Something Bad Happened

[Blonde]

Reports Conflict in Case of Missing Ala. Teen
Saturday, June 11, 2005


ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Reports conflicted Saturday in developments of the Alabama honor student who has been missing in Aruba for almost two weeks.

David Cruz, a spokesman for the Aruban Minister of Justice (search) told FOX News Natalee Holloway (search), who was on vacation with friends with a graduation trip when she disappeared, was confirmed dead and that authorities knew the location of her body.

However, Cruz later retracted the statement, saying he was a victim of a "misinformation campaign."

The mother of the 18-year-old told FOX News authorities had not yet contacted them with this information but did say that Natalee's father, who is divorced from her mother, was with investigators looking for the body.

These reports came after significant, and at times conflicting, developments with the five suspects being detained in the case.

The "Diario," a local daily newspaper, is reporting that a human blood sample found in a car at the residence of one of the teens in custody — the 17-year-old son of a high-ranking island judicuary official — is now being sent to the U.S. and will be tested for a possible match to Natalee, whose mother gave a blood sample to investigators.

One of the young men detained admitted "something bad happened" to the woman after they took her to the beach, a police officer said, while prosecutors said the investigation was at a crucial point.

But prosecutors refused to comment on the statement by Deputy Police Commissioner Gerold Dompig (search), who told The Associated Press that the man who made that admission was leading police to the scene. He refused to identify which of the three young men who took Holloway to a northern beach the night she went missing made the statement.

Police refused Saturday morning to say whether they discovered anything overnight to solve the mystery of what happened to Holloway, who was last seen in the early hours of May 30.

Referring to Dompig's statement, prosecution spokeswoman Vivian van der Biezen (search) said Saturday: "We neither confirm nor deny any information coming from other sources ... [about] alleged statements of suspects in this case."

"The investigation at the moment is the following: Five suspects are being held ... and we are at a very crucial, very important moment in our investigation," she said.

A judge ruled Saturday that police can continue to detain three young men — two Surinamese brothers and the Dutch teen — arrested in the disappearance of Holloway.

Police also have detained two other men — former security guards at a hotel near the one where Holloway was staying. No one has been charged in the case.

Holloway vanished during a five-day trip to the Dutch Caribbean island with 124 classmates and seven chaperones celebrating their graduation from Mountain Brook, Ala., High School, near Birmingham. Police found her U.S. passport and packed bags in her hotel room after she failed to show up for her return flight that day.

Prime Minister Nelson Oduber said on national radio Friday night that if something happened to Holloway, it would damage the reputation of this island of 97,000 people, which depends on tourism and is considered one of the safest spots in the Caribbean.

In Holloway's hometown, her friends gathered after midnight at a church where people have been holding prayer vigils for her. Some hugged and cried; one woman left a flickering candle at the base of a wall decorated with messages to Holloway, who had earned a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, where she planned to study medicine.

Antonio Carlo, an attorney for the Dutch minor, told the AP: "My client maintains his innocence."

Holloway's mother and stepfather told The Birmingham News in Alabama that they discovered the Dutch boy's connection to their daughter within 24 hours of her disappearance by talking to other students on the trip. They then found surveillance videotapes showing him playing poker with other Mountain Brook teens in their hotel casino two days before she vanished.

A lawyer for one of the Surinamese — Satish Kalpoe, 18, whose brother, Deepak, 21, also is in custody — said they told police they took Holloway to Arashi Beach, on the northern part of the island, in the early hours of May 30.

According to their police statement, they did not get out of the car, Carlo said. Instead, Holloway and the Dutch teen, an honors student at the Aruba International School whom she had met at the casino in her hotel, "were in the back seat kissing."

They also told police that they dropped Holloway at her Holiday Inn at about 2 a.m. and last saw her being approached by a man in a security guard uniform before they drove off, Kock said.

The brothers told police the blonde, blue-eyed young woman was drunk and refused to get out of the car, said Noraina Pietersz, who is representing Mickey John, 30, one of the two former security guards. He and Abraham Jones, 28, have been detained since Sunday.

The three young men said Holloway stumbled in the parking lot of the hotel but refused help from her Dutch escort, Kock said.

Holiday Inn employees say security cameras did not record Holloway's return. A Holiday Inn guard who worked the overnight shift that day said he did not see her, said Pietersz, who said she reviewed the guard's statement to police.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Blonde]

Churchgoers in Aruba Sunday prayed for a break in the case of a missing Alabama honors student, which just the day before appeared close to resolution after one of three young men in custody told police "something bad happened" to the woman.

Prosecutors refused to confirm or deny that information from a police official, and the investigation into the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway seemed to revert to square one.

The reported confession fueled rumors of the young woman's demise, and family members later rebutted them by saying Holloway's body had not been found.

Investigators were not talking Sunday. Prosecution spokeswoman Vivian van der Biezen said the day before they were at "a very crucial, very important moment in our investigation."

But she gave no indication of what new information may have emerged in the case, and none of the five people detained in the case has been charged.

A judge in Aruba has ordered that three young men who took to the beach before she disappeared must stay in jail.

Holloway's family rushed late Friday to an old stone lighthouse beside Arisha beach after Deputy Police Commissioner Gerold Dompig told The Associated Press that one of three young men in custody admitted that "something bad happened" to Holloway and was leading police to the scene of the alleged crime.

The three men--the son of a Dutch justice ministry official and two Surinamese brothers--said they took Holloway to the lighthouse in the early hours of May 30, after a night of dancing and drinking. She has not been seen since.
Continued

Holloway vanished hours before she was expected at the airport to end a five-day trip to the Dutch Caribbean island with 124 classmates and seven chaperones celebrating graduation from Mountain Brook, Ala., High School. Her U.S. passport and packed bags were found in her hotel room.

According to the men's police statement, they did not get out of the car, defense lawyer David Kock said. Instead, Holloway and the Dutch teen, an honors student at the Aruba International School whom she met at the casino in her hotel, "were in the back seat kissing."

They also told police they dropped Holloway at her Holiday Inn at about 2 a.m. and last saw her being approached by a man in a security guard uniform before they drove off, Kock said.

CBS News Correspondent Kelly Cobiella reports that not a single frame of security video at the Holiday Inn shows her coming back.

The brothers told police the young woman was drunk and refused to get out of the car, said Noraina Pietersz, a lawyer representing Antonius "Mickey" John, 30, one of two former security guards at another hotel who also were detained in the case. John and Abraham Jones, 28, have been detained since Sunday and have denied any connection to Holloway.

The mother for the 17-year-old suspect told CBS News her son had nothing to do with it. Anita Van Der Sloot, said her son is a star student, a good athlete, with a wide circle of friends. She doesn't remember him talking about Natalee Holloway

Antonio Carlo, the lawyer representing the Dutch minor, said he is confident the teen is "100 percent innocent" of wrongdoing.

"My client has not confessed to any crime," he told the AP.

[Blonde]

Sources from the Police department in Aruba have confirmed Natalee Holloway is dead. One of the three boys is in the process of taking her parents and authorities to the body. They have confessed that Natalee Holloway has been murdered. Please Pray


Sources have said one of the young men who was arrested in the disappearance of an Natalee admitted "something bad happened" to the woman after they took her to the beach, while prosecutors said Saturday the investigation was at a crucial point.


Now according to testimony from two of the Dutch boy's Surinamese friends, they brought 18-year-old Natalee Holloway to a beach but didn't get out of the car. Instead, the Surinamese brothers say Holloway and the Dutch teen, who's an honors student at Aruba International School, "were in the back seat kissing." Then something very bad happened. Things got out of control and Natalee died. They are taking authorities to the body.

Up until now the police had refused Saturday morning to say whether they discovered anything overnight to solve the mystery of what happened to Holloway, who was last seen in the early hours of May 30.

This is a very sad day for us and the family of all. We hope and pray the truth will come out now and justice will prevail.

The prosecution spokeswoman Vivian van der Biezen had earlier said Saturday: "We neither confirm nor deny any information coming from other sources ... [about] alleged statements of suspects in this case."
"The investigation at the moment is the following: Five suspects are being held ... and we are at a very crucial, very important moment in our investigation," she said.

The three young men will we arraigned and set for trial on Monday.

http://www.annointed.net/Article899.html

[Blonde]

Natalee Holloway Update - reports out that Natalee is dead (Updated x 5) (photo links)
Topics: Natalee Holloway

Several updates are out on the Natalee Holloway disappearance - and according to most news sources, Natalee is dead - and from a blogger, Joran Van der Sloot is not in his cell. Reports continue to go back and forth on the confession issue, as do the reports of a search for Natalee's body. Sadly, It's still blow by blow posting, perhaps to continue through most of the night.

Latest Updates are at bottom of this post - See "Something Bad Has Happened" (hat tip - Scared Monkeys).


Natalie, may you rest in peace!

Aruban Radio Report: Searching Canashito River For Natalee Holloway(via Riehl World View)

New Details Emerge Surround Missing Teen In Aruba - she was "fondled intimately," could this be a clue that she may have been forced and ....

According to police in Aruba, one of three young men who took a missing Alabama honors student to the beach confessed that "something bad" happened to the 18-year-old American.(19 minutes ago)

CNN - Aruba suspect confesses to killing teen. The suspect has agreed to lead police to the body of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway, the police official said. Police did not say which of the three confessed. The three have been identified as brothers Satish Kalpoe, 18, and Depak Kalpoe, 21, and their friend, 17-year-old Joran Van Der Sloot, the son of a judge.

WBRC - Local Birmingham TV is reporting that the family is going to the lighthouse area to look for the body. Mai Martinez reporting live says that they were at the lighthouse but now are heading to police station.

MSNBC - ORANJESTAD, Aruba - One of three young men who took a missing Alabama honors student to the beach confessed that “something bad” happened to the 18-year-old American, police say.

Yahoo - An unidentified friend of Natalee Holloway signs a ‘wall of hope’ erected for the missing Alabama teen in Mountain Brook, Ala., on Friday, June 10, 2005. Holloway disappeared in Aruba on May 30 during a senior graduation trip to the Dutch Caribbean island. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)

Dan at Riehl World View writes that amid reports that one of those arrested will lead police to the body tonight, he has received a reliable report from a local source in Aruba that Joran Van der Sloot is not in his cell at this time. He offers that while that does not confirm Joran Van der Sloot is the individual that confessed, the information was passed on in a manner suggesting it is quite possible that is why he is not currently in his cell. Developing.

Update:
At first I put this post up as a news report, but I just had to come back to it.

This is every parent's nightmare, and for Natalee's parents, it's come true.

They gave her life, they loved her, they saw her grow up from an infant to young adulthood, they lived and loved her life with her from cradle to just before college. They sent her off to a vacation paradise, and certainly could hardly wait for her to come home. They entrusted her care to adults that accompanied her and others to Aruba. The adults that were responsible for her allowed her to get drunk, either by permission or by neglegence, the chaperones and her friends were unaware of her dangerous liaison with strangers, and those kids she was with were in fact strangers whether she had met them the day before or not - and she was killed. Her parents had no idea that the day that they kissed her goodbye to go on vacation, was the last time they would ever see her again, alive.

Think about it. We just can't ever love our kids enough, and we can never ever be too careful. Young adults or young infants, they need us like we need them. May God be with Natalee's parents tonight. Their pain is immeasurable.

I can't help but wonder. Where were the chaperone's and where where her friends when she needed them? Of course Natalie has a part in what happened, but nonetheless, adults were responsible for her. I'm not trying to place blame on anyone, but this should have never happened. It makes me mad as hell.

New Update(via Scared Monkeys): "Something Bad Has Happened"

MAP

Report Prime Minister is saying CNN is not right. PM confirms information is for sale. Local media obviously cannot match the big media bids.

Radio Station Online: ArubaDag

Aruba Girl

According to the prime minister the fam. didn’t know this until they turned on CNN. The radio stations are also reporting that cops are heading to recover the remains. First it was lighthouse, then it was Bubali Plas (shallow lake), now it’s Canashito, the rock quarry.

Aruba Girl

Police Commisionary Dompig denies that he confirmed the news. He said to the AP that he could not confirm the news.

He told the local radio station that he could not confirm the news.

Local Female

The Sir Dompifg of police, which is named by acosiated press has denied to other local medias that this is the case And is calling associated press to retract his name.

Photos of Natalee and the search that went on in Aruba'

Update 3 - Dan at Riehl World View has this:

According to unconfirmed sources the search for Natalee Holloway may be leading to the Canashito Caves area south of Hooiberg, which is the only mountain on the island, off the beaten track and reported known for a set of caves. Here is a link to a scrollable image to the mountain area.

A commenter on his site writes:

Hooiberg does not have any cave, tunel of love does exist but is located more north east from hooiberg, its a tunel has an entrance and an exit that is known. Yes there is more caves on the northeast side of the island that there is no known exit, the only exit on these caves is the entrance.

And at canashito is more a small "lake" that they were talking about that was a bag that they found. Nothing is confirmed. It seems to be that CNN and the rest of the international press were a little bit early in reporting " breaking" news.

Update 4 - ABC AP REPORT

A relative said her family continues to believe she is alive. Rumors raging on the island that she is dead are “an aggressive interpretation” of what police are saying, Jar Twitty, the brother of Holloway’s stepfather, told the AP.

Update 5. FoxNews on TV is reporting that no confession has been made. - end item.

Guess: The situation seems very fluid - Natalee is most likely dead, there is probably some kind of a confession, and we just can't know that any of this is true, for sure, until later today when the PM and the police feel comfortable in releasing the info, after the family is officially notified of what has really happened. And rightfully so!


Hat tips - Scared Monkeys, Riehl World View
 

Posted by Hyscience at June 11, 2005 1:26 AM

[Blonde]

Sunday, June 12, 2005
Joran Van der Sloot Slammed By Fox News

Updated: 11:20 The angry mail is already pouring in for my making this post. Most of it is fully misinformed as to this site. When I give opinion, I say so. Do I think that Van der Sloot is likely a rich and privileged bully who liked to drink, drug, gamble and chase women? Yes. Do I think he is involved in Natalee's death? Absolutely.

My critique of Fox News has nothing to do with my opinion of Van der Sloot. It has to do with how a responsible News organization presents the news. Ideally it is based upon facts. Fox presented none tonight as regards the suspect. I am not defending Van der Sloot. I am taking exception to the choices made by Fox News.-- Dan

Fair and balanced seemed to be absent tonight from a Fox News profile of Joran Van der Sloot, one suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

In a casual profile based upon little more than idle chatter and pure speculation, tonight Fox News presented what can only be described as a damning profile of suspect Joran Van der Sloot.

Fox reported that one mother of a child attending the International School with Van der Sloot told them Van der Sloot is alleged to have thrown someone through a plate glass window in Aruba sometime within the past year. They also stated there was no police record to support that allegation.

Van der Sloot was also characterized as a bully and presented as someone who might take advantage of his size and his Father's government position. Also suggested was that he had an "anger management" problem. However, no psychological records or formal reports were offered to support those statements.

Additionally they reported that there were images, now gone from his website of his fraternizing with "his tourist" gals. From my own review of the site prior to its termination, I recall pictures of Joran and friends, many female, but few I would characterize as looking like tourists from America.

They also pointed to his apparent indulgence in underage drinking, gambling and driving. As I recall, those aspects of his character were more than well-documented on his website. It seemed unusual to come across a picture where Van der Sloot and friends didn't have a drink in their hands, or were pictured outside of a club or casino.

The report led off by saying that depending on who you spoke with, Van der Sloot was either a good kid and an honor student - or a troubled teen with problems. However, they didn't report anything material to point to the former characterization. I have viewed and saved some files indicating his securing a position on the Honor Roll at the International School, as well as being commended for other educational and extra-curricular activities.

Updated: 11:10

A reader email from HarryTHO:

The Geraldo segment on Fox News this evening (Sunday 12 June 2005) brought in a few criminology experts who essentially went about degrading the reputation of the Aruban police as "irresponsible" and "inexperienced."

One expert went so far as to condemn the police in Aruba for letting the three kids go in order to allow them time to "lawyer-up, clean up their act and get their story straight." All four of the experts were credible, and I am sure they were convincing to the American public who watch the telecast.

Yes, that's true. I was disappointed in the earlier coverage, not because I support Van der Sloot, but because News should be News and not gossip. I'd rather they did their homework if they want to nail Van der Sloot - supported by facts, I'm fine with whatever the conclusion.

As regards the police issue, yes, it was damning, though they gave reasons why the Aruban authorities are not as experienced as we might like with this kind of crime. I thought that's what the FBI was there for, but I'm unaware of what, if any co-operative arrangement is being followed.

It would be good to know if the FBI is also being frustrated by the legal issues involved in overseas police work, or if they are satisfied with the progress of the investigation. It might be good for them to at least speak out a bit. I doub't they will. And that may not be a good sign, either.

http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2005/06/joran_van_der_s.html

[Blonde]

http://www.scaredmonkeys.com
/2005/06/15/
julie-renfro-editor-of-aruba-today-on-foxs-oreilly-factor/

(snipped)

And here is Julia’s original letter to Rick from Texas:

Hi Rick,

I just spoke to Fox and all I was reassured that O’Reilly ‘retracted’ (the actual word went over my head) all of the statements made by Geraldo.

I was on with O’Reilly last night when he suggested that our Prime Minister was an idiot, but do you really think that the President of the United States gets involved in Police Cases? NO! Actually it would be illegal for a politician to get involved or be abreast of any details of Police investigation - same as in the US. Duh, I honestly don’t think O’Reilly is an idiot - he is obviously acting like one to get ratings.

Once again, I don’t know what happened to Natalee, and I’m not sure that anyone does! If van der Sloot or the others had any involvement in her death or disappearance they will be punished and justice will be served.

There is in no way what so ever that Arubans think that there is a cover up or that v/d Sloot’s father has any pull. It is to the contrary!

He is a civil servant and lives in a middle class neighborhood and drives a Honda? There is a great amount of wealth on this island and the v/d Sloots are not part of it. Taxi drivers probably make more than the judge!

As for Dutch influence. No way! An Aruban would never stick the neck of an entire nation for anyone - much less a Dutch national. The suggestion is ridiculous. Arubans are extremely honest by nature - all of this hype is made up by the international press trying to get ratings. Nothing more, nothing less.
I am sure there is no DVD otherwise v/d Sloot would have been hung out to dry with the local press as well.

Julia Renfro

Editor-in-Chief

Aruba Today