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

[Alvaro]

Interesting. I find that whole field bewildering but it was obvious you knew more than the average poster. I sure hope somehow this all plays out in a favorable manner for everyone, but I think the chances of that are all but gone. I can't help but feel if Aruban investigators had been more assertive in those first few days of the investigation, anyone innocent would have had their name cleared by now, and anyone involved would now have more evidence against. Oh well, no going back now.

[mimo]

Andy,

I found your comment very interesting. What do you think happened to NH and who do you think the fourth person is? Thanks

Mr. Reynolds; My sympathy is with your family. I think the case will be over before the end of this week. I sense PvdS, Ben King, Joran and another individual will be prosecuted. PvdS is about to break under the pressure; thus he's running and hiding. Anyone that sweats during a general conversation is under mental strain and high blood pressure because of fear as being recognized as the perpatrator.

[harry]

Alvaro:

Actually, I felt the Aruban police were on the right track initially with the two security guards. The kids, I feel, are a dead end.

[judas]

no more lies aruba. no more lies holland. no more lies van der sloot family. kalpoe's? leave the country and die probably.
you silly people have been playing with fire since may 30 thinking you were dealing with just another island eurotrash easily bought urchin.

ARUBAN GOVT HERE THIS, YOU ARE OUR URCHIN.
forget your future. we know about your money laundering ties to drugs and cartels around the world and yes, here in the USA.

this is your notice. truth or consequences. hell is freezing over on aruba quickly. satans angels will become prevalent among you in the coming weeks and dine at your dinner tables. you willnot recognize the death angel. he lives, he comes for you, now, late and soon.

[a. hall]

I get that any parent would be grief-striken and even hysterical when a child goes missing.
We should all have sympathy with the situation of the Holloway-Twittys.

That is not the same thing as accepting Beth and Jug's interpretations of events as gospel.

I have to say it: personally I find some of Beth's comments on the Aruban justice system and Jug's broad lambasting of Joran to be annoying arrogant and mean-spirited.

It is one thing to want justice: it is another to decide that somebody has to be guilty and you personally are going to decide who that is.

How do you spell "The Ugly American"?

[Ari]

Good old Paulus! eurotrash, white trash, a wealth of profanities.

[michele in bham]

Hey Lurker, just admit that you were wrong.

No matter what you think about me, YOU were the one who was wrong and very rude about it.

Cheryl Twitty is not the mother of Jug Twitty. His mother is deceased. I told you that from the beginning and you just buried yourself in deeper insisting that it wasn't true.

Anyway, I don't know why you have to show up and try and make the discussion about Natalee revolve around you and how right you "think" you are.

[sleuthing]

harry,

I am SHOCKED that you actually believe the police were "on the right track" when the security guards were arrested.

Good Lord, the young men have already changed storys how many times? and you would still believe two innocent men could possibly be involved?

No way.

[Alvaro]

Harry,

Is that just a "hunch" or is there something that was reported that causes you to feel that way? If so what?

[harry]

Avaro:

I'm not sure when you entered this discussion, but at least one of the security guards had after-hours access to the rooms of the Alabama teens. And, he was confirmed at the Holiday Inn, at least until midnight, on the night that Natalee disappeared. He was no alter boy!

[Sleuthing]

a. hall,

What the heck does any comments that Beth or Jug say constitute you labeling them "The ugly American"? It's exactly your kind of posts that pulls the focus off of Natalee and on to "I hate America" rants.

This is not about YOU. It's about finding a missing girl. You have no idea what the Twitty's know as to make them certain of who did harm to Natalee. You have not walked in their shoes, you have not had to deal with the authorities in Aruba to find your missing daughter.

You are not there.

Next time, think before you criticise a family who is in such pain.

[a.hall]

Right. I was not there. Neither were you, I presume.

Sympathy for the family does not mean blindly accepting every desperate irration comment made by these parents who are obviously under terrible stress.

And since you're so good at putting yourself into other people's shoes (you obviously think you're better than me at it), how do you think that Joran's family feels, seeing their child, a 17 year old child with no history of trouble, presumed guilty by people like you half a world away, because, hey, somebody has to be the bad guy.

And if you're feeling really empathic, you might think about, just for a moment, how Joran feels to be locked up like this, if in fact he is not guilty.

C'mon, fella, a person doesn't have to be a Yank to deserve fair treatment

[proudredneck]

Oh, Michelle, Sleuthing. Lurker and a few others thing this forum was made for them to come spew their self-centered thoughts. Always wrong about things but they will never admit it. Then when confronted, they will quote some obscure source that is no longer available.

[bleachedblack]

Mr. Reynolds,
My prayers have been with Natalee and all of her family members since this tragedy began. Your heartfelt letter outlines the events and concerns in an honest and clear way.

I would like to say that the continued dispute about the legal/ethical "no body, no case" is a waste of effort at this point and time. There is still an on-going search by the Texas volunteer dive team, whom I believe will find the evidence needed to obtain a conviction. I do not believe there will be a body,but the forensic evidence will hold up.

With respect to the AL system, I'm sure they are doing the best they know how. We in the US have witnessed in the recent case of Jene Benet Ramsey the difficulties encountered by police and investigators when a crime occurs in a community that is rarely a victim of such events.

Now is the time to prevent any seemingly improper actions with the on-going investigations and subsequent prosecution by calling for the equivalent to a Federal Prosecutor (in the US )rather than a local judge. To some extent this jesture was made-by having the 3 judges from Curacao arriving on Friday. Their impartiality should be ABOVE ALL QUESTION and considering the "close ties" between AL and that of Curacao, I would have my doubts.

[Alvaro]

a. hall

You make some good points, particularly about people wanting "blind acceptance" of anything Alabama. I also would have to agree that the families of the suspects suffer also. It's that way in any crime. However, I think you're over-simplifying by saying that Americans think Joran is guilty simply because we "have to have a bad guy". Come on. Isn't that similar to an all encompassing statement about Arubans being corrupt? Granted, no one knows the extent of any of the suspects involvement in the disappearance other than the Aruban authorities, but how could you not admit, that at the very least, these boys, and particularly Joran have only increased the suspicion with which they are viewed, by lying and consequently slowing down the investigation with those lies. Even IF he was innocent, he would be guilty(not judicially speaking) of having wasted precious time at a crucial juncture in the investigation, and having given his parents an unfair burden.

[sleuthing]

Well geez let's see. From where I sit, if I were to take a guess at how Joran must be feeling......well, judging from what I saw yesterday he seems to not have a care in the world, jaunting about with his shades on with that big old grin on his face staring straight at the camera as if to say "I will be out soon". I see no stress there.

And, his family. The Papa telling him "no body, no case". When was there ever a "body" in the first place? hmmm, sympathies? I have no sympathy for this family.

[proudredneck]

Everyone slips up on the perfect crime. Father van ver Sloot invited Greta and Beth inside. Sounds like they heard what they wanted to and Papa Sloot realized it too and started sweating, went to shut it off but it was too late.

[a.hall]

proudredneck: thanks for helping me understand the lay of the land here.

I just happened to stumble onto this forum in a search for something related and so was surprised by the vitriol that my post immediately illicited from sleuthing.

Lucky that I'm not in the habit of letting people in high dungeon about this or that get me down!

Of course none of us know with any certainly what became of this poor girl.

My only point was that the courts in Aruba should not proceed on the basis of needing to find someone guilty---just so the American tourist industry is placated and safe.

If Joran or anyone else is actually guilty, all of us hope for justice. But justice is not the same as expediencey.

And it is, I believe, a sign of maturity and wisdom to recognize that some uncertainties are never going to be solved: but to me, it is a bigger tragedy to try to railroad someone in order to have closure, than to simply accept, of course after all reasonable inquiry, that there may not be clear answers to what happened to Natalee.

[Alvaro]

a. hall

that sounds very reasonable... good response

[a.hall]

sleuthing: I don't know if you have children but I do.

And if my son or daughter were somehow, god forbid, to come into the focus of a criminal investigation--of which I was convinced they were innocent, I would share with them what I knew about the legal system.

That might include talking about what constitutes a particular crime. Couldn't that be what Mr. Van Der Sloot was doing in telling Joran what having a body had to do with a finding of murder, given the circumstances of the discussion?

Since the dad was released I'm guessing that the court did not see this discussion as obstruction of justice.

Also your comments that you have no sympathy for the family say a lot.

If a 17 year old kid awkardly grinning at the camera makes your ability to empathize evaporate, well honey, it sounds like that well must have been mighty shallow in the first place.

[shonane]

This is to offer a different perspective about the night the Twitty's arrived in Aruba and went to the PVS home.

First, anybody is going to be alarmed if a posse of 10 people, including 2 cops, show up at their house unannounced at 3:00 am in the morning, calling out their name, then turning on the sirens, and in general creating a neighborhood drama and commotion. What would people expect PVS and wife to be doing at this time? If it were me, I would be asleep, then curious about the noise outside, then alarmed and panicked that this commotion was all about trying to get me out of the house. I would be scared to death! This must have be a horror for PBS and wife and they most likely did not even know what it was about. Would a person not need to get properly clothed to go out and meet the posse? Would a person not have go through a bit of thinking before venturing out, not knowing if it was dangerous to even walk out there? Would a person not feel both angry and frightened about the scene? Nothing was abnormal about the PVS reaction at all.

Yet,apparent Jug though PVS reaction was inappropriate and that he was scum because of the reaction; IE, taking 15 minutes to get outside, being defensive,arrogant or insulted, later telling Joran not to talk. But JVS immediately located Joran and told him to come home. Then posse took off to Joran's location while Joran rushed home to talk to them. When the group returned to the PVS home, were they already accusing Joran of doing something wrong, having something to do with Natalee's disappearance? Did they seem ready to convict and lynch Joran? Did Joran not begin to tell them whatever he knew and offer to show them where he last saw Natalee, saying he wanted to help them? Perhaps his PVS, wiser, knowledgeable in law, and more aware of how people get railroaded - given the drama and the scene caused - told him not to say anything. One should not conclude from this that PVS or Joran did not care about Natalee, just that this group was ready to blame Joran for whatever it was and maybe (in spite of the belief of some that have already convicted Joran) he really did not know what happened to her after he last say her. This didn't mean don't talk forever, just not under this crazy circumstance. If they were coming after Joran, should Joran not have proper legal council? The Miranda Rights in USA says a person has to be told what they say can and will be used against them and they have a right to an attorney. This does not mean he thought that Joran had done anything to harm Natalee. It must have been clear to JVS by this time that some in the group were already blaming Joran and PVS did what he needed to do to ensure that any talk about it was handled properly.

How differently this whole investigation might have turned out if the Hollayway Twitty's had made a proper and courteous phone call to the PVS home,(even if 3:00 a.m/ in morning which would have been OK given the circumstances) tell PVS of their distress, that they were frantic to find Natalee, and had heard that JVS has spent time with her night before,was last known person to see her. Would they be willing to ASAP get together to talk in hopes that JVS might be able to help them find her.

If this had happened, I think the cooperation they wanted would have been immediately available. How can anyone possibly think that this show up with a cowboy posse at 3:00 am approach would serve to get the best results? Whose behavior was inappropriate under this circumstance? How differently the whole investigation may have turned out if this had been handled differently as distressed parents to other parents. And the original lies the boys made to establish alibis for what happened and that they were together - obviously JVS was already convicted in the eyes of the posse, whether he knew what happened or not, so he needed an alibi from the other two to avert this. Perhaps the other two knew him well enough to think that he definitely was innocent of anything to do with her disappearance so they gave him an alibi. Perhaps that is all they know. I understand Beth H Twitty's distress - maybe I don't as it must be a nightmare - but to come out and call these two boys just released criminals and ask other countries to not allow them in was over the top - if the judge thought they were criminals he would not have released them. She insulted the judge, she slandered the two boys, makes people think she knows more than the judge or the investigators. The boys have never even been charged with anything. As much sympathy as I have for the Twit family, I did not have a positive reaction to this morning's statement. It is not OK to convict in the press two young people who may or may not even know anything else. How can they not now understand why some of the people in Aruba are reacting the way they are? Why not instead appeal to the two boys to stay in Aruba and try to find out anything they can to assist - without calling them criminal for goodness sake.

The behavior of all of those who have been held under suspicion, PVS, JVS and the two boys - It doesn't mean that any of them actually did or know any more that they have told. (Maybe they do or maybe they don't.) Maybe they just wanted to make sure JVS wasn't railroaded, like what seems to be going on now, cause every one knows what happens if you don't have an alibi and you are already convicted in the eyes of angry upset others - you will very likely get charged and convicted.

Just a different vantage point on his situation than some of the other poster's conclusion about what was said and done. I don't think anyone is lacking in sympathy with the Twitty family about the nightmare this must be, or that all don't want to find Natalee. However, it is not OK to destroy other people's lives in the process unless you have definite evidence that those people actually harmed her. Guessing, and thinking, and a family in distress logic, and a rush to find someone to blame it on is not a reason to convict others without strong proof. And, I haven't heard any yet.

[harry]

Shonane:

Good post! Brava!

[Alvaro]

I have three daughters that I love very much. If they were ever, God forbid, involved in a crime, I would do anything I could to make sure they got the best legal representation available. I don't believe however, with a possible murder/abduction investigation just getting under way, that I would give the specific type of advice that PvdS gave the boys. For me, that would be a moral decision. The mere hint from my child that they concerned about a body, would make me get to the bottom of things myself. I would need to know for myself what my child had done.

[Alvaro]

Shonane and to whomever else it may concern,

Are there not sometimes things that people can say on these posts sometimes, that just make you bristle, because they are far from true, or just counterproductive? For example "Aruban hellhole", "corrupt blankety-blanks", or the ever popular "van der Sluts"? I hate when people say that. I submit to you, that the term "cowboy" used constantly, not only by posters but also by Aruban officials, is very similar and just as counter productive. The use of the word cowboy when talking about Americans is now for many reasons we need got get into(political thing), a very loaded word. There are many more of us on both sides who sincerely seek truth than you might think. Reactionaries are always louder. Stop with the "cowboy" thing please.

Anyways, I tend to separate the Twitty's actions on that first night and today's press conference. That first night, was sheer desperation. You can imagine that Natalee's mother was not operating in a vaccuum, she had been told something by the Alabama teens. I've live all over, and refuse to accept that this was "cowboying". women all over the world are fierce when fighting for a child. As far as the press conference, perhaps she could have used some good advice before calling it.

[sleuthing]

a.hall

First of all, you keep referring to Joran as a "kid". He is a young man of 17 that gambled and drank alcoholic beverages and had his very own "tickle" web site. He's not a "kid".

Even though Papa is a Judge I see absolutely no reason for him to be talking with these three about "no body, no case" as there should have never been a "body" to talk about......unless of course Papa knew there WAS a body.

If this case starts getting handled right Papa will be back in jail right along with Joran.

And, I wouldn't say anything if I were you about someone's comments showing them as being "shallow" as you seemed to label the Twitty's "The ugly American" for expressing concern over the investigation.

[Selena]

If the police came to my house at 3AM and I had no idea why I would rush to the door and think one of my children, or family had been involved in a horrible accident. Especially if that child was not home.

[Selena]

If the police showed up unannounced at my residence at 3AM I would rush to the door, thinking that one of my children, or family had been in a horrible accident. Especially if that child was not at home. That is a natural response of most parents with children the age where they are out late at night.

[shonane]

To Alvaro

I agree with the points you made. And the term "cowboy" could have been left out of my comments with nothing lost.

I also understand there there were probably reason's the Hollaway Twitty's chose the approach they did on the night they arrived. If it had been my child, I am not sure how well I would have been able to stay in a calm rational mode (very unlikely I'll tell you.) So my points were not to blame the Twitty's and their choice. It was simply to say that for every action there is a reaction, and with the actions they chose, this is the reaction they got. People have been making conclusions about the reactions, the Twitty's have too. I think the PBS reactions were perfectly normal, These reactions have been labeled everything but normal and are the starting point for the the reason that people think PVS was hiding something. Apparently PVS has an excellent,respectable, and moral reputation that it took all his life to earn. I do not believe that someone like this would change overnight. I don't think he had anything to do with it either. He "sweats a lot under stress"?: my exhusband did this sometimes - same drench when upset or irritated. Doesn't mean someone is guilty of something. If PVS was able to identify anything later from JVS to cause him to believe JVS had anything to do with the disappearance, I believe he would have supported JVS with proper legal council and had him tell what happened. I think the local law enforcement knew the family well enough to believe this also and that is why the boys were initially released. And I also think they may be holding Joran because they still cannot figure out what happened, they have to hold somebody,there would be quite a storm if they realeased him today and he may be there for his own safety at this point until they can hopefully find Natalee. A news commentator today pointed out today that none of the people who have been detained for suspicion so far could have been charged in the US with the evidence that currently is available.

I also have the highest respect for Beth H Twitty. I do not know if I could hold up or maintain the steadfastness of purpose that she has been able to muster. Today's comments, in her desperation, were out of character and I believe, very wrong. She has a national audience at her disposal. It was not ok to label these two boys as criminals or to insult the judge. The Aruba population will have a reaction to this action. My guess about what this will be ( and this is already happening) >> Although the people still have sympathy and a desire to help with finding out what happened to Natalee, they will react to the insults and convictions without proof, and this could have a negative effect on ever finding the answers all desperately seek.

[Alvaro]

I appreciate your response Shonane. It is so hard to keep posts from turning into blind nationalistic verbal assaults. It's a great thing to be able to discuss matters and not require everyone to be of the exact same mind as oneself. I thank you and good night.

[Mac Cooler]

All of these responses and very little thought. The vast majority of you are so clueless that you must be akin to the Twitty's. You take conjecture and pretend it is fact, you assume much and make it fit your argument, you trot out old wive's tales and rumors as fact, you parrot much but have little to offer.

None of you know what is going on, so stop acting like you do.

As for the uncle, he should have edited the last 2/3s. He started well by pointing out how wrong headed most people are about Aruba. Sadly this was used to justify his attack on the Island. Which is what many of you have done here, also.

Let's think about this. He blames the kids for doing what kids do. They pointed a finger. Two people were arrested and then release. Now we have the same people who point to "Aruban incompetance" say that the boys are criminals because they were arrested. What? Didn't two others get arrested for this alleged crime? YES they did.

Now how about the assumption of guilt. No proof that Natalee is even dead, nor anything other than a few lies; and yet the Twitty's want the boys rubber hosed and beaten to extract a confession.

Am I the only one who is disgusted by their behavior? The arrogance that THEY should be given privilages that Arubans don't have all while complaining about Arubans who get privilages. *puke* They are hypocrites.

Their daughter is not the naive angel they have portrayed. They need to stop lying if they want others to do so. And to expect that the boys should just admit to murder because some harpy shrew is running her shrill comments day and night on T.V. is moronic.

[shonane]

There is a person posting on this discussion board that is ranting on and on. He (I cannot believe this is a she) actually has suggested that the US can pull the trigger on Aruba (implying bombing I presume).

Good grief! Get a grip. You seem to be abnormally engaged in this situation emotionally. This is not helpful (as Rummy likes to say). People prefer that one discuss like a rational adult.

[mudzilog]

There is a real threat of a massive cover up in this case.PVDS most likely covered high ranking officials' crimes in the past and has threatened them that he would devulge everything if they don't save him/his son in this case.Hence he is currently silent because he received assuarances. The risk is that JVDS would be released finally due to 'lack of evidence' to the deteriment of justice. Natalee's Uncle and family have a right to an independent investigation, they have a right to know the fate of their daughter. Anyone who refuses them is definitely part of the conspiracy. Its apparent now that they can still know the truth but it will come after a long struggle because they are fighting huge force of evil.

[DWV]

Michele from Birmingham
Why don't you go to your kitchen and cook something for your husband or something- your posts here are very disturbing and do not meet with the level of this board.

[VR]

I am totally amazed and at a loss ---- that so
many people would put time and effort into trying
to analyze a mispelled name. Please take time
to prioritize your thinking ! Surely, each of
you must have something of 'more merit' to add --
as many appear to write in an intelligent manner ! If this is the only point left to make, and I'm sure some of those remarks MUST have been an immediate reaction (not thought through) then best left unsaid until the
important issues have been addressed.

Re: Crime Committed ?

Maybe I'm just too ignorant of Aruba's laws:
BUT.....isn't obstructing an ongoing Police
Investigation a crime ? Isn't lying to the
investigators and recruiting others (the DJ)
to do same a crime?

Re: Dad's advice ! Why would a supposedly
legally educated man advise his offspring
"No body - no crime" (or however he stated it)
just out of the clear blue ? Wouldn't you
be skepticle of a LOCAL OFFICIAL who has
acted in such a manner regarding the loss of
your child? AND, 'conflict of interest'
is an age-old problem and certainly should be
considered ! Reputable officials would automatically be wary of violating their public
trust by involvement in any situation that
could be construed as "conflicting insterests"
between their personal and professional lives --
can't really understand "why" anyone would object to assuring that no such conflict exists.

With ABSOLUTELY NO ANSWERS after this much time,
"whatever" knowledge that is being hid or covered
up is about ALL THAT IS LEFT to pursue !

Mr. Reynolds wrote an intelligent, factual,
summary explaining the "why's" in regard to his
family and their concerns -- with all of the
rumors, etc., this letter was needed. I see
nothing out of line or derogatory -- just simple
questions that have not been priortized properly
and certainly have not been answered -- Natallie's family (I am sure if name is not spelled
correctly that you probably know who I am talking about) as any family from any
country deserves the simple information they
are requesting. Much time has elapsed since
Nattalie disappeared -- which may be part of the
reason for many people deviating from the primary
issues involved -- need to get back to basic's, get
off the frustration-driven 'defensive' and do
what we all want: Get the truth and Find Nattalie !

By the way, I'm not sure I can spell my nephew's
name properly -- If you really have time and need
a diversion, (especially if you have
a large extended family, try to properly spell
each members full name (and just for fun, what
about middle initials -- do you know all of the
middle names ?) What about nicknames ?

Re: Protesting 'bad press' --

'Good' press has been issued. I have read countless articles commending the fine people of
Aruba and their sincere concerns and assistance
in trying to locate Natallie !

However, as to the lies, cover-up, lack of
proper investigation techniques, etc......the
only way to eliminate negative press is to just
STOP THE PRESS ! That would be great for the
guilty and for the people who have (for whatever
reasons) been less than effective -- but not
for the people who have placed their security
in the hands of the Aruban Officials !

[Dolores]

The whole "this must be a cover up" in my opinion started from the day the media jumped on this case and started to savour the fact that one of the last people who saw Natalee alive was the son of a judge (stated from day one the media started covering this, while Mr. vds is NOT a judge). The ingredients of this case made it great to use and abuse it by networks. It's clear, from day one the focus of the media was on Joran, not on the Kalpoe's. Because those boys are alot less interesting to focus on. They come from a simple family.

While we can all question why the boys lied, or why they were not arrested sooner, to me those facts, and the position of mr. vds don't smell like cover up at all. I've lived a long time in Aruba, and more important people in Aruba then the vds family have gone down. There is simply not enough proof to keep the 2 boys locked up. That's the way the law works, and that might be sad if the boys are guilty, but one can not make up proof.

The Aruban officials and community have been trying to solve this case from day one. But in the whole process alot of disrespect has been shown to what we stand for. The Arubans have been called from prostitutes to a cartel owned country. Where casino's are supposedly in hands of the mafia (wel US mafia in that case for most casino's are owned by US companies). Our authorities are being called names and so forth. People are starting to become tired of being bashed and stepped on. Arubans are a proud and humble people. They deserve respect.

[maritzka giovanni]

michelle
You are unbelievably shallow and one-track minded. There are alot of parents that have suffered the horror of finding that their beloved child is capable of comitting a shocking and horrendous crime. The pain is unbelievable and the embarrassment tremendous. Even when the crime is to a lesser degree than murder. Honestly,for the rest of your life, your eyes don't see and your ears are deaf. Literally blind and deaf because your mind and heart are saying WHY? WHAT DID I DO TO CAUSE THIS? I HAVE to be the blame because this is my child and I raised him. You do everything in your power to Teach them of morals, values and respecting their fellow man, yet you do not know the secret inner workings of any person, not even your precious child.
Every parent in this tragic situation is in BLINDING pain at this moment, and for you to point your finger like this is unforgivable, karma will cause you to experience this in your lifetime, and you will no longer judge ANYONE for ANYTHING, because even 20 years later the pain will be just as cutting as the day it happened, and you will live alone and lonely because you are vulnerable to every remark, and every glance from every person even when they do not know what you have experienced...

[harp]

Lesmes wrote: noticed that too, but he was probably writing in a hurry. However, it is a touching letter.
**I would not write a letter to the news paper in hurry, on this board is an other thing...no time to correct...otherwise I would not manage to post and do all I have to do

Some one els wrote: When you use the spell checker in Word it changes it to Natalie.
**You read it over and give ok to the spelchecker to corret only if you want to change to be make. And in case he corrected the whole text in one time is not smart seeing that the spel checker not always take the word you want out, and especially with names everyone know you have to check in over.

[rex]

she was sold as a sex slave. slim chance of finding her.

[homcarern]

@ Andra,

You could not have said it better and is exactly how I feel also.

Thank you for putting the thoughts of a massive amount of people into one paragraph.

[a.hall]

andra: if the government of Aruba could produce a body in this case, doesn't common sense tells you that it would? The hard facts: the body may have been destroyed or eaten or the girl may have been taken to some other location dead or alive.

It is understandable, perhaps, when parents, irrational with grief, demand things "right now" and however possible, but shouldn't a poster watching from a distance be able to hold onto logic and perspective?

As for your advice that they "get the criminals" to tell where the body is: a) there are no criminals yet, only persons being held for investigation and b) how do you "get" people to tell: are you suggesting torture of a 17 year old boy? Would you advocate this kind of "getting" by which you apparently mean some kind of coercion if it were your child that was being interrogated?

As for what this case will do to tourism in Aruba, who knows--hysteria can't ever be underestimated. I know the media talks about the possibility of a boycott but I wonder. Because the media is the beneficiary and a leader of the hysteria which keeps up ratings so of course they talk this way. But people who I talk to, who travel a fair amount aren't talking that way.

Our family (and we have teenagers) often vacations on one of the islands and we may well go to Aruba next because the publicity has called it to our attention. My kids have travelled elsewhere over the years and who are used to having a curfew and limits on where and with who they go.

Life is dangerous, no doubt, but this is one case, a very well publicized and tragic case but still one case. I've got to believe that my kids will certainly be as safe in Aruba as they would be downtown in many American cities---that is, unless an anti-American backlash to some of the antics related to this case contributes to other kinds of risks.

[websleuth2]

Great letter. Very well-written. The Holloway-Twitty's are an impressive family.

[Melknee]

i think its not a real letter since he cant even spell her name right, like come on........

[sol rosenberg]

What ever happened to Simian and all of his cryptic messages? I guess he can't figure it out either.

[Rach]

Simian was being impersonated and didn't like it so he hasn't returned

[inge]

He is right about some questions. I agree with him some things happened are not ok and need to be investigated again.. but he forgot to add a few...Like Who is going to Alabama to check out that family....what about those stories about ensurance on Natalee....Why was her mom so sure she was kidnapped after she was gone a few hours..Were are the intervieuws with her fellow students? If she was that loved amoung her pears they would not need to keep silent..and why are others from Alabama not allowed to share with us the maybe less holy side of Natalee ...We all have those sides..We are all humans.Can we blame an intire justice system of an island for the decent behavior of a young 18 year old girl who happely goes in a car with tree onknown men....on a banana island were she is on vacation and unknown...seeing someone 2 days is not knowing him and going with him and two more friends..well..Where are those intervieuws with all those other fellow student also happy having fun on Aruba but now safe at home? I think they are about 100 persons and no one gives an opinion in publiek on tv ectect...were is the story from those chaparones....who told who not to talk....Realy I have so many questions..I hope to get answeres on

[melja56]

If it were my child, I guarantee you that I would be stirring the pot just like Beth Twitty. There would be no peace in Aruba, until either I was deported or my child was returned to me and the truth known. I admire the Twitty/Holloway families for their resolve and the way they are standing beside each other. As far as spelling Natalee's name wrong, the letter was probably copied by someone, they spelled the name wrong.

Apparently the Aruban government wants us to turn our heads and forget this happened, they're tired of dealing with the international press. Well, sorry Aruba, either bring this to a legitimate end or get used to being the center of the world's negative attention.

In this case I think the saying, "Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned" is going to become a reality.

You go Beth!

[a.hall]

But again, one can admire Beth for doing whatever positive she can,as well as sympathize with her anguish, and yet not agree with everything she is saying, doing or thinking.

I repeat, parents who are frantic in a search like this may understandably not be in the most rational frame of mind.

I get the impression that some posters here have seen too many made-for-TV movies (likely being replayed on Women's Entertainment Channel) in which the cute little mother has a family tragedy, rises to the occasion and takes some extreme action, the bad guy, who is always loathsome and cocksure, gets caught and everyone lives happily ever after.

This is real life though, and the unquestioning self-assurance of those posters who think that they KNOW, on the basis of some TV gossip who is the bad guy, or what really happened---well, it's frightening.

If history teaches us anything, it's that Americans are sometimes too quick to go into mob-mode and demand action, any action, just for the feeling of having won justice.

That's how innocent people get lynched, folks--if this Dutch kid is telling the truth, who are you to call for coercing or even torturing him to make him tell a story that gives the parents closure? How about letting the facts unfold and speak for themselves?

I'm the first to call for the guilty to be punished under any system of law, but only when there is real proof of guilt. We don't have that here and we may never. I'm sorry but those are the hard facts.

The last poster thinks that the mother's actions will keep Aruba at the center of the world's negative attention. I don't know about that, I've friends in Britain and Germany and from what I hear there is a lot of anti-American feeling around the issue that these Yankees (Natalee's family, as my friend says they are called over there) seem to expect Aruba to change their whole justice system, the mom thinks she's a legal expert, the step-dad is an oaf who's blasting Joran for being in the same club that his step-daughter was in, and so on.

Sounds to me like the world may be getting kind of sick of the Twitties and the Holloways, their demands and their assumption that everyone on that island ought to allow them to lead this investigation and indict whoever they just have "mother's intuition" about.

[NevadaMom]

a.hall

Are you a parent? I thought your comment about the Womens' Entertainment Channel mean and cynical. I sure wouldn't want to depend on you if I was in trouble. You are so rational that it appears you could never convince yourself to fight for anything. There are times when you can not sit back and be meek, is that what you are promoting? The family has certainly done some less than diplomatic things, but protecting your child or children can do that to you. I am sure there are many Arubans that want the case closed and the media to go away (they may get their wish)and others that sincerely feel for the Holloway family. Not everyone in the States cares either.

[Alvaro]

a. hall said

"If history teaches us anything, it's that Americans are sometimes too quick to go into mob-mode and demand action, any action, just for the feeling of having won justice."

I say:

I would agree with your statement with the following change: If history teaches us anything, it's that HUMANS are sometimes too quick to go into mob-mode and demand action, any action just for the feeling of having won justice.

We Americans do not have a monoploy on this.

[Dutch_Guy]

A. Hall:

Well said. I agree