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.
This post is also available at Blogger News Network.
Your Van der Sloot is a murder. Let him go and he will kill again.
Amazing, that the cost of Natalee's life has diminished since eyes are on Sloot.
Posted by: Shawn Heffie | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 11:00 PM
Um, he is not "my" Van der Sloot, Shawn. If asked for my opinion, I think it is quite likely he is deeply involved in this case - very possibly guilty. That's for a court to decide. Not you and certainly not a news outlet. Now I know why I never watch that aspect of Fox News while enjoying much of their political reporting. That was not journalism by any definition. It was pure gossip and furthers no good cause, such as resolving this case.
Posted by: Dan | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 11:07 PM
I agree with Shawn. I believe somewhere else on this site there is a photo of Sloot holding a belt wrapped around the neck of a friend in a joking matter. This kid does not sound like a normal 17-year old in my opinion.
Posted by: search4truth | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 11:09 PM
Ignorance must be bliss.
Posted by: Eric Irvin | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 11:12 PM
Dan,
I've been religiously reading your reports about the search for Natalee; I appreciate YOUR fair and balanced reporting. You do, indeed, make it clear when offering your opinion, as well as clarifying that what you find out may or may not be fact. I appreciate, as I'm sure many do, your on-site reports and evaluations. I don't know Natalee, but this unfolding story has touched me so much. I'm sure she'd be amazed that so many know her name now. I hope she is not remembered for her "kissing a boy" in the back seat of a car. I pray for her and her family.
Posted by: jbt | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 11:45 PM
I do agree that from the limited information we know, it seems Joran is very much involved in the disappearance and likely death (whether accidental or otherwise)of Natalee. However, that being said...there are numerous young and old people with poor judgement, quirks and a lack of moral fiber that act in similar ways to Joran (as pictured in his website and via heresay we've been reading)..Those actions do not make them a murderer or prove them to be a murderer.
Thank goodness Aruba officials are trying diligently to focus on the facts and gathering reliable information rather than on public opinion and heresay. Innocent people are rarely found guilty...if Joran is guilty as believed, then they will likely have the goods to convict.
By the way, where are his parents in all of this? What are their excuses or reasons for allowing him to frolic in clubs and bars, apparently drinking and staying out til all hours when he is only 17?
Posted by: Mel | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 11:52 PM
DAN is 200% correct in his thoughts on the irresponsible reporting by Fox. Keep up the good work and committment to the truth, Dan!
Posted by: Mel | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 11:55 PM
I am certainly not defending Van Der Sloot...but come on...I saw the fox reporting last night and they would just put up these flashes like "A Source: Van Der Sloot known bully" " A Source: Van Der Sloot's classmates afraid of him" But then nothing to support the claim. This is just really bad reporting. It's becoming a gossip channel. And Geraldo...how is this guy getting work as a reporter...??
-orange
Posted by: Orange | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 11:58 PM
Does anyone know why the FBI hurried to Aruba so fast in this case? I've seen atleast three other cases where people have dissapeared there and for various reasons the FBI was not allowed to go...?
Posted by: Simpson | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 12:09 AM
well, it seems to me that the truth is being withheld, and watching her mother is painful for me. the officials should be hand in hand with her parents, not allowing information to come to them through the media. the prime minister seems more worried about his island than about natalee, too much time is passing, her parents deserve answers! i wonder how van der sleaze is enjoying jail?
Posted by: tonia | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 12:23 AM
Any mention of Van Der Sloot having a gambling habit and/or owing debts? Maybe in need of a substantial amount of cash? From the description that her friends give about her behavior , it sounds as if they possibly of the opinion that she had been slipped a drug in her drink...
Posted by: Fugazi | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 12:43 AM
What kills me is the harping on the "character" of this missing woman. We've seen and heard this all too often with some of these so-called female "victims" (recent examples: Kobe accuser, Jennifer Wilbanks). When the news first broke about these girls, all we heard was about how highly regarded these girls were character-wise and what great families they came from... before the real truth came out. The fact is, while I believe that Joran is deeply involved in her disappearance, this girl probably made more than one extremely bad decision which has led to situation we have now...
Posted by: BabyGangsta | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 12:52 AM
Let me give you some thoughts...
Joran Van der Sloot is a 17 years old but he is allowed to Drink, Drive, and Gamble even though his is under age. Legal age for all these activities is 18 in Aruba
We all know that this kid was fairly well known on the island. So almost everyone had to know he was younger than 18 years old.
Why does Aruba have laws if they are not going to enforce them? Could it be that Daddy Van der Sloot is a lawyer working on being a Judge in Aruba? Is it because his mother Anita Van der Sloot is a teacher at the International School of Aruba. (gee is that not the same school that Joran goes to and possibly the same one where another student may have been pushed through a window by Joran? - Could it be there is not record of it since his mother works at the school and that his daddy is a lawyer?)
Could most likely be that Joran was above the law and was treated as if he was above the law up until now because of who his parents are?
Your are not looking at the whole picture, don't you think that Joran is being treated with kid gloves by Aruba officials? Don't you think that maybe some of the things that were brought up on Geraldo just might be true and that they have been squashed due to who this child's parents are?
It has been 2 weeks since Natalee disappeared! Who gives a rats ass if FOX digs up some possible dirt on this kid, even if it unconfirmed (no documents would be found anyhow even if it is all true, do you think Aruba officials would hand them out? The first thing they would say - oh he is a minor we cannot give that information out to you, but of course that did not matter when he was driving around, drinking and gambling in bars). At least his parents know that he is still breathing and alive.
Shame on you Dan!
http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:Y7ywQA4mVesJ:www.isaruba.com/academics/profile/anita.htm+Anita+Van+der+sloot&hl=en
Posted by: shame on you dan | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 12:52 AM
Shame,
Thank you, but I already have that link cached for a post if it becomes appropriate. I'd like to see Fox work harder to get at the truth about Joran, the reasons you present are excuses for bad journalism. They should find people that will talk to them about the issue - and I believe they can. I am not a Joran defender.
Posted by: Dan | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 01:11 AM
I think this will be another Jon Benet Ramsey case. I am becoming less optimistic about this case due to the way the police have handled it. Like the panel said on Fox, they should have been arested and questioned immediately and the car impounded. I think thats going to cost them the case. It is very apparanent that Law enforcement down there has no clue as to what they are doing and are going to have to rely on a confession at this point which I don't think is going to happen. A skilled interegator(sp?) could have handled this right away if the suspects were arrested right away. I don't see the truth comming out if it hasn't allready..
Posted by: Mark | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 01:23 AM
I think Dan's efforts here are terrific. Fox News has been a superficial news organization for years. Even if you're a conservative fan of the the channel, you're still bound to be disappointed at Fox's poor overall news product. Fox would do well to follow Dan's cautious approach here.
My only word of caution is that Americans are pretty quick to lock up a suspect in comparison to other legal systems. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I think that by the end of this affair the Aruban law enforcement will come out looking pretty on top of things.
Posted by: kelly | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 01:26 AM
I don't care if FOX is being unfair or not confirming what you consider are rumors.
Maybe you should be more concerned about how Natalee's parents are being treated by Aruba officials. The truth needs to be known about this Joran and his friends. Where was his parents when he was out driving around, drinking in bars and gambling in them at the illegal age of 17 or younger? Why did the Aruba police and club owners look the other way?
If Joran is such a great kid then where are the people who say he is such great kid? Why are they not on TV talking about what a great kid he is? Why are these positive "Joran" stories not being confirmed? - I guess if the stories are only negative then these are the only ones that need to be confirmed, huh?
Sleep on it...
Posted by: shame on you dan | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 01:30 AM
http://www.bloggie.nl/archives/joran_van_der_sloot.html
Posted by: Maarten mannee | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 01:40 AM
I can honestly say, the first moment I saw Van Der SNOT's picture I said "That's the one!, He did it!" I knew it right away. His eyes, and the eyes of the other two, they are the eyes of evil! Mainly the Surinamese on the right and Van Der Snot.
I'm not gossiping but I can tell you what I think happened. I think it started out as a party for Van Der Snot and he tried to coax her into having some 'fun' with his friends, too. She protested and now's she is dead. But where is the body?
Anyone living on an island that small can surely find somewhere to hide the body! Is there a pier nearby this lighthouse? Maybe the threw her off the end of it? If so, and there are sharks, she would NEVER be found.
As for the Aruban "Polis", they are a sorry bunch! The whole damn lot of them seem more worried about the travel industry and the American tourists than they are about that girl's life! What is up with that! What if that was one of their children missing in America?
As for Fox News, they are no worse or no more guilty of sorry reporting and lie spreading than anyone else! I am no great fan of Geraldo either, but I think he was doing what others will do, and then some. This is not a time to be criticizing the efforts of Geraldo, instead be praying for that poor girl's mother.
To the Holloway-Twitty's, my heart goes out to you. Has anyone heard mention of this girl's biological father? I mean, it is obvious the Twitty's are not her biological family. So what gives? Where is this girl's father?
I pray to God they find peace and resolve in this case, soon, while that mother still has her senses. And did Dan happen to make reference to the comment that was made to Natalee's mother? Something to the effect that "Joran's reputation was as good and clean as Natalee's?" What an insult to ad to that poor woman's injury!
God be with her, she has a lot of healing to do, and there is no guarantee she will EVER recover from this loss. Matter of fact, you can count on her never recovering! That's a FACT!
God bless you, Mrs Holloway-Twitty and family
As for the friends, why didn't you look out for your friend a little better if you knew she was sick and had drank too much. What kind of responsibility are YOU feeling in all of this?
WWW.NataleeHolloway.com
Posted by: Sum1WhoKnows | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 02:18 AM
Come on you guys! everyone here is so quick in jumping to conclusions! We do not know what is going on because the preliminairy investigation is a secret one, no talks to the press, sometimes no info towards the family of the victims. The reason is that, in continental-law countries, the prosecuter has to look for all evidence in the case, pro or contra a suspect. If the press knows about it, like they always do in the commonlaw countries, you get trial by media, suspicion and a lot of people giving their opinion, not knowing what they talk about. Suspects have rights to and one is not guilty unsless proven otherwise. Besides that, media focus on a case may be doing more harm than good.
Here in Europe, the names of these 3 boys would not have been made public before the end of the investigation. And if these 3 guys were released the first time, they were monitored 24h a day, believe me.
Regarding to the comments made on the drinking and gambling of the 3 suspects, Aruba is a small country, there is not much to do. In Belgium, where I live, we can legally drink from the age of 16, and gamble from the age of 18. However, no one is checking that out, but there are no major problems either. The only problems we have here with drunk people in the streets are mainly UK tourists that come here to get drunk on Belgium beers. All I'm saying is that pictures with friends are usually taken on parties and with drinks in one's hands. It does not make someone a drunk bastard with a temper.
It is strange that there has not been a confession after all these days 'cause usually, when there are 2 people or more in custody, one of them cracks after a couple of days. The FBI being present at the Island is also very, very strange. Maybe there is just more going on that we just don't see and are they holding these 5 men to get media focussed on them and let the FBI do their job quietly.
I hope Natalee will be found alive but I'm not very optimistic. I just hope it's over soon, for every one and that those who are guilty will be punished and those who are innocent will get their name cleared.
Posted by: Caro | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 02:19 AM
Geraldo is not a journalist. His self serving and patronizing demeanor is prevents him from getting respect. I can't listen when he talks about Michael Jackson, it's always dripping in awe of Jackson. I really don't care what Geraldo thinks, I want to know factual information. Dan is right. The report on Joran was dreadful! It seemed like a last minute "filler" to tantalize the audience.
Chances are this kid is involved in a big way! Guilty or not, it's only fair to give a fair profile. News is news...straight forward reliable facts. Opinion should be labeled as such.
Posted by: nancy_drew | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 03:01 AM
I honestly don't think any preference is being given to the three suspects because of their privileged backgrounds... the bottom line here is that the tourism industry in Aruba (which makes up half the economy in the country) is on the line and Aruban officials know it. That could work for or against us finding out what really happened to Natalee because, on the one hand, Arubans would certainly want to appease the United States (where the majority of the tourist dollars flowing into Aruba are derived from ) by solving this case quickly and as efficiently as possible. On the other hand Aruban officials, not wanting to jeopardize the tourism industry, could be inclined to cover up what really happened to Natalee and make it look like her death (if she is indeed dead) was an accident, thus helping to restore Aruba's image as a safe travel destination for Americans...
All I know is, in my day, missing women were placed on the back of milk cartons and that was that. Nowadays it seems like every week, we hear about a different missing woman and it always becomes a top national news story... just a reflection in general of the way society is headed, IMO.
Posted by: BabyGangsta | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 03:15 AM
I think the legal drinking age for drinks like beer and wine is 16 at Aruba too (because it is in the Netherlands). For liquor however, it is 18.
It is true that Aruba is not enforcing their rules on gambling (age 18) very strictly. Also the chaperones of Natalee's group were obviously not were concerned about this...
Posted by: sus | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 03:23 AM
Sus -
Natalee is 18, and of legal drinking age in Aruba. Joran was not. He is also the son of a judge who apparently lets him run around drinking, gambling (also illegally), driving until all hours without restriction, without any discipline.
It's no wonder that the reports of him being a 'problem child' are now circulating in the media..
Posted by: Rick | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 06:58 AM
Just don't underestimate the power of the media. The roles they attributed to both the victim and suspect are highly comfortable for the public.
Natalee is the religious and smart student (though she was drinking, gambling and going to clubs and maybe having sex with the suspect and not smart enough to know that its not wise to step in a car with 3 guys) and the suspect is violent and a murderer and rapist(though being a good student, having a reputation as a friendly dork on the island and not having a record)
Posted by: sus | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 07:14 AM
You are right sus. Thank God for the Aruba Judicial system, protecting us all from this media induced hype. But then we are to blame ourselves for feeding this same media our attention... Good thing for Blogs. Joran may have behaved like many other adolescents, maybe more so because of the protectiveness of his parents. But criminal behavior by him is not logical. The 2 Surinam brothers may have used him as a cover, dealing drugs behind his back, since he is Dutch, white, son of judge etc, they may have be using him to control the risk of exposure by the local authorities. But criminal bahavior for them seems more logical. The Aruban authorities probably know of risky behavior (driving, drinking) of many teenagers, but also know that these are to move off the island in a month or so to further their studies in the States or the Netherlands. So they let them roam. Up to now, nobody really got hurt. Natalee has changed that perspective. Aruba has been lucky something like this did not happen sooner. This could be a blessing and prevent many accidents frm happening un the future.
Posted by: Checkme | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 08:36 AM
Good Morning All: Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. Just a thought NOT A REPORT OR FACT. But let's say Joran (since he was seemingly popular and also a judge's son) threw that to Natalee. Let's say he gave her a brief run down of where he lives - the school he is attending and so on. She probably felt (stupid or not) somewhat safe. I think we were all teenagers at some point in our lives, I can safely say for myself did more stupid things than I care to think about. If he made himself appear as someone prominate and someone who could be trusted. That could be when she started to hang around with him and his friends. I do think (AGAIN NOT KNOW FOR SURE) she probably was slipped some kind of drug. And that would explain why she left with the three of them. Teenagers (especially ones that are attractive and popular themselves) tend to be more trusting. They are usually outgoing and they usually think they are actually smarter (at that age) than they really are.
Posted by: Sleeks | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 08:40 AM
Good questions regarding the FBI's presence. This presence was NOT on the request of the Aruba authorities. These are "allowing" them here and letting them do what they need to do. Personally I think the Aruba authorities are now just the interface with the world so that they can workout what really happened. There seems to be a very strong connection with the US, through a senator or even the White house. There is something about Natalee's history (which her family knows about) that nobody is supposed to know. What is that?
Posted by: Checkme | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 10:05 AM
there are many old mines and holes on the east coast of aruba. take a look over there!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: ric | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 01:30 PM
ok, let's not knock the young girl and assume she has a history that her family is hiding! the girl was on vacation, having a good time and SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED!! i think that there was some partying going on, something bad happened and the 3 young guys freaked and covered it up. would it have made a difference if the police kept them from the beginning? would that have made them confess? did all the time between intial talking to them and taking them into custody just give them time to decide they will never tell..especially if it was an accident, because who would believe it now????
and Natalee's friends that watched her leave with the 3 young guys?? what do they have to say about it? and why didn't anyone notice she was gone before being at the airport? did this girl really have any friends? why didn't they start saying first thing in the morning "where is natalee". everything i've read and heard says they discovered she was missing after arriving at the airport... yes they were adults but if chaperones went, why? didn't they do a head count earlier than at the airport???
this is a huge mess! i feel for her parents and hope for their sake to get closure on this sooner than later... if ever.....
Posted by: micki | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 03:00 PM
It's starting to look like the Carlos and Charley's is a target-rich environment for the teens/not-so-teens of Aruba. Stories are starting to circulate that the natives would target likely girls early in their vacations, wait until the evening before they go home, then get the girls drunk and/or spike their drinks with a drug, then take them out and rape them. When they would take them back to their hotel, the predators would explain, "It's your word against mine, I'm a local, and you could spend weeks here trying to convince someone that I attacked you." The girls would go back to their rooms, cry in the shower, then finish packing and head to the airport, never to report the attack. After all, they had to catch their plane home...
Posted by: Jimbo | Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 09:41 PM
Honestly, I am not so surprised at Fox's handling of this.
Responsible news network and Fox news are two phrases that should never be linked. Fox is merely a tabloid news show, filled with speculation, propaganda, but very little fact.
Posted by: Anna | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 01:24 AM
The three suspects now in custody did this thing and need to fess up. BRAVO to Fox News for reporting FACTS and RUMORS!! It was about time for the MSM to 'focus' on these three! The reports of three 'used' condoms found today, duct tape to a tree and womens panties...then the Aruban Polis say that :"NO NEW CLUES" were found.....GET REAL!! DNA TESTS ARE IN ORDER and a good look at Mr. Van Der Sloot's father! He probably has the girl in his basement! ERGGHHHH!
Posted by: penelope | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 02:29 AM
i wish would lock me up for 10 mins with this rich Dutch pretty boy while the guards on break...i'll find out if he knows anything
Posted by: mitch | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 11:56 AM
It's not just Fox news who are pinning this on Joran, most of the networks are eager to define a perp, and Joran fits the bill. He is the Aruban Scott Peterson, a smoothe, privileged kid from a well-connected family, who fits the profile.
But, we don't even know if Natalee is alive or dead, let alone if Joran was involved in her disappearance. It's a shame that someone like Geraldo, who's a lawyer, forgets that people are innocent until proven guilty, and so far, there's no direct evidence connecting Joran to anything, or evidence that Natalee is dead.
While she is probably the victim of foul play, since we don't know the details of her last night, it's regrettable that people are misled by the news stations, who have already set Joran up. If he harmed her, then he should pay for it. But, what if he's innocent? He's just a 17 year old who may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and may have encountered a young woman before someone else harmed her. We don't know what really happened, yet, it's amazing how we assume we do know that Joran is a murderer.
Posted by: michele | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 12:42 PM
thanks for finally posting something true on Joran. People are so quick to judge people and it really pisses me off. I know joran, and he is nothing of what we think he is. The window incident and the anger management issues are bull shit
Posted by: p | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 02:34 PM
also, the wind surfers in aruba use duct tape to keep from getting blisters, and people find things like that on the beach all the time
Posted by: p | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 02:37 PM
Lemme just say this,
If in fact Joran had something to do with this, and being underage....do ya think if mom and dad were held personally responsable for their sons actions...i.e......underage drinking, being out all nite, should not mom and dad know his where abouts he is UNDERAGE. I try to the best of my ability to know......I use threat, intimidation etc....to get the truth from my own children!
Posted by: kathy | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 02:45 PM
D,
I think your bull shit. Who Cares if you know him. Your obviously STUPID TO THE FACTS. Everyone knows... lying about what happend and then telling a different story weeks later... is all i need to know. They know what happend and they did it. I feel that she was drugged and it killed her (maybe accidently) and then van der slut covered it up.
Posted by: cj | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 02:48 PM
Search4truth is right about the previous photo (now missing on the web) of Van Der Sloot with a big smile, holding the end of a belt that is snugged up around the neck of a young boy - the look in the boy's eyes is one of humiliation and fear.
I sense an arrogant, superior, spolied brat - used to being treated special, getting his own way, humiliating others around him and laughing at them. I've seen his kind before, all too often.
Of course he will deny it. And daddy and mommy will defend their spawn.
(It comes as no surpirse that the Aruban police come to the family home at 1AM, ask dad where Jr is, and the judge calmly says "at one of the casinos" and proceeds to lead the constabulary on a search for Jr! )
Jr did it. Just a matter of time before the truth comes out.
Posted by: Steve | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 04:10 PM
Not to be cold hearted and objective but she is probably dead. People have to accept the reality of a situation like this. For people that still have hope, I envy you, because I already lost hope in this case long ago. What I think happened was that Joran was trying to have sex with her. And she was so drunk that the drug van der sloot put in her drink ended her life. She probably fell asleep in the beech, while van der sloot was trying to have sex (rape her). Van der sloot is just buying time, shutting his mouth, and changing the story in order for the evidence to get contaminated and rotten. It is sad, but alcohol can be fatal. And americans are not allowed to drink until they are 21. So this girl 18 didn't have much experience measuring her BAC limits. But anyways, we know that van der sloot is the villan. He buried her somewhere and he will keep his mouth shut as long as he can. The question is where did he hide her body? There are thousands of possibilities.
Posted by: Jeff | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 05:22 PM
I copied the following off the Department of State's Web site. This place is a threat to the whole world. I believe Natalee Holloway has become a victim of illegal drugs.
Aruba. Aruba is a transshipment point for increasing quantities of heroin, and to a lesser extent cocaine, moving north, mainly from Colombia, to the U.S. and secondarily to Europe. Drugs move north via cruise ships and the multiple daily flights to the U.S. and Europe. While the transshipment of heroin is of growing concern, evidence in 2004 did not support a finding that drugs entering the U.S. from Aruba were in an amount sufficient to have a significant effect on the U.S., but the eastern and southern Caribbean is an area of concern to the U.S. The island attracts drug traffickers with its good infrastructure, excellent flight connections, and relatively light sentences for drug-related crimes served in prisons with relatively good living conditions. This problem is further promulgated by the Netherlands Antilles’ law enforcement successes in Curacao during 2004, which necessitated a change in route on the part of the traffickers in the region.
Posted by: Ed Hixon | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 09:43 PM
To answer your question on where did her hide her body? Well, the best people to answer you is a criminal sex offender .. Visit one of these criminals and he will give you couple of ideas. I am not creative and dont want to think the idea that she is dead.
One of my ideas in this story is that the 3 boys are working for a prostitution network. They slipped some "GHB" or Rape drug in her drink without her noticing and then the girl became drunk almost instantly and they asked her to follow them . They probably raped her and then handed her to a Pimp very powerful in the Caribbeans. Now she is probably kept in a basement in another island like Curacao or Venezuela . They will take her out only when people are going to forget her. As for these 3 kids they are scared to mention this drug dealer/pimp name so they are not talking..
Posted by: Ravage | Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 10:10 PM
I think they gave her GHB. It ended up being a lethal dose and it killed her. They were shocked and got rid of the body, now the question is where. Technically it was accidental, but their intentions were bad whether or not they planned on it killing her....it makes me so sick...
Posted by: Ali | Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 01:49 PM
One question are you a friend of Ven der slut?
If not what were you doing on his web site prior to the world fame that he now enjoys? And who cares about Fox News, you mean it took this horriable incident to make you realize the news orgs. are not responsible, get real, go ahead defend the slut and blame the news, yea right.
Hey I can't say if he's guilty or not but he sure sounds like a slieze bag. But oh well he's not the only one and one more or less is not going to make much of a difference anyway so all I hope is he gets what he deserves on way or another. DM
Posted by: dawn murry | Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 04:11 PM
is obvious that the people does'nt know who joran it is...A bully???absolutely not...the media is just looking at joran's negative side. He has excelent grades, almost as good as Natalee's. Joran had a or has a bright future, like the one that Natalee was going to have. Why would he like to destroy his future??trust me he is not that type of person...he likes to party...but what teen does'nt like to party!..it seems that the people is not thinking about the reality in the american society. so please if you don't know the reality don't judge, with poor and cheap gossip, real evidience ok...but gossip...people get busy!i believe in joran's innosence...because i know about what i am talking about. I am not a person with nothing to do but to do ironic and dumb comments about a person from a very different culture, living in a world that YOU DON'T KNOW...YOU DON'T KNOW...HOW THINGS WORK DOWN HERE...
Posted by: the one that knows | Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 08:12 PM
I have spoken to Aruba Government spokesman Ruben Trappenberg today and asked him what the drinking age was in Aruba and how come Joran Van der Slut ,being an underage kid, was a regular drinker at bars and casinos. He responded that drinking age in Aruba was 18 however being 6ft 3 and a bully looking, he had no trouble getting in wherever they wanted and that all three have hung out together.
Posted by: Jake Surfer | Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 09:59 PM
I think it's apparent that Joran was the last person to see Natalee. He got the two sudanese brothers to go along with saying the 3 of them dropped her off and saw her speaking with the two security guards. All three put the police onto the security guards and got the heat off of them. The time span may have destroyed evidence. I believe the only person who knows what happened to Natalee is Joran and he is lawyered up to the hilt. If he thru her body in the water by the time it's found, the evidence will be gone. If he does'nt speak they can never pin this crime on him. I believe he IS involved.
Posted by: Cami Lampert | Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 10:12 PM
To the one who signed off as "The One who Knows". We are learning very quickly how things work down in Aruba. You let murders off. You don't charge someone for nearly 4 months. Try coming to the States and see how quick you will be charged. It is charge you up here, or let you go. You're justice system sucks.
The One Who Knows Up Here
Posted by: Sharon Luna | Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 10:23 PM
Hey one that knows, what about the web site this girly boy had is that normal in your culture?
Is he worth taking all of Aruba down? What are you folks hiding? How come his dad took the site down down right before he was arrested, did this big bully go crying to daddy is that what your culture is all about? how did he know to take the site down, why not let us all see it if he is such a great person? Let's face you folks are full of crap. The truth will come out and then you will really know won't you.
Posted by: john moore | Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 11:10 PM