From Aruba - It's been suggested that recently arrested Steven Gregory Croes was in Carlos and Charlies the night of Natalee Holloway's disappearance, and some think he joined the group in the car later that night.
As yet, I have no confirmation of that report.
The AP is saying that the ruling as to whether or not Paul Van der Sloot can see his son has been made, but not yet disclosed. I was told by a reader that he would not be allowed to visit, however, another reader informs me that Fox is reporting he will be able to visit with Joran. Likely we'll have to see if other media outlets confirm the Fox report, or refute it.
I've had my head down looking into some interesting things from different readers and took the initial reader report as a simple report, as I did know that court was over and figured the ruling on visitation was simply released.
Additionally, from first link above -
the court barred van der Sloot's lawyer, Antonio Carlo, from visiting the teen, effectively removing him from the case, said Attorney General spokeswoman Mariaine Croes.
The court granted prosecutors' request to remove Carlo because he had visited one of two former security guards who had been detained and released in the case, authorities said.
Croes said the Dutch teenager has a team of lawyers, so Carlo's removal will not leave van der Sloot without representation. The spokeswoman is not related to Steve Croes.
Dan, Mariaine Croes also confirmed on Fox News that although VDS's father had been given permission to see him, the prosecutor filed another motion which resulted in barring him from seeing his son (again). He is expected to fight this motion in court next week. I'll try to find a link.
Posted by: Getagrip | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:05 PM
DAN, I had posted the scenerio below earlier until I came across your latest post. Fist i heard he was at the bar too. but still , he could have left in his own car and went ahead of them to the party boat. and..was there when they all arrived. see what i had said below.
I have an idea as to what might have happened and how this 4th person is involved...
Maybe when the club closed the boys were telling her about the party cruise boat and they knew the dj that worked on it and they took her to see the party boat because they were friends with the guy. Maybe they called him and had him meet them there and they were showing her the boat. then, something happened.
Either they had drugged her and it was too much and she went into a coma or something or they had drugged her and were trying to seduce her and she still was able to try to fight back. They knocked her down are threw her on a bed or something, she hit her head and it knocked her out.
OR they all had there way with her while she was out of it and she began to gain her composure and realized what they had done to her and threatened to tell the police so the older 26 year old one said he would take care of her for them not to worry and she was left with the older one they arrested today.he either killed her some way or called his buds on another island to come and pick her up and dump her or he got into a smaller boat and did it himself if he dumped her in the sea or he did meet his buddies and now she is on another island being held or has been put in a brothel.
Thats why dutch boy called him the next morning at 6:30 when he got up to go to school. To see if everything was taken care of. THEY ARE ALL INVOLVED.
Yeah the brothers dropped the dutch boy off ok, after they left the party boat.Then they went home too.
does this make any sense?? possible. ??
SO...she could be alive she could be dead. THE TRUTH IS WITH THE 4 OF THEM NOW. THEY KNOW.
Posted by: Mary | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:07 PM
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159862,00.html
"The judge granted a petition by van der Sloot's father, Paul, to visit his son in jail, but then reversed the decision. Paul van der Sloot is a judge-in-training, serving a three-year term on the bench that allows him to hear a limited number of cases."
Posted by: Getagrip | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:08 PM
Fox television broadcast stated Croes was released.
Posted by: unsurelok | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:12 PM
Released??? wow...hadn't heard that one yet
Posted by: Mel | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:17 PM
They will probably let him go for a week before arresting him again.... ;)
Posted by: Kevin | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:24 PM
Before or after they attach the GPS or wire taps???
Posted by: harmony | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:26 PM
The radio talk show host from AL on Bill OReilly said that chaper-ones with trip/Holloway were being followed by drug dealers I presume trying to sell several times to the point that a chaper-one was going to call security. Apparently there were several other incidents, althought not stated if it was related to people trying to sell drugs.
Posted by: Kim | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:33 PM
Actually, I believe that Croes is still in custody. The person they released was another freind of van der Sloot who they were questioning earlier this evening.
Posted by: slax | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:34 PM
Croes detained in Aruba has not been released, and although noone will confirm and/or deny, it is expected that he and the others will remain another 8 days.
Posted by: kim | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:37 PM
UNSURELOK...that is not the truth and you know it. do not start making up stuff. we do not need that. This is a real girl that is really missing.
pray that she will be found safe.
Posted by: Mary | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:39 PM
Thats not that unusual on any island in the carribean, Kim. I have been to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, St. Maarten, and many other places down there. That has happened to me every time I have been down there. They will even offer you drugs in front of the local cops. Gives you a really weird feeling.
Posted by: slax | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:42 PM
It was on Greta's show where they interviewed the editor of DAIRO newpsper. The editor said the judge again is denying the father's access to Joran.
Posted by: NM | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:46 PM
I can understand the confusion....apparently Croes is still in custody, but another person named Max Arends, mentioned in this story, was questioned and later released:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159862,00.html
Posted by: willo | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:47 PM
oo found this here (ISA newsletter): http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:HqGvd0efqK4J:www.isaruba.com/breeze/documents/BreezeFebruary11.pdf+%22max+arends%22+aruba&hl=en&client=firefox-a
(sorry for the long link! it's the html version of a pdf doc)
"COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
The College Center always loves to share good news!
Congratulations go to:
Joran v.d. Sloot on his acceptance to St.Leo’s College and Florida Atlantic University;
Max Arends, who has been accepted to Valencia Community College; "
So this Arends is a classmate of Joran, it seems.
Posted by: Getagrip | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:52 PM
Hmmmph...try http://tinyurl.com/bpl47 or do a google search for: "Max Arends" Aruba
Posted by: Getagrip | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:54 PM
THIS IS RIGHT OFF FOX NEWS WEBSITE...AN UPDATEW FOR YOU ALL.
ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Authorities in Aruba on Friday arrested another person in connection with the disappearance of missing Alabama honors student Natalee Holloway (search), officials said.
According to sources, the new man detained is a 26-year-old friend of Joran van der Sloot (search ), the Dutch teenager who is said to have been with Holloway the night she disappeared.
The Aruban attorney general's office initially identified him only by the initials "S.G.C.," but Holloway's mother told an interviewer that his name was "Steve." FOX News later confirmed that the man's name was Steve Gregory Croes.
Meanwhile, police brought in yet another man for questioning Friday night, FOX News has learned. The man, Max Arends, who is also a friend of van der Sloot, is not a suspect in the case and has not been arrested.
Police Superintendent Jan van der Straaten told the AP Croes was detained based on information from one of the other three detainees.
Croes, who works as a party boat disk jockey, said he was contacted by police Thursday night and went to the station voluntarily to give a statement, said his employer, Marcus Wiggins.
Croes also said he knew one of two Surinamese brothers being detained in the case because they went to the same Internet cafe, Wiggins told The Associated Press. However, Wiggins said that he had not seen the other three young men detained in the case on the boat where Croes works, a vessel called the Tattoo that offers nightly dining, swimming and dancing.
As for Croes' work ethic, Wiggins had nothing bad to say.
"I've never had problems with him," Wiggins told the AP. "He keeps to himself and shows up to work every day and does his job."
Posted by: Mary | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:57 PM
They have reversed the decision to let Joran's father visit. I have not confirmed if the 2 new retained attorneys for his son have been mentioned or allowed by the judge? They will in the a.m. He can release the current attorney as he has also been rejected from seeing his son Joran.
Posted by: Kim | Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11:58 PM
WHERE IS THE PARTY BOAT KEPT IN RELATION TO THE "SHARK DEN" THAT THE AUTHORITIES SPEAK OF? The D.J. and Van der Sloot probably dumped the body together.
The three changed their story that "something bad happened" when they realized (or were told by a lawyer) that they couldn't be tried for murder without a body...
Posted by: P | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:03 AM
Apparently Joran was accepted to several colleges.
St. Leo’s University
Florida Atlantic University
University of Central Florida
Drew University
Flagler College
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:ddkxsNI1RVIJ:www.isaruba.com/breeze/documents/BreezeMarch242005.pdf+%27Joran+v.d.+Sloot%27&hl=en
Posted by: NM | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:05 AM
Just a thought to add to the possibility that Croes might have been in C&C that night--
It looks like Tattoo does not have Sunday cruises. At least, I do not see any on their reservation pull-down list.
Posted by: LornaD | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:05 AM
C'mon, if they dumped her body for the sharks, would pieces of clothing atleast have washed up on the beach?
Posted by: harmony | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:06 AM
It is quite possible that Van der Sloot has the power to see his son (or has already done so clandestinely). The authorities may very well be publicly stating that Van der Sloot's father is prohibited from seeing his son to make it appear as if they are taking the hard-line.
Aruba's number one concern is damage control. They can see the bleak future ahead....
Posted by: P | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:06 AM
Yeah, the PM is always talking about what a safe and friendly place aruba is, every time he makes a statement!
Posted by: harmony | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:09 AM
Appears there is a fellow student of Joran's with the last name of Wiggins
All math problems solved!
Dear Parents,
Is your child having problems in math? Well,
“Math Counts” is offering free tutorial sessions
after school on Tuesdays. So if you want better
grades for your children, let them stay after
school and sign up now with Mrs. Daroya!
Math Counts Tutors
Andrea Anaya, Michael Pochettino, Susana de
la Oliva, Joran v.d. Sloot, Rochelle Jacob, Maki
Wiggins, Brianna Escobedo
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:upHxFYdNIDsJ:www.isaruba.com/breeze/documents/November252004.pdf+%27Joran+v.d.+Sloot%27&hl=en
Posted by: NM | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:11 AM
The Fox News broadcast featured the editor from the largest daily on Aruba...Daria? He stated that their sources said that Elder VDS will not be able to visit JVDS; the spokesman for the judicial department explained the convolution thusly; Elder VDS filed for permission, was granted that permission, by a judge, and then prosecution filed (an appeal?) before (and she used a term that escapes me...Independent? Judge....)anyway, I got the impression there's a "go-to-judge" with a specific adjective that comes from Curacao and can take precedence over the "judge" that granted the initial OK to visit JVDS.
The upshot is that JVDS will not be allowed to see his father in the near future, and that was said by the Judiciary Department's spokeperson.
I'm beginning to actually like the secrecy that this criminal procedure is under since the investigative arm on Aruba has so much catchup to play.
Posted by: Whitney | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:14 AM
Tattoo party cruise line picks up between Aruba Grand and Radisson. Holloway checked in at Holiday in Sunspree
Radissonhttp://www.arubatravelinfo.com/hotelsmap.html
Posted by: kim | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:16 AM
LornaD -
As info, I posted this earlier tonight while watching the Nancy Grace show......
They just reported on Nancy Grace (CNN) that the owner of the "Tattoo" stated that the boat would not have gone out of dock unless there was a private party since it doesn't go out on Sunday nights. However he did say that Steve Croes does have a key to the boat, but due to electronic surveillance, he doesn't "think" that Croes would be able to take the boat out in the water. He is a model employee who has never given him any trouble.
Interesting.........just to throw some more ingredients in the mix! Have we got mud pie yet?
Nancy Grace - According to Steve Croes uncle, Steve Croes' car "black Honda" was still sitting at his house today, police came to house but didn't stay long.
Tattoo Party Boat has not yet been searched nor has the owner been contacted or asked anymore questions by the Arubian police.....
Internet Cafe where Deepak worked - no computers from the Internet Cafe have been taken as evidence.
Just telling it as I heard it on Nancy Grace - all reports on her show are from Carl Penhaul, reporter, CNN.
Posted by: Florida Girl | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:18 AM
What appears to be going on in Aruba, and what is actually happening are two different things...
An important, wealthy family with political ties is involved, so nothing is as it seems.
I am sure that Jordan is receiving nice home cooked meals and preferential treatment.
The "polis" in Aruba are at the beck and call of those in the judicial circuit.
Judges and Police belong to "cartels" or "mafia." The public performance we're seeing is worthy of an award and kudos (were it not for the untimely death of a young girl...)
Posted by: P | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:20 AM
is it possible that croes has been paid to take the fall, and the 3 teenagers will be released??
Posted by: don | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 12:44 AM
P >>>>> WELL, IF THEY DO WALK I DO NOT THINK THEY WILL LIVE VERY LONG ON THAT ISLAND. IT WILL NEVER BE TH SAME FOR ANY OF THEM. TRUST ME ON THIS ONE. AND...HE DARE NOT TO ATTEND COLLEGE IN THE USA.
LETS JUST PRAY THE TRUTH WILL BE TOLD.
Posted by: MARY | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:01 AM
Why the US media is not putting a foot in Alabama ??? They could interview the other students or the chaperones.
Why the chaperones and ALL students ( but the arranged Ed and Alana . I've believe one Alana said if it was her throwing up in the bathroom if the same , now in the interview sober enough to even "take care of NH) are now hidden ?
I can state that ONE girl is missing in Aruba and 121 are missing in Alabama ( the other two are just figures for the TV)
Posted by: loco | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:10 AM
I believe the students and chaperones were told not to talk, because it could hamper the investigation. The students are taking that suggestion pretty seriously, except for two that talked with bill o'reilly.
Posted by: harmony | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:13 AM
Bill lost his control stating he has checked ALL FBI departments and he was assured they told them NOTHING .They are as free as before the incident
Posted by: loco | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:16 AM
Yep, and the FBI has interviewed students and chaperones on the trip. It was reported that the girl throwing up in the bathroom was NOT Natalee. Your point?
Posted by: Getagrip | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:20 AM
MSM - choose between Aruba and Birmingham.... Free Vacation in Sun and Sand.
But the real secret is that BHAM is a pretty freakin cool place with THE BEST restaurants and a few great bars!
Screw em!!!! Stay in Aruba and NYC and DC!!!
Dan- come on!!!!!!
Posted by: shemp | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:22 AM
My point is that Jordan and ED were arranged to say what they said: nothing else that to protect NH image.
My point is also that if Jordan was throwing up how was afterward so sober to "take care " of Nathalee.
A post two days ago (by her mother?) said she was throwing up.
I could be wrong if there is another Alana. But this is not a common name like Mary for instance. Got it ?
Posted by: loco | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:24 AM
I don't think the 2 friends were making up stories to protect anyone. They probably are tired of everyone ragging on Natalee and making speculations about her that are far off base.
Posted by: harmony | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:25 AM
Loco. Where is that post about alana throwing up?
Posted by: harmony | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:26 AM
Harmony,
I do not have idea how to come back to the link . It was here, but if you look at the green links on the right under recent post there are only 10 threads available when if there is 11; the botton disappears and there is always 10 !!!
Dan would have the answer on how to look for a particular thread. The thread was alledgelly written by Alana's mother because according to her they saw on TV that american tourists said they saw an american girl throwing up in the bathroom of C&C. They (again) went to the limelight to protect NH reputation.
Posted by: loco | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:35 AM
The behavior of Joran Van Der Sloot, Satish Depoe and Deepak Depoe is the sole reason they are presently incarcerated. Unfortunately, based on what I've read, seen and heard to this point, I do not credit any one of them with sufficient intelligence to understand that.
In my opinion, the people involved will not escape justice. I've heard stories that Joran is crying while he is locked up.
No one, and I mean NO ONE, can behave in this manner, and be allowed to think that it is okay. It is unacceptable to behave in this manner, toward ANYONE, and expect to enjoy the privileges of freedom.
Natalee's mother was interviewed live on CNN on Friday evening, and she was asked if she had met any of these three individuals. She replied that from one of them, she got the impression of arrogance, condescension and power. I wonder who that was? It is possible, no very likely, that Van Der Sloot killed her daughter.
Now, the big man is in jail, and crying.
Unfortunately, in this investigation, we have been deluged with lies. On Thursday evening, I reviewed the timeline on that fateful evening.
It was reported that the drive from Carlos N' Charlies to the California lighthouse is twenty minutes each way. As far as we know, the three other individuals in that car with Natalee were: The two Depoe brothers, and Joran Van Der Sloot.
No other names have been involved in that time frame, yet.
Twenty-minutes is a lot of time for something that is not good to unfold. Actually, we are talking about forty-minutes (both ways). A lot of very bad things can happen very quickly.
As I reflected upon that aspect, I seriously began to have questions in my mind about the conversation one of the Depoe brothers had with Mickey John in jail whereby it was disclosed that they dropped Natalee and Joran off at the Marriott. With the backdrop already in existence that all of them have been lying all along, I couldn't bring myself to believe this part of the story.
I think something happened in the car, and that is what they're hiding. The gift of discernment in this investigation is critical due to the fact we have already received mainly lies.
I read an interview on Thursday evening between Fox News, and Natalee's mother. In that interview, Natalee's mother stated that the first contact she had from the group in Aruba on May 30th was at 12 noon. Think of this very carefully: This provided those directly linked with Natalee's disappearance at least an eleven or twelve hour head start to scramble to cover what they did. After that, it probably took the Aruban Police several hours to get their heads together.
Unfortunatley, after a lot of reading and research over the last few days, I have to conclude that they have not been able to find Natalee, or heaven forbid-her body, due to the fact she is not there.
I think she was conceivably brought somewhere else to be disposed of.
And, I know, innocent until proven guilty. But, from what I've seen thus far, there are criminal minds at work. I believe Natalee was set up by Joran and his friends because he wanted her. As such, he ignorantly stooped to any level to get what he wanted.
Posted by: Daniel | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 01:56 AM
Thank you for your input. What you've mentioned is not something I've thought of previously.
One question: Re: Chess Game. It takes two to tango. Who are the players in this match?
Posted by: Dan | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 02:14 AM
Harmony,
Below the pasted post you've asked ; it seem to be the same Alana , but reading carefully other girl was throwing up. Anyway the sole purpose of the post is clearly defend NH . I am OK with that; my point is thta those kids (NH friends from MB) knows how she was, but now they are just trying to put her in a more decent position. Whitnesses not telling the true can also alter the investigation.
Why are you self-righteous people BLAMING the VICTIM and her family and friends? Why are you believing even part of the stories told by boys who have been exposed as liars? Those three boys were the ones who said Natalee was drunk. Of course they'll say something negative about her to try to cover their tracks. Why in the world would anyone fault her, even if she had been drinking alcohol. SO WHAT? Does that mean she deserved to have "something bad" happen to her?
I found this on another blog, and it appears to be from a family friend of Natalee's. IMO, it is significant:
Posted on: 10:48 am, today on http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-o610-k170488-i9659-Off_topic_chatter.html
OH! I need to go back & read the last 3 pages, but I was trying to read all I missed last night & saw a post I MUST respond to.
NATALEE WAS NOT THE GIRL WHO WAS SICK IN THE BATHROOM AT C&C's! My daughter had already told me she was puzzled by that story 'cause she neither saw nor heard anything of the kind regarding Natalee. We were at the vigil yesterday and they were discussing that... It turned out to be other girls on the trip. Somebody had mentioned that at church and these girls went, "Oh no! That was US!" It was definitely not Natalee. You can understand the error. Have you noticed from the photos that 80% of the girls look just alike?
My daughter spoke with Natalee right after C&C's closed. My daughter & her friends came across Nat & Joran as all were exiting the club, and all were walking more or less together toward another group of classmates. Natalee was walking unassisted (not falling down drunk), spoke ok (though not answering in long sentences), and was not touching Joran. My daughter only noticed that Joran was tall, dark-haired, American-looking; he did not speak and she couldn't read his facial expressions. Nat turned down my daughter's invitation to go with her little group. (Ironically, they were about to circle the inside of another club to make sure no others were left behind.) Nat assured them that she was fine, and said she was going to go back to the hotel "with THEM," pointing to the MBHS group just a few yards ahead. The Kalpoes were nowhere in sight; neither was the car.
Next Alana heard was that Natalee got into a car that many in the group had thought was a taxi. (Those look like regular cars.) It may be that the Kalpoes pulled up on the street before Natalee reached the next group; Joran may have deliberately stalled her. The group may not have even realized she was behind them, approaching. But while we hear that she got in the car willingly, we know from her comments that it was not her pre-planned intention. Because of this, I do not believe she knew she would be going anywhere but a fairly short distance down to the hotel. Her plans changed in the blink of an eye, and she was gone.
Re: swimsuits. Many of the girls wore their suits under their street clothes almost everywhere. I think it's a nonissue, though, because I think it's clear she did not plan to go sightseeing, carousing, OR swimming. These brats are setting up more diversionary scenarios. This one in particular frightens me because it makes me think she cannot be alive, and her body may never be found. These past few days have been a horror.
Posted by: loco | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 02:17 AM
In regards to the to the alleged statement by Deepak about dropping JVS off at the Marriot. I think it is clear that the three suspects were split up well before this statement was allegedly made. By that reasonable supposition, it would seem clear that they could corroborate the accuracy of this statement through intensive interrogation of the isolated younger brother, Satish. Those guys are still suspects and not witnesses. In other words, this statement did not pan out after the interrogation of the younger brother. This would further incriminate the group as a whole (including an ever growing cast of Arubian party boys). Stay tuned folks. Someone is going to crack. Someone already has appeared to crack. Thus the arrest of number four, Steve. Don't forget these men are virtually boys and have undoubtedly buckled under the pressure of veteran law enforcement agents. They watch their every move and listen to every fart. Just my amatuer speculation but don't be surprised if Steve is the killer.
sgs
Posted by: socalgumshoe | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 02:40 AM
To P,
Thank you again for your insights. I perfectly understand the "value" of what Aruba has to lose.
While it is true that their integrity, their income and reputation of an important family hangs in the balance, don't you think they stand to lose much more if this investigation is totaly botched?
Think about the ramifications: "Oh, I won't mind going there, that nut job Joran is free, his old man is the Chief Justice, and the Depoe brothers run the internet cafe franchise on the island."
From my perspective, this is a very hard sell, under any circumstances. And, there are other options to pursue, which can severely punish the Aruban economy. However, these methods can only be utilized if this investigation fails.
It is both cynical, and perverse, if the people of Aruba know what happened (and, I believe they do), but they're not saying anything.
Posted by: Dan | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 02:51 AM
Just some thoughts regarding your last reply...
Everything happens in slo mo in the islands. I believe there was to be a cover up at the beginning...no sense in making a mountain out of a mole hill...the 'witnesses' (read JVDS and the brothers) pointed to some security guards as culprits...nab them...over and done with.
This case grew WAY bigger than they ever could have imagined. I am convinced that the blogs, yours and Scared Monkeys in particular, have shined such a focus on this case, that the MSM can't at this time divert its attention. Had it not been for the 'competition', so to speak (imo the void you're filling) the MSM focus would have windled earlier.
What we have here, is history in the making. You can analyze to death the particulars after the fact, but had it not been for this intense focus, this case would have been attributed to the wrong culprits or would have gone unsolved.
Now, having said that (and maybe I'm being cynical about all this as well), I think the Aruban authorities, in conjunction with the aiding authorities (FBI and Dutch investigators) are trying to 'package' this in a way to minimize damage...this is a PR disaster. Laid back resort destinations are not accustomed to dealing with such intense media focus. They are trying to make a semblance of an 'investigation gone right' while knowing all along (or early on) the full details of what has transpired.
There are just too many people involved (i.e. too many cooks - Aruban investigators, Aruban prosecutor, Aruban PM, FBI, Dutch investigators) under the watchful eyes of potential tourists.
Another thing that came to mind is the ol' "follow the money" adage. If Aruba, as a Dutch protectorate, forwards funds to the Netherlands (for Foreign Affairs and Defense, which they supply them with) they may want to be fully in charge...while the American FBI may want to be in charge as well, seeing that it's a US citizen involved, and that the tourism trade consists mostly of American tourists.
Just some thoughts as I fall asleep on my keyboard :)
Posted by: Getagrip | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 03:08 AM
Dan,
If there is a possibility that Natalee is alive and the stakes are so high for Aruba, the boys, family, politicians, and even potentially human sex traffikers, etc, then why isn't there a larger reward for her return?
What good would $55k do for some poor sap that knows where she is? He'd be dead in the morning. You have to offer enough to make it possible/attractive for him to disappear- relocate- at least $200k.
If the Holloway-Twitty family can pull together a private jet, why not this kind of money from their friends. I bet they could raise that much from public requests alone!
Posted by: Can't Let it Go | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 03:09 AM
I think it's because the human sex trafficker scenario is too far fetched. Human sex traffickers will target people who will not be missed. Nabbing an American of a group of 130 students on a school trip would not make an 'ideal' victim.
As fascinating as that sounds to many, imo it is very far fetched. I vow to eat my words if I'm wrong on this.
Posted by: Getagrip | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 03:16 AM
I tend to agree with you, P. Are you Aruban?
Posted by: Getagrip | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 03:18 AM
Getagrip,
But what if it was an afterthought- a way to get rid of a girl who was going to rat on them? What if someone said, "hey, I know some one who can help you out with this little problem?".
Even if it were not sex traffickers, if she is being held hostage, anything. The pond is too small to make $55k attractive.
I would contribute if there were a credible fund established.
Posted by: Can't Let it Go | Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 03:20 AM