Search Update

After report of search "hit" at a quarry today from reliable source, concerns about the reliability of the report led to additional contact with several individuals on the island.

Information from the ground somewhat conflicting and hard to come by, but incident at quarry was confirmed. Additionally just confirmed by Tim Miller of EquusSearch on Fox News.

Latest report states Police Commissioner seen arriving at site approximately 5 PM EST with no other significant police presence. Miller stated on Fox that he is not convinced the site is clear. May resume same location tomorrow.

That early report also led to my being contacted by additional very credible and reliable source who understood it to be both accurate and timely.

Comments

[Muffyclare]

Dan, I just saw the Fox report and was so glad that everyone could finally SEE what I believed already...you are just reporting what you know and I really respect your efforts.

[wft]

Dan, I questioned your report re: the quarry earlier today because the photo did not look current to me but after listening to Tim Miller speak on Greta's show you and your source were right on track. Keep up the good work!! Let's pray we find Natalee soon.

[Florida Girl]

Dan - I believe that photo you have posted is the correct quarry that is being discussed. On one of the Fox shows tonight they had new video, and it was that same quarry, however, they didn't say it was being searched today, just showed some video of the ES people getting out their diving gear, and stuff like

- note the big rock out in the middle....that's how I could tell it was the same quarry.

[Very.Frustrated]

"Incident at quarry". Hmm. Interesting. Do you know how easy it would be to misinterpret a couple of dogs around a lake to think that there was a "hit". We have already been told that there was a TX search team going there today. I just want real news, not rumour. Please don't play any more games with the Holloway family. I hope and pray that the truth comes out.

[Dan Riehl]

Hey I sweated that all day and spent hundreds in overseas calls I was so worried. I don't put material up lightly and would hate to get played, or be wrong.

That's me talking as a reporter of events, it does not mean I am losing perspective of the terrible nature of this tragedy.

[Very.Frustrated]

Dan, if that last post was directed at me, let me just say that I admire what you've done in the last 3 weeks. Sometimes we all get very frustrated.

[TXGal]

Dan,

I thank you for all your very hard work & efforts to keep your site clean. To keep the NH site up and current. I am not a regular "blog" reader (however) YOUR site has made me a true fan...and I will return to read "your stuff". I turn to your site to read your news/updates but have completely stopped reading the other stuff from posters/bloggers (whatever it is called). Only because of the people who are making it some sort of #@$&! Some readers/posters have turned it into a site of complete bashing...etc. and because of this the "back/forth" badgering has lost the whole reason ...the focus...as to why we are here and that is because an 18-year old girl is missing and has not been found.

Can we all keep it focused on the real reason why we are all here? We need to find this girl...the closure needs to come to this hurting family.

TX-Gal

[LornaD]

I do not doubt Dan, not one bit.

As far as "rumor" of a hit, Miller himself has said on at least two TV shows tonight that the dogs did give somewhat of a hit or showed interest in a lake near the vd Sloot home. Tim Miller is NOT going to lie.

[JimL]

Give Dan a break, the search was also reported on scaredmonkeys blog, with their different sources in Aruba. Also, if you watched the Greta interview with the CEO of Equisearch, he mentioned two dogs got a strong scent from a quarry. As he mentioned, there were a lot highs and lows today. Although the search in the quarry was not completed, the high of the day was probably the fact that two dogs were drawn to this area. Keep the reporting coming Dan, good work, need to keep people impulsed, otherwise this case might lose the spotlight, and in turn never be solved.

Also, a sidenote, others mentioned that the dogs are trained to only find human remains. He mentioned that today, there was a garbage bag that the dogs were being drawn to, and when the remains were revealed it was said to be a dead dog. Can anyone explain this??

[Jillian]

Dan, I just want to say thank you! When I first stumbled onto your site, I wasn't sure what you were all about. The more I read and researched, I realized you're conservative, and doing a good thing. I watched the FoxNews clip that you were on, which I had unfortunately missed last week - needless to say, I was very pleased to conclude that you are a reliable source, and have only the best intentions! Keep it up, and God bless:)

[Paul]

Dan
You have done an excellent job. Your views have been level headed, non-biased and well researched. I have been watching this blog site from the beginning and most of the people have done a good job trying to stay within reasonable questioning and conjectures. However, there were some who had their own agendas, many who were disruptive, and a few down right vulgar and vicious. I hope the family of Natalee will eventually find some closure. Thank you for your efforts.

[Calli]

Get John Walsh and see if he can assist this case, hes perfect at what he does!

[DeeDee]

Dan you have done an incredible job through this case thus far and I cannot imagine how you do your research and get any rest at all. I appreciate your site so much and obviously many more people do as well. I hope this investigation will bring peace to the Holloway family soon. Thank you so much.

[misty]

Dan, don't let the comments get to you. If I were you, I wouldn't even bother reading them. There are a lot of sickos in this world that have nothing better to do than stir up trouble on blogs, forums, and the like. You do a great job, and the forum I belong to uses you as their main source of info. If I could reach thru the wires and give you a big hug, I would.

Thanks
Misty D.

[Cmoney]

Dan,
I appreciate the manner in which you share the info you receive. There hasn't been one item presented as "gospel", you state how the info has been passed along to you and you don't mislead as to credibility.

If there are those who don't understand this process...it's their problem -- not yours. You've been very clear, imo...and I appreciate your input.

[gallowaygirl]

Dan -

I absolutely agree with cmoney. You have presented all news in a fair and comprehensive manner, made readers aware of what is confirmed and is unconfirmed and you have put it out there with minimal spin. Who could ask for more?

People need to take responsibility for themselves if they 'read' too much into an item or fail to apply proper perspective. There is no excuse for it.

Also, we should all realize that Tim Miller will always, always place the feelings of Natalee's family above all else when speaking to the press. He's not going to satisfy public curiosity at their expense and will choose his words carefully. He's walked in their shoes after all.

Finally, I wouldn't be bit surprised if our Texas boys didn't get a little annoyed with b.s. Natalee is their girl now and they aren't going to tolerate any nonsense.

[cricket]

Dan,
I only stumbled onto this site today (nowit's ysterday), but from what I've read so far - keep up the good work. I've got it bookmarked and will check back tomorrow.

I also agree with whoever said that Tim Miller is choosing his words carefully. I saw him on Greta tonight - and I think he does have some hope that they might find something in the lake tomorrow. he said they couldn't rule it out yet - still searching to do.

[Cerulean]

Dan appreciate your reporting but if knowing something could jeopardize the investigation, I can wait.

[royrab]

If this was done by an organised crime group then a long term trap plan is necessary in order to catch them. Most likely a repeat crime would be carried out in the long run.

[mudzilog]

If this was done by an organised crime group then a long term trap plan is necessary in order to catch them. Most likely a repeat crime would be carried out in the long run.However, i am almost 100% sure those 3 boys know exactly what happened to Natalee. You always have a strong motive to lie on a serious issue like this one and mostly likely its because you would rather let them discover on their own than tell them you did it. Can they not apply unorthodox methods to extract the truth or is it they already know but prefer a cover up because big people are involved.

[Elke Downen, MA]

Hi -
My name is Elke Downen, I am an experienced psychotherapist. I would like to offer, gratis - no charge, therapy to the Holloways, for how ever long it is needed. I seek no form of compensation and do this simply for a private way to help individuals of trauma heal. Everything is strictly confidential.

I specialize in 'distance counseling' - for individuals who live rurally, have travel schedules not permitting regular appointments or those who can't get away from work or are afraid to leave home. I counsel either through phone sessions or by encrypted journals, where no one has access to the journal. I also work with Hospice families and know what it is to experience loss.

My credentials can be checked out on my web site www.b2lifemanagement.com.

I don't know how to contact the Holloways - or any other families you may be helping. The hardest days are yet to come for them. As in any loss - when all has settled and the casseroles stop coming; is when the individual needs the most support.

If you can pass this info on to the Holloways or other families who struggle after loss - as an option perhaps sometime, I would be most grateful. I hope I can help. If they choose not - that is OK. I just want to help the healing and grieving process. Please keep my name on record for free counseling in the future.I don't want that to be - but inevitably it will. My personal email is ElkeB2Lie@aol.com

Thank you for all you have done for this family.

Kind Regards,
Elke Downen, MA