FBI Searching For Natalee Holloway - Reward Offered

Update: Arrests Made

The family of eighteen year old Natalee Holloway is now offering a reward for her return, though the amount of the reward remains unspecified. The FBI is in Aruba leading the search for the blonde honor student and high school senior who failed to show up for the return flight for her high school class on Monday.

Three Aruban men were questioned and released in the disappearance. They have not been labeled suspects and claim to have dropped the teenager off at her hotel early Monday morning.

Witnesses say that she was last seen getting into a car with an Aruban male upon leaving a popular night club late Sunday night. The family has been unable to identify her in hotel security tapes which were provided for review.

It's unclear if foul play was involved, or if something transpired in the early hours of Monday morning causing the teen to opt out of her return flight and drop out of sight.

See index for new and existing updates. Also, additional material available at Scared Monkeys.

This post is also available at Blogger News Network.

Comments

[Carol]

For the family and friends of Natalee Holloway, many prayers are with you in your search for this lovely young woman. Those of us in the United States who cannot travel there to volunteer really appreciate all the volunteers who have come out for Natalee. My friends on Aruba are helping. I feel compassion for the parents in this very difficult time. Natalee will know you are looking for her day and night. May God watch over her and return her to you in Aruba, so you may bring her home. Carol

[Sam]

What about missing young lady in 1998?

[Macamba]

Where did she go missing???

[Morotai]

Missing young lady in 1998 disappeared at the port of Curacao, not Aruba.

[DABRONX]

I agree mike, Lisa no disrespect but u may understand law in the states and how things work. Things don't work that way in Aruba. The government has been known to protect their own and the outsiders are under alot of scrutiny. I know this because of all the years i've been going to this island. Example, don't u think it is interesting that the people who were confirmed known to be with her and admitted to having sex with her at the beach are not being questioned as much. Don't u think it's coincidental that the one Dutch boy is the son a Judge was with her last. I agree the truth will come out and I think we will see these 3 guys who were with her may not be as innocent as they appear.
I physically see too often how these teenagers come to this island and think they can just do and act as they please. We are guests in there country and home and they act like they own the place.
Dutch law is pretty interesting from what i hear. It is possible these two security may be the scape goats. The government is tired and is seriously controlling the influx of outsiders trying to take up residence on the island because most of the crime and drugs are eminating from outsiders(the bad element). This is why they have strict laws pertaining to non Arubians when it comes to renewing work permits and residency permits. Example if u came to Aruba as a married couple and were given work permits, if by chance u get divorced your permit is not renewed and you are physically deported. There is a known I won't say law but in Aruba all arubans work before any foreigner. No questioned asked.They make sure jobs go to their own first. Many islanders are frustrated because there are many foreigners taking jobs away from the locals. It's just the way it is.
As i said earlier Arubians are genuinely good people. The media has brought this situation to main front and this island is getting beat up because of it. Yes this focus is about finding Natalee and having sympathy for her family. But it is also about having opinions and thoughts. Something very strange and fishy is going on here. No one is perfect no matter how we want to portray them. We all have skeletons in are closet. Parents don't always know everthing their kids do. Whether there was foul play or not I still hold to my opinion that out of 40 friends and classmates with her that evening not one, not even one attempted to show concern as to what she was up to and why she left with 3 individuals alone. Even if they had met earlier in the trip u don't leave with strangers. Again these 3 should have to answer some hard questions. But again it's just an opinion the truth will come out.
And I will do my part to help when i get to the island in 2 weeks if she is not found. Because i do care. Mike maybe someday we will get together in Aruba. Sounds like u enjoy the island as much as i do. Oink.

[eliot]

Gwydion is a solitary Wiccan that presently resides in Elkhart, Indiana. He
lived in Taiwan for over a decade, where he worked and studied. He is proudly
"owned" by two boys, a dog, a ferret, and a substantial wildlife collection
in his back yard. Feel free to email Gwydion at Gwydion...@juno.com with any
thoughts or comments that you may have related to this article.

[John from WuzzaDem]

Holy crap. I don't come here for a few days, and when I pop in I see comments from assholes like "Gwydionoak" - crawl back in your hole, scumbag.

What Dan is reporting on this story is AT LEAST as accurate and fact-checked as anything you'll see on the news, and he certainly provides a lot more background and context.

This is his house and he has every right to control what's said here - especially comments from racist half-wits.

Great work, Dan.

[Kathy]

I am from Natalee's community and it saddens me to read comments about her being dead, dumped, washing up, etc. We should not speculate. Anything is possible. It is totally possible that she is still alive, which I choose to believe because of my faith. Someone knows something and should come forward. I am a mother, and I cannot conceive of the horror Natalee her family must be going through. Please pray for Natalee and her family. God answers prayers.

[kathy]

Jesus said: There is neither Jew nor Greek,there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28
It is most disturbing to read the racist remarks made on this website. One of the biggest problems facing our world today is the inability of some people to get past the color of another. People are people so why should it be you and I should get along so awfully?

[lisa]

No, I don't think they are holding those two just so the people feel safe. They probably do have sufficient evidence to hold them, but not necessarily to convict them. I am not trying to assume that I know everything just because I am a lwayer, but all I am saying is that what everyone is hearing is totally heresay right now. Everyone knows that things tend to get twisted hearing it over and over again. And to answer your question, Mike, I was not doing the same thing as everyone else, I was not sharing hate mail back and forth. I do log on every now and then to see if there have been any results and when I came across this website I was shocked. It's one thing to share feelings back and forth but another thing to start speculating about unknown facts and to make racial and inappropriate comments about Natalee and her family, as well as the aruban people. Crime and corruption is everywhere. Keep an open mind but be reasonable and respectful, and wait to hear more facts from the police and FBI. We have U.S. FBI agents there as well so we can't say that the police there are holding back information to protect thier people. That would be impossible at this stage. Plus, we don't know if one day Natalee's family will come across this site and see the horrible things written about thier child. If anyone feels the need to write something nasty, just for one second, put yourself in the shoes of Natalee and her family and then think again. Have mutual respect and compassion for our people and the Aruban people who are working really hard and feel just as bad that this is happening. After all, this is something that can happen in our own back yard. It does not take a trip to Aruba for something like this to happen. I visited Aruba twice so far and found it to be a very nice place with the nicest people I've ever met. I praise them for the concern and help they have given the police. They, like us, want to find Natalee and bring her home safely. And Kathy, I agree with your comments, how this matter turned in a racial fest is beyond me. Just ignore the comments and consider some people ignorant. Everyone is equal in this world, period.

[Pazuzu]

The three original persons of interest, who were not suspects, were just arrested this morning. These were the same three guys who gave her a ride from Carlos 'n Charlies to her hotel. I have always suspected that their involvement was more than they were disclosing. When you drop a girl off at her hotel you drive up in front of the main lobby and let her walk out. Or you walk her inside of the hotel. You don't drop her off on the street and tell her to walk to her hotel, especially if there was some sort of romantic interlude. The guard at the hotel never saw her arrive at the hotel around 1:30 or 2 AM. If it doesn't make sense it usually isn't true.

[dabronx]

The newest developments: Finally they have arrested(detained) the three guys who were with Natalee that evening. Maybe now we will get some more answers to what happened to Natalee. I felt these three all along were the key suspects.

Lisa,your right that we all need to have a little compassion and not rush to judgement which is hard to do because I strongly feel the media leads many to believe everything they report is truth.
I was trying to get across that Aruba is getting trashed by the media and i refuse to let that be the focus. They know nothing about it's people and how things work on the island. But they talk as if they know it all. This was a peaceful, quiet place and the people there just go about living their lives. Now they r at the forefront of international attention. Not the kind of attention they desire or wanted.
I truley hope they find natalee or what happened to her, so her family can find peace and the people of this fine Island can get back to some sort normalcy.
Mike, good opinions. Oink

[D-Train]

I can't believe some of the things I am reading on here. JOE..you are a complete JACKASS. The only reason you are here is to stir up emotions because you are obviously bored with your life, so you have to make issues in others. You are pathetic. Do you even realize that there is a young girl missing????? This could be your sister, mother, cousin or otherwise. Why don't you use your head and put yourself into her fathers, or brothers position. I would be willing to bet that if your sister or wife were kidnapped, that you would be here begging for help finding them. Instead all you write is stupidity. If I owned this blog, I would leave your crap up, so that everyone know how big a fucking idiot you are. I would feel glad that this isn't my sister, wife or mother, or God forbid my daughter, cause I would find you! BELIEVE IT!!

[Joe Gladney]

D-Train,

You would find me?? And then what would you do ... pee your pants?

Just as an aside, it's remarkable the number of times I have been threatened by the "compassionate" folk on this thread. If you are all as limp-dicked as Dan, I'm not too worried.

Joe

[Jen]

Ok I thought long and hard and came up with a few ideas.
Everyone is saying these "persons of interest" killed Natalee. This may be a case of accidental drowning. Yes these men may have taken natalee to a beach and whether that's right or wrong right now should not be the issue. They may have swam and she may have accidentally drowned. These 3 men might just be really scared and not know what to do. When they said they dropped her off at her hotel, maybe they were scared and said it. This might be a simple accident. I hope there was no suffering involve. Just wanted to state that, maybe others feel the same way.

[Ali G]

Good point Jen. What the local police did-in cooperation with the FBI-was a pure tactical manouver; questioning them initially, letting them go thinking that they were off the hook and subsequently observing their actions. They probably were communicating by way of email with each other or by phone, or they might have deciminated some information to a close friend. Moreover, were they actively involved in the volunteer search efforts? I would be if I had contact with her that evening, wouldn't you? What the authorities did is set up a trap by gaining your confidence with the hope that you'll relax and make a mistake. They do this all of the time. The three kids, yes kids because one is seventeen, will now be interviewed seperately and the weaker personality will crack under pressure with the use of guilt and bluff tactics by the interogators. I don't rule out that it was some sort of an accident or a romantic interlude gone horribly wrong; these three boys panicked, concocted a story or alibi, but now it's time to face justice.

[dabronx]

Ali G, Finally some one else gets it. And believe me when I get to the island in a couple of weeks and if this case has not been solved yet I will have better info. I know quite a few people in Aruba they will know better than what we are hearing thru the media. i just watched CNN and now another person(so called expert) on the news is saying that all five are somehow connected. Unbelievable!! The 2 security guards have air tight alibi's and were used as scape goats. I foresee them being released soon. I don't think it will take a brain surgeon to see these 3 boys know more than they originally said. U hit it right on the nose. I just wished the family would have some sort of closure soon. Great deduction ALI G!!!!!!!!!

[Ali G]

I get a kick out of these so called so expert and pundits on CNN and FOX intimating that there's something disingenuous taking place on the part of the Aruban authorites. These experts are getting their facts from a media frenzy tainted with rumor, inuendo, and heresay. I'm confident that they'll get to the bottom of this.

[dabronx]

Another bit of info for those of u follwing the events of the 3 guys detained. It's seems the web site Tickle.com which was used by Joran to publish his web site, the guy who was with Natalee last is no longer available. It said member cancelled their web page.There were some interesting photos and communication he had posted. Seems it was cancelled sometime between yesterday and today. Coincidence, I think not. This kid is at the center of this mess and the truth is soon to come out. Why cancell the web page? Sounds like there is something to hide. I wished i had copied it yesterday when I had the chance. Does anyone else remember or seen this web page he had? Suspicious would be an understatement.

[WhoopAss]

Joe;
I'd like to rip you head off and shit down you neck.

[Joe Gladney]

WhoopAss,

Yeah, I know you'd like ( in italics) to but there is one small problem -- you're a pussy. And you'd pee your pants (just like d-train and Dan) if your ass ever had to keep any of the promises your mouth makes.

In fact the best thing for your mouth to do at this point would be to ... naw, never mind, I'm turning over a new leaf. You may continue to post.

Joe

P.S. I notice that you chose to use my e-mail address instead of your own?? That's a bit odd isn't it? Tough guy?

[Silver]

Hello,

I’m wishing a safe return of Natalee.

What puzzles me about this case is the lack of any real news. There is the same old coverage over and over and over -- nothing new. Where are the “tabloids”? Admittedly they are rather repulsive but they are usually there interviewing everyone who has any connection with the case, be it school teachers, ex-boyfriends, anybody! But that hasn’t happened here or it hasn’t happened much and given the number of friends that Natalee is likely to have, it would be easy to dig-up some people with opinions.

We haven’t even seen any photos or video of the five (5) detainees (except the well-worn clip of the black in the blue Nike shirt) and with one of them being a judges son, you’d expect the tabloids (or even the regular press) to be all over it.

Last night O’riely (?) screwed up the facts -- the little that we know -- by stating that the two (2) security guards were the ones that she initially got in the car with?? How does that happen? My point is that the “news” seems to be blacked-out. Maybe it has to do with Aruba law.

[mike]

I think we finally found two people with brains (Ali G and dabronx). And I'll bet neither of you are lawyers, are you? Ali G it seems like you have had some form of tactical training or you're a criminal (one or the other) but you two have a very compelling theory. Let's just hope that this poor girl is found. Hey da bronx, let me know when you purchase that property. Maybe I will buy the place next door.

[Ali G]

Mike- I'm an outside sales professional for many years and believe me, building relationships with clients is the ultimate training for learning how to read people and situations. I can smell trouble and flim flam from very far away!!! Remember the golden rule so eloquently espoused by Judge Judy: "If it doesn't make makes sense it usually isn't true!!!!" Baloney!!!!

[glenda]

Hi, about Amy the American girl who was missing 7 years ago. She did not dissapear in Aruba nor in Curacao. She dissapear in open sea between this two islands. She left the island of Aruba in her ship, whith her parents. I remember this case. Today this was ask to the autorities and they confirm what i remember.

[Mike]

Glenda are you saying that you have been in touch with the Aruba authorities and they actually had the time and willingness to discuss a seven year old case with you? I find that hard to believe. What is even more puzzeling is that you expect people to believe that they actually told you the truth.

[Ali G]

Mike- I don't know why the case of the missing girl from 1997 is becoming an issue but I can understand the conspiracy theorists having a field day. Remember, we should make rational deductions, not emotional ones. The case of the missing girl from 1997 has been researched and investigated at length; as a matter of fact, I remember seeing specials on Prime Time Live or Dateline NBC on the subject. The island in question was never Aruba but Curacao; investigators have always focussed on Curacao or the open body of water between Aruba and Curacao. Infering that there's some nefarious or sinister kidnapping operation conducting business covertly on the island of Aruba is ludicrous. We need to stick to the facts and statistics. More disappearances and abductions occur in for example Houston Texas; is it fair to infer that there's an organized group operating out there? I think not.

[dabronx]

People just love to speculate and draw their own conclusions don't they. Anything that remotely has to do with Aruba or near Aruba or just the thought of Aruba somehow people will say Aruba is involved. Get a grip people, this is one incident sad as it may be. So leave Aruba and it's people alone. For 2o years I've traveled this island and I'll go for another 20. Aside from finding out what happened to Natalee look for some other news. We need the jury to convict MJ so the focus will change to something else. Hey Mike Oink.

[Mike]

I never speculated or infered that there is an organized group operating anywhere. I just wanted to know why the authorities would have discussed a case that is many years old during a time like this. I find that difficult to believe.
I didn't make the comment I just questioned it.
I love Aruba too and I do believe that 99% of the islanders are good people. Oink Oink

[PietjeZz]

I noticed some people decided to play the race card about the situation!
What does that have to do with anything? Doesn't matter where you were born,what skin color you have! If you did the crime you gotta do the time! Aruba consist of negro race and the caucian race and some asian decendants, some indian descedants! basicly a mix of everything! There are no such thing as a "pure"arubian! Arubians are called arubians because they were born there,if youre parents are dutch and you were born in Aruba,aren't you Arubian?
No one realy knows what the hell happened to this girl!
Untill this case is solved and closed all we could do is speculate!
Of course Aruba is shookup with this incident!
Such cases don't happen on this tiny island! So we are not use to it!
There is a saying,when the cat's away the mouse will play!
I've read that all over the net that Natalee is not the "angel" her parent and friends paint her to be!
Fact of the matter is,parents dont totally know every single thing or secret of their children!
At home they may seem to be angels but with friends their own age it's totally different!
I have straight-A student friends varying ages 21/25 and their parents doesn't even know they drink alcohol and smoke pot!!!
What i'm saying is,they were partying! She must have been drunk or at least a litte tipsy!
Alcohol just in case some people forgot..impairs your judgement!
Hey your on vacation,your free to consume alcohol at 18, contrary to the age of 21 in the USA! I'm sure some of them jumped to this oppertunity!
Some people seem to blame her that it's her own fault she got in the car! It is her fault tecnically yes,no one forced her! But why some people asked she was not stopped by her friends from getting in a car with strangers? cause they probably were drunk or tipsy also! It just seemed like "innocent"fun to them!
Wjat i find lacking in this investigation is there is no kind off attention in interviewing her fellow students,her friends,the chaparones! They know something more!! Why cant they provide us with the last details of what went on what happened the last minutes before she entered the car! someone must know something! Since it was said that Natalee met the dutch guy a few days before, i'm sure she had to tell a friend about this guy!! What her plans were with the guy etc.. you know girl stuff!
She knew these guys from a few days before! So some kind of trust must have been built,that she felt it was ok to step in the car with them!
But i have a feeling these 3 guys know more than they are telling! In these comming days we will see!
The young one age 17 will crack under pressure during interogation!
The other 2 former security guards I believe will go free!
Just overweigh the options! these guys have Alibi's confirming they were not at the location at the time! All they are held on are that witnesses said they saw security guards at the hotel that possibly fit their discription!
The other 3 on the other hand admitted to being with her! they took her to a beach or the lighthouse(possibly to have sex) what happened after that is a total mystery!
They claimed to have dropped her off at the hotel,yet no camara captured her entrance to the hotel! fishy!
I think the biggest lead are those 3 guys! It's left now to the autorithies to figure out what happened! They have to zero in on that!
During the week these guys will start accusing each other and succumb under pressure and eventually their whole story will crumbe!

[Eugene]

Deleted

[Love Doctor]

What does race have to do with anything?? Get a grip you moron.

[kathy]

Eugene, those remarks are uncalled for. This is a site her family may visit, and why you would want them to read something like this is disturbing, to say the least. Stop speculating! Have a little faith. As little as a grain of mustard seed. She will be found, God willing, alive! It's in God's hands. We must trust Him.

[Mike]

Eugene,
You're a dick! And the only way you can get laid is to rape someone. I bet you like men with tight asses. I would like to watch a video of that bigg nigger in the blue shirt making your ass bleed while you choke on another ones dick. What you wrote was horrible and you deserve to die

[Eugene]

... a generation of permanent
cripples, failed seekers, who never
understood the essential old-mystic
fallacy of the Acid Culture: the desperate assumption that somebody...
or at least some force -- is
tending the light at the end of the tunnel.

God does not lead and no follower will ever be a god... open your eyes and pay attention... if you honestly believe in anything other than your self you have already failed...

[mike]

Fuck you moron

[mike]

I wasn't talking dirty to you dickhead homo I was wishing you the worst possible harm anyone could endure. I like women fag ass however I might take you up on the offer though so I could get to be the one that kills you.

[Eugene]

testy, testy, you seem to be very protective of your sexuallity... overly stating that you have no interest in men... and then throwing in that Freudian slip acknowledging that you would be intersted in my fucking you up the ass prior to your killing me... you seem to be the one with the problem here... may I suggest you indulge yourself tonight... a warm bath and some wine along with the soft sounds of barry manalow... this will help calm your nerves...

[kathy]

Eugene, those of us who believe in God are not cripples, for we walk with Him everyday. I am not a failed seeker, for I have found Him. He restored me and made me whole again. You need Him in your life. He can do the same for you. God loves you even if you don't love Him.

[Eugene]

testy, testy, you seem to be very protective of your sexuallity... overly stating that you have no interest in men... and then throwing in that Freudian slip acknowledging that you would be intersted in my fucking you up the ass prior to your killing me... you seem to be the one with the problem here... may I suggest you indulge yourself tonight... a warm bath and some wine along with the soft sounds of barry manalow... this will help calm your nerves...

[mike]

You're pretty funny jerkoff.
You would never even get your pants off before you are dead. A warm bath sounds good to me for tonight. Perhaps your mother and your sister would like to join me again. Barry would be good but your mom preferrs Metalica

[Eugene]

wake up kathy and smell mikey's ass.. I didnt come here to talk about your god... i came here to harass mikey and now that i've done that i must go back to being the mild mannered man i am in the office. i will however continue to monitor the situation here and if something of any value is posted I will undoubtable reply unless it isn't my lunch break in which case i have many other important things to do...

[Eugene]

you've got the wrong guy mikey... my sister is a man and mother fell asleep long ago... good luck at your future attempts at creativity... I must find someone more worthy of battle.. you're an amature with no real signs of hope...

[Pazuzu]

Common everybody...peace on earth...can't we all get along??? Just remember the comforting words spoken by Michael Jackson in his sweet voice..."no that's ignorant..that's ignorant...it's not sexual..you're thinking SEXual...I love children...I give 'em warm milk and cookies and play music...it's all very charming..." Heee..heeee The way you make me feel now now..WHOOOOOOAAAAAAA!!!!

[Maria]

Well this has been very interesting reading. I am in the office by myself today and was very bored. Like everyone else I am upset to hear that this has happened. It's very disturbing to think this could be one of my sisters or myself. What I just can't seem to understand is why her friends stood and watched her get into a car with three strangers, no matter what color they were or where they were from they were strangers period. I am not looking to cast blame I just don't understand it. For Natalee's family sake I hope they have some sort of closure to all of this.

[Eugene]

that phuckin awsome Pazuzu. you could slam me and i'd still like you just for posting that...

[Steve]

Some intersting facts:(make your own conclusions & im not stating that this is Aruba as a Whole)
CIA:
Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and exceptionally low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance.
Note: Drug Trafficing: transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity
This page was last updated on 17 May, 2005
cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/aa.html
Washington post:
The Caribbean, according to law enforcement sources, is especially attractive to Russian criminal syndicates already entrenched in Europe, where there is a lucrative, growing market for cocaine in the former Soviet Bloc nations. With strict bank secrecy laws and lax financial enforcement mechanisms, such Caribbean islands as Antigua and Aruba, where Russians have recently opened offshore banks, offer havens for large sums of money from criminal enterprises that would raise questions in other countries.
1996-97
earthops.org/rus_mafia_carib.html

[pazuzu]

CIA ?...That's ignorant....you're being ignorant...I Like Peter Pan!!!

[mike]

I bet Eugene likes Peter Pan

[Pazuzu]

..some people have doodoo in their head..lets' play with McCauly Caulkin and Bubbles...YEEAAAAHH