives at Reina Beatrix field that want celebrate only. For numerous young, sexy American girls Aruba is the party island is where they forget their sores. As long as the holiday lasts, the world of drink games and flirts is the reality. Local boys, such as Joran, have this party culture available seven days per week. Seduction always lies in wait.
On the gravel fields of the Raquet club boys beat their tennis balls rock-hard over the net. For Joran the tennis association, where mainly Dutch come, was a second home. After school he spent much of his time playing soccer, tennis and swimming. He was a spontaneous, nice kid, says Magda. "Although he could be quite obstinate and tenacious." She is reminded what Joran’s friend thought. They restrained themselves with Joran when they were tired of arguments. Joran is a good talker, dominates nearly nearly everyone, “but also slicks.” laughs Melody.
That is my strength, Joran knows. Talking "I frequently get what I want done."
Convincing debate is what I learned at the International School, according to his mother. Joran applied that art also at home, and with impact. He wanted once to go to the casino, but his father was then opposed. There rose spicy arguments, after which Paulus accompanied his son to the casino and eventually brought he him weekly to free poker tournaments in many casinos.
At all hours of the day Arubaans in the casino run money through the many slot machines. Tourists play especially blackjack - or poker tables. Joran’s father thinks initially that his son does not participate in the poker tournaments for the gambling but for the pizza they served during the breaks. You can then eat for free all you want. Joran started staying and coming home with a friend. Then he could stay away at longer, and really gamble. His father later realizes this and is bewildered. "I had no idea that Joran gambled also in the real casino."
“My parents try to see everything also from our side. I have always found that good of them.”
On 4-7 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Croes on working visit in Curacao
Former Prime Minister of the Neth.Antilles, Suzy Camelia-Römer presented Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) with a report about integrity within Justice during a working visit of Croes to his Antillean Colleague David Dick (PAR).
ARUBA РJustice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) paid his Antillean Colleague David Dick (PAR) a working visit last Tuesday. Former Prime Minister of the Neth.Antilles, Suzy Camelia-R̦mer, who led the investigation on the integrity within Justice, was present at part of the conversations between the two ministers. She gave Croes the 180-pages report.
Croes met with the new Prime Minister of the Neth.Antilles, Emily de Jong-Elhage later that day and at the end of the day with Governor Frits Goedgedrag, who gave a reception in his honour. The representatives of the Public Prosecutor (OM), heads of department of the several National government, and representatives of the public sector were present at this reception.
Dick and Croes talked about constitutional matters, like the next Round Table Conference; the possibility of creating a virtual Joint Court of Justice with a tribunal for each country; the idea of creating a ‘Dutch Caribbean Court’ with the future participation of St. Maarten and Surinam (thus no Kingdom-court with federal civil servants or judges); the Coastguard; the working visits to Venezuela; and a possible cooperation between the Police corps of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and the Windward Islands.
On 4-7 the “Aruban Boycott Blog” reported:
NEWEST INFO ON MAIKEL JUDAN
Newest Details:
I have been told that Maikel Judan a/k/a Pitbull, the murdered bouncer from "Choose-A-Name" Bar, was severely torturered before his death. His hands were nailed to boards and his penis was severed from his body. His legs were also cut off. This is no "drug deal gone bad". This is a MESSAGE. That's no random killing. That's a calling...a heed, a warning! Who is the messenger and what does he want? Who is supposed to get this message?
Why did Deepak named this bar in his June 9, 2005 statement to Police? Is there a connection? For a small island where everyone knows each other and the intense media spotlight, this murder isn't just some random act of evil. What are the odds? Aruba has claimed to be murder free! Hey we're safe! Bring your daughters! However, since Natalee went missing there have been three murders. Or in Aruba terms, "suicide".
This is turning into a goddamn movie. But hey guess what...we've got the pens and we're doing the typing, and our script is going to finish something like this:
Natalee 7
Aruba 0
GAME OVER
About the bar, Choose a Name:
Choose-a-name is aimed toward an older (thirty-something) crowd than other spots like Carlos & Charlies and Bahia. It is popular for the friday happy hour, which, seeing as that nightlife is expensive in Aruba, is a good deal (an Afl. 25,- cover includes an all-you-can-drink bar for 2 hours -6 to 8- and small snacks). There is often a life band, sometimes 'Claudius Phillips & Oreo', the best local band. Lots of local professionals like to go here to start out the weekend. It is situated on the second floor behind the pink Royal Plaza building.
Jossy Mansur--"It's not a rumor, it's a fact. A body was found in a cave that we call "wadirikiri". It was very seriously burnt. When the Police got there, the body was still in flames. A lady apparently saw the flames and notified the authorities. The Police have not been able to identify the body as yet."
UPDATE: The body is not Natalee's. An adult male body was found in the Quadirikiri Caves, which are in Arikok Park near the Fontein Cave...close to where the piece of fabric that looked like Natalee's shirt was found last summer. This man was found dead with his head bashed in, his legs cut off, tied up, and burning by the caves at Guadirikir. So, it's not Natalee...then who is it? Someone that was maybe a witness? Someone wanting to talk? Was this his punishment? Who will be next?
On 4-7 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
High commissioner mr. Bernadina explains: It was commissioner Gerold Dompig himself who asked to be removed from the Holloway case
ORANJESTAD (AAN) -- DIARIO interviewed High commissioner mr. Ronny Bernadina, related with the changes that arose surrounding the investigation of the case of the disappearance of the American student, Natalee Holloway, which is still underway.
The High commissioner explained that the Police force designates the persons who will work on certain cases, and in this case, commissioner Gerold Dompig was working on this investigation, but what happened is that last Monday, Mr. Dompig approached Mr. Bernadina, and asked for his retirement as lead Investigator on the tactical aspects of the Holloway case.
Bernadina explained that when such a case presents itself, all the responsibility goes to the Public Prosecutor.
The High commissioner said that he doesn’t want to go into details on the reasons why Mr. Dompig took such a decision, but mr. Bernadina made it be known that he sat down with the Attorney General already and they put another person at the head of the investigation. The High commissioner reiterated that Mr. Gerold Dompig himself asked to be removed.
The High commissioner indicated that the team is actually the one that does the main task, and not the tactical guide.
Currently, the investigative team is reinforced by the help of Holland, in what refers to the technical, material and search aspects, which is much appreciated.
These are parts that come into play in the ‘procesverbaal’ and that at any given moment, the Public Prosecutor has to present to the judge, and this will not bring any problems for the investigation process.
About the fact that Mr. Dompig is no longer assistant [deputy] to mr. Bernadina anymore, the latter said that every year there are changes in this position, and it had to have happened last January, and in this case, commissioner Krozendijk is mr. Bernadina’s replacement for this year and for 2007 they will name another person. He emphasized that this is a clarification he wanted to make.
On 4-7 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Dompig no longer on Holloway-case
ARUBA - Since the beginning of this week, the Aruban chief of Police is no longer the leader of the team that investigates the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
Spokesperson of the Public Prosecutor, Marianne Croes mentioned today that Dompig was taken off the case, but didn't want to say why. According to Croes, all the four district chiefs of Police have been assigned a new portfolio. Holloway has been missing since May of 2005. Dompig was the second leader of the investigation team. The first one was Jan van der Straten, who retired and is the chief of Police in Bonaire for the period of one year.
4-8-06
On 4-8 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
After almost two weeks if intensive search
Group of specialists from Holland with dogs left Aruba last night
They only found some dead dogs buried but nothing related to the Holloway case
ORANJESTAD – After almost two weeks of searching for Natalee Holloway in Aruba, the special group from Holland left Aruba last night. Besides finding some dead dogs, they did not find anything substantial that could help the investigation.
Given the situation, they decided to return to Holland last night, where they will decide what they had to do. It has not been discarded that they will conduct some searches later, but given that they didn’t have any positive results, and that it is very costly, they decided to cancel the search and return to Holland last night.
On 4-8 JULIA RENFRO (the transplanted AMERICAN who has business interests in several ARUBA businesses, including an ARUBAAN's news-source) claimed to FOX News:
RENFRO: Well, we were hopeful that the search would bring up something, but apparently this tip that came in that the Police found very credible resulted in nothing.
GUILFOYLE: Is this it? Is the search over?
RENFRO: The search team from Holland has left and the team from the United States also left, so, at this point, I don’t see any further searches.
GUILFOYLE: So this is the end of investigation unless they get a new lead?
RENFRO: It’s kind of what it sounds like, of course I can’t say that on behalf of the authorities, but at this point it does sound that there really is nowhere else to look.
…
(Renfro speaking about illegal drugs convicted 7 years felon/illegal drugs dealer/illegal drugs junkie/beach bum nicknamed, “Boeti,” (pronounced “Booty,” whose full name is EDUARDO NAAR) who is ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG’s brother-in-law and a reported crackhead)
RENFRO: I spoke to him myself yesterday and he did not admit to being a drug dealer at all, so, that was kind of a little bit of an exaggeration.
GUILFOYLE: You don’t think he deals drugs?
RENFRO: I wouldn’t know. I know of him, but I don’t know him as a drug dealer.
GUILFOYLE: You’re not a customer, I get that.
*I do not have an exact date for it yet, but there is an “MSNBC” faceless interview with “Boeti” available here , that was done sometime after DOMPIG was fired from the case
On 4-8 the “Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force” reported:
Richardson Takes Helm Of Investigation
The Natalee Holloway case is now under the guidance of Adolpho Richardson. He has been involved in the case from its earliest days and is the logical choice to replace Gerold Dompig.
The media has speculated upon the circumstances of Dompig stepping down from heading the investigation. It is the result of a combination of factors that brought Dompig to the conclusion that he volunteer to remove himself from the leadership position in the case.
These factors included the pressure of criticism from media in Holland, Aruba and the U.S. for statements he made over the course of the investigation. Also, and most importantly, the case is proceeding to a critical analytical phase that is an area of special expertise by Richardson.
Dompig remains on the force, in good standing, and will continue to advise Richardson on the case. It is not true that the much touted “witness” called Botay, who alleges he sold drugs to Natalee, had any role in Dompig’s actions.
The case continues as planned into its next phase:
1. The search by dogs and radar concluded with findings not yet revealed
2. The review of the entire case will proceed by analysts under Richardson’s leadership
3. The investigation has NOT concluded.
These are the actual facts surrounding the events of the last week. Speculation aside by U.S. media, the case has not been deterred from its primary objective - to determine what happened to Natalee Holloway and to determine if a criminal case can be brought.
On 4-8 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Criminal law scholars slate Police investigation Holloway
ARUBA/THE HAGUE – Dutch experts call the investigation method on the disappeared Natalee Holloway strange and unprofessional. They also criticize the actions of the Aruban interim chief of Police Gerold Dompig, who got taken off the case last Thursday.
“I cannot understand that the Police didn’t immediately search the location of Natalee’s body right after a very important tip”, said Menno Dolman, university professor criminal law in Amsterdam before the GPD (Associated Press Services) in the Netherlands. The location in the sand hills that was searched last week was kept undisturbed for weeks; this could have cost important traces to be lost.
It was not until one month after an anonymous person had called Dompig on the phone and while crying told the chief of Police about the location where Natalee’s body was buried that the Aruban authorities came into action. “That is very peculiar”, agreed the law psychologist Peter van Koppen from Maastricht. “Usually, the area gets cordoned off immediately, in order to dig and obtain samples.”
Before they even started to dig, Dompig was already talking to the media about the new indications and the next search. A plain ‘disturbing’ action, is the opinion of criminal law professor in Leiden, Hans Nijboer. “This is a first class mistake.” He says that it is ungodly to talk in public about concrete indication, yet before the search started. “Competent detectives investigate the case first, before they talk to the media.”
For a detective, the media is the last option, explained Dolman to GPD-journalist Floor LigTVoet. “You do not want to give away information that only the perpetrator may know. If that still happens, it becomes extremely awkward to know whether the details in a later declaration of the suspect are authentic or whether he had read it in the paper.”
It seems that Dompig didn’t care much about this. He large-heartedly scatters with details about the case. But the facts and theories that he opens also contradict each other. He told the American media that Holloway has probably died of an overdose of alcohol and drugs that she had consumed that night. However, he denied that before the Dutch media and came up with a new report. Natalee was most probably raped and killed; that’s what he told them.
These two versions are incompatible, is the opinion of Dolman. He suspects that Dompig used several reports to keep the media on a distance. “It might also be an investigation strategy and Dompig is now drawing off suspects and their environment. Soon as one of them gives away, he runs him/her in”, said van Koppen.
Dolman does not believe in such strategy. “When a detective tells everyone where the body is, that’s no longer a strategy”, says Dolman. It is more a last option in a deadlocked investigation and the media is being used to settle the investigation smoothly.
The article was printed in amongst others the Brabants Dagblad.
On 4-8 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported another ARUBAN tourists safety issue:
Safety conference for tourism in the region
Representatives of Aruba Hospitality & Security Foundation, Aruba Hotel And Tourism Association and Aruba Tourism Authority pose for a picture after the press conference in which the first safety conference was announced.
ARUBA – Safety within the tourist industry in the Caribbean region, the part the media plays during a crisis, and safety during big events are the subjects that will be discussed during the first Caribbean Tourism Security Conference. The conference takes place in the Wyndham Hotel on June 7th, 8th, and 9th.
Ministers and top government officials from a great number of countries in the region, hotel managers, and safety experts are invited for the conference. The tourist industry has gone through a clear change between the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century. The general opinion of policy makers before September 11th was that disaster- and other trainings that have to do with guaranteeing the safety of tourists were too transparent and led to unnecessary anxiety. From that moment on, tourists clearly made demands on the way the authorities were protecting them. Disaster trainings had to be kept noticeable in order to take away the anxiety. As part of this, Aruba Hospitality & Security Foundation (AHSF), Aruba Hotel And Tourism Association (Ahata) and Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) organize together on June 7th, 8th, and 9th the first Caribbean Tourism Security Conference. During the conference, they will talk about the different aspects of safety within the tourists industry. Illustrious experts, like Peter Tarlow, David Shepard, Anne Gallenger en Michael McDonald will give lectures on how safety aspects can be used within the tourism in the Caribbean region. Other subjects that will come up for discussion are the part of the media in case of a crisis, the safety during big events, and the safety in the air and on sea.
Myrna Jansen, director of ATA is elated that Aruba is the first country to organize this conference. “Our economy depends on the tourism. That does not only apply to Aruba, but the entire Caribbean region. Safety is the top priority for travelers. This conference is of great importance and it is great that it takes place in Aruba.” Jansen is convinced that countries that feel very strongly about the safety of tourists and at the same time continue to maintain the level of service will see their tourists come back.
Jorge Pesquera, CEO of Ahata thinks that by organizing the safety conference, the image of Aruba will be highlighted. “Aruba is a safe country and we do our utmost to stay safe.”
On 4-8 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Car confiscated Investigators are on the right track about the cruel case of Guadirikiri
ORANJESTAD (AAN): From the time that a lifeless body was discovered outside a cave, all burned in an apparently mutilated manner, the case has started to point in the direction of a settlement of accounts.
Immediately, authorities formed a special team to start to hit the streets seeking information and compiling it to solve this terrible case. The identity of the person is already known, and even his red Chevrolet Celta was confiscated to investigate this in depth, if evidence can be found that can point towards the person or persons who were involved in this cruel murder.
There are different speculations related to this event that once more has shocked the community and also authorities. The victim’s body is still in custody and the medical examiner has much work ahead to determine and examine parts that are not completely burned. Apparently, the victim had tattoos which allowed him to be identified.
By now, his identity was discovered, which is an essential part for those involved with the investigation.
In the meantime, they are looking for information about who circulated with the victim, and also to find out if there were people who had problems with him, either in his past, or recently.
The victim’s occupation was a very troublesome one, given that he was a bouncer, and in this position, friends could have turned in to enemies for a certain reason. Everything is in the hands of those in charge of the investigation and it cannot be permitted to leave any stone unturned to risk losing the person or persons who are suspect while they still have them in sight.
The person or persons who committed this act, surely also know that they have to get rid of all evidence in order to not be connected.
On 4-8 two brothers in ARUBA, Benny and Freddy Panneflek, left on a fishing trip in a 18' “Boston whaler” type boat with a 150 HP engine and were supposed to return Saturday April 8th 2006 at 5 pm. As of February 19, 2007 the ARUBA Police report that they have never been found.
4-9-06
On 4-9 “About Crime.com” reported:
Natalee's Father Writes Book About Ordeal
Dave Holloway, father of missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway has written a book "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise," in which he describes the frustration the family has faced while dealing with Aruban authorities in the search for their daughter.
Dave Holloway is scheduled to appear on ABC's Good Morning American to discuss the release of this book on Monday, April 17. The television show's web site features an excerpt from the book called "Eveybody's Child" in which Natalee's father describes the events leading up to the high school graduate's trip to Aruba and the family's first days searching for the 17-year-old.
In the excerpt, Holloway said he and his wife Robin did not approve of the senior trip to Aruba -- when they were asked to pay the $985 cost for it as a graduation present -- because "it was too extravagant, and we did not think it was appropriate."
But because her stepbrother Matt had made the same trip two years earlier "and her twin cousins were graduating with her class and were going along with her this year, Beth (Natalee's mother) felt comfortable allowing Natalee to make the trip."
Natalee Holloway has not been seen since May 31, 2005 when she left a nightclub in Aruba with Joran van der Sloot, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe the morning that she was scheduled to fly back to Alabama.
See Also:
Book Excerpt: Natalee Holloway's Father Speaks Out
Buy the Book:
Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise
Background:
Natalee Holloway: Missing in Aruba
Forum:
Discuss This Case
Poll: Will We Ever Know What Happened to Natalee Holloway?
On 4-9 the “Scared Monkeys blog" reported:
The Aruba Theory of Relativity; Dompig and the Kalpoes
Just when you thought that the theory of relativity meant one thing, in Aruba it seems to have a whole different meaning. The latest controversy of whether the Kalpoes and former lead Investigator Gerold Dompig are related has arose again. Let alone the prospects that Dompig is the brother in law of Boeti, a supposed witness to seeing Natalee Holloway who is as credible as the sand dune witness who stated they knew where Natalee was buried.
We are over ten months into an investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and there is still a question as to whether the lead Investigator Gerold Dompig is actually related to the Kalpoe brothers. One would think that any conflict like an Investigator being related to two of the three prime suspects would have been asked and answered months ago. However, not in Aruba.
Last night on Fox News, “The Line Up”, the following comments were said:
Kimberly said so this guy is apparently related to Dompig to the chief Investigator and then we also hear reports that Dompig is related to the Kalpoe brothers have you heard that? Beth said yes actually she heard that from Michael Dompig himself Gerald Dompig’s son and Michael told her this in from of several witnesses and one of them happened to be Craig Rivera that he made no bones about it that they are related to the Kalpoes they are cousins. Kimberly said doesn’t understand this, this to her is shocking somebody who’s in charge of an investigation that is being watched internationally is related to drug dealer suspect guy who is suppose to be a credible witness the malign your daughter saying that she was using drugs and he’s related apparently to two of the three primary suspects I mean give me a break it take a year to remove someone like that from an investigation.
Just yet another reason for people to trust the credibility of this investigation. Conflicts of interest seem to be no matter as its “all relative”.
4-10-06
On 4-10 ABC News reported:
Natalee Holloway's Father Hopes for the Best
He Says the Whole Story Has Yet to Be Told
April 10, 2006— It has been almost a year since Natalee Holloway vanished from her spring break trip in Aruba. Since then, her parents, Beth Twitty and Dave Holloway, have struggled to keep her name in the news.
Holloway has released a book called "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise."
He said that when he first arrived on the island, he stopped at two Police stations to inquire about his daughter's disappearance and was asked for money.
"The detective in charge, the first question he asked me was how much money I had," he said. "I was in a state of shock. We finally gathered ourselves together and met with him and decided that we probably would be doing this search on our own."
Natalee Holloway was captured on video last May at an Aruban casino, sitting and drinking with a group of young people, including Joran van der Sloot. van der Sloot , a Dutch teen, told ABC News he left the casino with Natalee that night and spent time alone with her on the beach.
When Natalee wasn't on the flight home, her mother flew to Aruba to search for her. In the next few months, Aruban Police took a number of men into custody, including van der Sloot and his father, Paulus van der Sloot. All were eventually released because of a lack of evidence.
A Hopeful Parent
Last October, Dave Holloway journeyed to Aruba to search the waters offshore, but found nothing. He said that unraveling the mystery of his daughter's disappearance was like trying to figure out a crossword puzzle.
"I have a lot of information in this book. Hopefully someone will read it and get some answers," he said.
Holloway's ex-wife, Beth Twitty, has said that she has accepted the fact that her daughter has died, but Holloway has not been able to come to that place.
"As a parent, you hold out hope that maybe — look at this investigation and you look how it has gone, maybe they are wrong," he said. "You really have to look at what the F.B.I. has said. They told us about the 10th day in that Natalee was probably not with us."
Holloway said there had been no substantial developments in the case except that the Police and Dutch authorities had cleared the sand dunes to look for new evidence. The F.B.I. is also requestioning Natalee's classmates from Alabama.
The case has reverberated across the United States and the world. More schools and parents are taking more care when it comes to children on vacations.
"You have to stop and think you are leaving the United States and the protection of this government," he said. "I want more than just a plane ticket. What I want is more protection from the U.S. government."
Van der Sloot maintains that he did not harm Natalee or see her in distress. Holloway said that he was sure that van der Sloot, who has since moved to Holland, was lying about something.
"We have seen him lie over and over and over again," Holloway said. "So, you know, it is just another set of lies that we have seen all over again. I think he's guilty of something."
Natalee's disappearance will be featured on a Dutch television program, and Holloway hopes it will help shed light on what happened.
"Maybe it will give the Dutch people more confidence to call in for tips and leads whereas they have not in the past," he said.
On 4-10 the DUTCH news-sourced “AD.nl” reported:
Aruba tired of Holloway-madness
ORANJESTAD - Prime minister Oduber of Aruba is of the opinion that the investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway needs to be finalized soon.
The damage it has caused to Aruba has been more than enough already, "I want to be done with it."
For more than ten months, the Holloway-case has been hanging over the tropical island as a dark cloud. Whatever happened that may 30th, is still unclear. It has been seven months since the suspects were released. An extensive search of the dunes brought no results. The investigative team already has it’s third new boss.
Oduber: "If the case isn’t solved soon, we will have to close the active investigation and classify it as unsolved. I say this with pain in my heart for the Holloway-family, but this is turning into a soap-story. Aruba has done all it can do to solve this case. We even gave the entire civil service the day off to look for the girl. That alone and the overtime has cost the government 1.4 million euro’s."
Oduber has lost all hope that this case will be solved. "There is no indication of what exactly happened that night. All we know is that the boys have told too many wild stories. I don’t want to accuse anybody, but if someone comes up with a different story time after time, in my opinion that means he knows more about what then he is telling."
The excessive negative media-attention by the US media has cost Aruba it’s image as the safest island in the carribean. "Day after day Aruba was portrayed as a corrupt country on the US television," sighs Oduber.
"Larry King called me to explain things on air. I have been contacted by Condoleeza Rica and the FBI. Rice asked us if we could do our very best. I have a lot of respect for her. But in the USA there are thousands of Natalee’s. And in other carribean nations people get murdered gruesomely. But the US media doesn’t report those cases."
Legal expert Arlene Ellis-Schippers doesn´t think the investigation will be closed soon. "Normally, two years is a reasonable time for an active investigation to run." She doesn´t think any prosecution on the short term is likely. "If that were true, the suspect would have been arrested already."
On 4-10 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Now that Dompig has Retired, Bernadina is Accused of Manipulating the Investigation
Strong Suspicion that Natalee Holloway's Mother is More Involved in her Daughter’s Disappearance than is Apparent
The fact that she is accusing everyone, indicates that she wants to shift attention away from herself
ORANJESTAD – Now that Gerold Dompig is no longer at the head of the investigative team, Natalee Holloway's mother thinks it’s good to accused High commissioner Ronny Bernadina of being the person who is maneuvering and orchestrating the whole investigation with his latest changes in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. This has put many people to think that now one has to search in the other side, in the direction of the parents of Natalee Holloway, and not in Aruba where there are 3 youngsters who are still suspects.
RETIREMENT
This can be deduced from the moment that the news came out that Gerold Dompig was handed his retirement as chief of the investigation on Natalee Holloway. The reaction the mother had was incredible in the U.S. It could be noted on various TV channels that the mother of Natalee Holloway appeared in the course of the week. Instead of being happy that Dompig was removed, since she was angry with his style of work, now she looked for another guilty one, who is Bernadina.
BERNADINA
She, among others, indicated that Bernadina didn’t even have the decency to speak with her, but knows well enough to orchestrate this investigation in such an unprofessional manner that she was stunned. This is another indication that the mother has to continue to look for a guilty party, whoever it may be.
INVESTIGATION
If traced back to the beginning, with the person who started the investigation, Jan v.d. Straten, was the one who was ‘boze dader macamba’ who had a complot with another ‘macamba’ [Dutch born Aruban], Karin Janssen and together they were manipulating and undoing things that were not good. When v.d. Straten retired, she spoke of a positive change. But in an instant, this changed and she continue to turn against local Police.
SCREEN
When Gerold Dompig came into the screen, he was the perfect bull’s eye for Beth Twitty. She was in constant contact with Dompig, as was the case with v.d. Straten, but this again was not enough. The mother continued with her attacks in and a very short time, Dompig became the target of criticism.
PATTERN
The pattern that now exists is that the reaction of the mother in these past weeks has made many people think what others thought from the beginning. This is that the mother and the father themselves have something to do with the case, and as a sort of cover-up, they are looking for all sorts of way to find an ‘easy’ public target to attack, and remove the attention from themselves.
TWITTY
When Beth Twitty is heard declaring that almost nothing has been done, to the questions of the American journalists of whether she believes enough has been done, this makes many agents and people in Aruba boil. It shows that if it were another investigation, it would have been closed a long time ago. However in this case, almost a year later, the investigation is still open. This should say something.
METHOD
For all the exceptional methods that were used, such as using F-16 jets, giving the whole island free time to look for Holloway (while there have been other missing people and nothing like this was done in their case), it is difficult to believe that the mother dares to mention that not enough has been done to be able to find her daughter.
QUESTIONABLE
Another questionable issue is the fact that this week, the biological father, Dave Holloway, published his book on the disappearance of his daughter. Not even a year has passed that the book is on the market. A book that will surely generate renewed interest and at the same time is a financial contribution to the father. A book, seeing the media interest, will become a ‘best seller’ surely. And with bestseller status, it will be a million dollar sum for the writer, who in this case is Dave Holloway. And never has there been a mention that this sum will be used for ‘Natalee causes’. Something that has never been mentioned.
TACTIC
Finally, time will tell if the families of Natalee Holloway themselves are guilty of this case. All this is the fault of everyone who gave long hours in the service of the search of this American lady. Call the tactics of v.d. Straten, Dompig, Jacobs and others bad, but they worked searched and tried to do something for the family of a lost child and as such, they have to be given the benefit of the doubt. Their tactics and expertise will be clear later.
On 4-10 the Aruban Boycott Blogspot wrote the following about the preceding 4-10 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" article “Strong Suspicion that Natalee Holloway's Mother…”:
Ummm...
I generally don't add commentary, but Holy! Oh yes, it's Holy Week. Surely the staff at Bon Dia Aruba knows this. Semana Santa is generally a huge week for tourism in the Caribbean. Are the tourists nowhere to be found, and is that why they're in such a libelous mood?
To you, dear Bon Dia Aruba writing staff, I say: your journalistic standards are underwhelming.
Continue to never question the authorities, for they have done no wrong, right?
The vitriol and lack of humanity has been observed by all. May God have mercy on your souls.
On 4-10 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
Another breed of special dog leaves Aruba without finding anything
More respect more be shown for Aruba Police force specialists
ORANJESTAD- The group of Dutch experts left Aruba Friday night along with their dogs specialized in cadaver search without being able to locate the body of the young American student, Natalee Holloway.
A search which took place for one long week and was under way on the basis of information obtained from the survey conducted by two F-16’s from the Dutch Air Force that flew over Aruba.
The group limited itself to a search of the Westpunt dunes but the results were the same thing that the groups which previously searched, without finding anything either.
That this group would achieve something, was not anticipated given that special groups from the U.S. who had already conducted a search, was not able to find anything.
This Dutch group didn’t have any success either and others who could come in the future will not find anything that is not there to find either. What these groups are doing above all else is ridiculing our Aruba Police Force, showing that our people are not capable, while the Police Force also made use of dogs and used a big part of their human force to look for the youngster in the same location without finding anything.
To top it all off, they took one insult after another, given that the Dutch group specialized in the reconstruction of cases of missing persons, ‘Opsporing Verzocht’, humiliated the Police force last week with some declarations. These experts came forward and said that the investigation is ‘full of holes’, that many aspects were not covered, ridiculing the big work done by Aruban Investigators.
This type of thing is unacceptable, given that the Police force has done a great young for many years, resolved the great majority of the cases that they have been confronted with, and they do not deserve such treatment that they have been receiving for a situation they did not ask for.
What is really missing now is to ask the Mexican government’s help, special assistance since they could send some ‘Chihuahua’ dogs to Aruba, given that only this breed is the only one that still hasn’t come to Aruba to search in the dunes for Natalee’s body.
The moment has come to let our own Police Force and Public Prosecution work in peace, and everyone to do what they usually do and don’t do, and not do what they never do but want to do in the case of Natalee Holloway.
On 4-10 ARUBAAN's news-source "Bon Dia" reported:
New tips on Natalee Holloway case continue to come in
ORANJESTAD— Tips continue to come in to the Public Prosecution and the Police Force. It’s Bon Dia Aruba’s understanding that despite the search team from Holland leaving Aruba, there is other information coming in that could help Police solve the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. The Public Prosecution, specifically chief prosecutor Janssen, and Investigators in these past few days, including yesterday, met with two people, Kelly Castillo and Daniel Young, who said they have key information of what could have happened to Natalee, and they are willing to help authorities in giving them the necessary clues.
These people were already in contact with Natalee’s mother, Beth Twitty, who asked them to come to Aruba. However, when these persons found certain information, they realized that the case was not as Beth Twitty has told the world, but that it was something much simpler, where it cannot be said that the youngster was murdered. Castillo and Young went as far as saying that Beth Twitty knew that Natalee was alive a couple of days when the mother herself was in Aruba. This explains the first poster where she asked her daughter to get in touch with her. Further still, Beth had in her possession the telephone that Natalee used to tell her she would not return to the U.S., something that the mother did not give to Police immediately.
After Castillo and Young came to Aruba, they were able to find more information, and revealed to Beth what they know. Beth didn’t like what the duo said and even said that she was not interested to know who Natalee was with last. She only wanted revenge and that her focus remained on the three youngsters who were with her after Carlos & Charlie’s.
Authorities have all the recordings and notes that Castillo and Young made during their conversations with Twitty and they are willing to publish these soon. Further still, according to these two people from the U.S., for them it is confirmed that Natalee didn’t want to return home for abuse reasons and that it’s not the first time that the youngster went as far as doing something like this.
Bon Dia Aruba understands that the meetings with authorities took their time and now they are looking at what will come out of the new information which was presented to the chief prosecutor and the investigative team.
In the meantime, the program ‘Opsporing Verzocht’ is scheduled for tomorrow night, Tuesday and this also should produce new facts to help finally solve the case.
On 4-10 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to FOX News:
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: For months and in punishing heat we watched Natalee Holloway's family scour the island of Aruba and battle local authorities in their desperate search for Natalee.
Dave Holloway says what we have seen on TV is only part of the story. In a new book, he reveals for the first time what really went on in Aruba. Joining us here in New York is Natalee's father Dave Holloway, nice to see you Dave.
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S FATHER: Nice to see you, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: I think the last time I saw you was at a landfill at about 110 degrees in Aruba.
HOLLOWAY: That's right, yes.
VAN SUSTEREN: I mean it's like it was pure hell down there.
HOLLOWAY: Tough conditions. We went through a lot in Aruba and still going through it, very difficult times.
VAN SUSTEREN: The cover of your book, I want to jump to the thing that struck me most.
HOLLOWAY: That's OK.
VAN SUSTEREN: It talks about, it says the "tragic untold story of Natalee Holloway and corruption in paradise." That's the first time I've heard you say sort of publicly the word corruption. I mean you kept a nice game face all, you know, summer and fall, corruption?
HOLLOWAY: Corruption, yes. There's a lot of things that occurred on the island before Natalee got there and we addressed some of those issues. But, you know, you have a 17-year-old kid that basically runs the island. He's 17 years old. The legal age of gambling is 18. The legal age of drinking is 18. The legal age of driving is 18. And here he does all three.
You know and then this happens with Natalee and then you get a low level Police officer trying to make a decision, "Do I arrest these boys or do I turn my head and look the other way?" And we think that they've turned their head and looked the other way.
VAN SUSTEREN: And so who is corrupt?
HOLLOWAY: You know I can't put my finger on it but there's a lot of red flags about at least one individual, probably two or three others.
VAN SUSTEREN: When did you first arrive on the island?
HOLLOWAY: I arrived on the island June the 1st.
VAN SUSTEREN: And Natalee disappeared. She was out with her friends the night of the 29th and then got into the car early morning hours of May 30th is that right?
HOLLOWAY: On the 30th that's right.
VAN SUSTEREN: So you were there in very short order. How did you find out that Natalee was missing?
HOLLOWAY: My son called me late that afternoon on Monday and indicated that Beth has returned from Hot Springs and was on a jet flying to Aruba. And, at that time, you know, it's like what's happened? And so we tried to call to Aruba, called the Police, couldn't get anyone to return our calls.
And, I booked a flight out for the next morning and once some of the students got back they had indicated that Natalee had left with three individuals. And later on I learned through Matt that her airline ticket had been rebooked and it was done as a precautionary measure so that she wouldn't miss that flight. So, I ended up getting there a day later.
VAN SUSTEREN: So you were hopeful that she was just getting on another flight coming home for all you knew?
HOLLOWAY: Yes. Yes.
VAN SUSTEREN: When you got there, there came a time when you were asked for money. Who asked you for money or asked if you had any money?
HOLLOWAY: Well, let me back up a little bit. When we arrived on the island we immediately rented a rental car and we're looking at two days after she was reported missing. I went to the first Police station. I asked the lady in charge at the front desk, I said "I need to speak to the detective who is in charge of Natalee Holloway's case."
And, she asked someone to come up there and they summoned about 10 Police officers up there and they didn't know anything about it. And then finally one looked at the newspaper and he got excited and, you know, most Arubaans are very, very helpful and he got excited and said "There it is. There it is in the newspaper."
And it struck me. I said "Boy, something's wrong here." So, they directed me to the other end of the island. I got lost, ended up at another Police station, same story, didn't know anything about Natalee's disappearance. When we walked in and met the lead detective...
VAN SUSTEREN: Who was which one at that point?
HOLLOWAY: Dennis Jacobs.
VAN SUSTEREN: OK.
HOLLOWAY: I identified myself and I was obviously stressed out at that moment. And the first thing he says "Well how much money you got?" It was like, like to (INAUDIBLE). My brothers looked around and couldn't believe it and then we finally settled down and went off in the back room.
And he told us, he said "Well, just go on down to Carlos 'N Charlie's." He said, "This happens all the time. People come up missing and they miss the flight, partied too much" and so on and so forth and "Just go down there and have a beer."
And I was thinking well, you know, what about a search? And I was told "Well, why would you want to do that for?" And I said, "Well, isn't that what you normally do when someone is missing?" He goes, "No, just go on down there and have a good time." But he says, "Watch your drink. That's one thing you better do is watch your drink."
VAN SUSTEREN: Watch your drink why?
HOLLOWAY: He said "People put stuff in it." He told us that several times, GHB.
VAN SUSTEREN: And you think if you had put money on the table at that time for the Police would that have made a difference do you think?
HOLLOWAY: Well, not sure, you know. I've wondered about that in the beginning. My brothers also wondered about that. It came up a second time probably three or four months later. He asked us how much money we had and I thought he was asking for reward money that Natalee was located. And, then he changed, kind of changed the subject when I didn't catch on.
VAN SUSTEREN: When you didn't catch on. Well, we're going to have you stick around. We've got more on this book but it's the new book. Just hold it up for the viewer, "The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway," a brand new book up Dave has now written about his daughter and this heartbreaking search for her in Aruba. We're going to have much more in just a second.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAN SUSTEREN: It's been 10 months since Natalee Holloway disappeared in Aruba. For the first time, her father Dave is telling new details about what went on behind the scenes in the investigation. His new book is "Aruba, the Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise."
Dave Holloway joins us again here in New York. Dave, is the investigation over?
HOLLOWAY: You know I'm not sure. They cleared the sand dunes I understand last week and I don't know what they're going to do now. But for us we're going to continue investigating the case.
We've just about done all the investigation for them I guess so to speak, identified witnesses, put the three suspects on a silver platter and gave it to them and, you know, look what they've done with it. We located the gardener and, you know, just a host of things.
VAN SUSTEREN: Who do you blame if anybody for this being unsolved besides I mean whoever, you know, hurt your daughter? I mean you know you've got prosecutors. You've got detectives. You've got governments. I mean who let you down?
HOLLOWAY: Well, the Police obviously and, you know, I don't want to call of them bad but, you know, there's two or three that can make an investigation go wrong.
You know there's a law professor from Holland who wrote an article just a few days ago. He looked at this case and thought it was the most strange and bizarre I guess unprofessional case he's ever seen in his life. And, you know, that just reconfirms what most people think about it.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you have any plans to go back?
HOLLOWAY: No.
VAN SUSTEREN: None at all?
HOLLOWAY: No.
VAN SUSTEREN: There's no more search to be done?
HOLLOWAY: No, I did all the searching I could do and I was through with the island when I left back in October.
VAN SUSTEREN: You know I was disappointed they didn't look to see what, you know, what the beaches were like at night. I mean we were out there at night. Obviously we had camera crews and other people but, you know, beaches can attract a lot of unusual people, you know, late into the night.
HOLLOWAY: Yes, when we told them about the fisherman's huts that someone had broken into those back in September when I was in the island they had someone sit at the beach right next to the fisherman's huts and to see, you know, what kind of traffic was walking by. So, they did that a time or two.
VAN SUSTEREN: You know the viewers watch this sort of tortured investigation. I mean we had video of you out in the water trying to pull in that big, huge, whatever it was, drum of — it turned out to be nothing but digging for hours. They saw you there. They saw you walking in the landfills for hours. They saw Beth. They saw Robin, your wife. So, everybody, you know, it's like, you know, everyone struggled with you. You know people want answers for you.
HOLLOWAY: Yes, yes. Yes, you just do what you have to do, you know. When I got on the island we hit it. You know I guess what was a little different and I guess in a good sense we had two parties, Beth and Jug and her family looking for Natalee and then Robin and myself and our family looking for Natalee, so it wasn't just one group of people. It was really two.
VAN SUSTEREN: Did the media help or hurt you?
HOLLOWAY: Oh, the media was our best friend. If it hadn't been for the media this thing would have been swept under the table the very first day and we'd have been calling back to Aruba "Have you heard anything? Have you heard anything?" I truly believe that.
VAN SUSTEREN: If you pick up the phone and call Karin Janssen is she going to talk to you?
HOLLOWAY: I think she will.
VAN SUSTEREN: I mean did you ever learn anything, make you feel frustrated when you talk to her? I mean do you think she has empathy for what your family has gone through?
HOLLOWAY: I think she, you know, she wanted to tell us what was going on but she couldn't tell us everything obviously because of the investigation.
VAN SUSTEREN: So you have faith in her?
HOLLOWAY: Well, somewhat. I think she really wants to solve the case.
VAN SUSTEREN: How about Deputy chief Dompig?
HOLLOWAY: Dompig, I think he's on the fence. I think he really does but he always mentioned higher-ups. The higher-ups had his hands tied.
VAN SUSTEREN: Who are the higher-ups, higher-ups in Aruba or higher- ups in Holland?
HOLLOWAY: Well that's what I was trying to figure out. I never have been able to pinpoint who it was. I'm thinking it may be Rudy Croes, but I may be mistaken.
VAN SUSTEREN: And for those who don't know who Rudy Croes is?
HOLLOWAY: He's the minister of justice.
VAN SUSTEREN: And he's an Aruban?
HOLLOWAY: That's correct.
VAN SUSTEREN: Why do you suspect him?
HOLLOWAY: You know he made some comments early on in the case that, you know, 30 days and this case will go away and we'll be back to business. There was a time or two that he had made some statements like that.
VAN SUSTEREN: How did they close the case, I mean they just let it go?
HOLLOWAY: Well, you know, back in November I got word that they're going to give it about 60 more days and close the case and take their hit on tourism and then start back next year just like nothing ever happened.
VAN SUSTEREN: Now we've got the reenactment that they're going to do April 11th with Dutch TV and it's also going to air in Aruba.
HOLLOWAY: Yes.
VAN SUSTEREN: Anyway, the new book "Aruba" by Dave Holloway. He's looking for his daughter, still looking, still wants answers right?
HOLLOWAY: That's right.
VAN SUSTEREN: Boy, I hope you get them sometime. Dave, thank you and good luck.
HOLLOWAY: Thank you, Greta.
4-11-06
On 4-11 the "Aruban Boycott Blogspot" reported:
MORE TROUBLE FOR ARUBAN Police commissioner GERALD DOMPIG--HIS SON MICHAEL
Koen...where are you Koen? We haven't forgotten about you. See you in Holland!
Gerald Dompig has a teen son, Michael. Dompig told Dave Holloway in early June that Michael saw Joran in Koen's boat the night after Natalee disappeared. Dave Holloway begged Dompig to have Koen re-interviewed but Koen's father denied them access to his son. They have since left the island and moved back to Holland.
Koen is the key to solving this case.
The boat allegedly used to dispose of Natalee (photo)
Koen’s former house… the Gottenbos family has since fled to Holland (photo)
On 4-11 the “AP” reported:
Aircraft Carrier Group Heads to Caribbean
ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (AP) - An aircraft carrier strike group moved into the Caribbean this week to begin two months of naval exercises in what the U.S. military hopes will be a show of its commitment to the region.
The deployment by the USS George Washington group will also focus on threats such as drug and human trafficking, according to the Miami-based U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military activities in Latin America.
Brig. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., the Southern Command's chief of staff, called the tour an "opportunity for us to touch base with our partner countries."
He added: "There's no other symbol of American power like the carrier."
Members of the strike group, led by the nearly 1,100-foot long Nimitz-class carrier, made their first port stops Monday and Tuesday. The USS Stout, a destroyer, stopped in Curacao, while the USS Underwood, a frigate, docked in Cartagena, Colombia.
The military has dismissed allegations by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that it is planning an invasion of his country. But analysts say the show of force sends a signal to Chavez and other Latin American leaders about U.S. strength.
Although the group has no plans to dock in Venezuela, the U.S. ambassador in Caracas met Sunday with the head of the Southern Command, Gen. Bantz Craddock, aboard the George Washington.
Southern Command leaders were conducting a routine quarterly meeting, but the high interest from Venezuela in the deployment prompted the diplomatic participation, according to Southern Command Spokesman Jose Ruiz.
The carrier will arrive at its first stop in St. Maarten on Friday. Other countries on the tour include Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Trinidad Tobago, Curacao, Aruba and St. Kitts.
Daniel Erikson, a Caribbean analyst for the Inter-American Dialogue policy institute, said many Latin American nations are concerned because the U.S. has threatened since 2002 to withdraw military aid from governments that do not sign an agreement pledging not to turn American citizens over to the International Criminal Court.
A number of Caribbean countries have not signed the waiver.
"Washington has been trying to figure out ways, without backing down, to show the U.S. is still willing to engage with allies in the region," he said.
The deployment also sends a signal to China, which has invested heavily in Latin America, Erikson said, explaining that many Caribbean leaders "have been puzzled by what they see as Washington's passivity" on China's role in the area, Erikson said.
The Norfolk, Va.-based strike group also includes the USS Monterey, a cruiser, and a 30-plane air wing.
(there is word that the UNITED STATES fast-attck submarine(s) that always accompany and help defensively protect every aircraft carrier will be utilizing its ultra-sensitive underwater sonar and other advanced detection equipment in a search for NATALEE’s remains or container on the deep sea bottom surrounding ARUBA when the submarine is near ARUBA)
On 4-11 MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA NBC TV channel 11 reported:
New Book Telling the Story of Natalee Holloway's Disappearance
A new book is out telling the story of missing Mountain Brook teen Natalee Holloway.
In the book 'Aruba' Holloway's father, Dave Holloway, takes you into the investigation of her disappearance in Aruba. The book starts with Natalee's disappearance as Holloway goes through the events as he witnessed them after his arrival in Aruba.
Stores like Books a Million are now selling the book. It is also available on line.
On 4-11 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA NBC TV channel 13 reported:
Dave Holloway Book Arrives In Bookstores
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A new book hits the bookstores Tuesday that tells the story of missing Mountain Brook teen Natalee Holloway.
Dave Holloway, her father, allows readers to see in inside look in the investigation of her disappearance in Aruba.
Though the book is just now being put on display in bookstores, it has been available online for weeks.
The 203 page book is titled, "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise."
It gives Dave Holloway's first person-narrative of the days following the news that Natalee Holloway was missing and the subsequent searches for her.
On 4-11 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Dompig resigned voluntarily
ARUBA – The Strategic Communication Task Force indicated that Gerold Dompig voluntarily resigned his post as managing the investigation on the disappeared Natalee Holloway. The Public Prosecutor mentioned that the Dutch investigation team has not found anything in the Holloway-case. The team is meanwhile back in the Netherlands.
The Task Force says that Dompig’s decision to resign was a combination of factors. One of them was the media’s criticism in the Netherlands, Aruba, and the United States on the statements he made about the progress of the investigation. And, even more important, the case is now entering a critical, analytic phase, which is especially the expertise of Dompig’s substitute Dolfi Richardson. Dompig stays with the Corps and will continue providing Richardson with advice on the case.
The search of the Dutch specialists was unsuccessful. They used dead body search dogs, ground radar, and metal detectors to find Holloway's body. The Police together with analysts and under leadership of Richardson are reviewing the whole case. The investigation on the missing Holloway continues.
On 4-11 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
‘Maintain just one Caribbean Court’
CURACAO/THE HAGUE – Judges P. de Bruin and P. Lemaire, whom amongst others have been working till mid 2005 as member of the Joint Court of Justice in Aruba, plead for maintaining the Joint Court and against the advice of the established work group by the Aruban minister, who advised in 2003 that Aruba must get an independent Aruban Court of First Instance (GEA). They did this in the Dutch Jurists’ Newsletter (Juristenblad).
The Joint Court had also objected this advice in its report of February 2005. Besides, the advice also counts for the new to be created countries Curacao and St. Maarten. “Due to the small-scale of the communities in question and the patronized patterns that are difficult to repel, the judiciary in the Caribbean will always be more under direct political pressure than in a big community like the case of the Dutch judiciary”, write De Bruin and Lemaire. “An independent administration of justice leads to getting constitutional relations further out of balance compared to the already strong political governmental elite on the islands.” Their experience in Aruba is that strong fundamentals which balance the different power of government is mentioned on paper, but is different in practice.
The Parliament is not engaged enough in their controlling language and is a ‘postmark-Parliament’. The opposition is indeed critical, but powerless. The legislation task is insufficiently performed and in addition, the influence of the government on the small civil service is big. There are also political appointments done in the field of the Public Prosecutor. The government does comply with judicial decisions, “but there is still reason for some concern. They often govern only incidentally just to satisfy the interest of the own supporters, with the consequence that the ones that are not part of that grassroots support have to produce relatively much.” With this De Bruin and Lemaire refer to amongst others the Dutch judges on assignment.
Here is a transcript of the 4-11 shown DUTCH crimes-recreation TV show, "Opsporing Verzocht" ("Arrest Requested"):
(VIDEO here in Dutch)
Frits Sissing (Host)
This broadcast is fully dedicated to the mysterious disappearance of
Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
Good evening ladies and gentlemen.
It has been 316 days now since she was reported missing: the American
teenager Natalee Holloway, who went to Aruba with her friends in May of
last year, to celebrate her high school graduation.
Since then, her disappearance has caused a true media hype in the United
States, with almost daily reports about this item.
There is also a strong interest in this case in the Netherlands.
Furthermore, the Dutch Air Force offered their help by sending F-16 fighter
jets for assistance. Without result they searched with special cameras for
possible evidence on the island and in the surrounding ocean. In addition,
four Dutch detectives went twice last year to Aruba to assist their
colleagues on site.
Tonight's program of 'Opsporing verzocht' is entirely dedicated to the
disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
We are showing you a reconstruction of Natalee's days on Aruba.
And we are showing the video pictures from security cameras where she
still can be seen.
We also have pictures of the Dutch search team scanning the island for
clues last week.
We’ll get back to that. But first of all, the following question: why this case
tonight on WANTED, on Dutch television? Speaking on behalf of the
Aruban Police, here is Mieke Kort, from the Police force Utrecht.
Mieke Kort (Dutch law enforcement officer)
Well, although Aruba has the ‘Status Aparte’, it still belongs to the Kingdom of the
Netherlands. Also, a program like this doesn’t exist on Aruba. We will take care that this program is broadcast there by several television stations. That’s the
Furthermore, World Service (BVN) will broadcast this program.
FRITS
What are you trying to achieve with this broadcast?
M. KORT
In any case, we are trying to get information that will disclose Natalee’s
whereabouts and reveal what really happened.
We are also are hoping to receive information telling us who is responsible for
her disappearance, and to find witnesses who are willing to testify.
FRITS
But are there still other witnesses? Why should new information suddenly
pop up after a year?
M. KORT
It could be that some people didn’t dare to speak, and for whatever reason didn’t
want to bring things out into the open. Or that some people realize after seeing
the re-enactment that they have important information for us and were a witness
to this case.
An important motivation for the people in Aruba could be the fact that they can
call the Netherlands fully anonymously – at local rate.
FRITS
Indeed, and then they will be put in contact with the Dutch Police force.
The special telephone number for Aruban viewers is ________. If you want
to stay anonymous, you can call ________. At the other side of the line are
people who also speak Papiamento. If the lines are busy, please try again
somewhat later on.
Dutch viewers can reach us at ________.
Because you are also aiming at Dutch viewers, aren’t you?
M. KORT
We are aiming at all people who might know something about the
disappearance; therefore also Dutch people with relations in Aruba. Quite a
number of people of Aruban descent, who might have important information
themselves or via relatives about this case, are living in the Netherlands. And we are addressing the people who were on holiday in Aruba between May 26th and
June 9th in 2005. And finally, family and acquaintances of the people in question.
FRITS
Just to get it straight…You are here on behalf of the Police force in Utrecht.
In what way is your region involved in this case?
M. KORT
Three of the four Dutch detectives, who were mentioned before and who
travelled to Aruba to assist in the primary investigation, belong to our force. The
fourth person is a behavioural scientist from the National Police Force. Last year
they assisted with the interrogations of the suspects who were then under arrest.
So our force is fully informed. But also because of the satisfying cooperation with
the Aruban Public Prosecutor and Police force at the beginning of this year, the
detective department in Utrecht decided once more to confer and see if there is
more that we can do. We came up with the idea of going to the television
program 'WANTED' ('Opsporing verzocht')
FRITS
So that is clear now.
But what isn’t so clear is the sequence of events that took place exactly a
year ago in May on Aruba.
Therefore we will first take a look at what the Police do know for sure,
because they could check it on the basis of facts.
Anniko van Santen went off to Aruba.
[ON LOCATION]
ANNIKO van Santen ('Opsporing verzocht' reporter)
A yellow ribbon around a tree has become the symbol in the United States for
somebody who is missing. In the past summer lots of palm trees in Aruba were
decorated with it. On the island there were lots of these notices put up.
The disappearance of the American Natalee Holloway is not only keeping her
parents and stepfather and the whole of the United States busy but also the
complete island of Aruba with its 100,000 inhabitants. Where has she, a girl of 18
years old, vanished to on this island, which is not bigger than the Dutch island of
Texel?
We made a re-enactment of Natalee’s days on the island of Aruba.
[re-enactment]
(Just off the coast of Aruba we see a Delta Air Lines airplane land. Next we
are in the busy arrival lounge of airport ‘Reina Beatrix’. We see Natalee with some friends plus (accidental) extras arrive and deal with the
collection of their luggage.)
[voice-over = Anniko]
On Thursday May 26th, the 18-year-old student Natalee Holloway arrives in Aruba
together with 140 other high school graduates from a school in Mountain Brook,
Alabama and their seven supervisors to spend a four-day holiday on the island.
With this trip they celebrate that they graduated from high school.
[re-enactment]
[voice-over Anniko]
They stay at the "Holiday Inn," which is located on the long white sand beach of
Palm Beach.
[re-enactment]
[voice-over Anniko]
The following days Natalee and her classmates take some small trips, and
mainly have a lot of fun.
[re-enactment]
[voice-over Anniko]
And then, the last evening on the island arrives, the evening of Sunday, May
29th.
[reenactment]
[voice-over Anniko]
Natalee Holloway goes with some other people to the casino that is located in
their hotel, the Excelsior Casino.
In the casino she meets the Dutch Joran van der S. He explains to her and her
girlfriends how to play the game.
Around 10 p.m. Joran leaves the casino. The girls stay for a little while to eat
something. Afterwards they travel to Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba.
They decide to go to a popular place of entertainment, called Carlos 'n Charlies.
[re-enactment]
[voice-over Anniko]
Later that evening, Joran comes to Carlos 'N Charlie's too. He is with two of his
friends: the Surinam brothers: Deepak and Satish K.
[reenactment]
(Natalee starts to dance. After a while Joran and Natalee drink several
drinks at the bar. After this Natalee’s girlfriends leave the club and leave
Natalee behind with Joran. Natalee waves goodbye to them.)
[voice-over Anniko]
They enjoy the drinks.
Natalee and Joran have fun. Natalee tries to convince Joran to join her dancing
on the stage, but he refuses.
When her girlfriends go back to the hotel, Natalee stays for a little while.
[reenactment]
[voice-over Anniko]
Around 1.30 a.m. Natalee leaves the club as well with the three friends Joran,
Deepak and Satish in their grey Honda Civic, which belongs to the two bothers.
Natalee’s classmates, who are waiting for a bus to Palm Beach, call out to her
and tell her that she should come back, because the next day they have to leave
early.
But Natalee cannot be persuaded and disappears in the Aruban night.
These are the last images of Natalee that we have.
[Anniko ON LOCATION. SHE IS AT THE BUS STOP. IT IS DARK.]
And those images were made here. On this spot here, with the club Carlos 'n
Charlie’s just around the corner, the story of that evening ends, the story of what
really happened. To continue the story we have to rely on the various testimonies
that were given to the Police.
At this bus stop there were enough witnesses, who saw Natalee driving off with
the boys. The Aruban Police is very keen to hear from whoever might have seen
Natalee or the grey Honda Civic, the three boys - or other people – after 1.30
a.m. at night. Now we will go back to that last night. The night from Sunday 29th
to Monday 30th of May.
[ studio ]
FRITS
The Police have several testimonies which indicate that the people - that
were for sure involved - in this drama could have been at a number of
places. In the night of Sunday the 29th tot Monday the 30th of May.
Therefore, we are curious if after tonight’s program someone is able to
affirm these testimonies, or if anybody has other information. For instance,
if somebody was at a certain place and can declare that he or she didn’t
see anyone at all.
Who are involved in the investigation?
First and foremost, we have Natalee Holloway herself. These are the last
pictures we have of her. Here she is dancing in Carlos 'N Charlie's.
This picture is made on Sunday evening May 29th. So are these the clothes
she was wearing when she was last seen?
M. KORT
Yes, she was wearing a blue/green top with a short denim skirt, and on her feet
she wore brown sandals.
As you can see, Natalee is a girl with long blond hair and blue eyes. She is about
1.60 – 1.65 meter tall and has a slim figure. She was 18 years old at the time she
disappeared.
We would like to know if there are other visitors who have made pictures or
videos in Carlos 'N Charlie's that Sunday evening, where Natalee can be seen.
Or one of the boys who were last seen with her.
FRITS
With the boys we mean the three friends: Joran van der S. and the two
brothers Deepak and Satish K.
In conclusion the brothers’ car plays an important part.
[ON LOCATION, ANNIKO]
This is the original car where Natalee was last seen in. It’s a grey Honda Civic,
low model with added spoilers.
Quite an eye-catching vehicle and there is only one of this type on the whole
island! We hope that the combination of these four persons and the car will be
recognized. To make this easier we will go through the places where Natalee
could have been seen.
Dolfi Richardson (chief Investigator on Holloway case)
Let us start with the California Lighthouse. This lighthouse is located at the
northern tip of Aruba. From this point one has a wonderful view of the sandy
beaches at the western part of the island. This is the place where Natalee
wanted to look at the sharks.
ANNIKO
If this is the case, Mr. Richardson, did the foursome drive in the grey Honda to
the California Lighthouse?
[SHOW HONDA]
D. RICHARDSON
That’s right. The brothers Deepak and Satish are affirmative about this – and
eventually Joran as well. Deepak also says that one of them had to relieve
himself and for this they stopped at the Arashi beach.
ANNIKO
The Police wants to know who was present at the California Lighthouse, or on
Arashi Beach and saw anyone. Also, if anyone was on that beach for a long time
and didn’t see anyone at all, they would like to hear from that person.
[STUDIO]
FRITS
And if you do have tips, please call ______ and for the Aruban viewers the
number is ______.
One of the other testimonies states that they went to Joran’s house?
M. KORT
Yes, that is correct.
Joran mentioned this. His house is in Montaja, a suburb between Oranjestad and
North.
So the question is, who saw them drive there or on the way to Montaja?
FRITS
Because one witness could cause a major breakthrough in this
investigation.
In several interviews Joran mentioned that he left Natalee alone on the
beach.
[ON LOCATION ANNIKO]
ANNIKO
And that has to be here, on the beach at the fisherman's huts. The Fisherman’s
Huts, like the name says, are these small stone cottages for fishermen and are
located north of the Mariott Hotel. And the Mariott is that high hotel you can see
over there. The next hotel is the "Holiday Inn" Hotel, where Natalee was staying
with her classmates. So the "Holiday Inn" hotel is several hundreds of meters away
from here.
Mr. Richardson, what kind of spot is this, how would you regard it?
D. RICHARDSON
Fishermans Huts as well as ‘lovers lane’ are known as romantic spots on the
island. Here locals as well as tourists come at night time to spend some time
together.
ANNIKO
So here we have a romantic spot. Natalee and Joran were that evening
‘romantically’ involved with each other, weren’t they?
D. RICHARDSON
Yes, and the brothers dropped them off there and Joran and Natalee stayed.
According to Joran, they were engaged in some sexual acts, but eventually he
wanted to leave, because he had to get up early for school. That’s why he left her
alone on the beach he says.
[STUDIO]
FRITS
And what happened then?
M. KORT
Supposedly, Joran was picked up again at fisherman's huts by the grey Honda
Civic.
There is also a testimony that he walked home on bare feet. And if someone saw
that, we would love to hear about it.
FRITS
In particular you are looking for people who saw Natalee there on the beach
at that time. In the company of others - or alone. Because it is still possible
that she had started to walk back to the hotel on her own.
And also important here is that if certain people were at that place and can
testify that they did not seen anyone, you definitely would like to speak
with them?
M. KORT
Yes, of course. Already three fishermen have talked to the Police. They’ve told us
that they have been there the whole night and saw nothing. Still, we would like to
talk to more people that have been there for a long period of time and saw
nothing…or something or somebody.
FRITS
Like for example a car in the surroundings of the fisherman's huts?
M. KORT
Indeed. It is possible the grey Honda was spotted, but we would like to have
information about any other car as well.
FRITS
You mention this for a specific reason?
M. KORT
Well, it has been mentioned that a white car was following the grey Honda, and
this white car was annoyingly chasing the Honda. Who was the driver or who
saw this? And does anyone have an idea who was driving this white car?
FRITS
For all clarity: I must repeat we are still dealing with the night of Sunday the
29th to Monday the 30th of May 2005!
This is where all the statements end. Natalee would have been left behind
on the beach at the fisherman's huts and it is unclear what has happened
to her since.
But the Aruban Police wants to know another thing about an occurrence on
that same spot.
[ON LOCATION]
D. Richardson
On Saturday May 21st, 9 days before the disappearance of Natalee, a woman
was harassed here at the beach of Fishermans Huts. At this time we don’t know
if the occurrence has anything to do with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway,
but we can’t exclude it either. We made a drawing of that man.
[STUDIO]
FRITS
And this is the man.
He has dark skin, is about 25 years old, 1.70 – 1.75 meters tall, has a round
face and almond shaped eyes, had short black hear and was wearing
glasses with eight edges and a metal frame.
If you know who this is, call ________ or from Aruba ________.
Now let’s go back to the night of the 29th to the 30th.
Is it perhaps possible that Natalee wasn’t on the north side of the island
that evening, but had gone to the south side or even somewhere else?
M. KORT
We cannot exclude anything. That is the point. Even with that scenario we are
looking for witnesses. Any witness who might have seen Natalee or anything else
that looked suspicious or was out of the ordinary. That particular night and in the
following days.
FRITS
What have witnesses reported so far?
M. KORT
There are three tips I would like to bring to your attention.
Last year, on December 31st 2005 a man presumably Colombian, who wanted to
be anonymous, made a phone call to Carlos 'N Charlie's – the last club that
Natalee visited – and said that he knew that she was buried. We would like to
know who this caller is and we are asking him with great emphasis to pick up the
phone again.
As a result of this phone call we are starting to search again at a variety of
places.
[FOOTAGE SEARCH – ON LOCATION]
ANNIKO
The last few weeks, a Dutch team of the KLPD and the NFI were searching for
Natalee's body. This team works with several specialists who all have their own
expertise. And this team works well structured, and according to a set step-bystep
plan. The specialists first examine the area closely with their eyes; they
visually scan the surroundings. Once they have noticed something suspicious,
they call in the dogs. Only when two dogs give tongue on a certain spot, in other
words, when the dogs give tongue on the spot where they have noticed
something suspicious, they use sticks to prick into the soil after which the
specialists sniff at the end of the stick to smell if there is the scent of any organic
remains.
Then it is time for step two, to deploy the ground radar. What the ground radar
does is 'look' into the soil for a couple of meters where it can perceive
disturbances in the natural layers of the soil. If the radar observes a significant
disturbance, the forensic archeologists and the tracks experts come into action.
They start a controlled digging action and secure possible traces to be used as
evidence later.
I think it's a good idea to explain why the Police search is focused on the land
and not on the sea. Of course this has to do with the tip we have just discussed,
but also with the fact that it is very unlikely that Natalee's body has disappeared
in the water. If her body had ended up here in the water on the Aruban coast, the
odds are that her body would have washed ashore here. The current at a few
hundred meters from the Aruban coast may be strong enough to carry a body,
but even then a body would probably wash ashore on the south-American coast.
The Police find this scenario very unlikely.
Searching for Natalee's body is a very time-consuming task. Not only because
the team works very structured and carefully, but also because there is a
complicating factor here: the wind. The landscape here is continuously changed
by the wind. A place that was flat last year may hold a huge dune at present. And
we must also realize that if the team should find Natalee's body, the search for
Natalee may be over, but the search for the people responsible for her
disappearance is not. That is why your tips will still be of crucial importance.
[Studio]
FRITS
And let us hope that this supposedly Colombian man who triggered this
search, will call again.
And there are more tips, right?
M. KORT
Yes, in the night that Natalee disappeared, around 2.30 a.m., a grey Honda Civic
was reported seen at the Salina near the Racket Club. The Salina is a pond,
which was afterwards more or less completely pumped out but with no results.
We would still like to know if anyone saw anything at that spot in the mentioned
time period.
FRITS
And you’re looking for another specific caller?
M. KORT
Yes, a woman called and mentioned that on Monday May 30th she saw four
boys with sweaty faces and a shovel walking on the north side of the Aruban
island.
So we are interested to know who these boys were and what they were doing
there. And of course, are there more people who have seen them as well?
We would really like to get in contact with this woman again.
FRITS
So actually there is only one steady statement. Which is the fact that
Anniko has already mentioned on Aruba. Natalee was last seen when she
drove off with the boys and passed the bus stop where some of her
classmates saw her.
What happened after that, and where she has disappeared to, still remains
a big mystery.
Are the authorities on Aruba reckoning with the fact that Natalee may still
be alive – whatever small chance there is?
M. KORT
We keep all options open, but the research team actually think that it is unlikely
that she is still alive.
FRITS
The mystery around Natalee’s disappearance can only be solved when
witnesses are willing to come forward and speak. So please do so. If, for
whatever reason you are carrying some information with you about the
vanishing of Natalee Holloway, please pick up the phone. If necessary,
anonymously.
Maybe you used your camera on Sunday the 29th of May - and the days
after up to and including 9th June – and made pictures or videos, that could
be of great importance to the Police. Maybe there is something in the
background that you might not be aware of. You will probably understand
that the Police are very interested in this material after seeing this program.
Again the phone numbers. Dutch viewers can as always call this special
telephone number: ________. If someone wants to give a tip anonymously,
they can do that at this number: ________.
If you call from Aruba, you can call at local rate ________. You will then be
speaking with the telephone team in the Netherlands. For Aruban viewers
we can also guarantee that you can stay anonymous. Then you call
________.
If the lines are busy, please try again later.
And everybody can go to our website: ________________ which has a
special tip form you can fill out.
Please do so and help us to solve the case of Natalee Holloway.
Hopefully next week we can tell you that imported tips were brought in.
Join us again next week. We’re there at seven on this channel.
Good bye!
The show is already online for those who want to see it without subtitles (audio is only in papiamentu), but maybe you would like to see how they portrayed Natalee in the show.
http://portal.omroep.nl/mplayer?nav=abjrGsHEnCoVtHjIzI
On 4-11 the "Blogs for Natalee" identity "caldeb" wrote
… On some other sites they are talking about interviewing D. Richardson and saying this:
Richardson also stated that there are 3 fisherman who told that they were at Fisherman's huts all night and saw 'no'body', the story that Joran left her at Fisherman's hut is not true.
On 4-11 the “AP” reported:
Aruba looking for man who harassed woman days before American teen went missing
ORANJESTAD, Aruba - Aruba Police said Tuesday they were looking for a man who allegedly harassed a woman on a beach in this Dutch Caribbean island nine days before American teenager Natalee Holloway went missing.
A tourist reported that a man, in his 20s, harassed her on the same beach where a Dutch youth says he dropped off Holloway the night she disappeared, Police commissioner Adolf Richardson told "Tracking Requested," a Dutch program that re-enacted Holloway's known final hours in Aruba and aired Tuesday in the island and the Netherlands.
"We have no concrete proof that this incident has any relation to Natalee's disappearance, but we cannot completely disregard this either," Richardson said.
Holloway, 18, was last seen on May 30 leaving a bar with three young men, who were arrested in June and later released after a court ruled there was insufficient evidence to hold them. She was in Aruba on a high school graduation trip.
The Dutch program also highlighted three tips that Police had earlier received and wanted more information about: three boys who were spotted with a shovel on the island's north side on May 30, a man who called on Dec. 31 a nightclub that Holloway visited the night she disappeared and said he knew she had been buried; and the sighting of a gray Honda Civic at a salt pond on May 30, which prompted authorities to empty the pond.
One of the three young men who had been arrested and released has a gray Honda Civic.
The prosecutor's office did not return phone calls on Tuesday seeking comment on the program.
Netherlands Police and Aruban authorities have scoured sand dunes and a beach in the island's north in their search for Holloway.
On 4-11 the “COURT-TV Crime Library” reported:
ARUBA (Crime Library) — For a missing person and probable murder case that is almost a-year-old, it seems like there is news almost on a daily basis. Recently, several Dutch legal experts were openly critical of the investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway conducted by Aruba's Deputy chief of Police Gerold Dompig. Dompig was removed from the case last week. Adolpho Richardson replaced him as the leader of the investigation.
Professor of criminal law Menno Dolman told the Dutch GDP news agency that he could not comprehend why there was no immediate search for Natalee after her disappearance. In a translated summary of various Dutch papers that appeared on the missing persons blog Scared Monkeys, another expert, law psychologist Peter van Koppen told reporters that it was "very peculiar that it was only after Dompig got an anonymous tip about a possible location of Natalee's body that Police began to search for her. "Usually, the area gets cordoned off immediately, in order to dig and obtain samples. The Scared Monkey's blog also quoted Leiden University's criminal law professor Hans Nijboer regarding Dompig's strange habit of talking to the media before searches were begun. "Competent detectives investigate the case first," Nijboer said.
Dompig's comments last month that he believed that Natalee died accidentally after combining alcohol and drugs and that he had a credible witness to her drug taking was almost certainly a factor in being replaced on the Holloway case. When it turned out that this "credible" witness was none other than his alleged drug dealer brother-in-law who had been questioned and discredited early in the investigation, Dompig's own credibility took a nosedive.
The net result of Dompig's involvement in the case is that the focus of the investigative effort has moved away from the three main suspects Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers. With Dompig's replacement, an evaluation by Dutch legal experts of the flawed investigation and the effort just put forth by Dutch forensic teams to search the sand dunes on the northern tip of the island and the beach near the "Holiday Inn" where Natalee stayed, it appears as though the Dutch government is finally taking a serious interest in this case and would like to see it resolved. If, indeed, it can be resolved at this late date.
Yesterday, Dutch forensic teams completed their search for Natalee, finding nothing to suggest that her remains were in those suspected areas.
In another development, Dave Holloway's book, "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise" goes on sale today. He tells of his heartbreaking search for his daughter and his efforts, along with Natalee's mother, to keep the media focused on Natalee's case. Aruban authorities, who Holloway believes are corrupt, would have been happy to sweep the entire investigation under the [rug] at their earliest opportunity.
On 4-11 DAVE HOLLOWAY stated to CNN:
KING: Welcome back to LARRY KING LIVE and welcome back to our special guest. Eighteen-year-old Natalee Holloway disappeared last May 30th and hasn't been seen or heard from since. Tonight her father Dave Holloway joins us. He's written a new book titled "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise."
He has also brought with him a few dozen photos of Natalee, pictures that have never before seen by the public and you'll be seeing those some of those throughout tonight's show and we thank you for making them available to us and welcome to LARRY KING LIVE. Usually it's been by split screen, you've been in Aruba or Mississippi and nice to have you here. Why did you write this?
DAVE HOLLOWAY, FATHER OF MISSING NATALEE HOLLOWAY: A number of reasons, primarily to get the word out and let somebody look at it and maybe they can come up with some answers on what really did happen. There's some other reasons as well.
I had a number of people approach me about writing a book. I initially declined. Then I got the message a book was going to be written with or without me, did I want to be a part of it, yes or no, and I finally decided I wanted to be part of it and I wanted to get my side of the story out.
KING: You and her mother are divorced? Do you know if she's planning something?
HOLLOWAY: I don't know.
KING: Are you friendly?
HOLLOWAY: Oh, yes.
KING: Has she remarried?
HOLLOWAY: Oh, yes
KING: An you are friendly all the way around?
HOLLOWAY: Yes.
KING: Where were you when Natalee went missing?
HOLLOWAY: I was sitting on the back porch enjoying Memorial Day weekend, getting ready to cook a steak. I got a phone call from my younger son, Matt, and he indicated that Beth was on her way to Aruba and that Natalee had missed her plane flight. SO he thought, maybe she missed the flight and she'll rebook the next day.
He was optimistic it was something very simple. I was concerned because I knew Natalee was very prompt, never late, always on time and it concerned me very greatly. I then called Aruba, found out the hotel and talked to a drug enforcement detective, and he indicated they didn't know much, they were just starting to try to figure out what was going on.
KING: Were you concerned when she went there? HOLLOWAY: When it first popped up, I've never been to Aruba, I didn't know where it was located, she laid some papers out, Dad, I want to go to Aruba with my classmates. I had a concern about that.
KING: Was she what you would call a good girl?
HOLLOWAY: Absolutely. Straight A student, 4.1 grade average. Her life was ahead of her. She planned every move she made, a very timely person.
KING: When along the way I did you start to get really worried?
HOLLOWAY: I was really worried that day. Absolutely. I booked a flight to go to Aruba the next day on a commercial airline and my son called me late that night and indicated that, you know, her flight was rebooked the next day. So I canceled the appointment, thought somebody rebooked it.
KING: Had rebooked her flight.
HOLLOWAY: Had rebooked it. It was a precautionary measure. Still concerned, I thought maybe something did happen she did miss the flight. I canceled out about 1:00 in the morning. In Meridian, Mississippi, it's not easy to get out to Aruba.
The next morning, 8:00 or 9:00, I realized she was not getting on that flight.
KING: What happened when you got there?
HOLLOWAY: What happened when I got there?
KING: Don't worry about that.
HOLLOWAY: We first got on the island, had an extra day to prepare, I rented a rental car and we're looking at two days of her missing. We drove around, got lost, found the first Police station. I walked in, identified myself. I was in a panic state. My brother was there, my brother-in-law was there to help hold me up.
I went to the desk and asked the detective if he was handling the case. He acted like he didn't know what I was talking about, if I had filed a complaint? I said, no, Natalee Holloway, she's been reported missing in the last two days?
He summoned all the rest of the officers up there, they didn't know about it.
KING: Really?
HOLLOWAY: The Arubaans are, all the common people are very helpful and always wanted to help. One of the guys picked up a newspaper, there it is right in there the newspaper, reported today. I thought, oh, my gosh, I'm really in for it.
KING: Was your wife there, too? HOLLOWAY: No. She was off somewhere else on the island. I didn't make contact with her until later.
KING: Did a time come when you figured you ain't going to see her again?
HOLLOWAY: Initially, I had that feeling before I left Meridian, just knowing her personality, I knew something probably happened, but I was just hoping it didn't.
KING: Were there time is a long the way you got encouraging feelings?
HOLLOWAY: I was always encouraged. I'm a very optimistic and positive person and I thought if I didn't find her while I was searching, in my mind, I thought that was positive because we eliminated a negative result. Unfortunately, after 75 days, we still didn't find her.
KING: The book is "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise." We'll find out why Dave calls it corruption. We're taking your phone calls and showing you pictures you've never seen before. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with Dave Holloway. What's been the impact of all of this on you and the current wife?
HOLLOWAY: You know, it's been tough, Larry. You know, we've just basically put our life on hold for the last 11 months. But we're making it through it.
KING: What's your theory? What's the latest you know? What's the status of the investigation? Where are we?
HOLLOWAY: Well they just cleared the sand dunes this past week and then coincidentally they had a Dutch program, similar to "America;s Most Wanted." They came in and did a reenactment of the car and this type of stuff, hoping they would jog somebody's memory and get some tips and leads.
KING: That's running tonight right?
HOLLOWAY: That ran today.
KING: It's called "Arrest Requested?"
HOLLOWAY: Yes.
KING: Do you hope that will do some help?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I'm hoping. We've had the American media involved all this time and I'm hoping that maybe if the Dutch are involved, they will have some confidence in coming forward for this Dutch program.
KING: Do you have your own theory?
HOLLOWAY: I do have a theory, a 90 percent, I guess and what concerns me is the Police really haven't followed it.
KING: Which is?
HOLLOWAY: Well I think the three boys are still the primary suspects and I think they included some of their friends and I think they used a boat.
KING: And threw her in the ocean?
HOLLOWAY: Possibly.
KING: Do you have any idea as to why?
HOLLOWAY: Why they did that? Well like they their daddy said, "No body. No case."
KING: So in other words, once they raped her or whatever they did, they had to get rid of the body?
HOLLOWAY: If it was accidental, you wouldn't do that.
KING: So do you have any hope, any hope of possibly seeing her?
HOLLOWAY: Well, as my little girl said the other day, every time Robin gets emotional, she's my daughter, eight-years-old she says, "Mommy, just think about this. She's on vacation for a long period of time, but we'll see her again." That gives us hope.
KING: You said you like the Aruban people?
HOLLOWAY: I do. They've all been very friendly.
KING: All trying to help?
HOLLOWAY: All trying to help.
KING: Officials trying to help?
HOLLOWAY: Now that's a different story.
KING: What do you think went wrong there?
HOLLOWAY: I think you have a combination of the Police probably turning their head the other way. You know, you stop and think about it. You've got a 17-year-old kid where the legal drinking age in Aruba is 18, the legal gambling age is 18 and legal driving age is 18.
He violated all these rules and gambled with his father in the casino. So if the Police turn a blind eye on that, what are they going to do if he gets in more serious trouble?
KING: Why do you think they do, why turn a blind eye? HOLLOWAY: I think probably tourism has a big thing to do with it. Because I know when I arrived on the island, I got up to do a search the next day and I was approached by someone representing the tourism authority that they did not want me doing a search because it would bring too much media attention to the island.
KING: No kidding?
HOLLOWAY: No kidding.
KING: You have never gone through anything like a mock funeral, right?
HOLLOWAY: As far as Natalee's case, no. We did see a cross that somebody erected right there where the boat launch is and had her initials put up on the corner. We took pictures and that was the last day I stayed on the island.
KING: There's a news story out of Aruba today that Police said that they were looking for a woman who allegedly harassed a woman on the beach nine days before your daughter went missing. A tourist reported that a man in his twenties harassed her on the same beach where a Dutch youth says he dropped off Holloway the night she disappeared. "
We have no concrete proof that this incident has any relation to Natalee's disappearance, but we can't disregard it," the official said. What do you make of that?
HOLLOWAY: That's old news, Larry.
KING: It's not old, it just came out.
HOLLOWAY: Well, it is. The F.B.I. did a profile probably three or four months ago, the lady met with the FBI. They did a profile, she identified the vehicle, gave a very good identification of the individual.
When I was in Aruba, back in October, Art Wood and I were traveling around. We saw the guy, someone that looked just like what she had identified. We wrote down the tag number and gave it to the Police.
KING: Art Wood told me he was going to stay, he was convinced he was going to get an answer. He's some guy.
HOLLOWAY: Oh yes. And what gets me is they know the identity of the vehicle. You have an island that has -- all the cars. Why can't they run a license check on all the Suzukis?
KING: Let's take a call for Dave Holloway. The book is "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise." Plymouth, Michigan, hello.
CALLER: Hello.
KING: Hi.
CALLER: When they first brought out the story about Natalee, they talked about Joran and his friends and one of the friends was described as being an operator or owner of a party boat.
And it just makes sense to me that if they were going to get rid of the body, he would have his friend take her out in a party boat and dump her. I'm wondering why they haven't grilled this guy until he would -- I mean, no more has been said about him. Why wouldn't they grill him until they could find out, if that were the case? And no mention has ever been made of that again.
HOLLOWAY: I think that individual was possibly Steve Croes, the guy the D.J. on the party barge. He was one of Deepak's alibis. And he was arrested and they did talk to him and then they finally released him.
KING: Many of the pictures you're seeing have never been shown before, brought along by Dave for this appearance tonight. The book is "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise." We'll continue with Dave with more of your phone calls.
Now let's check in with Anderson Cooper, the host of "A.C. 360." Anderson, what's up tonight?
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Larry, coming up at the top of the hour, Iran says it has gone nuclear. The president of that country today said they have joined the nuclear club and that is a powerful, and to many people, very scary proposition. All the angles on that story tonight, including what Don Rumsfeld said about the speculation the U.S. might strike Iran soon.
We'll also continue our look at the battle on the border and give you an idea of what it would cost you if there were no low-wage immigrant workers. You might be surprised at the impact. All that and more, Larry, at the top of the hour.
KING: Thanks, Anderson. "ANDERSON COOPER 360" at 10:00 Eastern. And we'll be right back with more of Dave Holloway right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who's our guest today?
NATALEE HOLLOWAY: It's hootie (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hootie-who (ph) Holloway.
NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Hi, friends. Just, you know, sitting in the back, cruising over to my place and you're doing an excellent job. And I just want to say happy birthday. You know, you look like a new woman and I'm sure you feel like one, too. And the beach was a blast. I had the best time of my time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you properly buckled, Hootie. Oh, you're not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Our guest is Dave Holloway. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Natalee Holloway Foundation for Missing Persons. A portion of the proceeds from this book will go to the Natalee Holloway Foundation for Missing Persons, a portion of the pros from this book. Omaha, Nebraska.
CALLER: Hello, Mr. Holloway. We were told you visited Joran in jail and give him a copy of "The Purpose Driven Life." Is that true and why did you give it to him?
HOLLOWAY: I did meet with Joran in jail? In fact his father, mother and a few other guests stopped me outside the prison and I asked to meet with him and he would not oblige.
KING: Are you fan of that book?
HOLLOWAY: What book?
KING: "Purposes Driven Life."
HOLLOWAY: Oh, yes.
KING: Were you happy the media was as involved as it was?
HOLLOWAY: Let me tell you this, if the media hadn't shown up, this case would have been swept under the table the first day.
KING: Why do you think it drew such interest?
HOLLOWAY: I asked an AP writer about that showed up on the island a month or so after the event. A lot of people asked that question. He said there was not any news going on and it hit the wires and one guy said, hey, boss, let me cover that story. He did and everybody else followed.
KING: And people thought about their own kids. Patascla, Ohio. Hello.
CALLER: Hi, Mr. Holloway. I was curious. At one time, the van der Sloot property was going to be searched and he would not let anybody search his property. I know there was a well on his property. Has anybody ever been able to search that property?
HOLLOWAY: I don't think they've ever been able to search his residence, per se, but I do understand some dogs were passed by that well in question a number of times.
KING: Why did you use the word corruption in the title?
HOLLOWAY: Corruption?
KING: Corruption in paradise.
HOLLOWAY: When you walk to the Police station, when I finally got to the right one, the Police detective asked me how much money I had. It kind of shocked me because I didn't know what they really meant. We chalked that up as one red flag and all of a sudden, it started looking like a surveying field. Then you start thinking, what's going on?
There's a number of them we point out in the book.
KING: Did you have to make payoffs?
HOLLOWAY: No, I did not. I didn't know what he was talking about at the time. The second time around he asked me again, we were just individual to individual, no witnesses or anything like that. The second time, I thought he was talking about reward money and he changed the subject.
KING: Were you surprised that the Natalee you knew went partying that night?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I know when kids, 135 of them, go on an island and it's graduation, they're going to have a good time. It did surprise me a little bit that she was drinking what they said she was drinking and it really shocked me that she got in the car with someone else.
KING: Where was she going to go to college?
HOLLOWAY: The University of Alabama. I was hoping she would major in pre-med.
KING: Really? And be a doctor?
We'll be back in a few moments with Dave Holloway and more of your calls. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back with Dave Holloway. Rochester, New York.
CALLER: I'd like to know where were the chaperones when Natalee was out?
HOLLOWAY: As far as I know, there were seven or eight chaperones. I'm not sure where all of them were, some were scattered around the hotel. There may have even been one at Carlos and Charlie's. I'm not sure of that.
KING: Have you talked to a lot of the other students?
HOLLOWAY: I really haven't. Beth talked to all the students and the F.B.I. talked to all the students. I spent most of my time on the island. I was there 75 days constantly searching.
KING: The F.B.I. do a credible job?
HOLLOWAY: Oh, yes, the F.B.I. always does a good job.
KING: West Monroe, Louisiana. Hello.
CALLER: Hello, Larry, thanks for having me on your show. I'd just like to ask Mr. Holloway if he's ever considered the fact that his lovely daughter might have been sold into sexual slavery since it's all around the island of Aruba.
HOLLOWAY: We thought of that as a possibility. The way this investigation has gone, a lot of bizarre things have happened, it's possible. A lot of the evidence points the other direction. The F.B.I. indicated to us on June the 10th, this was being investigated as a homicide case. The Arubaans finally admitted it was sometime in October and that's the direction they're pointing as well.
KING: Tragically, that would be a hope.
HOLLOWAY: I guess I'm still in denial. I know Beth has conceded, our family just -- you just hope for a miracle, you never know.
KING: La Vista, Nebraska. Hello.
CALLER: My question is, have you gotten any assistance from psychics or are you willing to take any assistance from psychics or any kind of dreams that people have seen for information?
HOLLOWAY: I haven't directly solicited a psychic. I have had some come to us. In fact, there was one on the island that gave her input. I've had literally hundreds give input via e-mail.
KING: There's no way to deal with losing a child, is there?
HOLLOWAY: No. It's tough, especially when you don't know. You think sometimes it might be easier if it was just a car wreck and you can have closure. In this case, you wonder day-to-day, you know, is she out there or not? Finally, after a period of time, you finally start trying to concede she may not be with us.
KING: There's always that little bit of--
HOLLOWAY: Yes, still hold on to that thread, can't give it up.
KING: Don't. Dave Holloway. The book is "Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise." We thank Dave Holloway for being our guest.
On 4-11 BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY stated to FOX News:
SEAN HANNITY, HOST: And joining us now, Beth Holloway-Twitty. Welcome back, Beth to the program. Thanks for being with us.
BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY, MOTHER OF MISSING GIRL: Hi.
HANNITY: Lets talk about your attorney's filing opposition to Joran van der Sloot and his attorney in a motion to dismiss this and the location of this being in Aruba versus New York. Explain the controversy.
BETH: I really cannot do that. I have to leave that in the hands of John Kelly and Scott Balber...I mean they have all the answers for that, and I mean that is just really a subject I can't get involved in.
HANNITY: Can we talk about these few facts that there are other people, who are willing to testify in this case that Joran, for example, slipped pills into their drinks, and was involved in other assaults...wouldn't that be more likely to happen in New York...and not Aruba? Isn't that part of what this is about?
BETH: Well, those young girls...those are the girls, who came forward this summer. I believe they came forward in August, and were giving statements to the Police as to what Joran had done to them. And from what I am reading in the same papers that you are, that these young girls, obviously, will feel more comfortable coming forward in New York. I mean, they were really pressured by several different people and officials on the Island of Aruba to retract their statements. And it was difficult enough for them to come forward as it was.
HANNITY: Yeah, and it goes a little bit further here, and I think this goes to the heart of what you believe may very well have happened here, and that is she believes Mr. van der Sloot took her back to the apartment. This woman in this case did not mention your name, and that she was sexually assaulted by Joran van der Sloot, after she believes a narcotic substance of some kind was put in her drink...and she knows that she was fading in and out of consciousness...this would be KEY, you know, I think about the character...about the possibility of what may have happened to your daughter. We would need that testimony.
BETH: Oh, yes, and, you know, I think back to the first night that we arrived on the Island. The "Holiday Inn," the night-time manager, even by me just giving a description of Joran, it was just a portion of his name, either the first or last name, she immediately described him as, "Oh yeah, Joran van der Sloot. He tends to prey upon young female tourists."
HANNITY: Yeah, do you believe after having heard this, and this is a case in which she would testify to all of this in New York, but not Aruba. Do you believe her? Do you believe this is likely what happened to Natalee?
BETH: Oh, yes, absolutely I did, and we knew that this summer, when we were having these young girls come forward, that it was the same thing that had happened to Natalee, and how Joran describes Natalee. She is saying some very unusual things that are totally out of character for her. It sounds as if she has been drugged.
HANNITY: I want to go on and talk about this Dutch Most Wanted program that's to air tonight, as a matter of fact. Have you got any inside information about what is in this yet?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: I have received a translated version in English, and I just read it just a few minutes ago.
HANNITY: And?
BETH: Well, there were a couple of things in there that we had been onto this summer, and it was--they were looking for witnesses to come forward to disprove that Joran and Natalee were at the beach--not only prove it, but, disprove it, and in this Dutch Most Wanted version, Adolpho Richardson is saying that the fishermen--three fishermen--there that night said there was no way Joran and Natalee were at the beach that night at the fishermen's huts, and they were looking for other witnesses to disprove this, and they have them. They have had them all summer. They have restaurant help from the “Marriott.” They have the maids, the security guards, have all come forward and disproved that Joran and Deepak and Natalee being at the beach that night.
HANNITY: Oh, boy.
ALAN COLMES, HOST: Beth, welcome. Good to have you back on our show.
BETH: Hi, Alan.
COLMES: I want to get back to this affidavit that we are talking about today. In that affidavit that was filed, it talks about Natalee's character, and it talks about that this is a girl, who did not drink, who did not do drugs...in fact, went to Bible class, so it asserts what her character has been.
BETH: Natalee had no history, nothing in her past, to have her become this person that some of the officials on the Island of Aruba have tried to portray Natalee as. I mean, it is simply--I mean, none of that is true, at all.
COLMES: And this "Jane Doe," who testifies to saying that she has received threats...she doesn't want to testify in Aruba...she wants to testify in New York, because she feels that she is under threat, and she has received threats not only from Joran, but from Joran’s friends as well. Is that consistent with what you have experienced from having dealt with Joran and some people around him?
BETH: Oh yes, and not only that, some of these young girls were even threatened to retract their--getting them to retract their statements by officials in Aruba, so, it was one of the lead detectives there, so, no, these young girls, you know, they had alot of pressure on them as it was. And it was just tremendous for them to even come forward.
COLMES: You spent alot of time in Aruba talking to people, doing your due diligence, and I wonder how much you discovered about other women talking about having those kinds of experiences with Joran, as apparently some attest to in this affidavit?
BETH: Oh, I didn't actually meet these young girls, but I was just aware of them through--at that time, we had a couple of different attorneys on the Island that we were working with, and we were just kinda’ of uncovering this information.
COLMES: Whatever became of, we talked about a new witness, the chief of Police, who said there was a new witness, apparently now has stepped down? According to one report, that new witness turned out to be his brother-in-law, according to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was a drug dealer, and now that chief of Police has stepped down. What became of that witness, was that much ado about nothing?
BETH: Well, that is Dompig's wife's brother, Booty, and they were really just---several of the officials were just taking advantage of Booty by having him say whatever they wanted to. I think in the beginning we had a lead detective, Dennis Jacobs, who--he was able to coach Booty into saying that he had seen the two minority security guards taking Natalee that night, which we know now that never happened. So we look back at the different people that have been able to take advantage of Booty. It is just so wrong what they have done. I mean, he is just not capable of being a credible witness.
HANNITY: Beth, last question: does this chief of Police, who made these outrageous comments about your daughter without any evidence, is there any way you can bring legal action against him, or would you consider that?
BETH: I don't really know what you can do in a country as Aruba. I mean it is a sovereign country. I just don't have any idea as far as what you can do. I mean, that is in the hands of John Kelly, and I am sure he knows exactly what he can't and can do.
HANNITY: Alright, well, Beth we wish you the best, and, you know, we admire your fight, we really do. Thanks for being with us tonight. Thanks again.
BETH: Thank you.
On 4-11 MSNBC reported:
* original transcription wrote “800,000” feet of water; I changed to the accurately stated 800 feet of water
But still ahead tonight, we have new details in the Natalee Holloway case. The Dutch version of “America‘s Most Wanted” takes on the case and is releasing a sketch that could be tied to the Holloway case. We‘re going to show it to you, and it‘s coming up on LIVE AND DIRECT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSBY: And, tonight, Aruban Police are pleading with the public for help in the search for missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway.
We are now going to give you a first look at a Dutch TV special that is hitting the airwaves, complete with a reenactment of the night that Natalee vanished, kind of like our “America‘s Most Wanted” program. Police are asking some potential witnesses to come forward who may have key information. We are going to give you a glimpse some revealing evidence, including images of what could be Natalee Holloway's final car ride.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Hey, Natalee, what are you doing, girl? You‘re crazy. Get out of the car.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Don‘t worry. They will bring me back to the hotel.
NARRATOR (through translator): But Natalee cannot be convinced. She disappears into the Aruba night.
This is the last image we have from Natalee.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: And live and direct tonight is Rick Segall. He is with “America‘s Most Wanted,” the program that is working hand in hand with Dutch TV on this latest special.
You know, we just saw sort of a glimpse of that surveillance tape that is sort of Natalee going off in the car. We see the car, actually. What other nuggets did you think were interesting and sort of knew?
RICK SEGALL, “AMERICA‘S MOST WANTED”: To be perfectly honest, there is—there is no real bombshells in this piece from “Opsporing Verzocht.” That—that‘s the Dutch version of “America‘s Most Wanted.”
It was kind of hard for us to believe, but the producers of the program said that, in the Netherlands, they are really not as familiar with the Natalee Holloway case as we are here. You know, here, everyone has seeing the story 10 times, if not 100. But, there, this is very much a nuts-and-bolts recreation of what happened.
We were asked by Gerald Dompig a little over a month ago if we could sort of partner up with the program, sort of serve as—as their U.S. contact, and—and go over there, do a behind-the-scenes of the program, which we did. And, also, we are sort of the liaison between them and the Holloway family.
COSBY: You know, Rick, as we were looking...
SEGALL: So, tonight...
COSBY: We were looking at some of that surveillance video, and it aired, right, tonight? So, what—what has the reaction been so far?
SEGALL: We—we spoke to producers there about an hour ago. At that point, they had received about 50 tips. Most of those had come in from the Netherlands, a few from Aruba.
But, right now, in prime time in Aruba, the—the piece is airing again. So, they are hoping that more tips are going to be coming in from Aruba, sort of interesting that, you know, this serves—in addition to giving people in the Netherlands and Aruba another good look at this case, it‘s also offering another place where tips can go.
So, if for one reason or another, people don‘t want to call their tips in to Aruba, they are able to call in to “Opsporing Verzocht.” And, also, since it was announced that we are working hand in hand with the program, we have been getting tips in, actually, from the Netherlands at “America‘s Most Wanted.” So, it has been a good partnership. And—and we are hoping something really good comes of it.
COSBY: And, really quick, they also talk about this other woman that was harassed on the beach. I want to play—this is just a few days before Natalee Holloway.
Let me play that clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The 21st of May 2005, nine days before Natalee disappeared, a woman was harassed here at the beach, were close to the fisherman‘s hut by an unknown man.
We don‘t know if that has anything to do with Natalee‘s disappearance, but it might be connected to it. This is a sketch of that man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: You know, why do you—why do you glean that they are releasing the sketch now, after all this time?
SEGALL: At—at this point, anything can help the investigation. I mean, they are looking for any nugget.
So, if the sketch could be helpful and jog somebody‘s memory, you know, that‘s great. The problem is, they went down. They did the search of the sand dunes down there with the ground-penetrating sonar. And after being down there, the last of the team went back. The Dutch forensic team went back on Friday.
So, nothing really came out of that. We just found out today that Tim Miller from Texas EquuSearch is planning on going down two weeks from now to continue his search of—of the waters off the coast of Aruba to get to that 800* feet and deeper.
So, again, any new bit of information that can come out of this, they‘re—they are just trying to check things off one by one...
COSBY: All right.
(CROSSTALK)
SEGALL: ... and see if they can come up with something good.
COSBY: Rick, thank you very much. We appreciate it.
Now let‘s bring in, if we could, Natalee‘s mom, Beth Holloway-Twitty.
Beth, let me play real quick—this is about the tipster. This is some guy from Colombia that sounds like the—the thing that led to this big recent search. This is first time we sort of heard sort of the basis of it. Here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Last year, the 31st of December, 2005, we think it was a Colombian man who called. And he wanted to be anonymous. He called Carlos 'N Charlie's, the last place where Natalee was seen, and he said that Natalee was buried somewhere. And we really want to get into contact with that man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: You know, Beth, how many details did you get about this tipster before? And do you put any stock in it?
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, MOTHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Well, the only time I heard them mention—this was Karin Janssen—about a Colombian being a witness was that—it was the morning after. I believe this was probably on May 30 that there were some witnesses overheard a Colombian speaking of what he had seen during those early-morning hours.
So, I don‘t know if this is the same witness, but they—Karin Janssen was mentioning a Colombian witness had overheard some conversations at a gas station.
COSBY: Interesting.
You know, also, they talk about Deepak‘s car and show the images.
Let‘s play that clip again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Hey, Natalee, what are you doing, girl? You‘re crazy. Get out of the car.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Don‘t worry. They will bring me back to the hotel.
NARRATOR: But Natalee cannot be convinced. She disappears into the Aruba night.
This is the last image we have from Natalee.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: Now, did you know there was surveillance tape? And how tough is it for you to see this, too?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: You know, Rita, I will be honest. Probably, the toughest thing for me to—that I have seen during this nightmare is just a while ago, when I saw the surveillance tape of the Deepak‘s gray Honda.
And even though you cannot see any of the individuals in the car, you know, I know that she is in there. And she is fully believing that they are just returning her to the "Holiday Inn" hotel. How—how wrong are these three suspects to take a life like that? It‘s just—it‘s just unimaginable that they have been allowed to do this.
COSBY: And, again, this is the Police version. So, this is what they say are—are the facts in the case.
It is—and it‘s tough for us to see, Beth.
You know, today attorneys representing you and also Dave did sort of a counter-filing, and this is maintaining that you want these boys, you know, to be civilly sued. This is when, of course, Joran and his family came to the United States. This is Joran and his parents.
And I want to play a little—this is just a little clip of what‘s in there, what says in the filing. It says: “For the plaintiffs, who have been subjected to intimidation, hostility and death threats, Aruba represents a corrosive and poisonous environment.”
What do you think your chances are that this case, that you will actually get your day in court with the van der Sloot's or Joran in the United States, especially when the decision is expected to come mid-May, Beth?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Well, Rita, you know, I really don‘t have any information on that or—or thoughts as to how that will go. It‘s all in the hands of John Kelly (ph) and Scott Valber (ph) and Jerome Katz (ph).
So, you know, I just put 1000 percent confidence in them. And, you know, I just think they are the most incredible men that—that are involved with—in—in Natalee‘s life. And I‘m just grateful that I know that they know—I know they know to proceed forward. So...
COSBY: Well, Beth, our prayers are with you, as always. And thank you for being with us, I‘m sure what‘s a little bit of tough night. Thank you very much.
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Thanks. Thanks, Rita.
COSBY: And still ahead, everybody, will the show help vindicate Joran van der Sloot or implicate him in Natalee‘s disappearance? I will ask his attorney. He‘s coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: If you have a story you want Rita to investigate, call our tip line, 1-877-TIP-RITA, or log on to our Web site, Rita.MSNBC.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Last year, the 31st of December 2005, we think it was a Colombian man who call, and he wanted to be anonymous. He called Carlos 'N Charlie's, the last place where Natalee was seen, and he said that Natalee was buried somewhere. And we really want to get into contact with that man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: And they are still looking for that man. And that was a Dutch Investigator, just hours ago, asking a potentially key witness to come forward, as you heard, in the Natalee Holloway case.
It was all part of a Dutch TV special about Natalee‘s disappearance. Aruban Police are hoping more witnesses come forward and share information that they may have about the night Natalee vanished.
And live on the phone right now from Aruba—and he‘s Joran van der Sloot‘s American defense attorney—Joe Tacopina.
Joe, what have you been doing down in Aruba?
JOE TACOPINA, ATTORNEY FOR JORAN VAN DER SLOOT : Some work, Rita.
COSBY: And—and who have you been talking to, what kind of people?
TACOPINA: Witnesses. No, I mean, look...
COSBY: And what kind of witnesses?
TACOPINA: ... we have been—we have been—we...
(LAUGHTER)
TACOPINA: Myself, a group of our lawyers and—and a team of Investigators led by Les Levine, a bunch of homicide detectives have been down here with us. And we have been speaking to as many witnesses as we could speak to, obviously, and—and reviewing every single document we can get our hands on.
And—and we have made a lot of progress, spent, obviously, a lot of time with our client. And—and I got to tell you, I feel as confident, Rita, as ever in this kid‘s innocence, his utter innocence. And—and we have made some very good progress. And—and, you know, I‘m—I‘m excited for a resolution in this case.
Again, I—let me say this is not as a—sort of a—a boiler plate statement, but I hope and—and pray for this Holloway family, that they get some resolve. But I also hope and pray that for the van der Sloot family, that they get some as well.
COSBY: You bet.
You know, I want to play, Joe—this is a clip from the special, where they talk about—and I found this interesting—we actually talked to this woman. And we are going to have her on our show, in fact, later on this week. This is a woman who says that she was also attacked by someone a few days on the beach at the same place where it seems that Natalee was.
And this is—it‘s interesting. They are putting out a sketch now.
Here‘s this clip from Dutch TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The 21st of May 2005, nine days before Natalee disappeared, a woman was harassed here at the beach, were close to the fisherman‘s hut by an unknown man.
We don‘t know if that has anything to do with Natalee‘s disappearance, but it might be connected to it. This is a sketch of that man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: You know, you‘re—you‘re down there, Joe. Is this something you‘re looking into and that authorities seem to really be looking in to, that sketch?
TACOPINA: Absolutely, Rita.
And let me say, I—I—I concur with the—the new superintendent in charge of this investigation. No one knows, but here has—here has been my—my gripe all along. I came into this case, oh, two months ago. And—and what I found was an unbelievable conscious avoidance of—of evidence and information that leads to anything other than Joran van der Sloot.
And—and—and it drove me crazy. And I saw Police reports and—and things, as a former homicide prosecutor, Rita, that I—you know, we would want to follow up on.
COSBY: And, Joe, really quick...
TACOPINA: The new superintendent said...
COSBY: I have got to get you real quick on the Deep—on anything interesting on Deepak. You told me right before the show something on Deepak with an instant message, real quick.
TACOPINA: Well, real quick is that, after he got out of jail and spoke to one of his friends on a computer, he acknowledged to a good friend of his that he drove Joran van der Sloot home that night. So, so much for the issue of, you know, Joran walking or not.
COSBY: Very interesting.
Joe Tacopina, thank you very much.
And, again, everybody, we have had their attorney on, Deepak and Satish‘s attorney, on the show, saying that was not the case. But you just heard from Joe that he has actually seen an instant message where he is telling a friend that right after Deepak got out of jail.
Joe, thank you very much. We are going to talk with you when you come back.
And, when we come back, everybody, is this Dutch TV really going to help, or is it just lip service from the Aruban and Dutch governments?
That‘s coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSBY: New hope in the Natalee Holloway mystery tonight. Will a Dutch TV reenactment of the teen‘s last night in Aruba finally help Police figure out what happened to her?
Here again is the clip from that Dutch TV program asking anyone with information to come forward.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Hey, Natalee, what are you doing, girl? You‘re crazy. Get out of the car.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Don‘t worry. They will bring me back to the hotel.
NARRATOR (through translator): But Natalee cannot be convinced. She disappears into the Aruba night.
This is the last image we have from Natalee.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: And joining us now is former prosecutor Lisa Pinto and also criminal defense attorney Jayne Weintraub.
(CROSSTALK)
COSBY: Jayne, do you think that this is going to help? Let me put up the sketch, because I think this is interesting. They‘re putting out this sketch. It seems very strange. You know, this is, you know, many, many, you know, months after the fact, by far, almost a year after the fact. This is a woman who was on the beach, who says that this guy harassed her and tried to expose himself, do something, same beach where Natalee was.
Could this be tied at all, Jayne, or is this a red herring?
JAYNE WEINTRAUB, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It‘s neither, Rita.
I mean, it‘s uncorroborated, too late, too little. It‘s nothing. It‘s—it‘s anonymous tips coming from nowhere that couldn‘t be—it couldn‘t serve as—as an—an affidavit. It couldn‘t serve as any substance. There‘s no evidence here.
Look, in a perfect world, everybody would wish that the Holloways could know what happened to Natalee. That is not going to happen here.
(CROSSTALK)
WEINTRAUB: You had Ernie Allen on the other night, Rita.
COSBY: But, Lisa, in this case...
LISA PINTO, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Jayne...
COSBY: In this case, we know that this woman did come forward. We spoke to this woman.
PINTO: Right.
COSBY: Albeit, you know, it still seems—I mean, look, it‘s—it‘s almost—it‘s almost a year the fact that you‘re putting this out. Why, Lisa?
PINTO: Well, you know, Lita Sullivan—you remember the Atlanta socialite murder, the woman who was killed over 15, 20 years ago. That case was solved, based on tips from “America‘s Most Wanted.”
Viewers called in Thailand and Costa Rica to say, we have seen that guy. We know where he is. Come and get him.
Another woman came forward and said, oh, by the way...
WEINTRAUB: Lisa, this is not identified.
PINTO: But, Jayne, the point is, 20 years later, that case was solved, based on a TV show. It could happen here.
COSBY: All right.
PINTO: I don‘t want to get Mrs. Twitty‘s hopes up, but 50 tips are very useful information. People, there is a woman who saw four guys burying a body.
WEINTRAUB: Oh, do you believe that, Lisa?
COSBY: You guys, let me talk—let me talk about another tip, you guys, because the Dutch TV program also talked about a Colombian man. And Beth just corroborated that she also heard this from the prosecutor.
(CROSSTALK)
COSBY: This is a guy who apparently called Carlos 'N Charlie's with a tip about Natalee. And now they want to find that man again.
Listen—at least listen to the program. Then we will get you guys to react.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Last year, the 31st of December, 2005, we think it was a Colombian man who called. And he wanted to be anonymous. He called Carlos 'N Charlie's, the last place where Natalee was seen, and he said that Natalee was buried somewhere. And we really want to get into contact with that man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSBY: You know, Lisa, again...
WEINTRAUB: This tipster, Rita...
COSBY: Yes, well, that‘s why—that‘s a good point.
WEINTRAUB: ... he may be Colombian.
COSBY: Right.
WEINTRAUB: I mean, it‘s ridiculous. This is a tale...
(CROSSTALK)
WEINTRAUB: ... tabloids.
COSBY: The only thing—the only thing that was interesting is, Beth just said she was told the same thing from prosecutors.
But, again, Jayne, is it just grasping for straws at this point?
WEINTRAUB: It is totally grasping for straws. There is no evidence. The family needs to go forward, as hard as that is to say and to mean, because you know what, Rita? There are thousands of kids in America...
COSBY: When you say go forward, Jayne, what do you mean by go forward?
WEINTRAUB: I think that the family needs to—to have some personal grief time and go forward with their lives.
This case, there is no case. This case should be closed. We should be surfacing and using all of these resources for kids that can be found.
PINTO: Dr. Jayne, Dr. Jayne...
WEINTRAUB: Lisa...
PINTO: ... since when is there a one-year statute of limitations on murder, for goodness‘ sake?
(CROSSTALK)
WEINTRAUB: Can I say one thing, Lisa?
PINTO: This case should stay open for as long as it takes to find out who it was...
WEINTRAUB: Let it stay open.
PINTO: ... who was the last person to see Natalee Holloway alive, and where her body is.
(CROSSTALK)
COSBY: All right, you guys, let me get you to react to this, because I thought this was significant.
Joe Tacopina, Joran van der Sloot‘s attorney, just, I thought, passed on some pretty heavy information. We have had the attorney from Deepak and Satish on our show before. And he has said that the boys did not take Joran home. We just heard from Joe Tacopina, who is in Aruba, he said that he has seen an instant message with Deepak telling a friend that he took Joran home.
Lisa—who is lying here, Lisa?
(CROSSTALK)
COSBY: Let me get Lisa.
Lisa, who is lying?
PINTO: One thing for sure we know about Joran is that he has lied about stuff. He admits that himself.
We don‘t know much else, except that he was with Natalee, and as he—in his own words, he cuddled with her. So, I would respectfully argue that the Aruban Police shouldn‘t give up on him just yet, despite what Mr. Tacopina says. We don‘t know who killed her. We certainly don‘t know at this point.
But as long as this TV program starts sparking people‘s memories, perhaps witnesses will come forward, forensic evidence will develop.
COSBY: All right, guys. That‘s going to have be...
PINTO: Let‘s not close this case just yet.
COSBY: Going to have be the last word, both of you. We will have you on...
WEINTRAUB: If she weren‘t a beautiful, blonde, white girl, we wouldn‘t be talking about this tabloid tale anymore.
PINTO: Oh, that‘s irrelevant.
WEINTRAUB: There‘s no...
(CROSSTALK)
COSBY: Well, I would hope that we would cover any case, especially, guys, any...
PINTO: That‘s irrelevant.
COSBY: ... American missing in a foreign country in a case that has been, certainly, questionably handled. Guys, we absolutely would cover it.
Everybody, we are going to be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSBY: … And, everybody, also, coming up tomorrow night, Natalee‘s father says there‘s much more to the story than is being told about his daughter‘s disappearance. Dave Holloway is going to join us to discuss why he has written a new book to continue his mission to find answers about what happened to Natalee on the island of Aruba.
On 4-11 FOX News reported:
(TACOPINA said he is in Aruba with the Murder Suspects VAN DER SLOOT’s, watching the Dutch television show “Arrest Requested” reenactment of Natalee’s last night in ARUBA)
VAN SUSTEREN: Joining us on the phone from Aruba is Joe Tacopina, Joran and Paul van der Sloot's attorney. Welcome, Joe.
TACOPINA: Thank's Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: So, Joe, what was the reaction of your clients to this reenactment?
TACOPINA: You know, I think we are all questionable whether it is going to have any true evidentory value...I don't think anything that was put out there is something new (UNINTELLIGIBLE), but one thing that we did take from it, and they were relieved, and the new chief Superintendant, the Police chief, who is running this, seems to have a different perspective on things, and seems to be headed in the right direction in that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and one thing that he has pointed out is that something that we have recently received in Police reports down here. We have F.B.I. reports documenting not just that one woman, who was accosted on the beach nine days before, the 30th, before the Natalee Holloway disappearance, but other women within days of that, who also had similar incidents and problems. And the fact that is being looked at now, which obviously in the past had not been looked at, gives us great solace and great hope that they are going to now relook at--take a fresh look at this investigation hopefully get some answers.
VAN SUSTEREN: Joe, here is what I don't understand is on the AP Wires tonight--the AP, the Associated Press, is reporting from this reenactment that it was said that the Police are looking for a man, who allegedly harassed a woman on the beach nine days before Natalee vanished. And that the woman reported that man was in his 20's, and it was the same beach, the Marriott. Why in the world didn't the Police make that known about that time, so that others on the lookout, and so perhaps this person could have been found?
TACOPINA: How about that Greta? I mean, that is what I have been saying all along. I have been in this case for two months, and it is astonishing to me that the documents I have seen, especially these last three days we have been down here working at the law office with our Investigators...we have seen all of these documents, but not heard a word of, including those, Greta, which is astounding to me because it cannot be Joran van der Sloot, that means we do not look at it. That is the impression I got, and hopefully this new superintendant, who by all accounts is a different individual, is a serious Investigator, is trained in the legal profession [and] seems to really have a head on his shoulders. You know he got off on the right foot, in the sense that he (UNINTELLIGIBLE) take a look at everything, there is not a stitch of evidence that implicates Joran, and, you know, I am not worried at them doing a full, thorough investigation and hopefully (UNINTELLIGIBLE), and that's right--why was that not mentioned? Why was that not looked at? Why was that not put out there, so maybe 11 months ago, Greta, someone could have said, "hey, I have seen someone like that, too"? We have F.B.I. reports here that talk about people, who have had similar incidences as that woman.
VAN SUSTEREN: And not to put fuel on your existing fire, but I have spoken to a couple, who have had a similar experience, and I cannot get them to come forward. They will not let their names be known, but I have spoken to them on a number of occasions. One quick question to you, Joe, and then I gotta go--the civil case, will your clients actually come to New York to in this May hearing?
TACOPINA: That hasn't been decided yet, but, Greta, it is unlikely. I mean, they don't need to be there. I'll be there. We are very confident in the end result of that, and particularly based upon threats that have been issued to Joran and his father by people in support of the Holloway family...you know, I don't think we need to have them do that. There is really no need for it.
VAN SUSTEREN: Alright, Joe. Thank you. Joining us live on the phone is ARUBA TODAY editor, Julia Renfro. Welcome, Julia.
RENFRO: Hi, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Julia, I am intrigued by the information I have learned tonight that you have seen a video that is of the "Holiday Inn" lobby about 3:15 in the morning at the time that Natalee had vanished. What can you tell me about this video?
RENFRO: There has always been a strong suspicion that Natalee returned back to the "Holiday Inn," as her room opened right up to the beach, just several hundred yards up from where Joran van der Sloot left her, and the video tape that I saw is a security tape of the lobby, and it is actually pointed directly at the front desk, and the young lady walks up, and she is identical to Natalee right down to the clothes and the shoes, and we compared this to the surveillance tape to the casino--the same walk, the same shoes, the same style--it is identical. This tape is time stamped after three A. M. when the suspect, Joran van der Sloot actually had an alibi with computer records and phone records.
VAN SUSTEREN: Can you actually see the face? Is it grainy, and you can just see the clothes?
RENFRO: It is very grainy. You can see her height. You can see her body shape. You can see the clothes--the style of clothes, style of shoes. The length of the hair, nose, body, etcetera.
VAN SUSTEREN: I assume the Police have this video.
RENFRO: Yes, they have.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you know how long they have had the video?
RENFRO: Since the beginning. I say since the early morning hours of June 1st.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you know what the Police think of this video?
RENFRO: I think originally they felt that this was Natalee. They did bring the Holloways and the Twittys to see it early on. I believe that Dave was a little bit unsure--the father of Natalee was unsure if it was Natalee or not. Beth, the mother, was very sure that it wasn't.
VAN SUSTEREN: One quick question--was it sent to the F.B.I. for enhancement ro improve the quality, so that we could make a better judgment?
RENFRO: I’m not aware of that.
VAN SUSTEREN: Alright, Julia. Thank you.
VAN SUSTEREN: The Dutch TV Reenactment of Natalee's last known hours help Police find her. Lets bring in the legal panel. Joining us live from San Francisco is former assistant DA is Jim Hammer; in Los Angeles attorney, Gloria Alred; and in Washington, criminal defense attorneys, Ted Williams and Bernie Grimm.
Ted, apparently, the English translation of this show is “Arrest Requested.” That was played today in Holland and in Aruba. This reenactment., now that at least part of it has aired, do you respect results?
WILLIAMS: Absolutely not. This is so nonsensical that it would be comedy, if not for the tragedy that has taken place. Just think about this--in doing this nine or ten months later, pretty close to a year later, number one; What do you have in Aruba more than anything else? Tourists. Now most of those tourists are no longer there, so, you are going to play this for the public that is there. Hey, look they may or may not have seen anything. Number two; Then you are drawing a sketch (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that you should have put out nine months ago. This is comedy, and it is a sad tragedy, and it shouldn't happen this way!
VAN SUSTEREN: Jim, everytime something comes out of Aruba lately. I get, I don’t know, more distressed. The fact that out of this reenactment, the Associated Press is saying that they are looking for a man, who allegedly harassed a woman on the beach nine days before Natalee vanished, and it is just coming out now, on April 11th, is nothing short of astounding.
HAMMER: It leaves you speechless, that, together with this evidence or at least suggestion by Julia Renfro about this video of the hotel lobby, leaves me, frankly, confused at this point. I will say this about that video, Greta--I think I was gonna say if you have competent Police, and I am not sure about that--if you have competent Police in this case, if they believe that video at all, they would have quickly moved away from Joran van der Sloot. It leads me to believe that people did not believe it.
VAN SUSTEREN: But even if they did not believe that video, they should have least sent it off for a professional enhancement. I don't care how (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
HAMMER: But you asked the perfect question. You asked the perfect question. I've had videos where you could not make someone out, and in one case actually found out the defendant was not guilty and let him go, and in another case, it helped to convict somebody. So, I don't know why they are not following this up. If they don't want to, or, they are just a bunch of bumbling idiots, frankly.
VAN SUSTEREN: Gloria, can you think if any explanation not to send, assuming the video was not sent our for enhancement? I mean, we may have made an assumption that is not fair to the Police, but at least any thoughts on why just to sort of discount this video?
ALRED: No, I can't understand why they wouldn't unless they hadn't thought about it, but if they hadn't thought about it, well, that is kind of frightening because it is so obvious.
VAN SUSTEREN: You know, Bernie, here is what we do know--We do know that about 3 o'clock in the morning Joran van der Sloot is on his computer sending an email. If this video is indeed Natalee--and we are taking a big leap of faith--that places her back in the hotel at 3 o'clock. We know that someone used a key card at about 3:15 or 3:20. I mean all of these things, you would think, would have the Police force out in full force looking for somebody.
GRIMM: Yeah, I mean if that is Natalee--and I listened very closely to Julia Renfro--she said it looked like her, her height was the same, her clothes were identical, the walk was the same, the shoes were the same, the hair was the same, she said her nose was the same. To me that was very chilling that you could almost see Natalee walk across, but then again, if her mother says “No,“ I really have to go with her mother.
VAN SUSTEREN: I would rather go with having it enhanced because I certainly trust Beth, but, I will go with an enhanced video over...
GRIMM: It is funny you said that, because when I was interviewed about this about 2 o'clock this afternoon, these were the first words out of my mouth. You can go right down the street to technical services at Quantico, and they would have it enhanced in 24 hours.
VAN SUSTEREN: Ted, if they haven't done it yet...
ALRED: Maybe it is time to do it now to get the answers.
VAN SUSTEREN: Let me be sarcastic--What‘s the rush?!
WILLIAMS: Well, this is so Keystone, and this is an embarrassment for the Aruban Police Department to have a tape possibly that maybe Natalee, and, by the way--Why did they not make this part of the, so-called, reenactment? We knew that the law enforcement was working hand-in-hand with this agency to do a reenactment. You would have thought that they would have put the boy's face out there or something out there. This is just so phony that it is just terrible and embarrassing.
VAN SUSTEREN: Gloria, any recommendations for this Police force?
ALRED: My recommendation is that they continue to gather all of the evidence that they can gather. I doesn't appear to be over, until its over, and if they have any new leads they had better follow them, because alot of people are watching.
VAN SUSTEREN: And I sure hope that they did send it out for enhancement, and we just don't have all the information. I can't believe that they wouldn't have sent it out for enhancement. It is so basic. They must have, right?
WILLIAMS: Absolutely.
VAN SUSTEREN: Alright, panel, please stand by. Coming up--a heated battle in a New York Court. Aruba's chief Prosecutor, Karin Janssen, has filed a letter with the court. Wait until you hear what she wrote in that letter.
(COMMERCIALS BREAK)
VAN SUSTEREN: Natalee Holloway's family is suing Paul and Joran van der Sloot in New York. Last month the van der Sloot's lawyer asked a judge to dismiss the case. And today, the lawyer for Natalee's family responded so what's the score at this point?
Let's bring back the legal panel. Gentlemen and Gloria as well, today was the filing by John Q. Kelly and one of the attachments I have right here which is interesting it is a letter that is signed and stamped by Karin Janssen who is the chief prosecutor.
And what Karin Janssen was attaching this letter to the pleading for was to support having the civil case remain in the United States not removed to Aruba. And let me quote from the letter.
It says, "Answering your questions on transferring the lawsuit from New York to Aruba, I would hereby like to point out that if the lawsuit would be transferred to Aruba this would result in a renewed media attention and media representatives traveling to Aruba.
From my experiences during the last 10 months I can say with certainty that this renewed media attention will have a negative effect on the ongoing investigation. I foresee that possible witnesses will be discouraged to come forward to share important information. Therefore, in my opinion, it would be better to settle the pending civil proceedings in the New York court."
Bernie, your thoughts on Karin Janssen's support that the case stay right here in New York?
BERNIE GRIMM, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, putting nausea aside for a moment as one of my thoughts how in the world can she say "I foresee that possible witnesses will be discouraged to come forward and share important information"? Oh my gosh, I guess there's eyewitnesses out there that she's waiting now a year to bring forward and she'll bring them forward on the anniversary of Natalee's disappearance.
I mean not to be disrespectful, but this is a surreal thing — the whole movie, the lawsuit, her statement. She wants the heat out of Aruba and into New York. I mean she just can't handle the heat anymore.
VAN SUSTEREN: Jim?
JIM HAMMER, FORMER ASST. SAN FRANCISCO DA: Well, I guess I'm going to stick up for the Aruban prosecutor. Listen, hers has been the silent voice recently, Greta, and I've been wondering really what's been going on.
I read this letter a little bit differently. I think her new co-prosecutor is John Q. Kelly and I think the most intriguing thing in this entire lawsuit is the allegation, that's all it is, that Joran van der Sloot had three prior victims that he plied with drugs and sexually assaulted.
I don't know if it's true but if Kelly can produce that evidence in a New York court, I'll tell you, you have a serial rapist or serial sexual assault and you got your prime suspect. If I'm a prosecutor there and stymied, I want that case to go forward and Kelly to have a crack at it.
VAN SUSTEREN: Well, funny you should mention that. Let me bring out another affidavit that's attached and this is actually a lengthy pleading about 100 pages long. This is the affidavit that Helen Lejuez filed also attached to the pleading that John Q. Kelly submitted to the court in trying to keep the case in New York and not be sent back to Aruba.
And what Helen Lejuez says is that a Jane Doe, she doesn't identify the person, came forward and said that essentially she had an experience with Joran similar to Natalee's meaning a sexual assault, a drug in a drink possibly. That's the allegation.
HAMMER: Exactly.
VAN SUSTEREN: And that this Jane Doe would not come forward, according to Helen LeJeuz's affidavit, if the case were in Aruba but that she "might if it were in New York." Gloria, this one's yours. What do you think?
GLORIA ALLRED, VICTIMS' RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Well, first of all I think this is a weak argument and I'll tell you why, Greta, for two reasons. One, Helen, of course, is the attorney representing Natalee Holloway's mother in Aruba and this is her declaration. It isn't the declaration of the Jane Doe, the alleged sexual assault victim and I would like to have seen that.
Secondly, even the attorney says in her declaration that the Jane Doe and her family might be prepared to testify in New York and not in Aruba. Well, she doesn't say that she will testify in New York, only that she might be prepared to testify in New York, doesn't feel safe testifying in Aruba.
What if she says that she'll only testify in France or the Bahamas or Hawaii? That cannot be the reason that the New York court decides to have that case heard there. I just think it's a weak argument.
VAN SUSTEREN: And not only that, I might add that the "might" seems to be coming from Helen Lejuez. It doesn't even look like the "might" is coming — it sounds like it's Helen Lejuez' opinion she might come forward in New York. I don't get the sense from reading this that it was actually this Ms. Doe who's not identified.
Ted, also attached to this pleading as to why this case should stay in New York according to Natalee's family is about a dozen or so affidavits from college students saying "I'm never going back to Aruba." If you do the case in New York, meaning the college students who went on the trip with her, "We'll testify in New York but not Aruba." Go ahead.
TED WILLIAMS, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well this — Greta, it's a weak argument, as Gloria has just represented specifically dealing with forum non conveniens. Listen, I saw those affidavits. There are people who are largely in the United States that gave those affidavits for the most part.
But guess what? The witnesses that we really want to testify in this case are Joran and the Satish brothers and those people are in Aruba. Now, Joran is the plaintiff in the lawsuit.
HAMMER: They're going to take the Fifth anyhow Ted.
WILLIAMS: What?
HAMMER: They're going to take the Fifth anyhow aren't they?
WILLIAMS: Yes, yes you're right.
VAN SUSTEREN: Yes, because they got — wait a second Ted. They got service in the United States so it's a little bit different. That's a little different argument.
WILLIAMS: Well, the fact about it is, Greta, no matter how you look at it the majority of the witnesses necessary for this case are in Aruba. This is a weak argument. This case is going by the wayside. It is not going to be in the states.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right, well tomorrow night I hope to get a law professor on who makes a living studying this stuff and he's going to tell all of us whether or not...
HAMMER: Prove us wrong again, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: I have no idea. All I'm going to say is that someone who makes a living studying this stuff and knows and ins and outs hopefully will tell us whether this case, this civil case stays in New York or not, panel thank you very much.
4-12-06
On 4-12 MSNBC’s RITA COSBY wrote:
New Aruba information from Dutch TV?
A Dutch TV reenactment of the last night Natalee Holloway was seen alive presented some interesting details when it aired in the Netherlands and Aruba Tuesday night. The Dutch show is similar to “America’s Most Wanted” and is hoping to jog the memory of any witnesses by re-creating the confusing events with actors, some who are even wearing the same clothes as the real-life players in the case. “America’s Most Wanted” is even collaborating with the Dutch show to air the special in the United States.
After working on this case for so long, I was quite curious to see what information was included in the special… including new surveillance video of that car Natalee was last seen leaving in, a possible still anonymous witness, a Colombian man, who says he knows where Natalee is buried, and another witness who claims to have seen four men with shovels soon after the Alabama teen disappeared. The show also released a new sketch of a man who tried to attack a separate woman on the same beach…a woman we’re talking to tonight on our show. She did report the incident to authorities way back then.
Despite all these details, in the end, does anyone think that this new TV special will jog anyone’s memory? Probably not... but if this project could help one person remember anything about this still-unsolved case, then it was well worth the effort. On my show, "Live and Direct," we were told that right after it aired in Holland and Aruba, at least fifty new tips came in to authorities. Again, if one of them pans out, then this would prove to be much more than a "dog and pony show" or last ditch attempt. Let's hope it surprises us all and starts some sort of breakthrough in a case that will soon sadly reach a one year milestone.
On 4-12 ABC News reported:
Dutch TV Show Airs Natalee Holloway Mystery
Family Hopes Show Will Lead to a Break in the Case
April 12, 2006 — Beth Holloway-Twitty is hoping that a Dutch television show could lead to the break she has been waiting for in the search for her daughter, Natalee Holloway, who disappeared during a high school graduation trip to Aruba almost a year ago.
"When I think about the viewers it will reach, I think it can be positive," Twitty said.
On Tuesday night, Holland's equivalent of "America's Most Wanted" aired a re-creation of Natalee's disappearance, with help from the Dutch Department of Justice, and asked viewers to call in with any tips.
The program portrayed Natalee attending a concert on May 30, 2005 -- the last day she was seen. She eats and dances at Carlos 'N Charlie's bar and restaurant, then leaves a little before 1 a.m.
The show also reveals that another woman had been molested in a nearby fisherman's hut just days before Holloway disappeared. Aruban Police are looking for the attacker in that case.
Twitty said she had heard about that molestation and had been in contact with the woman involved, but she said she did not believe that crime was related to her daughter's disappearance.
She did, however, learn something new by reading the show's transcripts -- an unidentified woman called the hotline after the show to report seeing four sweaty boys leaving the beach with a shovel the night Natalee disappeared.
"I think they've received less than 100 tips, but I'm hoping today maybe some more will be in," Twitty said.
Twitty said the Dutch show was going to air in Aruba with subtitles.
"Citizens who didn't feel comfortable calling the Aruban Police have a new tip line," Twitty said.
Twitty said that the family was trying to advertise the reward money again, and that she was trying to remain positive as she continued the search for her daughter.
On 4-12 the DUTCH news-sourced "Expatica" reported:
Holloway Reconstruction in Race Row
AMSTERDAM — The government of the Netherlands Antilles has reacted angrily to the broadcast of a television appeal for information about the disappearance of American Natalee Holloway.
A coloured actor played the role of white Dutch teenager Joran van der Sloot, 18, in the re-enactment of the final hours prior to 18-year-old Holloway vanishing on the Dutch autonomous island of Aruba in the Caribbean.
Van der Sloot was one of the three youths Holloway left a nightclub in a car with on 30 May 2005. She has not been seen since. The other two in the car were Surinamese brothers Deepak Kalpoe, 21, and Satish Kalpoe, 18.
The re-enactment was featured on a specia, edition of Dutch crime-stoppers programme 'Opsporing Verzocht' on Tuesday evening. It was broadcast on Aruba hours later.
A Dutch Police spokesperson said the broadcast in the Netherlands generated 50 tips from the public by Wednesday morning.
The Antillean government in Willemstad, Curacao accused prosecutors who cooperated with the programme of distorting the facts by not using a white actor, RTL Nieuws reported.
Aruba broke away from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
On 4-12 the DUTCH news-sourced "Expatica" reported:
50 Calls After TV Appeal in Natalee Holloway Case
AMSTERDAM — Police in the Netherlands received 50 calls from the public following a television appeal for information on Tuesday evening about the disappearance of US teen Natalee Holloway on Aruba last year.
'Opsporing Verzocht' was re-broadcast on Aruba, an autonomous Dutch island in the Caribbean, on Wednesday morning. The programme appeals for witnesses to unsolved crimes.
Tuesday's programme focused on the Holloway case and showed a re-enactment of the hours prior to her disappearance. Presented in Dutch as normal, subtitles in Papiamento - the Creole language spoken by most people on Aruba - were added to ensure the widest possible audience.
Three young men, including Dutch teen Joran van der Sloot, were the main suspects for several months as Holloway was seen leaving a nightclub with them. They were finally released from custody due to lack of evidence. They deny harming her but remain under suspicion.
Curiously, a non-white actor was used in the programnme to portray van der Sloot who is white. The government of the Netherlands Antilles expressed concern Wednesday that the choice of actor distorted the facts of the case. Aruba was part of the Antilles until 1986.
A Dutch Police spokesperson said it would become clear later on Wednesday how many tips the programme had generated in the Netherlands and Aruba. No details were released about the content or value of the calls received so far.
The programme revealed Aruban Police are looking for a man who allegedly harassed a woman on a beach on the island nine days before Holloway went missing.
"We have no concrete proof that this incident has any relation to Holloway's disappearance, but we cannot completely disregard this either," Police commissioner Adolf Richardson said.
Holloway, 18, disappeared on 30 May 2005 on the last day of a holiday with friends from Alabama to celebrate their graduation from school. Repeated searches have failed to locate any sign of her.
The public was asked by 'Opsporing Verzocht' for more information about three males who were carrying a shovel on the north side of the island on 30 May and a gray Honda Civic seen near a salt pond on the same night. One of the three suspects has a gray Honda Civic.
Police also was to hear from the caller who claimed on 31 December that he knew whether she is buried.
On 4-12 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Sixty tips after Opsporings Verzocht
ARUBA – Sixty tips have already been received this morning as a result of the Opsporings Verzocht that dedicated the program to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Viewers were asked for tips.
In the program, Dolfi Richardson was the chief of Police in charge of the case. He asked for tips in a structured manner. The local viewer were wondering why the population was not asked for cooperation with certain tips months earlier.
The program was organized with the cooperation of the Police corps of Utrecht, of which three detectives have been involved with the investigation in Aruba. After a reconstruction of the last hours Holloway was seen, the viewers were asked for tips on a few matters. They would like to get in contact with people that were near the lighthouse, Arashi, the Fishermen’s Huts, or at Joran van der Sloot’s house the night that Holloway disappeared and have either seen people there or nobody. They want tips because the declarations of the three suspects about where they were that night with Natalee are contradictive. Chief of Police Richardson said that even though all three suspects declared that Natalee and Joran were at Fishermen’s Huts, three fishermen that were also there had said that they haven’t seen anybody.
Because up till now it is not clear how Joran got home, either walking or picked up by one of the brothers, the Police want tips on this. Deepak’s grey Honda Civic was extensively shown in the program, because this low car with spoilers is supposedly the only one of this kind in Aruba. People that have seen this car on the night of the disappearance are asked to get in contact with the Police.
A Colombian man had called Carlos’ n Charlie’s on December 31st, saying that he knows where Natalee is buried. His call was the reason for searching the area again recently. The Police want this man to get in contact with them. There was also a reporting that around 02:30 on the night Natalee disappeared, a Honda Civic was seen at the Saliña near the Racket Club. If there are more people that have seen this, please contact the Police. A woman had also reported that she had seen four sweaty boys with a shovel on that night in question. The Police want to find this woman. They also want all pictures and film images of the days between May 26th and June 9th that might have something of interest for the Police. It was mentioned in the program that it is unlikely that Holloway has disappeared in the sea, because her body would have washed ashore in Aruba. If she (her body) was thrown in sea a few hundred meters off the coast, her body would have washed ashore in Venezuela or Colombia. According to the Police, there is no reporting on this. The information of the transmission is on the website of the program www.opsporingverzocht.nl, also in English and Papiamento. A local telephone number 588-505 connects callers with the Police in Utrecht that register the tips. Anonymous informers can call 588-506.
On 4-12 the “AP” reported:
Natalee Holloway parents oppose moving civil trial from New York
NEW YORK -- The parents of Natalee Holloway, the Alabama teen who vanished during a high school graduation trip to Aruba, say they oppose moving their civil trial from New York to the Caribbean island because witnesses are too terrified to testify there.
The motion opposing the move, filed by Dave Holloway and Elizabeth Twitty in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, says they "and several other key witnesses in this case have been subject to intimidation, hostility and death threats."
The Holloway-Twitty court papers, which don't elaborate on the cited threats, also say New York courts are considered to be "legitimate" and permit a broader-based pretrial investigation than courts in Aruba.
"Aruba represents a corrosive and abusive environment, as menacing and prejudicial to their quest for justice as the process could possibly be," the parents' papers say.
Natalee Holloway, 18, of Mountain Brook, Ala., went missing in Aruba in May 2005 during a trip there with classmates. Last month, her parents sued Paulus and Joran van der Sloot in New York for unspecified damages related to her disappearance.
Twitty, of Alabama, and Holloway, of Mississippi, say Joran van der Sloot, the son of Paulus, imprisoned and sexually assaulted their daughter and was responsible for her disappearance. A summons related to the lawsuit was served on the van der Sloot's in New York, where the Dutch youth did television interviews about the case.
Last month, a lawyer for the van der Sloot's moved to dismiss the Holloway-Twitty lawsuit on the ground that the case has no connection to New York. Attorney Joseph Tacopina said all parties to the action are nonresidents of the state and the cause of the lawsuit-Natalee's disappearance-arose in Aruba.
Tacopina also has said in court papers that it would be unduly burdensome for Paulus van der Sloot to travel from Aruba, where he lives, and for Joran to travel from Holland, where he is in school.
The parents' court papers, filed late Tuesday, say at least six important witnesses live in New York and others live in Princeton, N.J., and Philadelphia. They also say a young woman who claims to be a former Joran van der Sloot victim says she would testify in New York but not in Aruba.
The parents' papers say this young woman can identify two others who had experiences with the younger van der Sloot "in circumstances eerily reminiscent of what happened to Natalee."
The papers also say New York is convenient for people who knew Natalee well and can counter a "smear campaign" that she used drugs, drank heavily and was sexually promiscuous.
"All these witnesses refuse to travel to Aruba but have committed to testifying in New York at the trial of this action," say the court papers, which claim the witnesses have said they are "terrified to return there."
"In fact, even the Aruban government has expressed its strong preference that this case proceed in New York," the parents' court papers say. "When all of these factors are considered, it's not even a close call."
The parents' lawsuit says their daughter first met Joran at a casino and later in a nightclub where he served her alcohol until she was drunk. Natalee supposedly was last seen with the younger van der Sloot, who the parents allege attacked her.
Tacopina was traveling Wednesday, his office said. But he said after the lawsuit was filed that his clients "unequivocally and vehemently deny these allegations."
On 4-12 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
Antillean House angry about brown Joran
CURACAO/RIJSWIJK – Minister Plenipotentiary Paul Comenencia of the Antilles accuses before the ANP the Police and the Public Prosecutor (OM) as producers of the Dutch program Opsporings Verzocht of twisting the facts consciously and abundantly clear. He also says that Police and justice do no longer need to count on the cooperation of the Antilles.
The criticism is about yesterday’s program that dedicated time to the disappearance of the American Natalee Holloway. According to Comenencia, Joran van der Sloot, a white Dutch boy, was presented as a brown person, which was unjust.
“By consciously twisting abundantly clear facts and misleading the public that are being asked for their cooperation in tracing perpetrators, the program departs from its purpose”, says Comenencia. Why didn’t they choose a white actor for Joran’s character? By using a brown actor it gives the impression that the producers have opted for highlighting what is already presented as stereotype criminal in the Netherlands. And this is unjust.
Opsporings Verzocht is an investigation tool for Police and justice. These two services decided on the content of the program. “What should we think of the rest of the program? They do no longer need to count on our cooperation. Looking for fictitious perpetrators makes no sense.” A spokesperson of the Utrecht Police that has worked on the program says in a reaction on Comenencia’s accusations that the reconstruction was done by the investigation team in Aruba. “We helped, but we were not responsible for the direction.”
OM in Aruba: ‘Stand-in is white’
The young man that acted Joran van der Sloot in the reconstruction yesterday has very light skin and considered white in Aruba, said the OM in a press report in Aruba.
Besides, no skin colour was considered during the selection. “It is not important for the investigation team what the colour of a person’s skin is, or how dark the person is.”
The length and the figure were the criteria used for selecting the young man that played Joran. The stand-ins for Joran and the brothers Kalpoe were selected amongst Police officers of the Police Academy in Aruba.
On 4-12 BETH was in Washington D.C.
On 4-12 “Stabroek News” reported:
Guns for cocaine trade between Guyana and Suriname uncovered - mastermind may be hiding out here
Suriname Police have discovered an active illegal arms trade between Guyana and Suriname which has been occurring for the last two years and which involves the exchange of arms for cocaine, Caribbean Net News reported yesterday.
The article said the news broke during a press conference last week, where Suriname's Prosecutor General Subhas Punwasi made the announcement.
Caribbean News Net said the illegal arms trade, which has been going on for at least two years, involves Surinamese criminals exchanging guns and ammunition with Guyanese criminals for cocaine.
According to the article, the authorities made the discovery during a special investigation of missing weapons from a Police depot. This investigation was launched in February following the theft of 181 hand grenades and ammunition from an army facility, the article stated.
It said that related to this crime, 19 civilians and six soldiers, including an army captain, three sergeants and two corporals were detained and 138 hand grenades recovered along with quantities of ammunition thus far. "Police believe the remaining 43 hand grenades have already been moved into Guyana," the article said.
Attempts by Stabroek News to contact Crime chief Henry Greene on the issue proved to be futile. However, this newspaper understands that the Surinamese officials believe that the mastermind in the ring maybe hiding out in Guyana. The man is said to be the owner of some 16 taxis in the Nickerie area.
According to the article, the Prosecutor General announced that the detainees provided evidence which indicated that the main suspects are still at large. It said too that the masterminds behind this operation have travelled at least 25 times from the border town of Nickerie to Guyana during the last two years to exchange weapons for cocaine.
The article stated that the Surinamese authorities have discovered that automatic rifles, hand grenades and handguns were exchanged for cocaine and that the weapons were brought from Paramaribo to Nickerie and subsequently across the Corentyne River.
"Punwasi was surprised that an operation of this magnitude went unnoticed by law enforcement agencies for over two years," the article said.
The article also said that Police intelligence disclosed that the suspects had planned to assassinate five detectives assigned to the case but that a Police SWAT team arrested many members of the organized crime operation. It said too that according to Punwasi, there are strong indications that individuals employed by both the military and the Police service assisted the main suspects in transporting illegal weapons. The article said that the main suspects have also been accused of human smuggling along the back route in Nickerie where Brazilian and Guyanese nationals were allegedly assisted to enter Suriname illegally.
Meanwhile, on the local front Guyana's lawmen are still in pursuit of the 30 AK47s and five pistols that were discovered missing from Camp Ayanganna on February 27. There has been no official word from the joi.t services on what is the latest in their quest to have the weapons returned. On Monday morning they had searched several places, including that of MP Jerome Khan's house. However, it was later learnt that the army and the Police went to the wrong address and searched Khan's home by mistake.
chief of Staff Edward Collins had sounded a warning to those who have the weapons to return them as whatever plans they have for them would be crushed. He also said no place is off limits in the joint services' search for the weapons.
On 4-12 CNNHN reported:
GRACE: Right now, the search of the dump is ongoing. The landfill is huge. There are
tons and tons of trash already compacted that authorities are going through. This is not
an unusual thing, but it`s also a very technical search.
To Tim Miller of Equusearch, remember the search for Lori Hacking, the young lady that
we`ve talked about many, many times out of Salt Lake. Her husband, Mark Hacking, had
built an entire double life. Her remains were found after, I believe it was, seven weeks of
searching. Seven weeks it took. And then at that time -- this is a shot of the Lori Hacking
landfill search. There`s Lori and her then-husband, Mark Hacking. Remember that search?
And how do you go about a search like this, Tim Miller?
TIM MILLER, DIR., TEXAS EQUUSEARCH: Well, you know, the last one we was in,
though, was in Aruba, actually, for Natalee Holloway. And we were in that dump for three
weeks. I think...
GRACE: Well, hold on. Hold on.
MILLER: OK.
GRACE: This is the Hacking search. OK, let`s look at the -- here we go. Thanks, Elizabeth.
There`s the Natalee Holloway search. Everybody, here is just a clue as to what Tim Miller is
talking about, with Texas Equusearch, tons and tons literally of trash. We`re talking about
why it`s taking so long to find possible remains of this teenage boy in New Jersey.
Go ahead. What`s the procedure, Tim Miller?
MILLER: You know, it`s very time-consuming. It`s very painful. I think what they`re doing,
they`re doing right. We`ve got to find the area where they`re getting -- what we was
looking for was actually newspapers and mail that had dates on it, to know that we was in
actually the right time slot. And I mean, we was in the dump for three solid weeks over in Aruba.
We had cadaver dogs there. We got some -- a lot of false readings. The dogs would alert on
something, and we`d just hand-sift through stuff, and it`d end up it was something from the
hospital or a doctor`s office, you know? And actually, two of the dogs got sick, many of our
searchers...
GRACE: You mean human -- human tissue or blood...
MILLER: Yes.
GRACE: ... would turn up. The dogs would smell that and hit on it, and you`d have to
investigate, find out it`s from a hospital or a doctor`s office, right?
MILLER: Yes. And like I said, people -- hands got infected. Even though they was wearing
gloves, they`d get cut with something, all the bacteria out there. I think just about every
one of us ended up with some type of respiratory infection. One guy, when he got back
home, actually ended up in the hospital for four days because of it. We were wearing
masks. We were wearing gloves. All the bacteria, all the filth -- and it`s a very, very
difficult task. And you know, my hats go off to them guys up there that are doing it. You
know, we can`t give up on this boy and -- and you know...
GRACE: Absolutely not, Tim Miller. Everyone, Tim Miller, not just director of Texas
Equusearch, but a murder victim himself, his daughter a murder victim. He has devoted
himself to helping other victims` family.
…
GRACE: Very quickly, to tonight`s "Case Alert." Police in the Netherlands receiving calls
from the public after a television appeal for info about the disappearance of Alabama
beauty Natalee Holloway. The program, rebroadcast on Aruban TV, as well, begs
witnesses to come forward. Three young men, including Dutch teen Joran van der Sloot,
remain the chief suspects in the case. However, they deny any involvement.
On 4-12 MSNBC reported:
ABRAMS: Coming up, dozens of new leads in the Natalee Holloway investigation? That's what they say, after a Dutch TV show reenacted her disappearance.
We will talk to Natalee's mother up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ABRAMS: Aruban authorities, along with a Dutch television program similar to “America's Most Wanted” have put together a reenactment of the days leading up to Natalee Holloway's disappearance. It's an effort to generate tips on the case. The investigative team there in Aruba believes there are people out there who have information who haven't come forward. They're hoping the show will give them what they need to break the case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Hey, Natalie, what are you doing, girl? You're crazy. Get out of the car.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Don't worry. They will bring me back to the hotel.
NARRATOR (through translator): But Natalee cannot be convinced. She disappears into the Aruba night.
This is the last image we have from Natalee.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: Joining me now is Julia Renfro, editor of “Aruba Today.”
Julia, thanks for coming back on the program. We appreciate it.
So, I was surprised to hear they have already gotten a good number of tips, some of which they think could be useful?
JULIA RENFRO, EDITOR IN CHIEF, “ARUBA TODAY”: Yes.
That's what we understand. We know that the show has aired in Holland once and in Aruba at least twice. And it's now available on the Internet as well. It's in the Dutch language. And, apparently, you know, people who might know something or maybe have possibly seen something have called in.
ABRAMS: And we have heard 60 tips they have gotten?
RENFRO: That's what—actually, I had heard 50, but it—you know, that was several hours ago.
ABRAMS: Now, what is this about this sketch of someone who may have committed a sexual assault day...
RENFRO: Well...
ABRAMS: ... days earlier?
RENFRO: Well, according to the authorities, there were reports just in the days prior to Natalee's disappearance that somebody had been in that same area and had either attacked or assaulted several different women.
ABRAMS: Had you heard about—had you heard about that before?
RENFRO: Yes.
ABRAMS: Here's Adolf Richardson, the lead investigator, talking about it on the—on the program.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “OPSPORING VERZOCHT”)
ADOLF RICHARDSON, LEADER INVESTIGATOR (through translator): The 21st of May 2005, nine days before Natalee disappeared, a woman was harassed here at the beach, close to the fisherman's hut, by an unknown man.
We don't know if that has anything to do with Natalee's disappearance, but it might be connected to it. This is a sketch of that man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABRAMS: Julia, why hasn't this been talked about more widely before now?
RENFRO: Well, the—the police were actively investigating this, and, you know, checking locally, based on the description given by the woman who had been assaulted.
And because Joran and the Kalpoe brothers were—were immediately under suspicion, I really think that—that this particular assault was kind of put on the back-burner, you know, compared to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
ABRAMS: All right, Julia Renfro, thanks a lot. Appreciate it.
Joining me now once again is Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway Twitty.
Beth, thanks for coming back on the program. Appreciate it.
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, MOTHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Hi, Dan. Hi, Dan.
ABRAMS: All right.
What—what do you make of this—this—this sexual assault, or alleged sexual assault, from nine days earlier?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Well, I have spoken with the young woman. And she was attacked. And it was near the fisherman's hut, but, you know, the two are just not connected, her case and this individual and Natalee. I think what they're doing is just attaching this individual that they're needing to locate to the venue of the Dutch most wanted.
And, you know, I don't think that there is—there is anything that he has to do with involvement of Natalee's disappearance.
ABRAMS: How—how do you know that?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Well, you know, I don't know that specifically, but I do know that they are using this venue to get the message out that they have an individual that they are looking for, because they have had a—a woman come forward, a tourist, that has been attacked by this man. And he needs to be—he needs to be found.
ABRAMS: But, I mean, you know, typical police work would suggest, if there was someone, a tourist, who was attacked on the beach nine days earlier, people would starting saying, hey, you know, wait a second. That really might be connected.
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Well, I think they might in a case where we didn't have three suspects that have lied repeatedly to authorities. I mean, how many times have they lied to us now, Dan? I mean, they're just endless.
So, I mean, we know these three suspects have involvement in Natalee's disappearance.
ABRAMS: So, do—do you think that this reenactment is—is not of much use?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: No. I mean, you know, I was really thinking some
good things to come out of it, Dan. And, I mean, now we're getting a
viewing audience of Bonaire and Curacao and Holland, which is huge. And,
you know, it's also being—you know, it's being shown in Dutch. And I
believe, when it's aired in Aruba and Curacao and—and Bonaire, they're
doing the subtitles, the Papiamentu, and I think that's—you know, that's
· that's great. And it needs to be in those islands.
ABRAMS: Mmm-hmm. Were you surprised to hear that they—they had received 60 tips?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: I had heard that late yesterday afternoon, and, I mean, that's encouraging to me.
ABRAMS: Yes.
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: I think that's, you know, a possibility. All we need is just one, though, you know?
ABRAMS: You didn't—you didn't have any problems with the way they reenacted this, did you?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: No, I really didn't, Dan.
I—I was really grateful to see that they had the reward money out there. The had the correct amount. And, also, another thing good coming out of it, it is allowing these citizens another tip line to call in, besides the Aruban police, if they don't feel comfortable doing that.
So, I mean, there's some positive things, I think, that—that are coming about from it.
ABRAMS: You know, because I remember, when this—when they initially talked about this, I'm thinking, you know, who on Aruba doesn't know anything about this case, or didn't know that—that Natalee was missing? I mean, and—and I think most people on Aruba agreed with that.
But I guess, you know, something in this could—could jar a memory, could say, you know, wait a second, I guess I did see X, Y or Z, right?
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Well, and—and you're right.
And I think the—the most beneficial thing that could come about is just having some new tip lines, like I said. You know, I don't think it's a secret that some of the citizens in Aruba don't feel comfortable coming to the Aruban police with information. So, maybe they will feel comfortable coming to the other tip lines.
ABRAMS: Fair enough.
Beth, thanks for coming back on the program. Appreciate it.
HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Thank—thank you, Dan.
4-13-06
On 4-13 the “New York Post“ reported:
MOM 'TERRIFIED' OF ARUBA
April 13, 2006 -- The mother of the teenage girl who vanished on a school trip in Aruba wants her civil suit heard in New York because she's "terrified" of going back to the island paradise - after receiving a threat that she would be "chopped up" and fed to the fish.
In papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Beth Twitty said she's been subjected to a number of death threats during her search to find out what happened to Natalee Holloway, who disappeared on a school trip to Aruba last May.
"Among those threats was a warning that, if I returned to Aruba, I would be 'chopped up and put into a fish trap,' " Twitty said in affidavit.
Twitty and her ex-husband, Dave Holloway, filed suit against Joran van der Sloot and his father, Paulus, earlier this year.
The out-of-state residents were able to file suit in New York because the father and son were served with legal papers during a trip to Manhattan.
Joran, who now lives in the Netherlands, was one of the last people known to have seen Natalee, and the suit charges that he sexually assaulted and imprisoned her. It also points a finger at the elder van der Sloot, who still lives in Aruba, alleging that he knew his son was a sexual predator and did nothing to stop him. The van der Sloot's denied the allegations, and argued that Holloway's case should be heard in Aruba because it would be "unduly burdensome" and expensive for them to come to New York for a trial.
Holloway lawyer Scott Balber countered that his clients can't get a fair trial in Aruba.
For Twitty, Holloway and several key witnesses "who have been subjected to intimidation, hostility and death threats, Aruba represents a corrosive and poisonous environment," Balber says in court filings.
"While the Aruban community was initially supportive" of the parents' search for their daughter, "economic realities caused the sentiment in Aruba to shift substantially" because the bad press has hurt tourism there, Balber said. "Beginning in the fall of 2005, the people of Aruba began to display overt animosity toward Ms. Twitty, and she was followed and stalked by men unknown to her," the filing says.
It also says several of Natalee's old classmates and a woman who says she was sexually assaulted by Joran would refuse to testify in Aruba because of safety concerns.
The van der Sloot's' lawyer, Joe Tacopina, was traveling and could not be reached.
On 4-13 ARUBAAN's news-source "Amigoe.com" reported:
OM: ‘No stereotyping’
ARUBA – “He is white, according to Aruban standards.” The Public Prosecutor (OM) and the Police team regret the criticism of a few persons and instances on the program about the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. “This criticism takes away the attention from the actual purpose of the program, which is to get the viewers to come up with tips”, said the OM.
Many people criticized the choice of a young man with a colored skin for the part of the white Joran van der Sloot. The minister Plenipotentiary of the Neth.Antilles, Paul Comenencia was of the opinion that the producers have chosen for ‘highlighting of what is already presented as stereotype criminal in the Netherlands’, which is unjust.
According to the OM, the program was effected very carefully. The press report indicated that the choice for the stand-in’s of Joran and the brothers Kalpoe was made from students at the Police academy and based on length and figure. “There was no conscious stereotyping.” According to the investigation team, the chance that people would remember something about people with a big difference in length is bigger than the chance that they will be confused with a very light tanned skin. Any way, the OM is very pleased with the 60 tips that they have received shortly after the program. A few of these seem to be usable, but further investigation should tell whether this is the case or not.
On 4-13 the DUTCH news-sourced "Expatica" reported:
Arubaans 'regret' storm over Holloway reconstruction
AMSTERDAM — Aruba's Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) has expressed regret about a row over the choice of an actor has distracted attention away from the goal of the television reconstruction of the events leading up to the disappearance of US teenager Natalee Holloway.
Minister plenipotentiary Paul Comenencia of the Netherlands Antilles accused prosecutors and the makers of the re-enactment of "consciously and manifestly distorting the facts of the case" by picking a non-white actor to play the main suspect, white Dutch teenager Joran van der Sloot.
Comenencia suggested the choice of actor reinforced a Dutch stereotype about criminals. He said this raised questions about the accuracy of the rest of the reconstruction.
Van der Sloot was one of the three youths Holloway left an Aruban nightclub in a car with on 30 May 2005. She has not been seen since. The other two in the car were Surinamese brothers Deepak Kalpoe, 21, and Satish Kalpoe, 18.
The re-enactment was featured on a special edition of Dutch crime-stoppers programme 'Opsporing Verzocht' on Tuesday evening. It was broadcast on Aruba hours later.
The three young men deny harming Holloway or being responsible in any way for her disappearance. Prosecutors say they remain suspects in the case.
Answering Comenencia's criticism, the Aruban prosecution service emphasised that the aim of generating tips from the public to help solve the mystery of Holloway's disappearance. The reconstruction, the authorities said, was based on the file built up by Investigators and was put together with great care. The stand-ins for van der Sloot and his two companies were chosen from the Police academy on the island.
The cadet who played van der Sloot has a light skin colour and is white by Aruban standards, the prosecution service said. There was no question of conscious stereotyping.
On 4-13 CNNHN reported:
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, MOTHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: ... justice. And, you know, and we have to recognize the fact that, you know, this crime has been committed on the island of Aruba and we know the perpetrators. We know it's these suspects, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe and Joran van der Sloot.
And, you know, we just have to keep going, because the only way we will get justice for Natalee is if we do keep going. I mean, if we give up, absolutely nothing will happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: The country still wants answers in the disappearance of this beautiful, teenage, American girl, Natalee Holloway. She went on her high school senior trip on Aruba. It was almost time to come back home, back home to her family; she never made it.
Many people think this beautiful young girl is buried somewhere on the tiny tourist island of Aruba, or worse her remains in the ocean. Her father has written a book. It's called "Aruba" by Dave Holloway, and he is with us tonight. And we are taking your calls.
Do you agree with Natalee's mom that these three killed Natalee?
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S FATHER: I believe these three people are responsible for whatever happened to Natalee. And for the life of me, I can't understand why they keep getting off on all of these...
(CROSSTALK)
GRACE: I don't either. I don't either. There have been recent reports that Joran van der Sloot, the judge's son, and the Kalpoe brothers, Satish and Deepak Kalpoe, had been wiretapped. Have Police told you anything about that?
HOLLOWAY: No, they haven't. I heard that was a possibility, but I'm not privileged to any information.
GRACE: Are Police revealing anything to you, to at least comfort you, to let you know they're trying?
HOLLOWAY: The only information we get now, Nancy, is through the prosecutor who communicates that through our attorney, John Q. Kelly.
GRACE: Do you believe they're still trying? Or do they just want the whole thing to go away?
HOLLOWAY: I often wonder, you know -- when I left the island in October, Tim Miller had some trouble with getting some cooperation. I know that some of the Police want to settle the case, and maybe there are some others who may have turned a blind eye.
GRACE: Want to settle it or make it go away?
HOLLOWAY: Well, make it go away, and there are some others who want resolution.
GRACE: Everyone, Dave Holloway, Natalee's father, has written the book, "Aruba." We're still looking for answers in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
You seem sure that these three young men are responsible for her disappearance and death. What is the most compelling evidence, in your mind, that points the finger to them?
(video here from this pont, forward)
HOLLOWAY: Well, you just got to go back to the original statements. You know, these kids came up with -- or concocted the story about the "Holiday Inn." That went untrue.
GRACE: A complete lie.
HOLLOWAY: A complete lie.
GRACE: I respect the way you say that was untrue. Let's just call it what it is: It's a lie. And, on top of that, they couldn't keep their stories straight.
HOLLOWAY: And then you had lie, after lie, after lie, after lie. And they also pointed the finger at two black security guards who apparently had nothing to do with it.
GRACE: And they let them go to jail. They had nothing to do with it. Remember when those two were behind bars? At the very beginning, you and I and Natalee's mom and stepfather all, we had this feeling it just wasn't right. Those two security guards had nothing to do with it. We knew it almost instinctively.
Let's go to the lines. Linda in Arizona.
Hi, Linda, question?
CALLER: Question. Hi, Nancy, you're a wonderful person. I wanted to ask a question: Why haven't they ever dug up the judge's backyard? Because he (INAUDIBLE) when this first started.
GRACE: That's an interesting question. What about it, Dave?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I understand that they attempted to get a search warrant on his property and that was denied. There are also some rumors -- and I can't confirm it -- that one of the judges had spent the night at Paul's house and had indicated that he couldn't do that to his friend.
GRACE: It's mighty cozy down there, isn't it? You know what's distressing to me? Oh, that's a great shot of Judge Paulus van der Sloot. That's his backside you saw as he was running away from CNN reporters trying to ask him questions. That's a good look, Judge.
Do you think he'll ever be on the bench again?
HOLLOWAY: According to the prime minister, probably not.
GRACE: Probably not. Now, I can't put my head on the pillow in good faith with "probably not."
Now, back to why you believe these three are responsible for her death and disappearance?
HOLLOWAY: The reason why?
GRACE: Yes.
HOLLOWAY: All of the statements indicate lie, after lie, after lie, and then they lie into the next day. There are some statements out there that one of their friends alibi just does not match up, and then...
GRACE: Totally fell through.
HOLLOWAY: And then I spoke with the assistant prosecutor while I was on the island, and I ask her opinion of what happened on this case. And she said that she could not get the Police to follow up on certain leads that she had. And therefore...
GRACE: I don`t understand, Police not following up. I do not understand it.
Let's go to Mamie in Connecticut. Hi, Mamie.
CALLER: Hi, there.
GRACE: What's your question, dear?
CALLER: How does he feel about Joran's father and his possible anticipation in Natalee's disappearance?
GRACE: Good question, Mamie.
Now, Mr. Holloway, let me advise you: This is a family show. But how do you feel about Paulus van der Sloot?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I remember the day I met with Paul at the prison. And the thing that stuck out in my mind was I asked him all the questions, why he ran from the news media, did he get the attorneys for the Kalpoe brothers, and on and on and on. And the last question that I had: Was he involved? And he said no. And...
GRACE: Well, of course, he said no.
HOLLOWAY: And he ended it with -- he said, "Dave, I can understand your position, but you've got to understand mine. Joran is my son, and I will do everything I can to protect him," and I believe it.
GRACE: With us tonight, the father of Natalee Holloway. He has written this book for you, "Aruba" by Dave Holloway.
Quick break. We'll be back, and we are taking your call. Remember, verdict watch. Milwaukee Police on trial for a civilian beating, Court TV.
Let's stop and remember Marine Corporal Ross A. Smith, Wyoming, just 21, killed Fallujah, Iraq. His third tour of duty, just months away from ending his obligation. Ross A. Smith, an American hero.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRACE: Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, brothers, two of the three chief suspects in the disappearance of an American teenager, Natalee Holloway. Along with them, judge's son Joran van der Sloot.
To investigative reporter Pat Lalama, will we ever solve this case?
PAT LALAMA, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: Oh, boy, Nancy, if I had a crystal ball, I'd own the world. We probably should hear about a few new things that have happened, though, just in the last few days. We do now have a new Investigator in the case. How many does this make now? You know, number five, a lead Investigator.
We also have some chess playing between the two sides in the matter of the civil case. And as you know, the Holloways and the Twittys want to sue Joran and his dad, saying essentially: You create a scenario for which our daughter is gone.
And they're saying, yes, OK, fine, come down to Aruba and try the case. And they're saying: Well, that's not fair. We're doing it in New York where witnesses are not afraid to come down and be intimidated. And they're basically saying: Too bad. We want to do it in Aruba.
And then, finally, there was a TV show that aired, as you know, much like "America's Most Wanted," where they were asking people for tips. What? What, are we into a year now, and now they're asking for tips? They got about 60. Doesn't look like anything right now is brewing that's going to bring us any answers.
GRACE: Quickly, Pat, have you heard about the potential wiretap evidence of their phones?
LALAMA: I've heard it. I can't personally confirm it, but I've heard it.
GRACE: Let's go out to Carol in Nebraska. Hi, Carol.
CALLER: Hi, Nancy.
GRACE: What's your question, dear?
CALLER: I love you.
GRACE: Thank you.
CALLER: My question to Mr. Holloway is: Have they thought about getting a psychic? And, Mr. Holloway, our condolences to you.
GRACE: Thanks, Carol.
HOLLOWAY: Thank you very much. We've had a number of psychics that have given us information free of charge. You know, I'm all ears. I'll listen to every one of them. And so far, we haven't had any concrete evidence.
GRACE: Mr. Holloway, I just want you to know that, here on this show, we are not giving up on the search for Natalee Holloway, or for at least answers.
HOLLOWAY: Thank you. I might add that Tim Miller with EquuSearch is -- we're going to do one last search in the ocean in about two weeks.
GRACE: And we will cover it.
Everyone, this new book, called "Aruba," by Natalee's father. Our big thank you to you, Mr. Holloway, for being with us, but to all of our guests.
On 4-13 FOX News reported:
Natalee Holloway's Parents File Motion to Prevent Move of Civil Trial to Aruba
ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The parents of Natalee Holloway, the Alabama teen who vanished during a high school graduation trip to Aruba, say they oppose moving their civil trial from New York to the Caribbean island because witnesses are too terrified to testify there.
The motion opposing the move, filed by Dave Holloway and Elizabeth Twitty in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, says they "and several other key witnesses in this case have been subject to intimidation, hostility and death threats."
The Holloway-Twitty court papers, which don't elaborate on the cited threats, also say New York courts are considered to be "legitimate" and permit a broader-based pretrial investigation than courts in Aruba.
"Aruba represents a corrosive and abusive environment, as menacing and prejudicial to their quest for justice as the process could possibly be," the parents' papers say.
Natalee Holloway, 18, of Mountain Brook, Ala., went missing in Aruba in May 2005 during a trip there with classmates. Last month, her parents sued Paulus and Joran van der Sloot in New York for unspecified damages related to her disappearance.
Twitty, of Alabama, and Holloway, of Mississippi, say Joran van der Sloot, the son of Paulus, imprisoned and sexually assaulted their daughter and was responsible for her disappearance. A summons related to the lawsuit was served on the van der Sloot's in New York, where the Dutch youth did television interviews about the case.
Last month, a lawyer for the van der Sloot's moved to dismiss the Holloway-Twitty lawsuit on the ground that the case has no connection to New York. Attorney Joseph Tacopina said all parties to the action are nonresidents of the state and the cause of the lawsuit — Natalee's disappearance — arose in Aruba.
Tacopina also has said in court papers that it would be unduly burdensome for Paulus van der Sloot to travel from Aruba, where he lives, and for Joran to travel from Holland, where he is in school.
The parents' court papers, filed late Tuesday, say at least six important witnesses live in New York and others live in Princeton, N.J., and Philadelphia. They also say a young woman who claims to be a former Joran van der Sloot victim says she would testify in New York but not in Aruba.
The parents' papers say this young woman can identify two others who had experiences with the younger van der Sloot "in circumstances eerily reminiscent of what happened to Natalee."
The papers also say New York is convenient for people who knew Natalee well and can counter a "smear campaign" that she used drugs, drank heavily and was sexually promiscuous.
"All these witnesses refuse to travel to Aruba but have committed to testifying in New York at the trial of this action," say the court papers, which claim the witnesses have said they are "terrified to return there."
"In fact, even the Aruban government has expressed its strong preference that this case proceed in New York," the parents' court papers say. "When all of these factors are considered, it's not even a close call."
The parents' lawsuit says their daughter first met Joran at a casino and later in a nightclub where he served her alcohol until she was drunk. Natalee supposedly was last seen with the younger van der Sloot, who the parents allege attacked her.
Tacopina was traveling Wednesday, his office said. But he said after the lawsuit was filed that his clients "unequivocally and vehemently deny these allegations."
4-14-06
On 4-14 MSNBC’s RITA COSBY wrote:
Aruban Justice?
Now it appears there's yet another lead that the Aruban government maybe should have been focusing on in the Natalee Holloway case… a tip from a woman who says she fought off a sexual assault by a half-naked man on the same Aruban beach just nine days before Natalee vanished. Aruban Police have known about Tracy Allan’s narrow escape for almost eleven months, but are only doing something about it now.
She told them she was almost dragged into this man’s car from the beach as he tried to sexually assault her. Why did it take so long for the authorities to take her story seriously? Only this week did they finally release a sketch of this man on a Dutch TV show that re-enacted what might have been the last hours of Natalee’s life.
I spoke with Tracy on my show last night… she says she stayed at the same hotel as the Alabama teen and that the attack happened on the beach of that same Marriott hotel. That’s also the same beach where Joran van der Sloot claims he went with Natalee the night she disappeared. Tracy described her attacker as a clean-cut man who was wearing a long shirt with no other clothing. He physically tried to pull her to his car for several minutes and even threatened to hit her in the head with a rock when she resisted. Tracy is sure he was attempting to rape her...or even worse.
It’s not clear whether Tracy’s frightening attack is linked to the Holloway case…could it all be a coincidence? Maybe. Should Tracy’s claims have seriously been looked into earlier? You bet. The Aruban authorities chased so many other leads, but seemingly brushed off this tip until this week. Now that the sketch has aired on Dutch and Aruban television on a show similar to our “America’s Most Wanted,” we can only hope Tracy’s story can shed some light on Natalee’s case. Already the Aruban government has received over 60 new tips in the case since the sketch aired. Now if only we could be sure they’ll all be investigated properly.
On 4-14 ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" reported:
Central Bank of Aruba is concerned
ARUBA – The Central Bank of Aruba (CBA) is concerned about the developments of the international reserves. “Too high government expenses that lead to over-liquidity within the economy, continue to have a troubled negative effect on the balance of payments and thus on the position of the international reserve.” Also the acceleration of the inflation is very worrisome for the Bank.
In February, the price index figure for the family consumption was 4.6 percent higher than same month last year and with that, the inflation pace accelerated to a worrisome 3.7 percent, compared with 2.6 percent the year before. This inflation is 0.2 percent point higher than the average annual inflation in the United States, concludes the CBA.
There is no information yet on the number of stay over tourists, but the average occupancy of the hotels dropped with 1.5 percent points to 88 percent. The number of cruise passengers increased with 8.9 percent in February, despite the fact that the number of cruise ships did not change.
The net-supply of foreign exchange for the amount of 35.1 million florins caused by transfers of foreign bank accounts of the private sector, made the money quantity increase with 39.4 million florins in February of 2006. Because of this, the net foreign active increased to 602.4 million florins, which however is still 65.9 million florins or 9.9 percent lower than the year before. The net domestic active increased with 4.3 million florins in February, which was partly caused by an increase of the banking claims against the private sector of 8.5 million florins. Mortgages, consumer credits, and loans to businesses increased with respectively 3.7 million florins (0.5 percent), 3.1 million florins (0.6 percent) and 3 million florins (0.3 percent).
The banking claims against the government increased with 6.2 million florins. The banking claims not related to credits decreased with 10.4 million florins.
On 4-14 the “National Enquirer” reported:
NATALEE HOLLOWAY BOMBSHELL! ARUBA MURDER CONFESSION!
Aruban detectives secretly tape-recorded the three main suspects in the Natalee Holloway mystery and obtained what could amount to a confession, The National Enquirer has learned.
Police overheard Deepak Kalpoe tell Joran van der Sloot: "They're going to give you 15 years if they find the girl."
They also heard Joran snarl at former pals Deepak and his brother Satish: "I should have killed you."
Unaware they were being overheard, the three had this dramatic exchange during an explosive, obscenity- laced confrontation in a Police van returning them to prison on June 24, 2005. Their conversation is contained among hundreds of pages of official Aruban Police files obtained exclusively by The National Enquirer. Former U.S.Secret Service agent Art Wood, who spent months in Aruba investigating Natalee's disappearance, reviewed the sensational documents and told us: "I believe they add up to a clear confession of guilt. "They provide more than enough evidence to charge Joran and the Kalpoes. I don't see how the authorities can dodge it after this." …
Pick up this week's issue of The ENQUIRER to read the rest of this story!
On 4-15 CNNHN reported:
(START VIDEOTAPE)
GRACE: The country still wants answers in the disappearance of this beautiful teenage
American girl, Natalee Holloway.
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY`S FATHER: I believe these three people
are responsible for whatever happened to Natalee. Then you had lie, after lie, after lie,
after lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie...
(END VIDEOTAPE)
4-15-06
On 4-15 the DUTCH news-sourced “AD.nl” reported:
More than 100 tips in the Holloway-case
ORANJESTAD – After Opsporing Verzocht has been shown on Dutch and Aruban TV and more than 100 potential witnesses have come forward from both the Netherlands and Aruba.
Saturday night the US version of Opsporing Verzocht, America’s Most Wanted, will pay attention to the Holloway-case with special attention to the requests for specific witnesses that were shown in Opsporing Verzocht.
As a result of that show even more tips are expected. Tips coming from the USA will be forwarded to the detective-team in Utrecht that is collecting all the tips. Aruba hopes that with the help of the Utrecht Police force they will be able to solve the case.
More than 100 tips is very good according to Police and DA's office. Most cases that are shown in Opsporing Verzocht generate less tips than that. "And on a daily basis more tips are coming in", according to a spokesperson from the Utrecht Police-force. A number of the tips seem promising/usable on first glance, according to the Public Prosecutions office in Oranjestad.
After the showing of Opsporing Verzocht there was some commotion because of the use of a slightly darker skinned stand-in for Joran van der Sloot, who in the flesh is white.
Natalee Holloway has been missing since May 30, 2005. At the time she was on holiday in Aruba.
On 4-15 the “AP” reported:
Aruba official says arrest made in Natalee Holloway case
Authorities have made an arrest in the case of missing U.S. teen Natalee Holloway, an Aruban official said Saturday without providing details about the development in the high-profile case.
Mariaine Croes, a spokeswoman for the public prosecutor's office, said Aruban authorities were not prepared to disclose why the person was arrested or how they are allegedly connected to the disappearance of the American teenager on the Dutch Caribbean island nearly a year ago.
Croes would only say that the person who was arrested is 19 and has the initials "G.V.C." Authorities in Aruba typically only release a suspect's initials upon their arrest.
Holloway, 18, was last seen in public leaving a bar with three young men on May 30, the final night of a high school graduation trip to Aruba.
The three young men who were with her when she left the bar were arrested. But they were later released after a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to hold them.
Throughout the investigation there have been a number of false leads and at least three other people were detained without being charged in the case.
Dutch Police said Wednesday that they had received 60 tips in the disappearance of the Alabama teenager after a television program appealing for help from the public aired the night before in Aruba and throughout the kingdom of the Netherlands.
In recent weeks, Aruban Police have searched sand dunes on the northern coast of the island.
On 4-15 FOX News reported that the detainee's name as "HEINIE (ph) VASQUEZ," which was reported by JULIE BANDERAS after BANDERAS spoke to NATALEE’s Loved One(s). "VASQUEZ" is, supposedly, a friend of Current Murder Suspect SEFERINO "Steve" GREGORY CROES, the May 30, 2005 ""Tattoo"" boat music DJ and relief-engineer-in-training that was arrested in the middle of June.
On 4-15 FOX News GRETA VAN SUSTEREN (via telephone in TAMPA, FL --on her way to ARUBA?) reported that she learned "HEINE (ph) VASQUEZ" name and a second persons name from sources, but GRETA cannot confirm either persons name, so she is not identifying either person, yet. GRETA also made the point that several persons have been detained by the ALE in the 10+ months of the case, but, as of today, several persons ( Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , Current Murder Suspect DEEPAK KALPOE , Current Murder Suspect SATISH KALPOE , Current Murder Suspect S. V. CROES, Current Murder Suspect MICKEY JOHNS, and Current Murder Suspect A. JONES) remain the active Current Murder Suspects of the ALE. GRETA also stated that the ARUBAN prosecutor said that G.V.C. will be questioned.
On 4-15 CNNHN reported:
4-16-06
On 4-16 MSNBC reported:
Aruban Police mum on connection between arrest and missing U.S. teen
ORANJESTAD, Aruba - Authorities have made an arrest in the case of a young Alabama woman who disappeared while vacationing in Aruba, an Aruban official said Saturday.
The arrest is connected with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, according to a source who spoke with MSNBC. The person arrested is believed to be an acquaintance of Dutch national Joran van der Sloot and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, who were seen leaving an Aruban bar with the 18-year-old American the night she disappeared, the source said.
Mariaine Croes, a spokeswoman for the public prosecutor’s office, said Aruban authorities were not prepared to disclose why the person was arrested. Croes also would not say how the arrest was linked to the disappearance of Holloway nearly a year ago, on the final night of her high school graduation trip to the Dutch Caribbean island.
On 4-16 CBS reported:
Arrested Man In Holloway Case Identified
(CBS) Authorities in Aruba have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
Few details are known, but CBS news has learned his name is Geoffery van Cronhout.
Police in Aruba aren't saying how the 19-year-old is connected to the case.
Holloway was last seen leaving a bar with three men May 30, 2005.
The Alabama teenager was in Aruba on a high school graduation trip.
On 4-16 the “AP“ reported:
Natalee Holloway's Father Unfamiliar with Latest Murder Suspect
ORANJESTAD, Aruba (AP) - Natalee Holloway's father says this is the first he's heard of a teen arrested in the girl's disappearance in Aruba.
Island authorities say they arrested a 19-year-old with the initials G.V.C. Aruban officials usually only release a suspect's initials.
Dave Holloway tells CNN he's "hopeful something will come out of it." He says he's been told the person's identity and it's "someone new" who hasn't been mentioned before.
An official at the public prosecutor's office refuses to offer any details.
The Alabama 18-year-old vanished on the last night of her high school graduation trip last May.
She was last seen leaving a bar with a Dutch teen and two brothers from Suriname. Holloway says he still believes those three "still know more than what they told" authorities.
The young man arrested is GODFRIED “Geoffrey” VAN CROMVOIRT, who is the son of Wilhelmus “Willem” Bernadaus Henricus Papaya Cromvoirt, whose home is located at 14-D Paradera. WILLEM is the owner of “VCB Security.” “VCB Security” provides the beach security for the same “Marriott Hotel” beach where NATALEE was, supposedly, left by Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT.
Current Murder Suspect G. CROMVOIRT had also worked for VCB Security at some point recently. Some confusion remains as to whether Current Murder Suspect G. CROMVOIRT was on beach patrol (security) the evening that NATALEE vanished, or, if he was a member of the “Visibility Team” for the “Marriott Hotel” beach area.
The sister of the person arrested is an ARUBAN Policewoman who was sworn in during August 2005.
CNN is reporting that Current Murder Suspect G. CROMVOIRT was seen with Natalee BEFORE she meet Prime Murder Suspect JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , and that is why he is being questioned.
4-17-06
On 4-17 FOX News GRETA VAN SUSTEREN reported in her “Gretawire” blog:
To give you a bit of the behind the scenes: Saturday evening started out quiet for me. This was supposed to be a quiet holiday weekend, but in this business you have to be ready for the unexpected. It seems like the unexpected often does happen.
About 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night, my cell phone started ringing... and it continued all evening non-stop. It did not stop until I turned it off after midnight. Why the ringing? Word began spreading that an arrest had been made in Aruba. While I was on the first call I received, someone else called ("beeped in") — this went on for about 15 minutes. As soon as I had a break in the calls that had stated to come in, I contacted FOX News and gave them the heads up that I had been told that an arrest had been made. I was cautious with what I relayed to FOX because right from the beginning I heard two different stories about the arrests — including who was arrested.
I have also been "around the block" with stories out of Aruba and you really must sort through them to find the truth. Rumors seem to run wild around this story and when rumors are repeated enough times, people tend to think they are facts. The facts we felt safe going with early on — since they came from a statement from the chief prosecutor's office — was that the person arrested was 19 years old and the initials "GVC."
A few hours after my first call on the arrest, and after we had a chance to verify the arrest, I did a phoner on air. I hope I adequately conveyed to the viewers that while we were hearing much, the only facts we felt comfortable reporting were the age and initials. I admitted that we were hearing lots of things, but we were still working on separating fact from fiction.
It turned out that much of my evening was then spent making phone calls, with almost identical conversations with each person that went like this: "What have you heard? When did you hear that? Who told you? Are you sure? Why do you think that? Do you know why he was arrested? Is he a witness? A suspect? Do you know if he knows Joran? Deepak? Satish? Call me back if you hear anything...." Incidentally, to give you a complete idea of how we can sometimes gather news, I made all these calls while sitting on the floor. I had to plug my phone charger in since my phone battery was so low when I got the first call. During that first call, I unfortunately picked an outlet far from a chair and I was so busy on the calls I did not get up and move to an outlet near a chair! And don't tell me you have never done this! You've sat on the floor making calls!
On 4-17 the “AP” reported:
Aruba Detains Teen in Holloway Case Staff and agencies
ORANJESTAD, Aruba - Authorities appeared to be taking a new tack in the disappearance of U.S. teenager Natalee Holloway, detaining a 19-year-old man who lawyers said Monday has never figured in the case before and isn‘t acquainted with the youths previously held as suspects.
Lawyers for a Dutch youth and two Surinamese brothers jailed as suspects but later released due to insufficient evidence said the young man just taken into custody had not previously been mentioned in connection with the case.
Holloway family lawyer John Q. Kelly, however, said he was told by Aruban prosecutors that the detainee has friends in common with Joran van der Sloot and the Surinamese brothers.
The detainee‘s name has been reported by some media outlets, but Aruban authorities have only released his age and initials — "G.V.C." He was scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday, the prosecutor‘s office said.
The prosecutor‘s office has declined to specify the detainee‘s alleged connection to Holloway — who was last seen leaving a bar with van der Sloot and the two Surinamese brothers, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe.
"Joran did not know him at all," said Paulus van der Sloot, a former island justice official who also was detained and later released on suspicion of involvement in Holloway's disappearance.
"There is no evidence that my clients have anything to do with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway," Wix told AP.
"This kid has been under an umbrella of suspicion for 11 months based on no evidence," he said. van der Sloot has said he left Holloway, then 18, at a beach near her hotel after they kissed on the final night of her high school graduation trip.
"It‘s a very, very new name that hasn‘t even been on the radar screens," Holloway said. "Maybe it‘s a break in the case. Maybe it‘s that card that will bring the whole deck down. We don‘t know at this point."
Holloway has been the subject of intensive searches involving Dutch Marines, the F.B.I. and hundreds of volunteers.
On 4-17 the “New York Post” reported:
BEACH PATROLLER BUSTED IN NATALEE CASE
April 17, 2006 -- A Dutch teen who patrols the beaches of Aruba to keep them safe for tourists has emerged as a new suspect in the baffling disappearance of high-school beauty Natalee Holloway.
Aruban cops have arrested Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, 19, who's father is the security expert in charge of video surveillance at the Holiday Inn where the 18-year-old Alabama student was staying the night she vanished, sources told The Post.
The younger van Cromvoirt works as a member of the island's High Visibility Team, which keeps an eye on the island's powder-white beaches 24 hours a day in a bid to thwart crime against tourists.
He was busted after authorities took into evidence a white T-shirt with the beach-patrol team's name on it from his dad's security group, the sources said.
Officials refused to reveal what role van Cromvoirt might have played in Holloway's disappearance last May, what evidence they have against him or whether he has any connection to Joran van der Sloot, a Dutch national who has been considered a prime suspect in the case.
Refugeesunleashed.net, a Web site following the case, says van Cromvoirt has a sister who is an Aruban cop.
The site added that he is a pal of Steve Croes, the boat captain who last year attempted to provide an alibi for van der Sloot.
Van Cromvoirt's arrest, announced late Saturday, is the first in the puzzling case since cops arrested van der Sloot and his pals, Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, who admitted they were with the coed May 30, the night she disappeared without trace.
kati.smith@nypost.com
On 4-17 “Philly.com” reported:
Did 'G.V.C.' kill Natalee? Area lawyer doubts it
ORANJESTAD, Aruba - An announcement that Police made an arrest in the disappearance of teenager Natalee Holloway left many islanders wondering yesterday who the suspect is - and whether the arrest marked a real breakthrough in the almost year-old case.
Aruban authorities would only say late Saturday that the person arrested is 19 years old and has the initials "G.V.C." In Aruba, when an arrest is announced, officials usually release only a suspect's initials.
Holloway, an 18-year-old honors student from Mountain Brook, Ala., disappeared on May 30 on the final night of her trip to this Dutch Caribbean island.
Holloway's father, Dave Holloway, said yesterday he has been informed of the arrested person's identity but did not recognize the name.
"We're hopeful that something will come out of it," Holloway told CNN.
There have been a number of false leads in the investigation, and at least three other people were detained without being charged.
Philadelphia-area lawyer and Holloway family supporter Joseph Mammana said last night that he hopes the Aruban Police have the right suspect this time - but he has his doubts.
"With Aruba, I take everything with a grain of salt" Mammana said. "No, I don't think they have the right guy. I know in my heart that Joran van der Sloot and father had something to do with it."
Van der Sloot, a Dutch national, was arrested in the case last year but then released for lack of evidence.
Mammana said he will continue to fight for justice on behalf of the Holloway family, while continuing to raise more reward money in the hopes of finding closure for the Holloways, especially Natalee's mother, Beth Twitty.
"What we are hoping for, if this kid has any information, is to hone in on the reward money we put up," Mammana said. "In this situation, maybe the Police let this kid collect the money and then he'll tell us everything."
But Mammana - who has put up his own money for the reward - said he cannot go to Aruba himself. He said Aruban authorities have deemed him an "unsavory character" and he isn't officially allowed in the country.
He added, "Beth [Twitty] cannot go over there at all, out of fear for her life."
Holloway was last seen leaving an Aruba bar with van der Sloot and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. van der Sloot has said he left Holloway on a beach near her hotel after they had kissed.
Mariaine Croes, a spokeswoman for the public prosecutor's office, said Saturday that Aruban authorities were not prepared to disclose why the person was arrested or how the arrest was linked to the Holloway case.
Dave Holloway also said he was still suspicious of van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers.
"I still think that these three original suspects still know more than what they told us," he said.
Antonio Carlo, van der Sloot 's attorney, said he hoped the new arrest would shed light on what happened to Holloway.
"My client has from the beginning maintained his innocence, and I think the sooner this case is resolved, the better," Carlo told the Associated Press in a telephone interview, adding that he did not know the name of the suspect.
In recent weeks, Aruban Police have searched sand dunes on the northern coast of the island. Dutch Marines, the F.B.I. and hundreds of volunteers have previously searched for Natalee Holloway.
On 4-17 the “Post Chronicle” reported:
TACOPINA: Joran Doesn't Know New Murder Suspect in Natalee Holloway Case
Over the weekend, Aruban authorities announced that they had made a new arrest in Natalee Holloway's disappearance. Holloway has been missing since she disappeared on May 30, 2005, while on a class trip to Aruba.
Authorities would not release the name of the person who was arrested and only would say that he was 19 years old and had the initials G.V.C. Jossy Mansur of Diario newspaper indicated that the young man's name was Geoffrey von Cromvoirt.
On Sunday, some media reports said Joran van der Sloot and Geoffrey von Cromvoirt were acquaintances. According to Joe Tacopina, van der Sloot 's attorney, the Dutch teen does not know the 19-year-old arrested over the weekend in the case.
"I am absolutely convinced he doesn't know him, doesn't hang out with, or socialize with him, did not know his name," Tacopina said, according to the AP. "This somehow brought Joran back into the picture. He knows nothing about him, has never spoken of him, and certainly did not discuss the case with him."
Von Cromvoirt reportedly worked for a private security company that patrols beaches outside Aruba's hotels. Von Cromvoirt's family runs the security company, according to Tacopina.
The company provides security for the Aruban government and private companies, including the "Holiday Inn," where Holloway was staying, reports the AP.
One of the facts to come out in the case and there hasn't been many is that we now know that Natalee was drinking on May 29 and into May 30. F.B.I. 302 forms (notes from interviews conducted by the FBI) indicate that some of Natalee's friends state that Natalee was drinking with friends early in the morning of the day she vanished and drinking into the night.
Consumption of alcohol, even if the amount was significant, is hardly a proof of death, however. There has never been any proof of death, cause of death or, if it was a homicide, who's responsible. This lack of information remains one of the key complaints of her family. They want to know what happened and frankly, they should know.
Extensive searches by Dutch marines, Aruban Police, and thousands of volunteers have found no trace of the missing Alabama teen, who disappeared on the final night of a high school graduation trip in Aruba.
No one has been charged in the case, and Joran van der Sloot, Deepak & Satish Kalpoe remain the only suspects in the case.
Holloway's family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Natalee's safe return, and a separate $100,000 award for information that help solves the mystery.
-- Compiled from wire reports
On 4-17 the “Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force” reported:
New Arrest Shows Commitment To Solve Case
The arrest of a 19-year-old, initials G.V.C., underlines the continuing efforts of the Investigators and the Office of the Prosecution to aggressively pursue the Natalee Holloway case. Public statements on the arrest have been confined to a carefully worded release to protect the suspect and not reveal what role this plays in the investigation as a whole.
There is no official word on what this arrest is expected to yield or what relationship G.V.C. has had with anyone else believed to be involved in the case. Further information is expected in the coming days, as well as, a decision on whether his detention will be extended.
It is customary to only reveal the initials of suspects, as this is a period where suspects can be held before formal charges are brought.
On 4-17 ABC News reported:
Joran Doesn’t Know Man Arrested in Holloway Case
April 17, 2006 — Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch teen long suspected of being involved in Natalee Holloway's disappearance, does not know the 19-year-old arrested over the weekend in the case, his lawyer says.
Over the weekend, Aruban authorities announced that they had made a new arrest in Holloway's disappearance.
Holloway has been missing since she disappeared on May 30, 2005, while on a class trip to Aruba. Authorities would not release the name of the person who was arrested and would not say whether he was considered a suspect. They only said that he was 19 years old and had the initials G.V.C. Sources told ABC News that the young man's name was Geoffrey von Cromvoirt.
On Sunday, some media reports said van der Sloot and von Cromvoirt were acquaintances. Joseph Tacopina, an attorney representing van der Sloot, who was arrested in Holloway's disappearance last year but released because of a lack of evidence, said those reports were wrong. His client, he said, knows nothing about von Cromvoirt.
"I am absolutely convinced he doesn't know him, doesn't hang out with, or socialize with him, did not know his name," Tacopina said. "This somehow brought Joran back into the picture. He knows nothing about him, has never spoken of him, and certainly did not discuss the case with him."
Connections to a Security Company
Von Cromvoirt worked for a private security company that patrols beaches outside Aruba's hotels. Holloway was last seen leaving an Aruba bar with van der Sloot and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, who were held for 25 days before being released. van der Sloot has said he left Holloway on a beach near her hotel after they had kissed.
Von Cromvoirt's family runs the security company, according to Tacopina. The company provides security for the Aruban government and private companies, including the "Holiday Inn," where Holloway was staying, he said. The company installed the security camera and patrols the beach. Von Cromvoirt was part of the team that patrolled the Holiday Inn's beach in the early hours of the morning, according to Tacopina.
"This is a positive step as far as we are concerned in this investigation because we have always maintained [Van der Sloot] is innocent of harming in any way, shape or form," Tacopina said.
Van der Sloot has repeatedly denied being involved in Holloway's disappearance. He regretted one thing in his encounter with her.
"I think what I did wrong is leaving her there at the beach. I should have brought her back to her hotel or I should have made sure I left her with someone, one of her friends," van der Sloot told ABC's "Primetime."
Reenactment on TV
Last week, a Dutch TV show similar to "America's Most Wanted" reenacted the Holloway story in an episode that aired in Aruba last week. The show advertised a tip line.
"I understand they got approximately 60 tips," said Dave Holloway, Natalee's father. "And maybe this is one of them they're following up on."
Tacopina said that forensic evidence had been found on a T-shirt on the south side of the island, and that there were lots of leads that hadn't been explored yet.
"When we started getting our hands around the F.B.I. reports and Aruban law enforcement documents, I got so agitated in seeing the other leads not followed up on simply because the name van der Sloot was not attached to it," Tacopina said. "I think they came into possession of this young boy's name within the last couple of weeks."
Under Aruban law, von Cromvoirt can be held for three days before facing a judge.
On 4-17 the “AP” reported:
Natalee Holloway Investigation Changing Direction
A lawyer for a former suspect says he thinks authorities investigating the disappearance of the American teen have new information.
Oranjestad, Aruba -- Joseph Tacopina tells The Associated Press the Dutch teen he represents "just doesn't know" the latest person detained in the case. And Tacopina says that's good news for his client, Joran van der Sloot, because it suggests the Investigators are taking a new tack.
After talking with Aruban authorities, Tacopina says his Investigators believe the suspect, identified only as "GVC," was picked up because of a T-shirt with "relevant forensic information." Aruban officials say only that the detained man is 19-years-old.
It's been almost a year since Holloway disappeared while on a high school graduation trip. The Alabama teen was last seen leaving a bar with three young men, including Tacopina's client.
Meanwhile, the missing teen's father Dave Holloway is speaking out about the possible break in the case.
"We don't want to get our hopes up too high, because we've been on this rollercoaster ride, and have been disappointed a number of number of times, so we'll have to wait and see," said Holloway.
On 4-17 CNN reported:
Holloway case detainee to be held 8 days
(CNN) -- A man arrested in connection with Natalee Holloway's 2005 disappearance has been ordered to remain in custody for another eight days, authorities on the Caribbean island of Aruba announced Monday.
The 19-year-old man was arrested Sunday. He is scheduled to appear Tuesday before a judge, Aruban prosecutors said in a written statement.
The Aruban newspaper Diario identified the detainee as Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, the brother of a Police officer. The paper also published photographs of van Cromvoirt attending his sister's swearing-in ceremony.
The youth is not necessarily a suspect in Holloway's disappearance, but Aruban law allows authorities to hold someone without charges for questioning with a judge's approval.
Holloway, from the Birmingham, Alabama, suburb of Mountain Brook, was in Aruba last spring with about 100 high school classmates and several parent chaperones.
She was last seen early May 30 leaving Carlos 'n' Charlie's, an Oranjestad nightclub, with Dutch national Joran van der Sloot, then 18, the son of an Aruban judge; and Surinamese brothers Deepak, 21, and Satish Kalpoe, 18.
The Kalpoes told Police they dropped Holloway, 18, and van der Sloot off near a lighthouse at a beach north of the Marriott Hotel after they left the nightclub. van der Sloot 's mother said her son told her he was on the beach with Holloway but left her there alone because she wanted to stay.
The three men were arrested in June and later released after a court in the Dutch Caribbean island ruled there was insufficient evidence to hold them. The Kalpoe brothers were re-arrested, but freed from jail in September.
At one point, van der Sloot 's father, Paul, and a disc jockey also were taken into custody, then released.
The men's attorneys said their clients are innocent, and no one has been formally charged in the disappearance, which prompted a massive search of the tiny island by Dutch Marines, the F.B.I. and hundreds of volunteers. Search specialists from Texas EquuSearch also lent their expertise.
Aruba is a self-governing island off Venezuela under the protection of the Netherlands.
The search teams focused on the beach at the island's northern tip -- where van der Sloot said he last left Holloway -- and a salt pond near the Marriott Hotel.
In February, Holloway's parents, Dave Holloway and Beth Twitty, filed a lawsuit against van der Sloot. In court documents, the parents accuse the Dutch national of "malicious, wanton and willful disregard of the rights, safety and well-being of the plaintiffs and their daughter, Natalee Holloway."
The parents asked for an unspecified amount of punitive damages from the young man and his father.
Holloway's mother has said she is convinced the three men have information about her daughter's disappearance, and relatives and friends of the parents contended Aruba Police failed to do an adequate investigation.
Journalist Tito Lacle contributed to this report.
On 4-17 “People Magazine” via Internet service provider "America Online" reported:
Teen Held in Natalee Holloway Case
MONDAY APRIL 17, 2006 08:00AM EST
MONDAY APRIL 17, 2006 05:45PM EST UPDATED
By Stephen M. Silverman
The 19-year-old man arrested Sunday in the case of Natalee Holloway's 2005
disappearance has been ordered to remain in custody for another eight days, authorities
in Aruba said Monday.
The teen will appear before a judge on Tuesday, Aruban prosecutors said in a written
statement. He is not necessarily a suspect, but in Aruba authorities can, with a judge's
approval, hold someone without charges for questioning, CNN reports.
Authorities have so far identified the detainee only by the initials G.V.C., as is customary
in Aruba when an arrest is announced, according to the Associated Press. But according
to the New York Post, the suspect is Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, who works as a beach
patroller to prevent crime against tourists.
Holloway, 18, was an honors student from Mountain Brook, Ala., who disappeared May 30
on the final night of a high-school class trip to the Dutch Caribbean island.
On Monday, a lawyer for Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch teen who'd previously been held
in the case, said that his client didn't know the latest person arrested by Aruban authorities.
"My client doesn't know him at all," Joseph Tacopina told the AP.
However Tacopina said the suspect was detained because police recovered a T-shirt
belonging to him with "relevant forensic information." The lawyer, whose investigators have
been in contact with Aruban authorities, did not give any other details.
Holloway's father, Dave, said Sunday he had been told the arrested person's identity but
did not recognize the name. "We're hopeful that something will come out of it," he told
CNN.
He added that he is still suspicious of Joran van der Sloot and Surinamese brothers
Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, who were the last to be seen with Holloway.
On the Today show Monday morning, he said that a recent episode of the Dutch TV
version of America's Most Wanted, which aired in Aruba on April 11, helped bring
about the new arrest.
On 4-17 “Teen People.com” reported:
Holloway Detainee to be Held Eight Days
The teen arrested Sunday in Aruba is not necessarily a suspect
The 19-year-old man arrested Sunday in the case of Natalee Holloway's 2005 disappearance has been ordered to remain in custody for another eight days, authorities in Aruba said Monday.
The teen will appear before a judge on Tuesday, Aruban prosecutors said in a written statement. He is not necessarily a suspect, but in Aruba authorities can, with a judge's approval, hold someone without charges for questioning, CNN reports.
Authorities have so far identified the detainee only by the initials G.V.C., as is customary in Aruba when an arrest is announced, according to the Associated Press. But according to the New York Post, the suspect is Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, who works as a beach patroller to prevent crime against tourists.
Holloway, 18, was an honors student from Mountain Brook, Ala., who disappeared May 30 on the final night of a high-school class trip to the Dutch Caribbean island.
On Monday, a lawyer for Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch teen who'd previously been held in the case, said that his client didn't know the latest person arrested by Aruban authorities. "My client doesn't know him at all," Joseph Tacopina told the AP.
However Tacopina said the suspect was detained because Police recovered a T-shirt belonging to him with "relevant forensic information." The lawyer, whose Investigators have been in contact with Aruban authorities, did not give any other details.
Holloway's father, Dave, said Sunday he had been told the arrested person's identity but did not recognize the name. "We're hopeful that something will come out of it," he told CNN.
He added that he is still suspicious of Joran van der Sloot and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, who were the last to be seen with Holloway.
On the Today show Monday morning, he said that a recent episode of the Dutch TV version of America's Most Wanted, which aired in Aruba on April 11, helped bring about the new arrest.
On 4-17 LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS ABC TV channel 7 reported:
Holloway's Grandmother Reacts to Break in Case
Pine Bluff - Natalee Holloway's grandmother has mixed feelings about the arrest of a 19-year-old security guard possibly connected to the disappearance of the Alabama teen. Ann Reynolds says when she first found out about the arrest, she was thrilled there finally seemed to be a break in the case. However, she's not convinced Police have their man just yet.
(Ann Reynolds, Holloway's grandmother) "There's still that faint hope that they've got her over there on one of those islands, we don't know."
Ann Reynolds says she finds it hard to believe Aruban authorities could have overlooked Geoffrey Von Crom Vort, the 19-year-old security guard arrested in the case over the weekend.
(Reynolds) "I think they knew about this boy a long time ago and they just didn't go arrest him."
It's been speculated Police got a tip about Von Cromvort as a result of the re-enactment of the last night Holloway was seen, which recently aired on Dutch television.
(Reynolds) "She doesn't even resemble Natalee and doesn't even act like Natalee."
Despite the new information, Reynolds still believes the initial suspect, Joran van der Sloot, had something to do with Natalee's disappearance.
(Reynolds) "They've lied the whole time. The three boys have told so many different tales. Why didn't they just tell the truth if that's the way it was?"
Von Crom Vort can be held for three days before facing a judge.
On 4-17 MSNBC reported:
ABRAMS: Now to a major development in Aruba, a new suspect under arrest in connection with the disappearance of Alabama teen Natalee Holloway, Police have taken a 19-year-old into custody, only formerly releasing his initials, GVC, but Joran van der Sloot‘s attorney is identifying him as Geoffrey von Cromvoirt, a teenager who works for a surveillance company that provided security for the "Holiday Inn" where Natalee was staying and the suspect also reportedly works as a beach patroller to prevent crimes against tourists.
Now we just learned that the suspect will be held for eight more days and will likely go before a judge tomorrow. According to Joran‘s attorney, forensic evidence was found on this young man‘s t-shirt.
All right. So joining me now with the latest is MSNBC‘s Michelle Kosinski who is in Aruba. We‘re joined as well by “Aruba Today” newspaper editor Julia Renfro and on the phone Aruban attorney Arlene Ellis Schipper. Thanks a lot to all of you for coming on the program.
All right. Let me start with you Michelle. Do we know anything more about this arrest down in Aruba?
MICHELLE KOSINSKI, MSNBC CORRESPONDENT: We‘ve been hearing the same things. And keep in mind, he has not officially been named a suspect at this point or that he‘s been arrested. Now prosecutors have successfully extended the terms of his detention by eight more days and will have to appear before a judge tomorrow. And remember that‘s all based on evidence.
Prosecutors will hold him for three days, then will go to eight, and then they‘ll ask for eight more. There‘s a series of benchmarks. So obviously there‘s some reason to hold him. But it‘s been speculated by some of the attorneys for parties to the case that he might be simply a witness who might provide some evidence or some information to prosecutors as it relates to the three suspects in Natalee‘s disappearance who have since been released.
But when you start hearing things from Joran van der Sloot‘s attorney, who does have access to information from prosecutors, things like, he believes that this 19-year-old was arrested because Police, as he says, found a t-shirt of his that may have some forensic evidence. That leads to you believe that maybe there is something else involved, so when you have one attorney saying he believes that it‘s more than just a witness type status, but other attorneys, other parties in the case are saying they think he might just have some information about the other three.
ABRAMS: And we should pint out that Joran van der Sloot‘s attorney, Joe Tacopina, will be on this program in a minute. Julia Renfro, do you know anything more about why they arrested him? When you think about the story and that is that Joran van der Sloot claims that he left Natalee on the beach. Well, lo and behold, it sure does fit his account when you have someone who is responsible for monitoring the beaches to prevent crimes against tourists, being arrested.
JULIA RENFRO, (the transplanted AMERICAN in ARUBA who moved to ARUBA 17+ years ago and owns an interest in many ARUBA businesses including an ARUBAAN's news-source): Well, Joe, the situation we‘re in now is the Police really haven‘t given us any details, but as you might remember early on in the case, many of the students as well as the mother of Natalee said that there had been a young man hanging out with the group, and that‘s actually who that they were looking for and who they thought Natalee was last seen with. As it turns out, Joran van der Sloot didn‘t meet Natalee until that last evening really just about half an hour before her friends last saw her.
ABRAMS: Arlene, before I ask you the legal questions, you‘ve also served as a spokesperson for the government. Is there anything that you know in a formal capacity that you can tell us about this arrest?
ARLENE ELLIS-SCHIPPER, ARUBA “STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE” MEMBER: (via phone): No. The only thing that I know about this arrest is what the prosecution office has released, that is that they have confirmed that this arrest has been made. I have to disagree with what I heard earlier. It will not be a capacity of a witness because witnesses are not arrested in Aruba. And also, the decision to prolong his Police detention for eight days already indicates that it is a suspect. As Julie said, it is true that we do not know in which respect he is a suspect, so in which capacity because the Police have not released yet the grounds for his arrest.
ABRAMS: So let‘s lay that out then in terms of the options Arlene. When you say we don‘t know what type of suspect he is, meaning he has certainly been arrested in connection with the Natalee Holloway case, we know that, correct?
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: Yes. That is correct.
ABRAMS: OK. So he could be a suspect in connection either with her disappearance or what else?
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: Well, you have a whole array of hypotheticals that you can lay out there. You can be an accessory. You could be the main suspect, but you can also be involved as sort of an accessory after the fact which only can be punishable if it‘s for instance hiding a body in Aruba, so there‘s a whole different kinds of counts that he could be a suspect of.
ABRAMS: Julia, why now? I mean that‘s the question I think that a lot of people are going to ask is it, do you know—did they get new evidence? Did this TV show that recreated the crime lead to more tips? Do we know what led to the arrest at this time?
RENFRO: We‘re under the impression that the television show that the Dutch produced and aired in Holland as well as in Aruba two—on two separate occasions, could have very well been the trigger, the key to pointing the finger at this kid, and we at this point don‘t know why he has been detained, but it‘s very likely that he might have spent some time with Natalee.
ABRAMS: How does it work, Arlene, in Aruba, in terms of holding someone? And we always talk about how the standard may be a little bit lower to make an arrest in Aruba than here. Do you agree with that and lay out what the legal standard would be to arrest him and hold him.
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: Well basically for to account somebody—or how do you call that, credit somebody as a suspect, you have to have suspicions and strong suspicions and as we go along the way of the pretrial detention, the suspicion has to grow and you have to show more to the court. At this point, we‘re dealing with a suspicion, there‘s apparently a lead, a link to this case, which was enough to bring him in for questioning.
After six hours of questioning, the decision is again made whether he‘s put into Police custody. Apparently there still was that strong suspicion, and there still was enough necessity for this investigation to hold him. So then they decided to hold him 48 hours, which Police custody and now apparently they have also decided to prolong that Police custody with eight more days as the investigation requires. So this can very well be along these eight days that he can be released or not because after the eight days it becomes a decision of the court.
ABRAMS: Julia Renfro, is it an overstatement then for me to say that this really could be a major development in the Natalee Holloway investigation?
RENFRO: No. I don‘t think that‘s an overstatement at all. Although like Arlene said, at this point we really don‘t know, and he could possibly have some information that could lead to a closure in this case.
ABRAMS: Let me bring into the conversation Dave Holloway, of course Natalee‘s father. Dave thanks for coming back on the program. Appreciate it. All right...
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY‘S FATHER: Thank you.
ABRAMS: We‘ve been talking about what this means, who this is, what he has been suspected of, et cetera. Has the government or the Investigators told you anything?
HOLLOWAY: We don‘t know anything at this point in time. I agree with the other people who have spoken, that if he‘s detained for more than eight days, we know there‘s something to it.
ABRAMS: So this really could be not just someone who knows something, but it could be more.
HOLLOWAY: Well, all we can do is just speculate, and I would think that if he goes before a judge, within this eight-day period, and he‘s held longer then there may be more to it than what we think.
ABRAMS: Dave, had you ever heard of him before?
HOLLOWAY: Never had. The first I heard of him was Saturday evening. When they announced GVC is the initials and then we had some people who were able to analyze who it was.
ABRAMS: Let me ask Michelle Kosinski a question. Michelle, does this mean if he is being held and it‘s a big if because we don‘t know exactly what he‘s being held in connection with.
KOSINSKI: Right.
ABRAMS: We know he‘s being held in connection with this case but we don‘t know on suspicion of what, but could this mean that this arrest could end up clearing the other three suspects?
KOSINSKI: That is the big question. In fact, all we can depend upon are our sources who are close to the investigation. Obviously only prosecutors know those details. They share them with the attorneys who are party to the case as they see fit and some of those details are then shared with us, so you have some attorneys saying, well, we think this is not a big deal and that they might have something to do with some of the suspects, so what does that mean? We really don‘t know.
But you know, the obvious I guess jump you could make is if this person, if it is a big deal and has much to do with the case, would that then you know surpass Joran van der Sloot‘s alleged involvement as—he‘s been considered the key suspect for so long. He‘s always maintained that he just left Natalee on the beach. It all just depends on what information is out there, what they have in connection with this 19-year-old that might change everything. That‘s what‘s so tantalizing about this new arrest, a name that we hadn‘t heard before.
ABRAMS: Yes. Dave, do you have any theory about that, about whether this arrest could end up clearing these other three?
HOLLOWAY: I‘m going to stick with the main path of what the Police have been investigating all along, that these three suspects are the primary suspects, and until I see more evidence otherwise, I think they should continue down this path. Now this boy may be part of that, we don‘t know, but it‘s all speculation at this point and you know, we‘ll just have to wait and see.
ABRAMS: Dave, are you encouraged by this development?
HOLLOWAY: You know somewhat. You know you just don‘t know where this kid stands in the scheme of things, so I‘m just going to hold tight, I‘m not going to get my hopes up high. I‘ve had them—you know, we‘ve been on a roller coaster ride for a long time, so—but it‘s better than nothing. You know, it‘s—at least it appears that leads are being followed up on, and checked out and there‘s indication that if this kid stays in there a lot longer than the eight days, then we may be on the right track to resolving this case.
ABRAMS: All right. Dave Holloway thanks a lot. Appreciate it.
Michelle Kosinski...
HOLLOWAY: Thank you.
ABRAMS: ... Julia Renfro and Arlene Ellis Schipper, thanks a lot to you as well. All right. So what happens now with the prime suspect in the case? Joran van der Sloot‘s attorney, Joe Tacopina, joins us up next.
And later, the grand jury done for the day and sources close to the defense are saying that they believe that two Duke lacrosse players have been indicted.
Plus, the second dancer at the party comes forward and admits that she was the one who called 911 and suggests the accuser may have been drugged. The exclusive interview is also coming up.
Your e-mails abramsreport@msnbc.com. We go through them at the end of the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ABRAMS: We‘re back talking about a new arrest in the Natalee Holloway case in Aruba. Police have taken into custody a 19-year-old, only officially releasing his initials, GVC. A local paper say the suspect is Geoffrey von Cromvoirt who worked for a security firm that provided security for the hotel where Natalee was staying last summer, but the question is, did he have any relationship with the three primary suspects in this case?
Joining me now on the phone is Joe Tacopina, who represents and is currently representing a suspect in the case, Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch teen who we‘ve been talking about throughout this case. Joe, all right, first question up, does this guy know your client?
JOE TACOPINA, ATTORNEY FOR JORAN VAN DER SLOOT (via phone): That was an easy one, absolutely not. Whether he knows of my client, I mean, I‘ve heard you know reports that he knows of him, well, obviously everyone knows of him, especially in Aruba, but he does not know him in the sense that he‘s friends with him. Let me you know reverse that.
Joran does not know who this individual is. He‘s never seen him before. He doesn‘t ever recall meeting him, never certainly had a conversation with him, so let me dispel any misinformation, there‘s not an acquaintance there whatever.
ABRAMS: So those who have suggested that your client may have been talking to or somehow worked with or been associated with this young man who has just been arrested, you‘re saying absolutely 100 percent not true.
TACOPINA: A hundred percent most adamantly not true, Dan. I mean but you know it sort of goes with the territory in this case. You know we‘ve heard reports that Joran confessed and Joran you know did this and Joran, you know, but that‘s just part of you know what comes along with this case. I mean, it‘s like, you know, “The DaVinci Code”. Everyone is trying to figure it out. They have all their own spins on it, it‘s unbelievable, but it couldn‘t be anything more further from the truth. Joran does not know this young man.
ABRAMS: Now, I think the reason some people question that is because it does fit in very well, conveniently, no matter—depending on how you view it, with Joran‘s story, which is Joran says he left her on the beach and that‘s the last he saw of her and now suddenly another young man is arrested who presumably is combing the beaches in an effort to protect tourists.
TACOPINA: Yes. Well I mean that is—I mean, look, if that‘s—we‘re going down that road of speculation, which I am so loathe to do in this case, Dan, because that‘s what we‘ve had for 11 months, but let‘s go down it for a second based on that question, your hypothetical. I mean if this guy is part of a beach patrol, which we know he was because his father was the security outfit that was in charge of the—what they call the high visibility team, that‘s the beach patrol—if that‘s in fact the case and he worked for them, well Joran leaving Natalee at the beach at 2:30, according to his cell phone records, the call to Deepak was around 2:40, and he‘s on his computer at home at 3:10, so we know that there‘s a very limited time window there.
And she‘s incapacitated or passed out or alone or walking back to the "Holiday Inn," whatever she‘s doing on the beach, and a guy from the beach patrol happens up upon her, you know that‘s perfectly consistent, assuming there‘s any connection with this kid and her disappearance, with everything Joran has said, so the—but the bottom line is Joran doesn‘t know who he is up until today and certainly doesn‘t have any connection to him, so this is a positive development for Joran van der Sloot as far as I‘m concerned in a big way.
ABRAMS: And Joe, you‘ve been told that one of the reasons he was arrested was based on forensic evidence found on a t-shirt?
TACOPINA: Well, Dan, I—you know, I‘ve been told a lot of things.
As you know, we have Investigators on the field both in Aruba and here, but
we have people that we speak to on a daily basis and my interest in trying
to help get to the bottom of this case is I have a client that his life has
been destroyed and been you know living a nightmare since day one, and
certainly I‘d like to have this resolved for him, aside from any peace this
brings to the Holloway family, but yes, I have been told in no uncertain
terms that this individual was the owner of this shirt that they recovered
back in the beginning of this, I think in June, that was a shirt that was -
has his father‘s security company on it and it also had his initials in it.
I don‘t think they really put two and two together. Unfortunately, a lot of things occurring late in this investigation, seems like since the new Police chief, Phelty (ph), came on the scene, things have been picking up a little bit, but I will also tell you that his father was the individual who installed the security cameras at the "Holiday Inn" of all places, the hotel where Natalee stayed and at the "Holiday Inn" casino and that security camera oddly enough captured Joran on the videotape...
ABRAMS: Right.
TACOPINA: ... with Natalee, but coincidentally was missing a piece of video that I think could be very telling, which was this boy, Geoffrey, with Natalee after Joran was with her and that piece of videotape wasn‘t you know there when the Police went to go get it. So I think there are some dots that need to be connected here.
ABRAMS: Wait, Joe—but Joe, you don‘t know that he‘s on the videotape with Natalee; you‘re saying it‘s possible, right?
TACOPINA: Well I‘m going on my—the reports I have that have witness statements putting this kid in that casino with Natalee. Look, I can only go on what the witnesses have said, Dan, who were there and what I will tell you is that the Holloway family has put out that they believe this is the young Dutch, blonde haired, blue eyed boy who Natalee was smitten with prior to meeting Joran.
There‘s a lot more than meets the eye here in my opinion. Again, Dan, I am not taking the ultimate step and saying this case is solved. I just think it‘s very interesting...
ABRAMS: Right.
TACOPINA: ... and I really—I am thoroughly encouraged, as are my clients, that this is starting to—this investigation at least is starting to follow some leads that seemed to be dormant up until a few weeks ago.
ABRAMS: All right. Joe Tacopina, thanks a lot. Appreciate it.
TACOPINA: OK, buddy.
ABRAMS: Joining me now, former F.B.I. profiler and MSNBC analyst Clint van Zandt, former prosecutor and MSNBC analyst Susan Filan and criminal defense attorney Yale Galanter.
All right. Clint, look...
CLINT VAN ZANDT, FORMER F.B.I. PROFILER: Yes.
ABRAMS: ... this seems to be a big development, no?
VAN ZANDT: Well you know, number one, Joe is a great guy. Number two, he‘s putting up a good defense for his client, so you know I take what Joe says based upon what his job is, defend his client. All that said and done, you know it‘s an interesting development, Dan. We‘ve had our seat belt strapped on this case so many times; we‘ve been up and down this roller coaster ramp. You know, you got to follow the evidence; you got to follow the information.
You can‘t let an attorney run you one way nor can you let the Police or the family run you another way. The cops have got to just keep their head down to the ground and keep sniffing this case out and so what if this guy‘s shirt was buried in the sand? Unless it‘s got Natalee‘s DNA on it, what does that mean?
ABRAMS: Well, I mean, Susan, this guy has been arrested, all right. They have enough evidence to hold him beyond the initial period. Again, we don‘t know exactly what he‘s arrested for, but we do know it‘s in connection with this case. I‘m just—I‘m wondering whether some people just don‘t want to believe that it could have been anyone other than the three suspects who we‘ve been talking about all this time.
SUSAN FILAN, MSNBC LEGAL ANALYST: Well, it would be foolish to become entrenched in a position that we want it to be one person over another person, based on you know that‘s what we‘ve been thinking for 11 months. I mean that‘s just foolish and I don‘t frankly think that that‘s what‘s going on. I think what‘s happening is we have just the most minimal amount of information, and it‘s like trying to read tealeaves and it‘s very frustrating. I know that your other guest said that they don‘t hold people as suspects in Aruba and I‘ll take her at her word at that, but I still can‘t help but think that they‘re holding this person more as a witness to help crack or solve this case, and it will somehow lead them back to the three original suspects.
What do I base that on? I base that on the fact that that‘s what the Police have been working on for the past 11 months and it would surprise me, it would actually bother me to learn that they‘ve been barking up the wrong tree for the last 11 months. It‘s possible, but I tend to doubt it and again like Clint says, what forensic evidence did they find on this t-shirt now. Is it Natalee‘s DNA? I just don‘t know and I agree again with Clint...
ABRAMS: Yes.
FILAN: I think Joe is a great guy but you really have to take what he‘s saying with a grain of salt because he‘s doing his job and well too.
ABRAMS: Well, a man who I always take with a grain of salt is Yale Galanter. Yale, what do you make of it?
YALE GALANTER, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well I agree with everything. I mean you know Joe is a great guy and you do have to take what defense lawyers say with a grain of salt. But all of that being said, I mean Joe is very honest and what he‘s saying makes sense and it does fit with his client‘s story of leaving her on the beach. Now the real key is what were the Police and law enforcement people doing with this t-shirt for so long, and why do we not have the scientific results of there being any forensic evidence found on it? Because what Susan and Clint were saying is true, if Natalee‘s DNA is on that t-shirt, this young man is going to have to explain...
(CROSSTALK)
GALANTER: ... his contact with her and...
ABRAMS: I think that...
GALANTER: ... we need to know...
ABRAMS: I think they‘re saying it somewhat facetiously, that sort of you know, if and only if Natalee‘s...
(CROSSTALK)
ABRAMS: ... DNA is found on the shirt.
VAN ZANDT: Yes. Yes.
GALANTER: But if the...
ABRAMS: Yes. All right...
GALANTER: ... rumor is true that there‘s something on that t-shirt, Dan...
ABRAMS: Yes.
GALANTER: ... we need to know the source of that...
(CROSSTALK)
GALANTER: ... forensic material.
ABRAMS: Well let‘s be clear, the source of the rumor is coming from Joe Tacopina. I mean just—I mean I‘m not saying that‘s not true. I‘m just saying that remember, that‘s where we got that information and you know, I just want the viewers to understand...
GALANTER: But somewhere there‘s got to be...
ABRAMS: ... that that‘s where we‘re getting it from.
GALANTER: ... a lab report because after 11 months...
ABRAMS: That‘s right.
GALANTER: ... it would have had to...
VAN ZANDT: Yes. Absolutely.
ABRAMS: All right.
VAN ZANDT: Yes.
ABRAMS: Clint van Zandt, thanks a lot. Appreciate it.
VAN ZANDT: Thanks, Dan.
On 4-17 MSNBC reported:
SCARBOROUGH: A new arrest in the Aruba case that some are calling a watershed moment for the Natalee Holloway investigation. Is there a crack in the case? Or is it another dead end? We‘ll find out straight ahead.
But first, here‘s the latest news you and your family need to know.
(NEWSBREAK)
SCARBOROUGH: “The Da Vinci Code” is one of the most anticipated movies in a long time. The church leaders say the film dangerous and it blurs the line between fact and fiction, and the public needs to be warned.
Plus, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie getting ready to give birth. Get this. In Africa. So why is one of Jolie‘s former lovers trying to break up the globetrotting couple?
Welcome back to “Scarborough Country.” Those stories in just minutes.
But first, new details about the teenager under arrest tonight in connection with the Natalee Holloway case. What does he know? Will this finally lead to a break in the case or another dead end?
NBC‘s Michelle Kosinski is on the island of Aruba tonight. And she has the very latest via videophone.
(BEGIN AUDIO FEED)
SCARBOROUGH: Michelle, what do you have?
MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CORRESPONDENT, NBC NEWS: Hi there, Joe. This 19-year-old was arrested in some connection to Natalee Holloway's disappearance. Prosecutors aren‘t saying why, but they are saying now they have enough evidence of some sort against him that they want to keep him behind bars for at least another week.
So who is this Geoffrey von Cromvoirt? Well, that depends on who you ask. The attorney‘s to parties in this case do have some access to prosecutor‘s evidence. And friends of Natalee Holloway's family say that this boy is friends with all three of the suspects in her disappearance, who have been released.
While, the Joran van der Sloot‘s lawyer says his client doesn‘t know the boy. He says his client doesn‘t know this boy. And he says van Cromvoirt worked for a security company on the island and did some beach patrol, including in the areas near where Natalee was staying and where van der Sloot claims he left her alone the night she disappeared.
What‘s more, van der Sloot ‘s attorney says that von Cromvoirt, a couple of months ago, he had a shirt of his found by Aruban Police that he says contains some kind of forensic evidence that could be significant. And prosecutors aren‘t confirming any of this. But they do want to keep this boy behind the bars.
And last week, Aruban TV aired a sort of “America‘s Most Warranted,” Dutch version, and Investigators say that program along generated dozens of tips. Joe.
SCARBOROUGH: Thank you so much, NBC‘s Michelle Kosinski. We appreciate it.
(END AUDIO FEED.)
SCARBOROUGH: Now, let‘s bring in Natalee‘s father, Dave Holloway.
Dave, have you ever heard of the teenager before this week?
DAVE HOLLOWAY, FATHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: I have not, Joe. The first time I heard of him was when he was arrested on Saturday.
SCARBOROUGH: Joe Tacopina, who is a Joran‘s attorney, is saying this may possibly be a watershed moment for the investigation. Do you agree with him?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I don‘t know. We‘ve had a number of people, what, six, seven, eight people arrested and released. Tomorrow will be the big day. That‘s when the evidence will be presented to the judge and the judge will make the decision of whether or not he will be detained for an additional eight days. I won‘t get my hopes up high until this individual is detained for the at least 16 days or more.
SCARBOROUGH: Despite this individual going in, is your focus still on Joran van der Sloot and the two Kalpoe brothers?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I think they are still the primary suspects until we develop any further information. You know, I just think this guy may be a stepping stone to, maybe, others that may be involved in the case. We‘ll just have to wait and see what they develop.
SCARBOROUGH: What can you tell us about this shirt, the forensic evidence? Has the family been told anything?
HOLLOWAY: No, we haven‘t. I recall an interview that Karl Penhaul made, on one of the other stations, that a shirt was found along with a pair of sunglasses. I think they indicated that there were some blood on it or some other forensic evidence. And whether or not that was ever tested or whatever, in this case, we don‘t know.
SCARBOROUGH: All right. Hey, finally, do you think that your family‘s pressure keeping this investigation going may have led to this arrest?
HOLLOWAY: Well, it was just very coincidental that, you know, I had a book coming out and it came out, April 11th and that‘s when this Dutch program debut. And I heard word back in November that they were concerned about the title in my book. So, I don‘t know.
A lot of things happened coincidentally. It seems like the more you push them, the more they tend to investigate. So, you know, let‘s keep the pressure on and maybe we‘ll get some answers.
SCARBOROUGH: All right. Thanks so much, Dave Holloway. We greatly appreciate you being with us tonight.
HOLLOWAY: Thank you, Joe.
SCARBOROUGH: And let‘s hope we get some answers.
Now, let‘s go to out panel of experts. With us, former F.B.I. profiler and MSNBC analyst, Clint van Zandt and also prosecutor Stacey Honowitz.
Clint, there seems to be some conflict between whether Joran knows this kid or not? What can you tell us?
CLINT VAN ZANDT, MSNBC ANALYST & FORMER F.B.I. PROFILER: Well, it seems to go both ways. You know, we had Joran‘s attorney, Joe, tell us about a week ago that every teenager knows every other teenager on the island.
SCARBOROUGH: Exactly.
VAN ZANDT: So, we should just accept that, right? And now, this week, he tells us, but, of all the teenagers on the island, these two guys, Joran van der Sloot and our new suspect—for lack of a better term—now, have no knowledge of each other.
So, you know, Joe, as an F.B.I. agent, I can‘t get caught up in what the defense says or even what the prosecution says. You got to follow the evidence. You‘ve got to, you know, look back. You‘ve got to look at the Steve Croes, who months ago, said that Natalee was dropped off and two security guards grabbed her. That turned out to be a lie.
Why did he tell that? Why did Joran van der Sloot tell three or four major versions and upwards of 15 to 20 minor versions? Why did van der Sloot and one of the call Kalpoe brothers, in a tape-recorded conversation that the Policed had, a month after Natalee disappeared, talk about her in the past tense? These are the investigative questions that I want to see resolved.
SCARBOROUGH: Stacey, a week ago, the lead Investigator was attacking Natalee, claiming that she had gotten too drunk, possibly took drugs, and implied that it was her own fault. Now, we come up with this new arrest, possibly a watershed moment in the case. What‘s going on in this investigation?
STACEY HONOWITZ, PROSECUTOR: Well, I stated before on this show, and many people said, that it wouldn‘t be unusual for them to attack the victim in this case. That‘s a tactic that‘s been used for years.
We really don‘t know what brought on this brand new lead. I mean, the bottom line was—Dave talks about his book coming out. We don‘t know if, in fact, tourism has been down and they decided, with this change of guard, with this new prosecutor coming in, the new head of the Police coming in, that they have decide that had we need to move forward on this case.
I also believe that the show that they had that was, you know, like “America‘s Most Wanted” here, generated some tips for them to move forward. And I wouldn‘t be surprised if this guy that‘s in there now has material information. Might not have been involved in the crime directly but has material information. And they are keeping him in, in the hopes that they can get some info out of him.
SCARBOROUGH: Like this T-shirt? How does this T-shirt play into it?
HONOWITZ: Well, the T-shirt‘s going to be important...
SCARBOROUGH: How does the T-shirt...
HONOWITZ: ... because if this person said he had never had any contact with Natalee Holloway, and there‘s some biological evidence linking her to him, her blood or DNA or something‘s on the shirts, well certainly we‘re going to know that he did have contact. So, the forensic, the biological evidence, the DNA that could possibly be there could be crucial.
SCARBOROUGH: And Clint, I‘ll ask you the same question about this T-shirt. How could it play in this case in the investigation?
VAN ZANDT: Well, we know that the T-shirt has got the name of the suspect‘s father‘s security company—the suspect works for that security company, supposedly handling the video cameras at the "Holiday Inn" where Natalee stayed, and providing security on the beach where she stayed.
And of course, we‘ve got Joran van der Sloot‘s, I guess, the final version of his story, where he suggests that he left Natalee on that beach alone.
So, then you start to connect one and two and three different dots. And you say, well, could this new suspect have had some contact with Natalee after van der Sloot left her there.
Well, she could have been grabbed up by Martians too. But these are the things that authorities have to look at. But simply the finding of a T-shirt with the name of a security company in his initials, unless they can link that positively to Natalee Holloway, it‘s just one more piece of trash that they f/und during this search.
SCARBOROUGH: And they are talking about forensic evidence on that shirt. We will see.
Cliff van Zandt, Stacey Honowitz, thank you so much.
On 4-17 DAVE HOLLOWAY, JOHN Q. KELLY, and other persons stated to CNNHN:
NANCY GRACE, HOST: Tonight, breaking news. The American missing girl, 18-year-old Natalee Holloway, the Alabama beauty who disappeared on her high school senior trip -- tonight, a new arrest, a 19-year-old young man under questioning as we speak.
…
But first, breaking news tonight in the Natalee Holloway case out of Aruba, a new target under arrest and being questioned as we speak. Is there finally justice for 18-year-old Natalee Holloway? Tonight, we are taking your calls.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, NATALEE'S MOTHER: We want justice, and we have to recognize the fact that, you know, this crime has been committed on the island of Aruba and we know the perpetrators.
JORAN VAN DER SLOOT , CHIEF SUSPECT: I knew her for one night. I should have just stayed home and this wouldn't have happened to me, it would have happened to another person.
DAVE HOLLOWAY, NATALEE'S FATHER: (INAUDIBLE) that one of her friend's alibis does not -- just not match up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) things lead me to believe that he knows more than -- than (INAUDIBLE)
TWITTY: We just have to, though, keep going. The only way we will get justice for Natalee is if we do keep going.
VAN DER SLOOT: I just hope that -- that (INAUDIBLE) that the truth comes out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: Straight out to investigative reporter Pat Lalama. Pat, explain to me the significance of this arrest.
PAT LALAMA, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER: Well, there's so much that seems significant about it. Let's start with the most important point, and that is that this 19-year-old person, whose name is Geoffrey van Cromvoirt -- we are permitted to name him, but let's just keep in mind he has not been charged with anything. However, I'm going to run down the important points for you, Nancy, and of course, you'll take it away in the way you always do.
Number one, he acts or acted as a security guard. And by "acted," meaning he did have a job as a security guard on the beach, supposed to be keeping the beach safe for all. Number two, interestingly, there's conflicting stories about whether he knew Joran van der Sloot and his other friends. Some say he did, some say he did not.
Thirdly, his sister is a Police officer in the same very place where the investigation into Natalee's disappearance is taking place. Number four, his father owns a private -- let's call it a private investigative agency, and actually has contracted and done work for the Police department. Whether that's here nor there, we don't know, at this point.
But five, and to me quite significant, is the issue of potential blood evidence. A year ago, Nancy, you were actually talking to a CNN reporter who said that while there was a search on the beach, they came up with a T- shirt or a shirt of some sort that seemed to have blood on it, and it belonged to the security company that this young man's father owns. At the time, it didn't really mean much.
Now, with this young man, Geoffrey, there is allegedly a connection, a link to some forensic evidence on a shirt, whether it's the same shirt, whether it's two different shirts, we don't know.
So everything, at this point, up in the air, but...
GRACE: OK...
LALAMA: ... boy, is it intriguing.
GRACE: Here is what Natalee's father had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLLOWAY: This is the first arrest since probably early or late June, and it's -- it's a very, very new name that has not even been on the radar screen. So maybe it's -- maybe it's a break in the case. Maybe it's that card that will bring the whole deck down.
We had a change of command in the Police department a week or so ago, and you know, we're not calling all the Police, you know, bad. All it takes is one or two people turning their heads to derail an investigation. Maybe -- maybe we're on the right track now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: As you see, the father, Mr. Holloway, expressing renewed hope this morning on the "Today" show at NBC.
I'm hearing in my ear from Elizabeth we now have Jossy Mansur. As you know, he is the managing director and editor at ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" magazine. Welcome, Jossy. Jossy, who is this new guy?
JOSSY MANSUR, MANAGING EDITOR, ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario": This new guy?
GRACE: Yes.
MANSUR: Well, he's been described all over the place. He's a 19- year-old boy. He was (INAUDIBLE) with the father with the (INAUDIBLE) the hotel. He is also -- he hangs out a lot on the beach, what we call a "beach bum" here. And he used to work with the firm of Gerold Dompig, at the (INAUDIBLE) team which is a special unit brought into life to offer (INAUDIBLE) security and safety for the hotels and the tourists. That's what we know about him. We don't know more.
GRACE: You know, that's quite a lot of connections in a tangential way to the Natalee Holloway case. Let me get this straight, Jossy. Everyone, again, Jossy Mansur, the managing director and editor of ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" magazine. Jossy, this guy, Geoffrey van -- how do you say his last name?
MANSUR: van Cromvoirt.
GRACE: Cromvoirt. His dad owns the security company that did security for the "Holiday Inn," where Natalee was staying. His sister, I understand, is on the Police force at the precinct, as we would call it, that was investigative the Natalee Holloway case. Are both of those correct?
MANSUR: That's correct. His sister was sworn in as Police officer in August of last year.
GRACE: All right. Now, what is his connection, this new guy that has now been arrested -- we know that the Dutch can hold him for about eight days. He's being questioned as we speak. He's got a court appearance tomorrow. What is his connection with a T-shirt that was found on the south end of the island that we are told has forensic evidence on it?
MANSUR: Well, I don't know. I don't know anything about it. What I do know is that about 10 months ago, a T-shirt or a uniform of the company of his father, the security company, was found half-buried under the sand on the beach and that his father was interrogated at that time, but nothing came out of it.
GRACE: The T-shirt itself was found half-buried, is that what you said?
MANSUR: Yes. Yes.
GRACE: OK, Jossy, where was the T-Shirt found In connection to where van der Sloot says he left Natalee?
MANSUR: No, this T-shirt was found way...
GRACE: OK.
MANSUR: ... on the other side of the island.
GRACE: I just wanted to make sure. Elizabeth, when you can, if you could show me the map of the island?
All right, back to Jossy Mansur with ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" magazine. Why are the authorities holding this young man, if he is not a suspect, Geoffrey van Cromvoirt?
MANSUR: You know, that's very strange for us, too, because we were under the impression from the beginning, we were told by our contacts within the Police department, that he is a suspect. Now, suddenly, they don't want us to call him a suspect anymore, but a detainee. I don't know what the difference is because if they hold you, it's because they suspect you of being involved in some kind of violation of law.
GRACE: That could be...
(CROSSTALK)
MANSUR: ... you are suspected of something.
GRACE: Yes, that could be anything from knowing material pertinent to the case to knowing something about the disposal of her body. That does not mean in any way this guy is connected to the actual death of Natalee Holloway. He has not been named an official suspect. We are talking about 19-year-old Geoffrey van Cromvoirt. He is behind bars as we speak, being questioned right now in the Natalee Holloway disappearance. There's a picture of him.
Jossy, this is very important in my mind. While Joran van der Sloot's lawyer has repeatedly stated his client does not know Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, what's the word on the island? Do they know each other?
MANSUR: Well, we have know of way of knowing yet. I mean, it's too early to determine that. We have to look at the school records, if this guy went to the same school as he did, if they've been seen together and if there's any photo of them together. At this point, we cannot say whether they know each other or not.
GRACE: OK. With me right now, Jossy Mansur with ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" magazine. To Pat Lalama, investigative reporter. We do believe that this new arrestee knows Steve Croes. Remember him?
LALAMA: Absolutely.
GRACE: Go back in the time machine.
(CROSSTALK)
GRACE: Right, the deejay on the party boat.
LALAMA: Right.
GRACE: He was taken into custody and questioned, released, another catch-and-release. So we know those two know each other. So weave it together for me, Pat Lalama.
LALAMA: Well, all right. First of all, it is my understanding that authorities do say that Joran and his buddies ran in the same circles, were part of the same little club, so to speak, or group of people, as this newest person that we have our eyes focused on now. Now, as you said, remember the party boat deejay, Steve Croes, was held, was being looked at very, very diligently, but once again let go. But they do know each other.
So it's -- Nancy, 'sit like "Six Degrees of Separation" that gets this close but still not quite enough to put it all together.
GRACE: Take a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you have sex with her that night?
VAN DER SLOOT: That's -- first of all, that's none of your business.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just a question.
VAN DER SLOOT: Yes, well, it's absolutely none of your business.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, what -- I mean, did anything else happen that night?
VAN DER SLOOT: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)
VAN DER SLOOT: Well, yes, I -- I kissed with her, but neither me, Deepak or Satish ever had sex with her, and no one ever -- ever said otherwise.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do you leave a girl on the beach?
VAN DER SLOOT: I told her I had to go home, I had school the next day, and I thought maybe she'd understand. She told me, no, she wanted notice stay with her because the next day, she was leaving and she wanted to stay there the whole night. I told her no, I had to go. I even lifted her up to carry her back to her hotel, and she told me put her down. I left her there. I sat down next to her, talked to her a while. If I had that moment back, I would have made sure he got back to her hotel safely, but I can't change that now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: Back to Jossy Mansur with ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" magazine. Jossy, this young man now being questioned in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, he worked for the beach patrol. We know that much. He's 19 years old. Was he patrolling at any time the beach where Natalee was last seen?
MANSUR: You know, we have no knowledge of that. It's very hard to say that because we would have to go back into the records, check with the hotel and do a lot of other things. He used to work for the (INAUDIBLE) team. He no longer works for them.
GRACE: Joining me right now...
(CROSSTALK)
MANSUR: ... father out (ph) with a camera.
GRACE: Joining me now is Natalee Holloway's father, Dave Holloway. Dave, thank you for being with us.
HOLLOWAY: Thank you, Nancy.
GRACE: What is your reaction to the arrest?
HOLLOWAY: Well, it looks like a positive move. You know, we hadn't had anything, you know, come about in a number of months. So maybe this is a stepping stone for other things to come.
GRACE: Dave, what, if anything, do you know about Geoffrey van Cromvoirt?
HOLLOWAY: You know, I didn't know anything about him until I heard his initials on some report late Saturday evening. I never heard of him before in any of the Investigators.
GRACE: Dave, have you seen the Police files?
HOLLOWAY: Have I seen the Police files?
GRACE: Yes.
GRACE: I've seen some bits and pieces of some of the statements made, but not the complete file, no.
GRACE: Did you see anything about the beach patrol or this T-shirt with forensic evidence on it, anything that you could connect back to what's happening right now?
HOLLOWAY: No. I think Carl Penhaul reported on the shirt back -- you know, back in the first few days or maybe first few weeks of this investigation, that a shirt was found, and also a pair of sunglasses. And what they did with it, we don't know.
GRACE: With us is Natalee's father, Dave Holloway. Dave, you have been very convinced throughout that Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers are responsible for Natalee's disappearance. Do you still feel that way?
HOLLOWAY: I still feel like they know a lot more than what they're telling us. Whether they're directly involved in it, I'd have to stay on that same road with the Police. So...
(CROSSTALK)
GRACE: What do you mean? What same road?
HOLLOWAY: ... have to see more evidence -- well, the same road that these -- Deepak and Satish and Joran are the primary suspects. There's just too much information that leads that way towards them.
GRACE: What do you think is the single strongest evidence, in your mind, as the case has developed, that they are responsible?
HOLLOWAY: Well, you know, you have all the lies. You have a Police statement that Deepak buried her in the sand. You know, whether that's true or not, you know, we'll just have to wait and see. And then you also have the fact that they lied about being out in the field where the gardener caught them in the middle of the night. You know, just all the different lies.
Why would you lie if you weren't trying to lie something. You know, why did they come up with the "Holiday Inn" story to begin with? You know, and then the lies continued. They got Steve Croes to be an alibi. They attempted to get another little girl to be an alibi to show that they weren't in the field that night, when the gardener identified them. And you know, the list goes on and on.
GRACE: I'm just confused about where this guy is coming from, Dave. We've never heard his name before. I'm wondering -- we know that there was a reenactment on the Dutch TV show kind of like "America's Most Wanted." The translation is "Arrest Requested" -- "Opsporing Verzocht." It's like our "America's Most Wanted." We had that reenactment. It opened up to tips, and now this arrest. Do you think there's a connection?
HOLLOWAY: Well, there possibly is. You know, they had -- I understand, had approximately 60 tips. Obviously, some of those would be identical, so you could probably bring the number down a little bit. But I know the prosecutor is excited about all of the tips, and you know, she's working very well with our attorney.
GRACE: Everybody, you are seeing a reenactment performed by a Dutch TV station DVN (ph) of what may have happened the night Natalee went missing. With us tonight from Aruba, Jossy Mansur, the editor and director of ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" magazine. Also with us, Natalee's father, Dave Holloway.
We'll be all right back, but let's quickly go to tonight's "Case Alert." Formal charges today in an Oklahoma case for the man accused of killing a 10-year-old girl, Jamie Rose Bolin. The name, Kevin Ray Underwood, 26, allegedly confesses to beating and smothering his young neighbor. Authorities allege Underwood planned to cannibalize the child.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRACE: Welcome back, everyone. A development in the Natalee Holloway case, an arrest. Right now, we believe this young man -- he is not a suspect tonight -- a 19-year-old member of the local beach patrol, is under questioning.
Back to Dave Holloway. Dave, did Police contact you? Did authorities contact you and your family and tell you of the arrest, or did you just find out over the weekend watching TV?
HOLLOWAY: Well, we heard about it late Saturday evening. You know, when news happens in Aruba, we have a number of sources. Our attorney also called us while we were on the phone, so we heard it. I mean, we had a number of calls Saturday evening. In fact, we figured out the name within, you know, 30, 45 minutes.
GRACE: Let's go straight to the lines. On the phone, Laurie in Pennsylvania. Hi, Laurie.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, Nancy. If Geoffrey is convicted, can Joran press charges against him?
GRACE: I don't see how. And again, right now, he's not a suspect. Laurie, remember, when they take him -- for instance Steve Croes, the party boat deejay -- various people that they think are witnesses, their system, Laurie, is so different than ours, it would be a cold day in Hades before someone could be taken under arrest here in the United States and it not be made public why they were arrested. We do not have secret proceedings in this country.
But joining me right now is international law expert Rahul Manchanda. Rahul, how is it the Dutch can take basically witnesses and keep them detained to question them?
RAHUL MANCHANDA, DEFENSE ATTORNEY, INTERNATIONAL LAW EXPERT: Well, it's a good question. It's a fundamental difference between the Dutch system and the American system. You know, in America, you know, once you're arrested, there has to be probable cause, and you know, probable cause is defined as, you know, facts and circumstances based on, you know, trustworthy information that would warrant a prudent person to believe that a crime was committed and the person to be arrested who committed it.
Over there, however, in Aruba, you're talking about the Dutch system, which just talks about reasonable suspicion. And over there, you can incarcerate somebody and keep them in jail without even charging them, you know, for a certain period of time, initially to two days. You can extend that for another eight days, and then another series, two of eight, bring it to 46, you know, and then you can extend it for another four months without charging people, you know, with a crime, for a total of 146 days.
GRACE: Clark, this is not the first time we've seen the catch-and- release theory in effect in Aruba.
CLARK GOLDBAND, NANCY GRACE INTERNET REPORTER: Well, it's certainly not the first time. We have a scorecard here of all the various people taken into custody, held, and then they're released. Let's start with Antonius John. You may not remember the name, but Nancy, he was one of the first two security guards.
GRACE: Security guards.
GOLDBAND: You're exactly right. We one more security guard here. His name, Abraham Jones. They were held for the first six days in this investigation and subsequently let go. Joran van der Sloot needs no introduction -- held in June and released. Deepak Kalpoe -- he was in and out twice, along with his partner, Satish, who's also his brother. They were released and held twice, as well. Steve Croes -- we remember him. He was the party boat deejay...
(CROSSTALK)
GOLDBAND: Exactly right -- held for 10 days and let go. Next is Paulus van der Sloot. He is Joran's father, the judge, held for three days and released. And now we have our next person, Geoffrey van Cromvoirt. I'm sorry if my Dutch is not exactly correct. He was arrested on Saturday...
GRACE: So we'll see if he is another catch-and-release.
GOLDBAND: We're still waiting on the verdict.
GRACE: Exactly.
Very quickly, let's go to tonight's "Case Alert." Police confirm the two small bodies founds in a Milwaukee lagoon are those of Dre Henning and Purvis Parker. Autopsies show the 12-year-old and 12-year-old both drowned, no evidence of foul play. The boys last seen March 19, headed to a local park to play ball. We tried, but we could not find them fast enough.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLLOWAY: I just can't understand that three kids, you know, if they were involved in foul play, could have disposed of Natalee in such a way that we couldn't find her. So that leads me to believe that possibly there's other people involved in the case. And until you prove or until somebody proves me otherwise, I've just got that feeling.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
On 4-17 DAVE HOLLOWAY, JOHN Q. KELLY and others stated to CNN:
STAR JONES REYNOLDS, GUEST HOST: A new arrest made in Aruba over the weekend nearly eleven months after Natalee Holloway vanished without a trace. An Aruban newspaper says the man in custody is Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, 19-year-old brother of a Police officer. Is there any connection to the previous suspect Joran van der Sloot and what could it all mean?
Well we'll ask Natalee's father, Dave Holloway, and the famous forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee; plus, the latest from Aruba and a whole lot more all next on LARRY KING LIVE.
Hello everyone. I'm Star Jones Reynolds sitting in for Larry King this evening and we are going to get right. And, joining us this evening first is Dave Holloway, the father of Natalee Holloway, of course, the 18-year-old Alabama honor student who disappeared almost a year ago May 30th in 2005 while on a graduation trip to Aruba.
And, in the studio with me is John Q. Kelly, the Holloway family attorney. We go way, way back.
JOHN Q. KELLY, HOLLOWAY FAMILY ATTORNEY: Way back.
REYNOLDS: Way back. John is handling the civil case for the Holloway family.
Dave, let me start with you. We talked about this brand new arrest, Geoffrey van Cromvoirt. What's your reaction to the news of this arrest?
DAVE HOLLOWAY, FATHER OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY: Well, it's one step forward. The Dutch equivalent of "America's Most Wanted" came on the island and did a show for the Arubaans and the Dutch and, as a result, they received approximately 60 tips, possibly up to 100.
And, I don't know whether that was a result of this arrest or what but it's very, very coincidental that the tips came in and then this individual was subsequently arrested.
REYNOLDS: Mr. Holloway, did you ever hear this man's name before his arrest or his detention? Was this someone who was a "person of interest" to the Police before?
HOLLOWAY: I had never heard his name prior to his arrest no.
REYNOLDS: OK, I mean what have they told you thus far is his relationship with the case? We've been hearing the word suspect, arrested, detained? Have they told you whether or not they suspect him of being involved versus having information?
HOLLOWAY: All we know is that he's involved in the case in some form or fashion. To what extent we have no idea. Tomorrow will shed a lot of light. I understand that he'll go in front of a judge, possibly tomorrow, to determine how long he'll continue staying in jail.
I'm not going to get my hopes up high on this individual because he was never on the radar screen and hadn't heard of his before but who knows what will happen? We just all don't want to speculate and get our hopes up high only to get them turned down.
REYNOLDS: OK. John, I'm going to actually come to you because you know a little bit about what's going to happen tomorrow. You have a good relationship with the prosecution down in Aruba.
KELLY: Yes.
REYNOLDS: What is actually planned for G.V.C. as they've been calling him?
KELLY: OK. Under Aruban law you're allowed to arrest him and hold him for at least two business days without presenting any charges or any proof as to why you're holding him and as of trial that will be the two business days.
What's going to happen is Karin Janssen, the chief prosecutor, will go into court. A judge of first impression is being flown over from Curacao, one of the other islands to hear the case tomorrow afternoon.
And, Ms. Janssen will present what's called the dossier, which is the written documentation supporting her case, the witness statements. They don't take testimony. They present written statements of other witnesses indicating that they have sufficient evidence to hold this individual for another eight days.
And a judge will have to decide whether it's sufficient evidence to justify holding him for another eight days. And then every eight days thereafter, they have to go in again and further justify holding him.
REYNOLDS: So you will be able to know basically by tomorrow whether or not we're talking about a material witness, someone with information, or actually a suspect as it relates to young Natalee's disappearance?
KELLY: Oh, sure. We'll certainly know if the judge doesn't hold him whether there is enough evidence there to warrant holding him for any reason, whether as a material witness or as a suspect and the charges.
REYNOLDS: OK. There's a lot of action happening on the ground in Aruba right now even as we speak. Can you fill us in on that?
KELLY: Well, yes, in addition to the arrest that was made over the weekend, which actually did come as a surprise. I was out to dinner Saturday night and I got a call ten o'clock at night from Karin Janssen telling me about the arrest.
Also last week they had been searching t(e waters off the coast of Aruba, the Aruban Coast Guard, using sonar equipment. They have very specific points of interest in the waters not too far off shore. Ms. Janssen told me both last week and yesterday and today they've been searching these areas again.
REYNOLDS: You know, Mr. Holloway, you mentioned the Dutch version of our "America's Most Wanted," which was a reenactment of what is thought to be Natalee's last hours before her disappearance and the 60-some-odd tips. Do you know whether or not the Police and the authorities are continuing to follow up on those tips?
HOLLOWAY: I have no idea whatsoever. You know all of our information goes through the prosecutor, Karin Janssen, and through our attorney John Kelly.
REYNOLDS: What about the names that we have heard over the last eleven months, Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers, are they in any way still connected to the case? What do you know about them right now, John?
KELLY: I know that the individual being held now there's some relationship between himself and the three primary suspects. I know Joran van der Sloot's attorney is saying Joran did not know this individual but that doesn't necessarily mean that this individual doesn't have relevant information about Joran and the others. And, it's my understanding that's where the fit is.
REYNOLDS: OK, so everybody's being very careful about who knew whom.
KELLY: Right.
REYNOLDS: And when they knew them. However, there is some indication that this young man's name actually came up in the investigation prior.
KELLY: Sure. His name, I mean his name had come up during the summer and it's in some of the F.B.I. reports. He's no stranger to the F.B.I. at least. And, the fact that he's been picked up it's not excluding the three primary suspects. It's, you know, in addition to the focus on the three primary suspects also.
REYNOLDS: Mr. Holloway, you said you don't want to get your hopes up but I've actually heard you say that you're someone who clearly hopes for the best when it come3 to finding out what happened to Natalee. How do you stop yourself from getting your hopes up when you get yet another tip, another step down this path?
HOLLOWAY: Well, you just remain I guess cautiously optimistic that this person will, you know, provide the information. Just because there's an arrest does not mean that this guy is the key to the house so to speak. He may have some information and he may be the key to it but, you know, if he's not, then you know, you know you fall down the -- I guess you go down the roller coaster ride again.
So, I'm just trying to keep an even keel on it. It is a positive thing. Anything is positive when the Police are actively investigating this case. So, you know, I'm just going to kind of just hold back and see what happens tomorrow. If he's detained another eight days, I know that we probably have something but until then, you know, we'll just have to wait and see.
REYNOLDS: You seem to not be numb from every new development. I think that must be a father's love then that continues to keep you going up and down that roller coaster.
HOLLOWAY: Well, you know, back on June the 10th the F.B.I. told us that this was a homicide case. The very next day the Aruban Police, you know, said it was something else, you know, and, you know, we went through that roller coaster ride with, you know was it a homicide case or was it not? And the Arubaans continued to deny it for all the way up until I guess October and they finally indicated it was a homicide case.
Then you had the bloody mattress. You had the barrel that was pulled up that, you know, the hair on the duct tape, you know, just the list goes on and on and on. And, you know, you kind of get like you said you get numb to it after some point in time of, you know, is this going to be it? Is this going to be it? And then it's not and it's a big let down.
REYNOLDS: Well, Mr. Holloway, we're going to ask you to stay with us. John, when we come back I really want to get into what's happening with the civil lawsuit that the Holloway family has filed against Joran van der Sloot. Where does that stand? And, why did you put it right here in New York?
We'll be right back. There's a whole lot more. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
REYNOLDS: And we are here this evening discussing the latest in the Natalee Holloway disappearance. We are joined by her father, Dave Holloway, and family attorney for the Holloways, John Q. Kelly, here in studio.
Dave, let me ask you now that we've seen a photograph of G.V.C., this latest suspect, have you spoken with any of Natalee's friends whether or not they actually remember seeing him or him being anywhere around that last evening before Natalee's disappearance?
HOLLOWAY: Star, I have not. I just saw the photo late this afternoon prior to coming to the show, so we hadn't had an opportunity to allow those individuals to view the photos.
REYNOLDS: OK, I'm assuming that the prosecution will be following up with that and the Investigators. Why don't you take us, John, where does this civil lawsuit stand? You filed a lawsuit against -- the family filed a lawsuit against Joran van der Sloot here in New York.
KELLY: Yes.
REYNOLDS: And when he came to do some interviews as I recall and now where is that case?
KELLY: It's -- there's the motion pending in State Supreme Court in New York County, a motion to dismiss based on the jurisdictional issues. We personally served them, gave them personal jurisdiction over Joran van der Sloot. Then his father when they did try to come to -- well they did come to New York and we met them when they arrived.
REYNOLDS: So when they say jurisdiction issues just for the non- lawyers out there meaning why is it in New York when the disappearance happened in Aruba?
KELLY: Yes.
REYNOLDS: That's what the fight is.
KELLY: It's complicated. You got two parents, one in Alabama, one in Mississippi, defendants one in Holland, one in Aruba, and witnesses basically all over the world in this case. So, the question is whether it's appropriate for the New York courts to hear this case or it should be in Aruba or some other forum.
REYNOLDS: And the lawsuit is not just against Joran van der Sloot but also against his father, correct?
KELLY: That's correct.
REYNOLDS: That's why you say the two defendants are separated?
KELLY: Yes.
REYNOLDS: What kind of chance do you have counselor?
KELLY: You know I'm not going to venture a guess with something pending and a judge possibly watching a show like this, Star. You know I wasn't dropped on my head when I was born.
REYNOLDS: Yes.
KELLY: But we feel we've got a reasonable basis for bringing the action and we feel we've got a fighting chance. It's up to the discretion of the court and once you have a judge that's going to exercise their wise discretion you (INAUDIBLE).
REYNOLDS: Thank you for the update. You know, Mr. Holloway, I was just thinking that as we come up on the anniversary of Natalee's disappearance in just over a month there are a lot of families who are sending their children on their class trips. And, I remember you saying you were hesitant when Natalee wanted to go on this particular class trip. What do you say to parents who are going to be sending their kids out on their class trips in about the next four to six weeks?
HOLLOWAY: Well, I was a little hesitant due to a number of reasons. I came from the old school and, you know, we had our graduation trip at a local park or whatever. And, you know, it seems like things go on and they get a little bit more extravagant and, you know, you just finally give in.
But, you know, you got to stop and think when you leave the United States you leave a lot of things behind and when you enter another country you enter their jurisdiction, their laws and, if you're not familiar with them, you've learned a hard lesson like we have learned.
Then also you get into issues. In the United States the legal drinking age is 21 years old and then you bring, you know, a bunch of 18-year-old, 19-year-old kids into an environment with their peers and, you know, you just raise the level of responsibility on them when in the United States we feel like that responsibility level would be 21 years old.
So, you know, you've got to watch things like that and, you know, I'd just asked the parents to be a lot more cautious, continue to warn the kids. You know, we did all those things and, you know, it's just like the example I gave the other day.
I said it's like a mamma duck swimming along with the baby ducks and she's doing everything she can do to protect them and then here comes the old turtle and he snaps one. So, you know, that's all you can just continue to preach to your kids and ask them to be cautious.
REYNOLDS: Well that's very good advice and I'm sure that there are a lot of parents who are going to be very cautious in the next four to six weeks as they send their children off. Mr. Holloway, thank you for joining us this evening.
HOLLOWAY: Thank you.
REYNOLDS: John, thank you for joining us this evening.
KELLY: Sure.
REYNOLDS: Please keep us updated on what's happening.
Now, joining us is the distinguished forensic scientist himself Dr. Henry Lee, one of the world's foremost forensic scientists, distinguished professor at the University of New Haven and founder of that program there. His latest book is "Dr. Henry Lee's Forensic Files, Five Famous Cases," and it will be out next month, good to see you again Dr. Lee.
And joining me here in New York is Lisa Bloom, anchor and commentator on "Court TV News," co-anchors with Bloom and Politan, "Open Court" and a very, very prominent civil rights attorney in her own right.
Let's start with you, Dr. Lee. Eleven months and you know the first thing I want to ask you is, is this case cold when it comes to forensics? Is eleven months too long?
DR. HENRY LEE, FORENSIC SCIENTIST: The case is cold. When you run all the leads then it becomes cold. Now they're still working on some new leads. Of course, today they found a shirt, a T-shirt on the south end of the beach. So, we really don't know this T-shirt was buried in the sand or just on the surface of the sand or immersed in the water. That can make a major difference.
Of course, forensic evidence is crucial on this case. The first thing we have to establish this shirt is his shirt, so DNA typing is crucial or hair examination.
Second thing we have to link to Holloway, in other words, find her material. It depends on how much DNA. If that's a major large amount of blood stain or single spot or just a hair that can make major differences on this case.
REYNOLDS: Well, I'm going to be coming back to you. Don't you go anywhere.
Lisa, you have been tracking this story since almost the beginning. What's your assessment of the possible implications of this latest arrest?
LISA BLOOM, COURT TV ANCHOR: You know we've had seven arrests before this Star, and seven times those suspects have been released. This is number eight. Aruban authorities are very tight-lipped. They say that he's a 19-year-old man. His initials are G.V.C.
Court TV is reporting, as is CNN, it's Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, and we know that he worked the beach patrol, that is that he was supposed to be preventing crimes that happen to tourists ironically.
REYNOLDS: He actually was in the VIP beach patrol kind of group as I understand it.
BLOOM: Right. It was called the High Visibility Team. He has a sister who's an Aruban Police officer and his father was the head of security for the video surveillance at the "Holiday Inn" and that's, of course, the hotel where Natalee was staying. So, there's a lot of intriguing questions.
Every new fact we get in this case, Star, leads to about ten more questions. Hopefully, we'll learn more tomorrow when there is that hearing before the judge to find out whether he'll be freed or whether there's evidence to keep him in. But at this point, that's all we know. He could be held because he's got some information...
REYNOLDS: Right.
BLOOM: ...related to Joran van der Sloot and the others. He could be held because he's a suspect in his own right. We just don't know enough at this point.
REYNOLDS: So, well tomorrow will answer a lot of those questions. And, actually we're going to answer a few of those questions as we continue this evening, so please stay with us. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
REYNOLDS: And we are back discussing the latest developments in the Natalee Holloway disappearance.
And, joining us now Joe Tacopina, attorney for Joran van der Sloot, Joe you and I go back to Brooklyn.
JOE TACOPINA, ATTORNEY FOR JORAN VAN DER SLOOT : The Brooklyn D.A.'s Office, Star, that's right. I had the honor of taking your desk when you left, although it was a big desk to fill.
REYNOLDS: Oh, don't try to butter me up here tonight, not try to start there. Why don't we start with the latest in the Holloway disappearance? I mean you've represented Joran van der Sloot and, of course, are close with his family. What is their reaction to the detaining of Geoffrey van Cromvoirt? G.V.C. is what everybody's been calling him.
TACOPINA: Yes, I mean optimistically, you know, excited but yet reserved in their optimism. I mean, you know, we've been down this road before, not to the degree we have been now, Star.
What's happened in the last couple weeks has quite frankly been remarkable since this new Police chief came onboard and seems to have injected some new energy and life into this investigation starting with the placing around the island of Aruba this composite sketch of an individual who attacked an American woman within days of Natalee's disappearance. I mean you have to scratch your head and say "Why wasn't that put up eleven months ago when they had that composite sketch from the FBI?"
REYNOLDS: But it doesn't look anything like this kid as I understand right?
TACOPINA: No, no, no. It's absolutely not this kid based on that description. That's not the -- and I don't know what this kid has to do with this case or not. I mean, look, I know what I've heard. I know what Investigators have told me law enforcement has told them. I mean there's a whole bunch of things out there.
My point is though, Star, it seems like for the first time this investigation is saying, OK, maybe Joran didn't have something to do with this. Let's look at these other leads.
REYNOLDS: So, in other words there is some movement. That's what you're talking about. There is some movement in the case.
TACOPINA: There is some movement.
REYNOLDS: Just all from one primary suspect.
TACOPINA: Right and that's a dangerous thing to do to focus on one individual and exclude evidence that points elsewhere.
REYNOLDS: Well why don't we ask the question that there's been a little debate back and forth in the news reports whether or not Joran knows the young man who's been arrested. Does he know him? Has he ever had any contact peripheral or otherwise?
TACOPINA: No. I don't know what the debate is. I don't know -- I'd love to see someone come on and debate me about that. Joran does not know him. They don't go to school together. Joran's never spoken to him.
Here's the information I understand this individual has provided regarding his knowledge of Joran van der Sloot. He met him one time in a bar on the island and they exchanged pleasantries. I mean that is it. That's what I understand he's saying about Joran. Joran doesn't even remember the kid, doesn't know him, certainly never had a conversation with him.
So, you know, I mean it's almost as if well they both have "van" in their names so therefore they must know each other. It's like -- it's warped logic but there is absolutely no relationship here whatever, Star.
REYNOLDS: Well, I guess the theory is it's a very small island. It's not that big and then there is like sort of this six degrees of separation. Because, if you think about it, there's been some discussion that Geoffrey van Cromvoirt is a pal of Steve Croes and everybody knows Steve Croes was the sort of party boat DJ. And, if in fact they were friends, there was a time that Mr. Croes attempted to give some credence to this so-called alibi that he heard, overheard and he was actually detained as I recall for one of those eight day periods. It was a total of ten. So that's why you might have heard sort of the rumblings that there is some connection. Do you at least see where that comes from?
TACOPINA: No. I mean, you know, I guess if Joran knows someone who knows someone who knows this kid therefore they have a relationship is that logic? But, Star, Joran doesn't know Steve Croes. I mean you see, I mean people are willing to connect dots here.
And it seems to me that, look, Joran had every right to be investigated to the degree he was. You know he should have been the main suspect to start with and he should have been going forward. But, it's been eleven months, three countries, Star, have investigated this. There is no evidence pointing to him.
As a matter of fact, there's evidence exonerating him and it's time to start following the other leads, like predators on the beach who have been identified and there are sketches of, like individuals who maybe have some clothing that were found with, you know, forensic evidence of value, who have other things that I think would be a person of interest, like a relationship in the sense that there was a connection between this individual and Natalee before she ever met Joran.
This individual, this young kid, Geoffrey, is the blond-haired, blue-eyed Dutch boy that Natalee was so smitten with. So, you know, here's what I'm saying. I don't know if this amounts to a hill of beans or another false lead or he's just a witness. All I'm saying is buckle our seat belts here. This may be, Star, a watershed mark in this case, a watershed mark in this investigation.
For the sake of Dave Holloway, who just seems like the nicest guy in the world and his family, I hope so and for the sake of my client, who is an 18-year-old kid who's been, you know, put through hell and back and his family, I hope so too.
REYNOLDS: How has Joran dealt with the last eleven months? You know I talked to Mr. Holloway about what this year anniversary is going to bring to him and his family. What about the van der Sloot's?
TACOPINA: You know, they've gotten stronger obviously because of this. It's been -- they are such nice people. I had the opportunity to spend four full days with them last week with my team. We went down there and I got to tell you this family is remarkable.
The mother is a schoolteacher. The father is one of the most simple, genuine, sweet people who's obviously image were gutted when he lost everything, including his career over this and was cleared subsequently as you know.
And, Joran who then a 17-year-old boy who is now 18, Star, who has been an honor student all his life in school, who has done, you know, tons of community service, is loved in that community.
I walked around with Joran in Aruba. People, both Americans and locals, came up and gave the kid a hug, not because he's a movie star or something. They gave him a hug because I think they appreciate that at this point he is now a former suspect and he's been through something that none of us should ever be through.
He's been wrongly called a murderer, a predator, and things of that nature and he's a very mature 18-year-old boy who speaks four languages and is a genuinely sweet, sweet young man.
REYNOLDS: Joe, I have to tell you no matter what side people come down on this case, the one thing that everybody seems to agree with is the word tragedy.
TACOPINA: Absolutely.
REYNOLDS: It is a tragedy up one side and down the other. We want to say thank you for joining us this evening and bringing us your perspective on this latest development.
And, when we come back, we have a panel for you this evening. Lisa Bloom will still be here with us, Dr. Henry Lee. Mark Geragos is going to join us and Stacey Honowitz is going to be here.
We are going to have a little fireworks when we get back. Stay right there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JONES: And we're back this evening discussing the latest developments in the Natalee Holloway disappearance. We have quite a panel that's going to help us weed through some of these issues this evening. Dr. Henry Lee, the great forensic scientist is going to be joining us. Lisa Bloom, anchor and commentator on Court TV, who has been covering this case from almost the beginning. Fantastic attorneys Mark Geragos, who everybody knows his name and knows his reputation. And Stacey Honowitz, assistant states attorney down in Florida, specializes in sex crimes and child abuse.
But before we get to our panel, I'm going to let them have at in a few moments. I want to get the latest from someone who is there in Aruba. And Jossy Mansur, who is the director and editor of ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" which is, I guess, the fair way to put it is the paper of record when it comes to this case. It is Aruba's largest distribution newspaper.
And Jossy, why don't you tell us, what are your sources saying about this new arrest of Geoffrey van Cromvoirt?
JOSSY MANSUR, DIRECTOR AND EDITOR OF DIARIO (on phone): To begin with, I'm just as surprised as everyone else because his name has never come up before. We don't have any record whatsoever of his being tied to this investigation. When we were informed that he was arrested, we started looking through our files and we found a few folders of him. But that's all we could find. There's no trace of him, no record of him being at all related to this case.
JONES: Now this is very interesting, because as I understand it, he's a part of the beach patrol that was actually assigned out in that particular area during the time of Natalee Holloway's disappearance. So I'm not sure if he was on duty that evening or what relationship he had to that evening. But you might imagine that members of the beach patrol would have been questioned, would have been talked to, their names would have come up at some point in the last 11 months, don't you think?
MANSUR: I think so, but we haven't found his name and we've been following this case pretty closely from the beginning. He doesn't appear. I mean, he's just a new thing that happened causing whatever furor we've seen and causing a lot of interest. And giving the case a whole new twist that we weren't aware of. I know that he worked with the civility team, that we knew. We have had some contacts with his father, but that's all we know about him.
JONES: We know -- I understand that his sister is a member of the Aruban Police force, is that correct?
MANSUR: Yes. She was sworn in in August of last year.
JONES: Now what else do you know about this young man who's been detained? We keep hearing that he has been detained and you hear the word arrested. You even hear the word suspect, but I want to be very cautious in using that because we think suspect in one way here in the United States but you all use the word suspect, which could mean material witness in Aruba. What do you know about his status?
MANSUR: We don't know anything about his status because the Police is very tight-lipped. The prosecution doesn't give any hints whatsoever, so no one knows exactly on what basis he was detained. I know that he was called in for question. He went voluntarily to the Police station.
And when they were interrogating him, they must have found some answers that would fit whatever pattern they had in mind in relationship to this case and they decided to arrest him.
We've been referring to him as a suspect, because in our knowledge of whatever law we have with regards to that, when you arrest someone, it's because you think that he has violated some aspect of law.
JONES: Well Jossy, I'll tell you what, we'll get a lot more answers tomorrow, when this case is in front of a judge, after that two business day rule, as we were just told. We'll know a little bit more tomorrow. We want to thank you for keeping us updated right there from Aruba. And ARUBAAN's news-source "Diario" has been doing an amazing job in keeping the world informed of what's happening.
On 4-17 FOX News reported:
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: Why did Aruban Police arrest another Dutch teen? Who is he, and can he lead them to Natalee Holloway?
Joining us by videophone in Aruba is Aruban attorney Arlene Ellis Schipper. Arlene, very limited information here in the United States. We know he's 19, and we know he's going to court tomorrow. His initials are "G.V.C."
Do you know anything more that you can tell us?
ARLENE ELLIS-SCHIPPER, ARUBA “STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE” MEMBER: Well, the information is limited in Aruba, as well, Greta. The Police have confirmed that they have arrested a boy of 19 years old by the initials "G.V.C." indeed. We don't know what the counts are yet and which role he is suspected to have played, but it is related to the Holloway case, and it is considered a major development here, as well.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you know if he's formally charged or going to be formally charged, or is he held as a witness?
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: This is the same discussion as we had before, Greta. The word "charge" is not in our legal lingo here and it creates confusion, as we have seen before already. What I can tell you is that witnesses aren't arrested in Aruba, so he is considered a suspect. We shouldn't jump to conclusions, though, on how big a suspect he is. We don't know that. We don't know whether he will replace Joran as a suspect or whether he was added to the case. All that will have to turn up in time.
What we do know, however, is that the prosecution has decided already to extend his Police detention for eight more days.
VAN SUSTEREN: We hear his initials, "G.V.C." Why don't we hear his name? Is that the way it's done in Aruba?
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: That's the way how the Dutch system is done. That was also with Joran van der Sloot. It was the media that brought out the name. But officially here, it's protected to just the initials because as you know, our system allows an early arrest on the basis of suspicion. That doesn't necessarily mean that, in the end, you definitively have done that. So there's a very strict protection on the suspect's identity.
VAN SUSTEREN: Arlene, we've heard two things. We've heard, number one, that he works some sort of beach patrol, and number two, that he's a little bit of a beach bum, that he hangs out on the beach. Are you hearing either one of those? Can you confirm either one?
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: Well, I cannot confirm either. The most rumors that I have heard is that he is working on the beach, not necessarily on a patrol. I think that's a mix-up between the father and son. But I would have to say that I cannot confirm either.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. [On Tuesday] he goes to court. Why to court? What happens at this stage?
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: Well, as you may know, under the human rights and under European treaties, a suspect has to see a judge of instruction on the third day, and that is tomorrow, the third day of his detention. What the judge of instruction will do, he will check whether the arrest was made justfully. So he will check whether he can be qualified as a suspect.
Remember, Paulus van der Sloot was not supposed to be qualified as a suspect, and then released. And then he will also check whether the right procedure has been followed. Was he read his rights? Was he treated the right way, et cetera.
But the decision whether the extension of the Police custody will go on, that is the decision of the prosecution.
VAN SUSTEREN: He was picked up by the Police, arrested by the Police. Is that done by the Police alone, or does the prosecutor have to sign off on that initial detention?
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: Exactly. The prosecutor has to sign off because he was not caught in the act of something. So when you are not caught in the act, then it's similar to a warrant of an arrest. The prosecutor issues that.
VAN SUSTEREN: So I trust that since Joran van der Sloot and the two Kalpoe brothers were detained the first eight days in a Police station and interrogated there, then taken off later to the Aruban correctional facility, that's what will happen here?
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: Exactly. After the 48 hours, which we have passed already, there's an extension of the Police detention. The Police detention is completely done at the Police station. After that, you will have a hearing, where the court decides whether he will go in pre-trial detention. And then he will be, if that is the case, transported to KIA, which is the local prison.
VAN SUSTEREN: Arlene, this arrest has gotten a tremendous amount of attention here in the United States. Is it getting attention in Aruba?
ELLIS-SCHIPPER: Well, undoubtedly, yes, it will get attention tomorrow. Today is still Easter, and we celebrate two days of Easter. So I have to tell you that we don't even have a newspaper today. But tomorrow, I guarantee you the headlines will be filled, and the talk is already on the streets.
VAN SUSTEREN: Arlene, thank you, as always.
Joining us in Los Angeles is Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway-Twitty. Good evening, Beth.
BETH HOLLOWAY-TWITTY, NATALEE'S MOTHER: Hi, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Beth, when did you first hear that someone had been detained?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Well, it was Saturday evening, Greta. I guess maybe it was around 9 p.m., Saturday evening.
VAN SUSTEREN: Did you get the heads-up this was going to happen? Not that you would in the United States. I don't mean to suggest you would here. But did you get the heads-up?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Oh, yes. John Kelly called immediately when — I guess once he had received the information from Karin Janssen and told me about the arrest — and you know, just grateful to have the knowledge of it before the media did, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you know why "G.V.C." has been arrested?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: No, I don't. I don't have any idea, Greta. If it's from involvement to just information, I just have no idea right now.
VAN SUSTEREN: Beth, you scoured that island all last summer and into the fall. Ever come upon his name before or hear anything about him?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: No. You know, there's no part of him that we have, you know, heard about or discussed or anything. So you know, it's just a totally new person that, you know, has shown up. So just don't know.
VAN SUSTEREN: I imagine you're immensely curious, to put it lightly.
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: I really am. I'm really curious, you know, I think what I'm wanting to find out so desperately is, you know, is it information versus involvement, Greta? I think that, for some reason, you know, I just, you know, am anxious to hear, you know, where they're coming from in arresting him.
VAN SUSTEREN: And I suppose you don't want to get your hopes up too high. I mean, this could be, you know, a dead end, as well, I mean, a false lead.
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Right. You know, and John warned me, you know, when he spoke with me Saturday night, you know, just to be guardedly optimistic. But I'm just glad that movement is happening in the investigation. I mean, I think we were facing, you know, absolutely nothing. And you know, so this is this is positive. And you know, maybe it will yield something.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you have any information or have you heard anything whether or not he any has connection to Deepak, Satish and Joran?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: No, nothing definitively. I think that the word is out that he, you know, he has met them. I'm not so sure as to how much they had, you know, hung around together, not to anywhere the extent, I don't think, that he and Deepak and Satish did. I'm not certain of the connection with Steven Croes, either, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you know if your daughter ever met him before? Have you spoken to any of her friends since he's been arrested and his picture's been up on the screen — whether they recognize him?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: You know, I haven't had a chance to speak with them about that. But you know, I think there were some rumors circulating earlier on, maybe in the fall, about Natalee had met someone — a blue-eyed Dutch national — and it's just simply not true. There just was no truth to the rumors that were coming out of Aruba that Natalee had met him.
VAN SUSTEREN: So you don't know if maybe she'd met him earlier in the trip or anything like that. When we talked about meeting a Dutch national, you made the assumption it was Joran and not somebody else?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Right. You know, I think this was coming out of the "Vanity Fair" article, Greta, when they were trying to say that Natalee had somewhat been irresponsible or, you know, when those accusations were coming out. I think and we're way past that, but as far as her meeting him, I just don't think that was happening there.
VAN SUSTEREN: "G.V.C." goes to court [on Tuesday]. Judge of instruction will make a determination whether to continue his detention. How closely do you follow that, or do you try to sort of set that aside so your hopes don't get built up?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: No, I'm going to be really anxiously waiting tomorrow, Greta. I think that's going to be something I want to see. I mean, I'm just anxious to see if they feel that they've, you know, brought enough evidence forward, and the prosecution feels that they can, you know, get the judge of instruction to detain him for an additional eight days. I'm just going to be so anxious to get through tomorrow to see what happens.
VAN SUSTEREN: I realize this is wild speculation, but you know, we all keep thinking about this case, or at least many of us. Do you think that the prosecution thinks he's involved in the disappearance, or that he simply may have heard something later or provided some assistance?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: I don't know, and that's what I'm so anxious to find out about, if it's involvement or if it's information. And you know, for some reason, I'm just leaning towards that possibly he has some information that he could share with us about what happened that night.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAN SUSTEREN: In a surprise to all, Aruban Police arrest a 19-year-old in connection with the Natalee Holloway investigation. Natalee's mother, Beth Holloway-Twitty, is still with us from LA.
Beth, for the last nine months, we've been exploring almost every possible angle in terms of that after she left Carlos and Charlie's with Deepak, Satish and Joran, as to what might have happened. Is there any evidence or any information at all that makes you think that maybe she made it back to the "Holiday Inn" for at least a short period that morning?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: No. Absolutely not, Greta. And when I think of Joran van der Sloot and when I think of Steven Croes and I think of this new suspect and the lies that were coming out early, very early, the moment we arrived on the island, if we find out that these three suspects are acquaintances or know each other — somebody needs to connect the dots. I mean, there certainly is a reason why Steven Croes came forward early on and stated, lied to the authorities that he had seen the two security guards taking Natalee. You know, people don't just do that for no reason, Greta. Somebody needs to connect the dots on those three, if they know each other.
VAN SUSTEREN: The Steven Croes thing is very curious. Now, he is or was a deejay on the "Tattoo", which is a large tourist boat, is that right?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Right.
VAN SUSTEREN: And when he was picked up, he apparently went to the Police station and he said that he saw Natalee get out of the car, stumble, and saw two black security guards, a bald-faced lie. Everyone admits that's a lie, right?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Right. And I don't even think that the Police came to get him. I think he volunteered the information. I mean, he came forward just as a good-hearted Aruban citizen that wanted to give this information. So he just came willingly to lie to the authorities.
VAN SUSTEREN: Was anyone ever able to connect him to any of the three? Were they ever seen together? I mean, obviously, somebody knew somebody. It didn't happen out of the blue. But does anyone have hard evidence that Steve Croes had a relationship with any of them in particular?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: No, and that's what's so frustrating, and I think that's what we need to know now. And I think we need to know with this new suspect if he does know Joran, if they have ever been together, if they are acquaintances, and the same with Steven Croes. There just has to be some connection between these individuals, if they do know each other.
VAN SUSTEREN: Natalee's room at the "Holiday Inn" was a first floor room, right?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Yes.
VAN SUSTEREN: Was there an ever any intrusion or bizarre attempt to get in that door by anybody during the time that she was in — not even just that night — but the time she was in Aruba?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Not that I'm aware of, Greta. No, nothing that I'm aware of.
VAN SUSTEREN: Did you ever hear of anything? I mean, I'm trying to sort of piece together my recollection, whether you know, thought I heard that maybe there'd been some effort by somebody earlier in the week.
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: You know, I don't know that. I really never heard anything definitively, if that was happening or not.
VAN SUSTEREN: Did you ever vaguely? I mean, I'm just trying to sort of pick your brain, at this point — hear it vaguely?
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: No. No, I haven't, Greta. I have not.
VAN SUSTEREN: I mean, that's almost the most difficult thing about this case, Beth, is trying to piece together what's fact, what we know, what we don't, because you know, we've covered so many miles on this and it's been so long with no real answers.
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: I'll be anxious to find out what this new suspect's father has a responsibility of on the island. Something that's concerned the family from early on were these, you know, security cameras that were not working at the "Holiday Inn," or at least they said they were not working. I hope that there's no connection between, you know, video security cameras that they have at the hotels and the suspect's father. I'm just not certain what his responsibilities are in Aruba.
VAN SUSTEREN: And of course, it raises lots of very interesting questions, since his father does have the security business for the cameras, and we'd certainly like to have more videotape to try to piece this together as to what happened, if there is videotape. Beth, thank you.
HOLLOWAY-TWITTY: Thank you, Greta.
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