Letter From Paul Reynolds

Natalee Holloway's Uncle, Paul Reynolds penned a letter to the Editor and sent it to Amigoe, Aruba AM and Aruba Today. He was on MSNBC's Scarborough Country Tuesday night to discuss the letter and related topics.

Below is the unedited text of the letter.

Letter to the Editor

I have been reading Aruba AM, the English Aruban newspaper sent out over the internet. There appears to be a growing backlash against the Holloway family that I am very concerned about. I am sure the people in Aruba wish this investigation could be resolved as much as our family does.

The people in Aruba have been overwhelming supportive of our entire family since Natalie's disappearance. When I arrived on the Island two days after she was reported missing, I was always greeted with expressions of concern and hope for Natalie's return. There are hundreds if not thousands of stories of people coming together and helping each other during this incident. Bernadett from Economy Car Rental, the people at Holiday Inn, the Aruban Government Workers who left work to search the island are just a few of the examples. This is the good story of Aruba . The compassion and desire to help has meant more than you can imagine to our family.

Unfortunately, there are a very small number of individuals that are holding the people of Aruba , the Holloway family and what seems like the whole world hostage. These individuals are not a reflection of the Aruban people or the system of Justice in Aruba . These individuals know what happened and are refusing to accept responsibility for their actions. It also appears that certain individuals may be attempting to protect those individuals that know what happened. Helping them hide from their responsibility will destroy rather than preserve what is left of their lives, hopes and dreams.

The concerns that we have about the investigation are real. It began with the 10 day delay with taking the three original suspects into custody. My sister, Beth and her husband, Jug, arrived on the island the same day Natalie was reported missing. They were able to identify the three individuals she had last been seen with and report this to the police. The three suspects were briefly questioned and released. Their stories turned out to be false and their allegations led to the detainment of two innocent individuals. In a missing person case, every day is critical. Ten days would allow those individuals responsible time to hide evidence and coordinate their stories. What if the missing person was alive in those first few days? The failure to take those individuals into custody and seek evidence may have damaged this investigation beyond repair. Why was this done? Was it an attempt to cover up whatever happened and or protect those individuals involved?

Because the father of one of the suspects is a member of the Judicial system, there was immediate concern on behalf of the family that the investigation might not be fair and objective. The interest and presence of the FBI along with assurances from the US Government and the Prime Minister of Aruba reduced those concerns.

Actions since then have again increased concerns that the investigation is not being done in an objective manner. Why would you refuse assistance from the FBI in resolving a difficult case? Why would you hinder a private search team, composed of a group of volunteers whose director has experienced a similar loss of his own?

The release of two of the suspects is also a matter of concern. Although the latest (third) story of one of the suspects places him alone with Natalie on the beach, the other two have admitted to lying. Is this not obstruction of justice, interfering with an investigation or conspiracy to cover up a crime? Aren't these illegal activities whether or not you are involved in the actual crime itself? How can these individuals be allowed to go free and possibly leave the country? Why would they lie unless they had knowledge of a crime either before or after the fact? Why would the father of one of the suspects tell all three that without a body, there is no crime?

As you can see, our many questions and concerns are about the investigation, not the Island or the people of Aruba . They are as much a victim of these individuals as we are. Please join us in our request to the Prime Minister of Aruba and the Dutch Authorities to launch an independent investigation of this matter and allow all of us to learn the truth, return Natalie to her home and go forward with our lives.

Respectfully yours,

Paul Reynolds

Natalie Holloway's Uncle

Comments

[kenton]

folks, this is a coverup, the reverse of a frame. very hard to deal with in a
straight forward good faith way. everyday, i read evidence on this blog and it
all says to me, "this is a coverup from ;the getgo." Recogize it for such, and,
deal with it, as such...

[Lurker]

"The kids and the chaperones checked in with each other once a day in the hotel lobby at 12 p.m."

WRONG! It was 11 A.M. They had to sign in on a "sign-in sheet" in the hotel lobby. YET ANOTHER dumb idea, because someone could sign another kid's name.

Who were the "geniuses" who came up with these brilliant ideas??!!!

[Lurker]

No thanks, Michele. Reading your misinformation here is bad enough without seeing Freep being polluted by it!

[Alvaro]

Any investigative authority who does not focus on people as I have described, is not worth its weight in anything. This does not mean that every other possible thread should not be looked into(which probably hasn't happened eather in this case). I'm not talking about a verdict. Anyone who has pronounced one is joking or premature(to be nice).

[kim]

resortownmom -
I know a judge and several attorneys too. You are correct that most will give advice...but it is rare that you hear of an attorney/judge that is related to the person the advice is given to offering to divulge they gave such info unless he was asked the question on the basis that such attorney/judge knew that someone stated they made the comment when he was confronted

[Alvaro]

eather = either

[harry]

Lurker:

"Geniuses"? Natalee's kidnappers?

[Bartholomew]

this is a coverup, the reverse of a frame. very hard to deal with in a
straight forward good faith way.
__________________________________

Exactly. That is what people who keep screaming "innocent until proven guilty" cannot understand. The victim has rights, too - namely the right to a competent, honest investigation.

[Nugrey]

As a parent I can say:
1) Three young men know what happened to NH. They are not telling the truth and obstructing justice. They have all lied by changing their stories - obstruction of justice. They are all guilty of lying and covering the truth - period! And in what country or legal system is this acceptable? None that has common sense. Americans are not all "cowboys" but know bald faced justice obstructing liars when they see them.
2) VanDerSloot parents need to wake up and get the truth. Covering up the facts does not make them go away. If it were my son I would want the truth for his sake as well as NH's family. If he did do something horrible doesn't that need to come out? If it doesn't what happens next time? How does your son live with that knowledge? How does he live with knowing his parents don't stand by the truth...just what you can get away with. It is hard to face his potential guilt (notice I said potential, but I would bet good money he is involved in a bad action or in the cover up) - but far scarier for him and you to cover with denial and lies. Sorry, no child is an angel - no child - not mine and not even yours...wake up before it is too late.

[MiniMe]

Justice for Natalle !!

Then and only then will our News Media go away.

Time for Regime change in Aruba !

Overthrow the Mafia owned government of Aruba !

ARUBAN government is "GOING DOWN"

You are a bunch of Mafia owned thugs and cowards making easy money off your drug, prostitution, and gambling trade. People are not blind.!!

Tell the truth. Let the chips fall where they may.
Give Beth her daughter now !

"BE SURE THE TRUTH WILL FIND YOU OUT !"

[lesmes]

people wake up, this is a well define cover up operation and pls, stick to the case "NO BODY, NO CASE IN HERE AND IN THE UNITED STATES"

[Lurker]

Kim,

Paul VDS didn't HAVE TO BE their "official" legal counsel to say that!!

Judge Napolitano was echoing Resorttown's statements today on Fox, and according to the good Judge the "advice" that PVDS reportedly/supposedly gave to the boys was neither unethical nor illegal. Time for you guys to move on to another (legitimate) beef....

[kim]

lurker -
I dont know anything about this sign in sheet but I do know that a Class of 2005 would been 95% of them were 18 and that they would be entering colleges within months and that a sign in sheet would not of stopped what has already happened. I do see that the prosectuion is to appeal the Kalpoe brothers release...the Kalpoe brothers lie is a part of Aruba not being able to do proper forensics....

[American Infidel]

alvaro,

excellent posts

happy belated 4th to ya

God bless our freedoms here
(off topic i know)

[michele in bham]

Hey Lurker!! You are just in time to apologize for your complete goof on Jug's mom.

Go ahead and apologize to the whole forum.

That's what you get for spouting nonesense that you read in online newspapers!!!!!

[AnnaA]

Mom in Resort
No, you are mistaken for PVDS did NOT urge his son to come forth and tell all for in front of several witnesses he told Joren "You say nothing!" at the HI the night Joren took police and the family there to show where they dropped NH off.

Big turn around in attitude based on something that happened that early morning when two innocent security guards were incriminated and arrested on the word of those three. And the above conversation seems highly unlikely unless the boys had reason to fear NH was NEVER going to be found. Now why would they think such a thing?

Oh, and for those concerned with name spelling, did it ever occur to you that this could be the result of the website SpellChek? I have a niece named Quincey and I can never remember if it has that "E" in there or not.

[jodie]

Is there a CHAT site which discusses Natalee's case?

[kim]

Lurker
If hypothetically my father was an attorney and he gave me that advice, it would be on the account that a crime was committed or I would not need the advice.

[Alvaro]

Minime said -

"Time for Regime change in Aruba !

Overthrow the Mafia owned government of Aruba !

ARUBAN government is "GOING DOWN"

HEY, THAT'S PRODUCTIVE.

[Lurker]

Canadian Girl,

YOU need to get a clue! ANY lawyer would use the word "corpse" as in "corpus delecti" and "writ of habeus corpus."

Get it now?

[Alvaro]

BTW - that was sarcasm, I certainly wouldn't want to encourage that type of stupidity.

Thanks American Infidel, happy belated 4th to you too!

[lesmes]

alvaro, do not share your politics views with Us, we want any information leading to NH dissapearance,
got it???

[icarus]

aruba is a corrupt sh*thole run by people like the van der sloots. Netherlands? well, most citizens there left last year for new zealand because of the emigration of drug lord muslims from the middle east. I am not lying about this, just do a google search. Aruba and the Netherlands occupy less than .01 percent of the earth's surface and even less of the earth's population. It is clear the citizens of aruba are not monitors of their own government and the citizens of the netherlands are leaving in hordes for new zealand. so, lets simply let loose something to fix their problem. If no truth from them, then truth from us. I hope the Netherlands realizes what will befall their future without executive action on their part. No one in the entire world thinks the netherlands or aruba is a credible govt. You can buy pot and hash and heroin legally in the netherlands and get your money laundered in aruba.
Its time to decerebrate the cat. its not walking back properly voluntarily or with mere kindness.
In fact lets scorch the earth, with Godspeed!

[Lois]

Just heard that eyewitnesses who were fishing all night on the beach where Joran says he went with Natalee saw no one there at all - no boy; no girl. However, they did say they saw a vehicle which matches one seized from the Van der Sloot's home by police and that the vehicle stayed in sight for approximately 45 minutes. It is interesting that this is the first piece of investigative news I've heard regarding the case and it actually came from one of the Kalpoe brothers' attorney who has the statement(s) of the fishermen since it was provided to him as part of his representation. p.s., I am an attorney and I do believe this case has been very improperly handled by the police as well as the DA. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Natalee Holloway because I do not believe the officials of Aruba have acted competently at all. By being so territorial as to even refuse permission for our FBI divers to assist is a clear indication of the lack of expertise in the police department as well as the DA's office - expertise which, had it been present, would have resolves the major issue a month ago: was there forensic evidence of Natalee's body and/or bodily fluids in the vehicles owned by Paulus Van der Sloot.

[resorttownmom]

To resort Twon Mom, you can stop comparing the Holloway Twitty's to the Van Der Sloots.

The only thing they have in common is that the Vna Der Sloot son has hurt their daughter somehow, perhaps even murdered her.

Please do not compare what the Holloway Twitty's are going through to what the sleazy Van der Sloots are going through.

I am one of the first people that found Joran's websites. He was in no way shape or form a distunguished young man except that he distingushed himself by acting very trashy, allowing people to photograph his actions and then he pasted them all over the internet.

No, the familes are not the same or on the same level at all.

Posted by: michele in bham | July 5, 2005 09:54 PM
__________________________________________________
I hope to God that nobody has been killed by anybody. I hope Natalee returns under strange but miraculous circumstances like Elizabeth Smart. I will hope every body until there is no hope for I am a positive person that never wants to believe. That's all I have as a human being is hope. What's wrong with everyone? Why is the family of Natalee superior to the family of Joran? Natalee is missing but Joran is safe. What make you think that Joran's family who are accomplished, educated people would not suffer horrible pain if they thought Joran was capable of such a crime? They are in agony wondering. That does not give the Holloway-Twitty family the right to accuse without proof. I feel horrible for the family of a missing person but they do not have the facts. If they did, the Aruban government officials would absolutely do the right thing.

[Beth]

An answer to the last poster - Harry:

"The main issue in Natalee's disappearance for the Aruban judicial system is: Do we have a crime? "

Yes Harry - we do. It's called OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. They lied.

Question: Is this how the ICC will run their court?

God bless you Beth - Keep the Faith.

Millions of us are watching closely - and are with you.

[Alvaro]

lesmes-

Extract your head from your anus so you can read better.

Minime is talking politics a la "regime change", not me, moremes or lesmes, bigmes, whatever your name is.

[Lurker]

Harry -- The "geniuses" I refer to (sarcastically) were the trip (dis)organizers.

Michele -- Apologize for WHAT? For believing the AP via CBS News, Denver Post, etc. over an anonymous message board poster who is full of herself? Nah, don't think so! Produce a link to PROOF that the links I posted contained erroneous info about Cheryl Twitty and I'll consider it, because, unlike you, I DO have integrity.

Kim -- You ASSume way too much. Sorry, Judge Anthony Napolitano says that PVDS gave NO wrong or unethical "advice." Case closed.

"a sign in sheet would not of stopped what has already happened." What's your point, that sign-in sheets weren't necessary??? Maybe COMMON SENSE SAFEGUARDS like head counts, sign-in sheets, curfews and bed checks wouldn't have prevented it from happening, BUT most REASONABLE people agree that it only makes sense to have everyone in a large party (which 124 is) no matter HOW OLD accounted for. Had there been such tighter controls (like having everyone sleep in their own bed and random bed checks throughout the night post curfew), if someone had turned up missing it could and probably would have been realized MUCH SOONER. This was the most disorganized trip in history by most people's standards.

[kim]

resorttownmom -
If the aruban officials were to do the right thing - they would of confiscated items/vehicles from the last 3 suspects at the same time that they were "going in like cowboys" with the security guards. Its a little late to do the right thing, but its never too late to finish doing what should of been done to begin with.

[lesmes]

alvaro, you are an asshole for sure are you aruban or american?

[kim]

Well the one good thing about this is that the Classes of 2006 will be elsewhere vacationing. But I never assume - and unless you have something with authorization/signature, Judge Anthony Napolitano may have allowed PVDS to not continue being detained but it was for a lack of evidence, - judges don't sit the bench to give advice/speculation. Case is not closed. I wouldn't be surprised if Paulus VDS is back at the station again.

[Alvaro]

If I'm an asshole what does it matter?

But, just to satisfy your curiosity, I am an American. What are you?

[brian]

the whole thing stinks of a coverup, but what of im not sure. theres to many inconsistencies in the investigation. there is no doubt in my mind however, that whatever happened to natalee, plays a heavy role in the governmental and political system of aruba. there not trying to cover up her kidnapping or murder specifically, but rather everything that surrounds her disappearance and what it could expose to the international media about aruba and its corruption. there is a trail in this crime and that trail will never be discovered nor exposed by an impartial party such as the aruban law enforcement or government.

the holloways should hire a private investigator(s) to start getting some answers. they're clearly not getting them from the people they've based their faith in since this the very beginning of this tragedy.

natalee was the victim of a crime and now her family are the victims of a coverup.

[dazed]

I get confused easily so what does Paul want? Is he saying he wants to a:
1. revamp the Dutch system?
2. retrain the Aruban Police force
3. Have the FBI take over the investigation
4. Make Equusearch commander in chief of Aruba...?

[kim]

Dazed - I think Paul wants
#5. A new place to live where its no more "what happens in Aruba styas in Aruba." To choose 1 - 4 would find guilt with his son Joran.

[beowulf]

lois
you are on the right track. it is quite odd that you as an attorney can smell incompetence of investigation at the least. And, at the most a sloppy coverup. Grendel is not only in the mead hall, he wears a black robe, handcuffs, a law degree judge in wait, and is a surinam trailer trash set of low brow genetic lying family incompetence. Grendel they are, Grendel they shall pass in to ignominy, but not without light, heat, and pain. Heaven holds no ear for your prayer vandersloot and kalpoe. Your irrelevant lives are over. your parents irrelevant lives are over. your friends irrelevant lives are over.
Satan has a feast awaiting the dinner party of murderers. you will arrive on time.

[Alvaro]

Brian

I respect your idea there, but I just can't convince myself that the Aruban government would risk so much on covering up. I really feel that it is much more simple than that, and Natalee's uncle alluded to it in his letter. The initial investigation was botched(nice word) completely. It seems at every juncture where the police should have closed some nets, they allowed the suspects inconceivable amounts of not "wiggle" room, but "run around and hide whatever you want" room. I believe this was done because the authorities were in an awkward position of coming after one of their own, and they tried to treat him with kid gloves. That first week, every SECOND was precious. Those seconds are now gone. And so I believe is the evidence needed to convict anyone. Tragic.

[AmericanIdiot]

Not to be hypocritical but you all realize the case of Groene was cracked not my the superb intellect of the police or FBI, but a Dennys customer.. and so far it that case took longer then the 'Natalie' 39 days for a missing child.
My question is why are the family so concerned with backlash, so some people will naturally bitch, we do it one this board right now? There is something very wrong when when you try to bite the hand that feeds you? Let the police work continue, let the fbi keep observing cuz those FBI waterpolo team did not say anything critical when they were in Aruba? Not a squeek from that DEA agent either.. Equuesearch is moaning as well, the first week they basically begged for money, and the the Aruba Govt gave them 20K in addition of room, board, and resources. How really ungrateful is this group? Now I hear some Tennessee want to come to Aruba for a free ride? Give me break! Remember Equusearch promised to find Natalie in a few days, however must have been another Texas big lie.

[Bonita,Victoria Canada]

A response to Natalee Holloway's uncle's letter. I feel his pain in the letter . It's impossible to deny, but my answers to his 2 questions are: They may have lied because the were afraid of incurring the wrath of a well-to-do family. Or because they could. Young guys often take the line of least resistance and they may have lied(even to their mother) because they could. They have been released and people with generosity of spirit must accept that. Mrs Holloway-Twitty's tearful plea to ban them from travel and from leaving their own country is not just. The Aruban officials have said, by their actions, that the evidence does not support their further detention those two young men are no longer suspects and we must not treat them as if they are.
bonita

[lucyfer]

beowulf, you say things most of us feel but scared to say in europe. too many anti americans here and now it seems even our protectorate has succumbed to outside pressure. I dont care what happens to the van der slots family. they not welcom back home now. they lie to much and they most certainly pay moneys to judges for help and jobs. i dont now about the murderers friends the idnian boys kalpow. they seem eager to please to get favor of father van derslot. i dont know but i think they all had sex with her after giving her drugs. only daddy judge know how to get out of that. God will toll his price upon the souls.
I think they will not live until justice can find them

[harry]

Beth:

Lying does not constitute obstruction of justice. Example: A policeman flags you down for speeding. He asks if you knew how fast you were going. You respond, "55." He radar tracked your vehicle at 70 mph. Do you get arrested for obstruction of justice?

The Aruban court has set precedence with Steve Cores with respect to lying in this case.

[Ari]

This is going to get ugly. I don't believe they go all the way calling another country corrupt, just because they have different procedures. The Aruban government should show them their middle finger - it is an issue of dignity now.

[sleuthing]

Mr. Reynolds,
Thank you for your heart felt letter. Please know that so many here in the U.S are praying for Natalee and your entire family. I was so relieved to learn that Beth has received letters and calls of support from senators in Washington. Tell her NOT to walk away.......don't give up.

It's so obvious that there are other players involved in this nightmare you are going through, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn they wear three piece suits.

I hope you expose the whole dirty truth.

God Bless.

[Alvaro]

Harry are you a lawyer?

I think you'd make an excellent one. You possess the perfect combination of verbal and semantic acrobatics necessary for that line of work. I'm not trying to be a smart ass, because I pretty much think that you have an excellent grasp of the legalities and technicalities involved. My question to you is,what do you think may have happened? I personally don't think the Kalpoes were involved in anything other than a truly damaging lie, but I just have no doubt Joran knows so much more. Curious about your thoughts.

[kim]

Harry -
Common sense - you get a ticket for speeding at 70 mph...its hard to hinder going over the speed limit, - but lying sometimes precedes obstruction of justice...

[kim]

Aruba lost it's dignity in the 1980's - this investigation just unearthed what was known years ago...The happy beautiful island and its people kept the tourists coming.

[harry]

Kim:

Obstruction of justice requires a crime in order to hinder its prosecution. We have no crime in this Natale Holloway disappearance. The Aruban Court has already displayed its leaning with Steve Croes. The Napoleonic Code would seem to encourage lying in order to avoid its claws.

[harry]

Kim:

Obstruction of justice requires a crime in order to hinder its prosecution. We have no crime in this Natale Holloway disappearance. The Aruban Court has already displayed its leaning with Steve Croes. The Napoleonic Code would seem to encourage lying in order to avoid its claws.

[harry]

Alvoro:

I was a magistrate in the International Community. Certain aspects of the law are familiar to me.

[paulus]

ari
countries all over the world show us the finger every day. did you happen to miss 9/11? im sure you did because not only your logic but your language suggest your are somewhat deserving.
However, it is time for the US to take out your lying govt and the lying holland govt officials involved in the cover up.
aruba and the netherlands are simply a laughingstock of corruption that once again thinks it can pull off another cover up on the USA. we will bury you, your mother and family and neighbors and the entire netherlands if need be.
it only takes a couple of keyboard strokes.

you banana boat lawyers and european lawyers reading this find your law if you can. justice is coming for all of you on a black horse.

I laugh when i see that pig faced anita van der slut on the news. why does she cry? because she knows she is a witting or unwitting accomplice in the perversion of her family. just wait anita, your inner thoughts will be public soon.
van der sloots are simply eurotrash. wait for the facts.