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{{Infobox Person
| name = Natalee Holloway
| image = Natalee Holloway yearbook photo.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = [[Senior portraits|Senior portrait]] of Natalee Holloway
| birth_name = Natalee Ann Holloway
| birth_date = October 21, 1986
| birth_place = [[Clinton, Mississippi]], [[United States|USA]]<ref name="ClintonMS"/>
| nationality = [[United States of America]]
| known_for = Missing person
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=4}}<ref name="poster">{{cite web
|url=http://www.courttv.com/graphics/onair/shows/haunting_evidence/holloway_poster.jpg
|title=Kidnapped poster
|accessdate=2007-10-04
|year=2005
|month=May
|publisher=CourtTV}}</ref>
| weight = {{convert|110|lb|kg}}<ref name="poster"/>
| parents = Dave Holloway and Beth Twitty
}}
'''Natalee Ann Holloway''' (born October 21, 1986<!-- Please do not add a date of death. Holloway is not confirmed as dead, and repeated consensuses on the talk page have approved this as the proper phrasing. Only add a date of death if her body is found, or if a judicial declaration is made. Thank you. -->) [[missing person|disappeared]] on May 30, 2005, during a high school graduation trip to [[Aruba]], a Caribbean [[Constituent country|country]] within the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]]. An [[United States|American]] student from [[Mountain Brook, Alabama]], Holloway graduated from [[Mountain Brook High School]] on May 24, 2005, shortly before the trip.<ref name="graduation">{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-02-teen-aruba_x.htm|title= Search continues in Aruba for missing teen |accessdate=2008-03-23 |date=2005-06-02 |publisher=''USA Today''}}</ref> Her disappearance caused a [[sensationalism|media sensation]] in the United States.<ref name="Overkill">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4125492.stm |title=Missing teen case grips US media |accessdate=2008-03-22 |date=2005-06-25 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

Holloway was scheduled to fly home later on May 30, but failed to appear for her flight.<ref name="Judge"/> She was last seen by her classmates outside [[Carlos'n Charlie's]], a Caribbean chain restaurant and nightclub in [[Oranjestad, Aruba|Oranjestad]],<ref name = "Allegro"/> with locals Joran van der Sloot and brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. When questioned, the three men denied knowing what became of Holloway.<ref name="PrimetimeNH"/> Upon further investigation by authorities, Van der Sloot was arrested twice on suspicion of involvement in her disappearance, and the Kalpoes were each arrested three times. Due to lack of evidence, the three men were released without charge after each arrest.<ref name="CandR"/><ref name="3ArrCNN"/>

With the help of hundreds of volunteers, Aruban investigators conducted an extensive search for Holloway. Agents from the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]],<ref name="MWWSLA">{{cite web |url=http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-aruba4jun4 |title=In Holloway case, Aruba also suffers |last=Williams |first=Carol |accessdate=2007-11-28 |date=2007-06-04 |publisher=''Los Angeles Times'' |quote=...when locals mutter about American media distortions and "missing white woman syndrome."}}</ref> fifty [[Netherlands|Dutch]] soldiers and three specially equipped Dutch [[F-16]] aircraft participated in the search.<ref name="50Dutch"/><ref name="F16"/><ref name = "demonstration"/> In addition to the ground search, divers examined the ocean floor for evidence of Holloway's body.<ref name = "divers"/> The searches were unsuccessful, and according to Aruban authorities she is most likely dead.<ref name="Alcohol">{{cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/news/holloway/032406_ap.html |title= Police: Natalee Holloway may have died from alcohol, drugs |accessdate=2007-05-14 |date=2006-03-24 |publisher=Court TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11100850/ |title=Holloway suspect released from detention |accessdate=2008-05-28 |date=2006-05-23 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> On December 18, 2007, Aruban prosecutors announced that the case would be closed without any charges sought against the former suspects.<ref name="CaseClosed">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317293,00.html|publisher=FOXNews|title=Aruba Prosecutors End Investigation Into Disappearance of American Teen Natalee Holloway |accessdate=2008-03-31 |date=2007-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-12-18-holloway-case-closed_N.htm |title=Aruba prosecutors close Holloway case |accessdate=2007-12-18 |date=2007-12-18 |publisher=''USA Today''}}</ref> The Aruban prosecutor's office reopened the case on February 1, 2008, after receiving video footage of Joran van der Sloot, under the influence of [[marijuana]], making statements that Holloway died on the morning of May 30, 2005, and that he disposed of her body.<ref name="groundhogday">{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Story?id=4222253&page=1 |title=Holloway Suspect: 'I Know What Happened' |accessdate=2008-10-20 |date=2008-02-03 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> Van der Sloot has since denied that what he said was true.

Holloway's family has criticized Aruban investigators throughout the search for a perceived lack of progress in finding her. Holloway's family called for a [[boycott]] of Aruba, which gained [[Alabama]] Governor [[Bob Riley]]'s support, but failed to gain widespread backing.<ref name="RileySupport"/><ref name="NatSupport"/>

==Family life==
[[Image:MBHSfront.jpg|thumb|Holloway graduated from Mountain Brook High School just before the trip to Aruba.]]
Natalee Holloway was born October 21, 1986, in [[Clinton, Mississippi]], to David Edward Holloway and Elizabeth Ann (Beth) Holloway.<ref name="ClintonMS">{{cite web |url=http://www.wtok.com/news/headlines/2689196.html |title=Did Witness Lie in Holloway Case? |accessdate=2007-11-28 |date=2006-04-25 |publisher=Associated Press |quote=Aruban authorities say he remains a suspect in the May 30, 2005, disappearance of the Clinton, Mississippi, native.}}</ref> After her parents divorced in 1993, she and her younger brother Matt lived with her mother, who married George (Jug) Twitty, a prominent Alabama businessman, in 2000.<ref name=DavesBook>{{cite book |last=Holloway |first=Dave |coauthors=R. Stephanie Good and Larry Garrison |title=''Aruba: the Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise'' |accessdate=2008-03-21 |year=2006 |month=April |publisher=Thomas Nelson |location=Nashville, TN |isbn=1595550631 |oclc=63472537 |chapter=Everybody's Child / Aruba}}</ref> Holloway was a successful high-school student, graduating with honors from Mountain Brook High School. She was a member of the [[National Honor Society]], her school [[Dance squad|dance team]], and was a participant in other extracurricular activities.<ref name="dependable"/><ref name="reward"/> According to her family, Holloway was to attend the [[University of Alabama]] on a full scholarship,<ref name="HansenSearch"/> where she planned to pursue a [[Pre-medical|pre-Med major]].<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=1819038&page=1|title=ABC News book excerpt from ''Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise'']</ref> At the time of the disappearance, Dave Holloway was an [[insurance broker]] in [[Meridian, Mississippi]], while Beth Twitty was employed by the [[Mountain Brook School System]].<ref name=DavesBook/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0508/18/lkl.01.html |title=Interview With Beth Holloway Twitty; BTK Sentenced |accessdate=2008-05-21 |date=2005-08-18 |publisher=''Larry King Live''}}</ref> Jug Twitty began divorce proceedings on December 29, 2006, stating the two have "such a complete incompatibility of temperament that the parties can no longer live together."<ref name=SeekDivorce>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,241867,00.html |title=Natalee Holloway's Stepfather Seeks Divorce |accessdate=2008-05-21 |date=2007-01-05 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref>

==Disappearance==
[[Image:Lastnatalee.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Last known photograph of Natalee Holloway (on far left), at Carlos'n Charlie's]]
On Thursday, May 26, 2005, Holloway and 124 fellow graduates of Mountain Brook High School, located in a wealthy suburb of [[Birmingham, Alabama]], arrived in Aruba for a five-day, unofficial graduation trip.<ref name="Hope">{{cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/news/2005/0607/missingteen_ap.html |title=Alabama town hopes for safe return of missing teen |accessdate=2007-05-12 |date=2005-06-07 |publisher=Court TV}}</ref><ref name="dependable">{{cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/news/2005/0606/aruba_ap.html |title=Ala. girl missing in Aruba called 'dependable' by friends |accessdate=2007-05-12 |date=2005-06-06 |publisher=Court TV}}</ref> The graduates were accompanied by seven chaperones.<ref name="Vanity"/> According to teacher and chaperone Bob Plummer, the chaperones met with the students each day to ensure nothing was wrong.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,186017,00.html |title=Transcript: Holloway Chaperone Speaks Out |accessdate=2008-05-19 |date=2006-02-24 |publisher=On the Record}}</ref> However, Jodi Bearman—the chaperone who organized the trip—has stated, "the chaperones were not supposed to keep up with their every move."<ref name="FNCThree">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159970,00.html |title=Three Aruba suspects going to prison |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2005-06-15 |publisher=Fox News |quote=Police Superintendent Jan van der Straaten told The Associated Press Croes was detained based on information from one of the other three detainees.}}</ref><ref name="Vanity"/>

Police Commissioner Gerold Dompig, who would head the investigation from mid-2005 until 2006, described the behavior of the Mountain Brook students, stating there was "wild partying, a lot of drinking, lots of room switching every night. We know the [[Holiday Inn]] told them they weren't welcome next year. Natalee, we know, she drank all day every day. We have statements she started every morning with cocktails—so much drinking that Natalee didn't show up for breakfast two mornings."<ref name="Vanity">{{cite web |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2006/01/natalee200601?currentPage=all |title=Disappearance Missing White Female |accessdate=2007-05-14 |last=Burrough |first=Bryan |date=2006 |month=January |publisher=''Vanity Fair''}}</ref> Two of Holloway's classmates, Liz Cain and Claire Fierman, "agreed that the drinking was kind of excessive".<ref name = "dompigalcohol"/>

Holloway was last seen by her classmates leaving the Aruban bar and night club [[Carlos'n Charlie's]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/news/2005/0610/aruba_ap.html |title=Lawyer: Missing Alabama teen went to beach with men before she disappeared |accessdate=2008-05-19 |date=2005-06-10 |publisher=Court TV}}</ref> around 1:30&nbsp;a.m. on Monday, May 30.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seekinfo/holloway.htm |title=Seeking information: Disappearance of Natalee Ann Holloway |accessdate=2008-05-19 |publisher=Federal Bureau of Investigation}}</ref> Holloway left with 17-year-old Joran van der Sloot, a Dutch honors student living in Aruba and attending the Aruba International School,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8435397/ |title=Two brothers freed in Aruba |accessdate=2008-10-20 |date=2005-07-05 |publishet=AP via MSNBC}}</ref> and his two [[Suriname]]se friends, 21-year-old Deepak Kalpoe <ref name="freeatlast"/> and 18-year-old Satish Kalpoe,<ref name="freeatlast"/> in Deepak Kalpoe's car.<ref name="CandR">{{cite news |first=Ann |last=O'Neill |title= Holloway case a mystery after a year of 'catch and release' |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/05/30/aruba.mystery/index.html |publisher=CNN |accessdate=2007-05-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/17/national/main1325905.shtml |title=Holloway Parents Sue Dutch Teen |accessdate=2007-05-14 |date=2006-02-17 |publisher=CBS News/AP}}</ref> Holloway, who had been scheduled to fly home later on May 30, did not appear for her return flight,<ref name="Judge">{{cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/news/2005/0608/aruba_ap.html |title=Judge: Both suspects can be held in Alabama teenager's disappearance in Aruba |accessdate=2007-05-12 |date=2005-06-08 |publisher=Court TV}}</ref> and her packed luggage and passport were found in her Holiday Inn room.<ref name="CandR"/><ref name="Vanity"/> Aruban authorities initiated searches for Holloway throughout the island and surrounding waters but did not find her.<ref name="CandR"/>

==Investigation==
The investigation into Holloway's disappearance began shortly after she missed her flight home. The island of Aruba and the surrounding waters have been extensively searched, especially in the month following Holloway's disappearance, though searches continue. Ten individuals have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in Holloway's disappearance; however, no charges have been filed against anyone, and there are no suspects in custody.

===Early investigation===
On May 30, 2005, immediately following Holloway's missed flight, Jug and Beth Twitty traveled to Aruba with friends by private jet.<ref name="PrimetimeNH">{{cite web |url=http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/national_world&id=3935503 |title=Dutch Teen Tells 'Primetime' About Night With Natalee Holloway |accessdate=2007-06-05 |date=2006-02-23 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> Within four hours of landing in Aruba, the Twittys presented the Aruban police with the name and address of Van der Sloot as the person with whom Holloway left the nightclub.<ref name="PrimetimeNH"/> Beth Twitty has stated that Van der Sloot's full name was given to her by the night manager at the Holiday Inn, who supposedly recognized him on a videotape.<ref name="HansenSearch">{{cite web |last=Hansen |first=Chris |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23301056/page/2/ |title=The search for Natalee Holloway |accessdate=2008-05-28 |date=2008-02-22 |publisher=NBC News}}</ref> The Twittys and their friends, with two Aruban policemen, went to the Van der Sloot home looking for Holloway. Van der Sloot initially denied knowing Holloway's name, but he then told the following story, with which Deepak Kalpoe, who was present, agreed:<ref name = "Vanity"/> Van der Sloot related that they drove Holloway to the [[California Lighthouse]] area of [[Arashi Beach]] because Holloway wanted to see sharks, before dropping Holloway off at her hotel around 2:00&nbsp;a.m.<ref name="3More">{{cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/news/2005/0609/holloway_cnn.html |title=Three more arrested in Aruba case of missing teen |accessdate=2007-06-05 |date=2005-06-09 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> According to Van der Sloot, Holloway fell down as she exited the car but refused Van der Sloot's help.<ref name="3More"/> He stated that she was then approached by a dark man in a black shirt similar to those worn by security guards as the young men drove away.<ref name="3More"/>
[[Image:CarlosnCharliesAruba.jpg|thumb|[[Carlos'n Charlie's]], where Holloway was last seen, in [[Oranjestad, Aruba]]]]
Searches for Holloway began soon afterwards. Hundreds of volunteers from Aruba and the United States joined the search. During the first days of the search, the Aruban government gave thousands of civil servants the day off to participate in the search.<ref name="MWWSLA"/> Fifty Dutch marines conducted an extensive search of the shoreline.<ref name="50Dutch">{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8118094/ |title=Aruba gripped by mystery over missing teen |accessdate=2007-07-15 |2005-06-06 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> Aruban banks raised $20,000 and provided other support to aid volunteer search teams.<ref name = "demonstration"/> Beth Twitty was provided with free housing, initially at the Holiday Inn where she stayed in her daughter's former room,<ref name="lighton">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,161499,00.html |title=Holloway's mom a media star |accessdate=2008-03-11 |date=2005-07-05 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref> and then at the nearby [[Wyndham Hotels & Resorts|Wyndham Hotel]], where she stayed in the presidential suite.<ref name = "Vanity"/>

Reports indicate Holloway did not appear on any [[security camera]] footage from her hotel's lobby during the course of the night;<ref name="NewDNat"/> however, Beth Twitty has made varying statements as to whether the cameras were actually working that night. According to an April 19, 2006, statement made by her, the security cameras at the Holiday Inn were not working the night Holloway vanished.<ref name="NewDNat">{{cite news |first=Nancy |last=Grace |title=New Developments in the Natalee Holloway Case |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/19/ng.01.html |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2006-04-19 |publisher=CNN }}</ref> Twitty has made other statements indicating that they were working, and has stated so in her book.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10348437/ |title='Rita Cosby Live & Direct' |accessdate=2007-07-23 |date=2005-12-05 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref><ref name="BethBook">{{cite book |last=Holloway |first=Beth |coauthors=Sunny Tillman |title=''Loving Natalee : A Mother's Testament of Hope and Faith'' |accessdate=2008-03-21 |year=2007 |publisher=HarperOne |location=New York |isbn=9780061452277 |oclc=154702068}}</ref> In any event, according to
Police Commissioner Jan van der Straten, initial head of the investigation until his 2005 retirement, Holloway did not have to go through the lobby to return to her room.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/02/ng.01.html |title='Nancy Grace' |accessdate=2008-06-22 |date=2005-06-02 |publisher=Headline News}}</ref>

The search for physical evidence was extensive and, on occasion, subject to false leads; for example, a possible blood sample taken from Deepak Kalpoe's car was tested but determined not to be blood.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159327,00.html |title=Three Suspects in Holloway Case Change Stories |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2005-06-13 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref>

There was heavy involvement by American law enforcement from the early days of the investigation. [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Condoleezza Rice]] stated to reporters that the United States was in constant contact with Aruban authorities. Another [[United States Department of State|State Department]] official indicated, "Substantial resources are being applied to this as they <nowiki>[Aruba officials]</nowiki> continue to ask for more."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159711,00.html |title=Too little, too late? |accessdate=2008-07-06 |date=2005-06-15 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref>

===Initial arrests===
On June 5, Aruban police detained Antonius ("Mickey") John and Abraham Jones, former security guards<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/09/national/main700585_page2.shtml |title=Aruban PM takes to airwaves |accessdate=2008-03-22 |date=2005-06-09 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref> from the nearby Allegro Hotel,<ref name = "Allegro">{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/08/missing.teen/ |title=Judge orders suspects held in teen's disappearance |accessdate=2008-03-22 |date=2005-06-09 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> which was then closed for renovation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,158598,00.html |title=Three probed in missing teen case |accessdate=2008-03-22 |date=2005-06-04 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref> on suspicion of murder and kidnapping.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8079019/ |title=Suspects in teen's disappearance remain jailed|accessdate=2007-07-15 |date=2005-06-09 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> The initial reason for their arrests has never been officially disclosed; however, according to news accounts, the Van der Sloot and Kalpoe statements may have been a factor in the arrests.<ref>{{cite web |last=Oglesby |first=Christy |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/06/15/aruba.arrests/index.html |title=Was race a factor in Aruba arrests? |accessdate=2007-12-08 |date=2005-06-15 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,160701,00.html |title=Questions Surround Aruba Probe |accessdate=2007-12-08 |date=2005-06-26 |publisher=FOXNews (AP)}}</ref> Reports also indicate that the two former guards were known for cruising hotels to pick up women, and at least one of them had a prior incident with law enforcement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/11/national/main701115.shtml?source=search_story |title=Kisses, tryst in Aruba case |accessdate=2008-03-22 |date=2005-06-10 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref> John and Jones were released on June 13 without being charged.<ref name="freeatlast">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/26/aruba.missing/index.html |title=Two Aruba suspects ordered released |accessdate=2008-03-20 |date=2005-06-25 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>

Van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers were arrested June 9, 2005, on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering Holloway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8205946/ |title=Scarborough Country for June 10 |accessdate=2007-07-15 |date=2005-06-13 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> Aruban law allows for arrest on serious suspicion from investigators; to continue holding the suspect in custody, an increasing evidentiary burden must be met at periodic reviews.<ref name = "Demonstration1">{{cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/news/2005/0706/arubamother_ap.html |title=Mother of missing Ala. teen asks countries to deny freed brothers asylum |accessdate=2008-03-23 |date=2005-07-06 |publisher=AP}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1 /> According to Dompig, the focus was on these three suspects from the "get-go".<ref name="dompigalcohol"/> Dompig stated that surveillance of the three began three days after Holloway was reported missing, and included surveillance, telephone wire taps, and even monitoring of their e-mail.<ref name="dompigalcohol"/> Dompig indicated pressure from Holloway's family caused them to stop their surveillance prematurely and to detain the three suspects.<ref name="dompigalcohol"/>

As the investigation continued, on June 11, David Cruz, spokesman for the Aruban Minister of Justice, indicated that Natalee Holloway was dead and authorities knew the location of her body.<ref name="Cruz">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159252,00.html |title=Reports Conflict in Case of Missing Ala. Teen |accessdate=2007-05-20 |date=2005-06-11 |publisher=FOX}}</ref> Cruz later retracted the statement, saying he was a victim of a "misinformation campaign".<ref name = "Cruz"/> That evening, Dompig alleged to the [[Associated Press]] that one of the young men detained admitted "something bad happened" to Holloway after the suspects took her to the beach, and that the suspect was leading police to the scene.<ref name="Cruz"/> The next morning prosecution spokeswoman Vivian van der Biezen refused to confirm or deny the allegation, simply stating that the investigation was at a "very crucial, very important moment".<ref name = "Cruz"/>

On Friday, June 17, a fourth person, later identified as [[disc jockey]] Steve Gregory Croes, was also arrested. Van der Straten told the media that "Croes was detained based on information from one of the other three detainees."<ref name="FNCThree"/> On June 22 Aruban police detained Paulus van der Sloot, Joran van der Sloot's father, for questioning; Paulus van der Sloot was arrested that same day. Both Paulus van der Sloot and Croes were ordered to be released on June 26.<ref name="freeatlast"/>

During this period the remaining detained suspects' stories changed.<ref name="freeatlast"/> All three suspects indicated that Van der Sloot and Holloway were dropped off at the Marriott Hotel beach near the fishermen's huts. Van der Sloot stated that he did not harm Holloway, but left her on the beach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,164514,00.html |title=Natalee suspect questioned by specialists |accessdate=2008-03-24 |date=2005-08-02 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref> According to Satish Kalpoe's attorney, David Kock, Van der Sloot called Deepak Kalpoe to tell the latter that he was walking home, and sent him a text message forty minutes later.<ref name="freeatlast"/>

At some time during the interrogation Van der Sloot detailed a third account, that he was dropped off at home and Holloway was driven off by the Kalpoe brothers.<ref name = "Vanity"/> Dompig discounted the story, stating:
<blockquote>
This latest story [came] when [Van der Sloot] saw the other guys, the Kalpoes, were kind of finger-pointing in his direction, and he wanted to screw them also, by saying he was dropped off. But that story doesn't check out at all. He just wanted to screw Deepak. They had great arguments about this in front of the judge. Because their stories didn't match. This girl, she was from Alabama, she's not going to stay in the car with two black kids. We believe the second story, that they were dropped off by the Marriott.<ref name="Vanity"/></blockquote>

On Monday, July 4, following hearings before a judge, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe were released, but Joran van der Sloot was detained for an additional sixty days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4650727.stm |title=Judge frees two Aruba suspects|accessdate=2008-03-22 |date=2005-06-04 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

===Continued search, suspects rearrested and released again===
[[Image:NataleeHollowaySearch.jpg|thumb|[[Dutch Marines]] search for Holloway near the [[California Lighthouse]].]]
On July 4, the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] deployed three F-16 aircraft equipped with [[infrared]] sensors to aid in the search, without initial result.<ref name="F16">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312568,00.html |title=Judge Approves Transfer for Suspect in Natalee Holloway Disappearance Case |accessdate=2007-11-28 |date=2007-11-22 |publisher=FOXNews (AP)}}</ref><ref name="MWWSLA"/> In March 2006 it was reported that satellite photos were being compared with photographs taken more recently (presumably from the F-16s) in an attempt to find unexpected shifts of ground that might be Holloway's grave.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2006/01/060117_arubaholloway.shtml |title=Aruba 'close to solving' case |accessdate=2007-05-23 |date=2006-01-17 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

A small pond near the Aruba Racquet Club close to the Marriott Hotel beach was partly drained between July 27 and July 30, 2005, after an individual ("the gardener"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/07/26/aruba.missing/index.html |title=Draining of Aruba pond begins |accessdate=2008-03-21 |date=2005-07-27 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>) came forward. According to Jug Twitty, the gardener claimed to have seen Joran van der Sloot attempting to hide his face, driving into the Racquet Club with the two Kalpoes on the morning of May 30 between 2:30 and 3:00&nbsp;a.m.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/27/world/main712230_page2.shtml |title=Pond Search Continues In Aruba |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2005-07-27 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref> [[Nancy Grace]] described the gardener as "the man whose testimony cracks the case wide open".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0508/12/ng.01.html |title=Transcripts: Nancy Grace for August 12, 2005, CNNHN |accessdate=2008-02-14 |date=2005-08-12 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Another individual, "the jogger",<ref name = "Vanity"/> claimed to have seen men burying a blonde-haired woman in a [[landfill]] during the afternoon of May 30.<ref name = "jogger"/> The police had searched the landfill in the days following Holloway's disappearance.<ref name = "jogger">{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8745217/ |title=Aruban police again search landfill |accessdate=2007-07-15 |date=2005-07-31 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> The landfill was searched three times after the jogger's statements, including a search by the FBI with [[detection dog|cadaver dogs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/07/31/aruba.missing/index.html?iref=newssearch |title=Missing teen's mother leaves Aruba |accessdate=2008-03-21 |date=2005-08-01 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> The searches were fruitless.<ref name="Vanity"/>

The FBI announced that Aruban authorities had provided it with documents, suspect interviews, and other evidence. A group from the Aruban police and prosecutor's office traveled to the FBI central laboratory at [[Quantico, Virginia]], to consult with American investigators.<ref name = "goodmoney"/> After a piece of [[duct tape]] was found with strands of blond hair attached to it, samples were tested both at a Dutch lab and at Quantico.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/07/18/aruba.missing/index.html?iref=newssearch |title=FBI, Aruban authorities to test hair in search for missing girl|accessdate=2008-03-21 |date=2005-07-18 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> The FBI subsequently announced that the hair was not Holloway's.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/07/28/aruba.missing/index.html?iref=newssearch |title=DNA on duct tape not missing teen's |accessdate=2008-03-21 |date=2005-07-29 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>

The Kalpoe brothers were rearrested on August 26 along with another new suspect.<ref name = "divers">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/29/earlyshow/main798861.shtml |title=Aruba divers find nothing |accessdate=2008-03-23 |date=2005-08-29 |publisher=CBSNews}}</ref> According to his lawyer, 21-year-old Freddy Arambatzis was suspected of taking photographs of and having physical contact with an underage girl, an incident which allegedly occurred before the Holloway disappearance and in which Arambatzis's friends Van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers were supposedly involved. Van der Sloot's mother, Anita van der Sloot, stated, "It's a desperate attempt to get the boys to talk. But there is nothing to talk about".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168233,00.html |title=Aruba suspects accused of taking sex photos of another girl |accessdate=2008-03-24 |date=2005-09-01 |publisher=FoxNews}}</ref> While no public explanation was then made for the Kalpoe rearrests, Dompig later said that it was an unsuccessful attempt to pressure the Kalpoe brothers into confessing.<ref name="Vanity"/>

On September 3, 2005, all four of the detained suspects were released by a judge despite the attempts of the prosecution to keep them in custody, on the condition that they remain available to police.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amw.com/missing_persons/case.cfm?id=32411 |title=AMW missing data file for Natalee Holloway: All Suspects Released |accessdate=2008-03-31 |date=2008-02-15 |publisher=America's Most Wanted}}</ref> Subsequently, on September 14, all restrictions on them were removed by the [[Combined Appeals Court of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba]].<ref name="timeline1">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/elements/2005/06/08/in_depth_us/timeline700368_0_main.shtml |title=Natalee Holloway timeline |accessdate=2008-02-09 |date=2008-01-31 |publisher=CBS News}} </ref>

In the months following his release, Joran van der Sloot gave several interviews, expanding upon his version of events, most notably a lengthy interview for ''[[On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren|On the Record]]'' which aired over three nights in March 2006. During the interview, Van der Sloot indicated that Holloway wanted to have sex with him, but he did not because he did not have a [[condom]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1648218&page=1 |title=Joran van der Sloot Talks About Night With Natalee Holloway |accessdate=2007-12-19 |date=2006-02-22 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> Van der Sloot stated that Holloway wanted them to stay on the beach, but that he had to go to school in the morning. According to Van der Sloot, he was picked up by Satish Kalpoe at about 3:00&nbsp;a.m., leaving Holloway sitting on the beach.<ref name="GretaMarch">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,186581,00.html |title=Transcript: Joran van der Sloot Goes 'On the Record,' Part 1 |accessdate=2007-12-19 |date=2006-03-01 |publisher=FOXNews Channel |quote=Well, I mean I had — I had to go to school the next day. I was close to my exams to do my final exams and, you know, the bus was picking me up at 6:40&nbsp;a.m.}}</ref> In August 2005, David Kock, Satish Kalpoe's attorney, stated that his client had gone to sleep, and had not returned to drive Van der Sloot home.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,166635,00.html |title=Free and clear? (excerpt from ''On the Record'') |accessdate=2008-03-26 |date=2005-08-24 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref> Van der Sloot stated he was somewhat ashamed to have left a young woman alone on the beach, albeit by her own request, and related that he was not truthful at first because he was convinced Holloway would soon turn up.<ref name="GretaMarch"/>

The FBI and Aruban authorities interviewed (or in some cases, re-interviewed) several of Holloway's fellow graduates in the United States in January 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182996,00.html |title=On the Record—Hunting for Answers (Transcript) |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2006-01-27 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref> On January 17, 2006, Aruban police searched sand dunes on the northwest coast of Aruba in search of Holloway's body, as well as areas close by the Marriott beach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/29/earlyshow/main1449968.shtml |title=Sources: Search resuming for Natalee |accessdate=2008-03-11 |date=2006-03-29 |month=March|publisher=CBSNews}}</ref> Additional searches took place in March and April 2006, without result.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060324/NEWS03/603240334&SearchID=73239467370024ISSING%20TEEN |title=Radar fails to turn up new clues in Aruba |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2006-03-24 |publisher=''The Toledo Times''}}</ref>

Shortly before leaving the case, Dompig gave an interview to [[CBS]] correspondent [[Troy Roberts]], which was broadcast on March 25, 2006. In that interview, Dompig stated that he now believes Holloway probably died from self-consumed alcohol and/or drug poisoning, was not murdered, and that someone later hid her body. Dompig also stated that Aruba had spent about $3&nbsp;million on the investigation, about 40% of the police operational budget.<ref name = "dompigalcohol">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/22/48hours/main1430644.shtml |title=Natalee Holloway: New Clues |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2006-03-25 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref> Dompig indicated that there is evidence that points to possession (though not necessarily use) of drugs by Holloway.<ref name="Alcohol"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,188973,00.html |title=Aruba Police Probe Drug, Alcohol Role in Holloway Case |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2006-03-24 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref> Members of her family have denied drug use by Holloway.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scarborough Country for March 23 |date=2006-03-24 |publisher=MSNBC |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11993333 |accessdate=2007-12-22}}</ref>

On April 11, 2006, Dave Holloway published his book, co-authored with two writers, ''Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise''.<ref name=DavesBook/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,191377,00.html |title=Transcript: Corruption in paradise? |accessdate=2008-03-12 |date=2006-04-11 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref>

===Arrest of new suspects, the Dutch take over the investigation===
On April 15, 2006, Geoffrey von Cromvoirt was arrested by Aruban authorities on suspicion of criminal offenses related to [[illegal drug trade|dealing in illegal narcotics]] that, according to the prosecutor, might have been related to the disappearance of Holloway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1849859 |title=Lawyer: Joran doesn't know man arrested in Holloway case |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2006-04-17 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> At his first court appearance, his detention was extended for eight days. However, Von Cromvoirt was released on April 25, 2006.<ref name="Cromvoirt">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/04/24/holloway/?eref=yahoo |title=Prosecutors: Holloway suspect van (sic) Cromvoirt freed |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2006-04-24 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> In addition, another individual with initials "A.B." was arrested on April 22, 2006, but was released the same day.<ref name="Cromvoirt"/>

On May 17, 2006, another suspect, Guido Wever, the son of a former Aruban politician, was detained in the Netherlands on suspicion of assisting in the abducting, battering, and killing of Holloway.<ref name="released">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/05/22/holloway/index.html |title=Suspect in Holloway case to be released |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2006-05-22 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Wever was questioned for six days in [[Utrecht (city)|Utrecht]]. While initially Aruban prosecutors sought his transfer to the island, he was instead released by agreement between the prosecutor and Wever's attorney.<ref name="Wever">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196571,00.html |title=Lawyer: Natalee Holloway suspect "is gay" |accessdate=2007-08-24 |date=2006-03-23 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref>

At Aruba's request the Netherlands took over the investigation. A team of the [[Korps landelijke politiediensten|Dutch National Police]] started work on the case in September 2006 following receipt of extensive case documentation in [[Rotterdam]].<ref name=KLPD>{{cite web|url=http://www.kparuba.com/newspages/persberichtNH28apr07.html|title=Gecombineerd rechercheteam onderzoekt vermissing Natalee Holloway|author=[[Korps landelijke politiediensten]] |language=Dutch}}</ref> On April 16, 2007, a combined Aruban–Dutch team began pursuing the investigation in Aruba.<ref name=KLPD/>

===Book, search, and inspection===
A book by Joran van der Sloot and reporter Zvezdana Vukojevic, ''De Zaak Natalee Holloway'' (''The Case of Natalee Holloway'') was published, in Dutch, in April 2007.<ref>{{cite book |last=Van der Sloot |first=Joran |coauthors=Zvezdana Vukojevic |title=''De zaak Natalee Holloway: mijn eigen verhaal over haar verdwijning op Aruba'' |accessdate=2008-03-21 |year=2007 |publisher=Sijthoff |location=Amsterdam |isbn=9789021800141 |oclc=150235828 |language=Dutch}}</ref> In the book, Van der Sloot gives his perspective of the night Holloway disappeared and the media frenzy which followed. He admits, and apologizes for, his initial untruths, but maintains his innocence.<ref name="book">{{cite web |last=Brouwer |first=Christine |url=http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Story?id=3925483&page=1 |title=Van der Sloot's Book gives his version of the night Natalee vanished |accessdate=2008-03-21 |date=2007-11-28 |publisher=ABCNews}}</ref>

On April 27, 2007, a new search involving some twenty investigators was launched at the Van der Sloot family residence in Aruba.<ref name="mercury">{{cite news |last=Wever |first=Margaret |title=Holloway probe continues in Aruba |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2007-04-27 |publisher=ABC News – Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0704/30/ng.01.html |title=Investigators Search Natalee Holloway Disappearance Suspect`s House |accessdate=2008-05-04 |date=2007-04-30 |publisher=CNN's Nancy Grace (Transcript)}}</ref> Dutch authorities searched the yard and surrounding area, using shovels and thin metal rods to penetrate the dirt.<ref name="mercury"/> Prosecution spokeswoman Van der Biezen stated, "The investigation has never stopped and the Dutch authorities are completely reviewing the case for new indications".<ref name="mercury"/> A statement from the prosecutor's office related, "The team has indications that justify a more thorough search."<ref name="mercury"/> Investigators did not comment on what prompted the new search,<ref name="mercury"/> except that it was not related to Van der Sloot's book.<ref name=KLPD /> According to Paulus van der Sloot, "nothing suspicious" was found, and all that was seized were diary entries of him and his wife, and his personal computer—which was subsequently returned.<ref name=aftersearch>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/01/world/main2746518.shtml |title=
New Natalee Holloway Search Pleases Family |accessdate=2007-05-02 |date=2007-05-01 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref>

According to [[Jossy Mansur]], managing editor of Aruba's ''[[Diario (Aruba)|Diario]]'' newspaper, investigators were following up on statements made during early suspect interrogations regarding calls made and emails sent between the Kalpoe brothers and Joran van der Sloot. He also said investigators could be seen examining a laptop at the house.<ref>{{cite news |title=Investigators Search Kalpoe Brothers Home |accessdate=2007-05-20 |year=2007 |month=May |publisher=NBC}}</ref>

On May 12, 2007, the Kalpoe family home was subject to an "inspection".<ref name="KBrosNBC">{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18630994/ |title=Investigators search home in Holloway case |accessdate=2007-05-12 |year=2007-03-12 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> The two brothers were detained for about an hour upon objecting to the entry by police and Dutch investigators, but were released when the authorities left.<ref name="KBrosNBC"/><ref name="KBrosFOX">{{cite news |title=Kalpoe Brothers Home Inspected in Natalee Holloway Case |accessdate=2007-05-12 |year=2007 |month=May |publisher=FOX6WBRC}}</ref> According to Kock, the brothers objected to the search because officials did not show them an order justifying the intrusion. A statement from Van der Biezen did not mention what, if anything, officials were searching for, but indicated nothing was removed from the home.<ref name="KBrosNBC"/><ref name="KBrosFOX"/> A subsequent statement from Het Openbaar Ministerie van Aruba (the Aruban prosecutor's office) indicated that the purpose of the visit was to "get a better image of the place or circumstances where an offense may have been committed and to understand the chain of events leading to the offense".<ref>{{cite news |title=Onderzoek bij de broers Kalpoe |publisher=''Antilliaans Dagblad'' |date=2007-05-15 |quote=een beter beeld krijgen van de plaats waar, of de omstandigheden waaronder, een delict zou zijn begaan, of waar sporen van betrokkenheid bij een delict kunnen worden vastgesteld |language=Dutch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Huiszoekingen in zaak Holloway |url=http://antilliaans.caribiana.nl/aruba/car20070514_schouw_holloway |accessdate=2008-05-17 |date=2007-05-14 |publisher=Radio Nederland Wereldomroep |language=Dutch}}</ref>

===Rearrests and re-releases===
With Aruban investigators citing what was described as newly discovered evidence, Joran van der Sloot and Satish and Deepak Kalpoe were rearrested November 21, 2007, on suspicion of involvement in "[[manslaughter]] and causing serious bodily harm that resulted in the death of Holloway".<ref name="3ArrCNN">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/11/21/holloway.arrest.ap/?iref=mpstoryview |title= 3 re-arrested in Aruba disappearance of U.S. teen |accessdate=2008-03-31 |date=2007-11-21 |publisher=CNN – Associated Press}}</ref> Van der Sloot was detained by Dutch authorities in the Netherlands, while the Kalpoe brothers were both detained in Aruba.<ref name="3ArrCNN"/> Van der Sloot subsequently returned to Aruba and was incarcerated.<ref name="3ArrCNN"/>

In November 2007, Dave Holloway announced a new search for his daughter, probing the sea beyond the original {{convert|330|ft|m|sing=on}} depths in which earlier searches had taken place.<ref name="WeverSearch">{{cite web |last=Wever |first=Margaret |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/22/AR2007112200288.html |title=Missing Teen's Father to Search for Body |accessdate=2007-11-25 |date=2007-11-22 |publisher=''Washington Post'' (AP)}}</ref> That search, involving a vessel called the ''Persistence'', was abandoned due to lack of funds at the end of February 2008 with nothing of significance found.<ref name="sowhatelseisnew">{{cite web |last=Cisneros |first=Cynthia |url=http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=5988951 |title=Holloway searchers need help |accessdate=2008-03-02 |date=2008-02-28 |publisher=ABC KRTK}}</ref>

On November 30, 2007, a judge ordered the release of Satish and Deepak Kalpoe, despite attempts by the prosecution to extend their detention.<ref name="APKrelease">{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3938297 |title=2 suspects to be freed in Holloway case |accessdate=2007-11-30 |date=2007-11-30 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="NovRelease">{{cite episode |title=[[Studio B (TV series)|Studio B]] |network=Fox News Channel |city=New York |airdate=2007-11-30 |credits=Greta Van Susteren and Neil Cavuto}}</ref> The two brothers were released on the following day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/12/01/aruba.holloway/ |title=Brothers in Holloway case walk away from jails – again |accessdate=2007-12-01 |date=2007-12-01 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> The prosecution appealed the Kalpoes' release. That appeal was denied on December 5, 2007, with the court writing, "Notwithstanding expensive and lengthy investigations on her disappearance and on people who could be involved, the file against the suspect does not contain direct indications that Natalee passed away due to a violent crime".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071205/NEWS/71205033 |title= Judge denies appeal in release of two suspects in Holloway case |accessdate=2007-12-07 |date=2007-12-05 |publisher=Associated Press |archivedate = 2007-12-05 |archiveurl=http://209.85.207.104/search?q=cache:XhlcrFdzNYYJ:www.clintonnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article%3FAID%3D/D0/20071205/NEWS/71205033+%22Judge+denies+appeal+in+release+of+two+suspects+in+Holloway+case%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us}}</ref> Van der Sloot was released without charge on December 7, 2007, due to lack of evidence implicating him as well as a lack of evidence that Holloway died as the result of a violent crime. The prosecution indicated it would not appeal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/12/07/aruba/index.html |title= Van der Sloot ordered released from Aruba jail |accessdate=2007-12-07 |date=2007-12-07 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>

On December 18, 2007, prosecutor Hans Mos officially declared the case closed, and that no charges would be filed due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/109260 |title=Cracking the Holloway Case? |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2008-02-08 |publisher=Newsweek |quote=Last December the case was officially closed for lack of evidence.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20166961,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn |title=Natalee Holloway Case Closed for Lack of Evidence |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2007-12-18 |publisher=People Magazine}}</ref> The prosecution indicated a continuing interest in the Kalpoes and Joran van der Sloot (though they are now no longer legally suspects), and alleged that one of the three, in a chat room message, had stated that Holloway was dead. This was hotly contested by Deepak Kalpoe's attorney, who stated that the prosecution, in translating from [[Papiamento]] to Dutch, had misconstrued a reference to a teacher who had drowned as one to Holloway.<ref name="KBrosUSA">{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2007-12-21-3066205443_x.htm |title=Defense Response to Aruban Prosecutors |accessdate=2008-03-31 |date=2007-12-21 |publisher=''USA Today'' – Associated Press}}</ref> Attorney Ronald Wix also stated, "Unless (Mos) finds a body in the bathroom of one of these kids, there's no way in hell they can arrest them anymore."<ref name="ceeya">{{cite web |url=http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17884.aspx |title=Aruban Authorities Reveal 'Proof' In Case Of Missing Teen |accessdate=2007-12-23 |date=2007-12-20 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref>

===De Vries footage and "confession"===
On January 31, 2008, Dutch crime reporter [[Peter R. de Vries]] claimed that he had solved the Holloway case.<ref name=confession>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Story?id=4230840&page=1 |title=Reporter Claims to Crack Natalee Holloway Case |accessdate=2008-01-31 |date=2008-01-31 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> De Vries stated that he would tell all on a special television program on Dutch TV on February 3. Beth Twitty's attorney, John Q. Kelly, told ABC News that he had little faith that the supposed evidence would prove pivotal to the case and suggested that it would be quickly debunked.<ref name=confession/>

On February 1, the Dutch media reported that Joran van der Sloot made a confession regarding the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article500580.ece/OM_Aruba_bevestigt_bekentenis_Joran |title=OM Aruba bevestigt bekentenis Joran |accessdate=2008-02-01 |date=2008-02-01 |publisher=Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau |language=Dutch}}</ref> Later that day, Van der Sloot stated that he was [[Hidden camera|secretly filmed]] by someone, but that he was telling the individual what he wanted to hear, and that he had no role in her disappearance.<ref name=denial>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/01/world/main3777990.shtml?source=mostpop_story |title=Holloway Suspect: I Lied About Involvement |accessdate=2008-02-02 |date=2008-02-01 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref> That same day, the Aruba prosecutor's office announced the reopening of the case.<ref name=groundhogday/>

The broadcast aired February 3, 2008. The broadcast included excerpts from footage recorded from hidden cameras and microphones in the vehicle of Patrick van der Eem, a Dutch businessman and ex-con,<ref name=stoner/> who gained Van der Sloot's confidence. Van der Sloot was seen smoking [[marijuana]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2008/02/natalee_will_never_be_found_says_joran.php |title=Natalee will never be found, says Joran |accessdate=2008-02-07 |date=2008-02-03 |publisher=DutchNews.nl}}</ref> and stating that he was with Holloway when she became unresponsive. Van der Sloot stated that he attempted to revive her, without success. He said that he called a friend, who told Van der Sloot to go home and who disposed of the body.<ref name=denial1>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,327970,00.html |title=Hidden camera shows Dutch student saying Natalee Holloway died on Aruba beach |accessdate=2008-02-03 |date=2008-02-04 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref> An individual reputed to be this friend, identified in the broadcast as Daury, has subsequently denied Van der Sloot's account, indicating that he was then in Rotterdam at school.<ref name=daury>{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/2020/story?id=4239135&page=1 |title=Mystery man in Holloway case comes forward |accessdate=2008-03-21 |date=2008-02-05 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref>

The Aruban prosecutor's office attempted to obtain an arrest warrant for Van der Sloot based on the tapes; however, a judge denied the request.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2008/02/no_warrant_for_van_der_sloots.php |title=No warrant for Van Der Sloot's arrest: judge |accessdate=2008-02-03 |date=2008-01-04 |publisher=DutchNews}}</ref> The prosecutor appealed the denial, but the appeal failed on February 14, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/080215-holloway-confession |title=Court ignores confession in Holloway case |accessdate=2008-02-15 |date=2008-02-15 |publisher=Radio Netherlands}}</ref> The appeals court held that the statements on the tape were inconsistent with evidence in the case and were insufficient to hold Van der Sloot.<ref name=ruling>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330754,00.html |title=Court blocks Dutch student's arrest in Holloway's disappearance |accessdate=2008-02-15 |date=2008-02-15 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref>

On February 8, 2008, Van der Sloot met with Aruban investigators in the Netherlands. Van der Sloot denied that what he said on the tape was true, stating that he was under the influence of marijuana at the time. Van der Sloot indicated that he still maintains that he left Holloway behind on the beach.<ref name=stoner>{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4263979&page=1 |title=Investigators grill Joran van der Sloot |author=Chris Francescani |coauthors=Christine Brouwer |accessdate=2008-02-08 |year=2008 |date=2008-02-08 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref>

In March 2008, news reports indicated that the tables had been turned on Van der Eem, who himself was secretly taped after giving an interview for Aruban TV. Van der Eem, under the impression that cameras had been turned off, kept talking. Van der Eem disclosed that he had been a friend of Van der Sloot for years (contradicting his statement on the De Vries show that he had met Van der Sloot in 2007), that he expects to become a millionaire off his involvement in the Holloway case, and that he knew the person who supposedly disposed of Holloway's body—and that Van der Sloot had asked him for two thousand [[euro]]s to buy the man's silence. According to Dutch news service ANP, Van der Eem, who had already signed a book deal, "was furious" after learning of the taping, and "has threatened" the interviewer, who sought legal advice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2008/03/friend_knows_who_dumped_natale.php |title='Friend' knows who dumped Natalee |accessdate=2008-02-11 |date=2008-03-07 |publisher=DutchNews.nl}}</ref> Van der Eem's book ''Overboord'' (''Overboard''<ref>Prism Nederlands-Engels, ISBN 9027451486, p. 260</ref>), co-written with E.E. Byars, was released (in Dutch) on June 25, 2008.<ref name=moreboo>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtl.nl/(/actueel/rtlnieuws/entertainment/articleview/)/components/actueel/rtlnieuws/2008/06_juni/24/entertainment/0624_1030_boek_patrick_van_der_eem.xml|title=Van der Eem snoof bij Joran in auto|publisher=rtlnieuws.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref>

The De Vries broadcast was discussed in a seminar by Dutch legal psychologist Willem Albert Wagenaar, who indicated that the statements did not constitute a confession. Wagenaar criticized De Vries for broadcasting the material, stating that the broadcast made it harder to obtain a conviction, and had De Vries turned over the material to the authorities without broadcasting it, they would have held "all the trumps" in questioning Van der Sloot. Wagenaar opined that not only is the case not solved, it is not even clear that a crime was committed. Professor Crisje Brants, in the same seminar, also criticized De Vries's methods.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/080211-holloway-legal-sloot |title=Holloway confession on TV: Trial by psychology |accessdate=2008-02-11 |date=2008-02-11 |publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide}}</ref>

==Reward==
Following Holloway's disappearance, a reward of $50,000 was established for her return.<ref name="reward">{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/06/04/missing.teen/ |title=Teen's disappearance a criminal case |accessdate=2008-03-22 |date=2005-06-05 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> The reward increased repeatedly, until on July 25, 2005, the reward for her safe return was increased from $200,000 to $1,000,000, with a $100,000 reward for information leading to the location of her remains.<ref name = "goodmoney">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/07/25/aruba.missing/index.html |title=Aruba case reward rises to $1 million |accessdate=2008-03-21 |date=2005-07-26 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> In August 2005, the reward for information as to her remains was increased from $100,000 to $250,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.al.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1123521115283450.xml&storylist=alabamanews |title=Family of missing Alabama teen in Aruba raises reward |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2005-08-08t |publisher=Al.com – Associated Press}}</ref> The rewards were pledged by her family, ex-con and self-styled [[philanthropist]] [[Joe Mammana]], the Aruban government, Carlos'n Charlie's Restaurant, and others. Mammana had been interviewed by the news media regarding the Holloway case.<ref name=okbeajerk/>

On November 30, 2006, Mammana was arrested by Federal authorities on charges of tax evasion and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/02/america/NA_GEN_US_Philanthropist_Charged.php |title=Prosecutors say US philanthropist being investigated for tax evasion |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2006-12-02 |publisher=''International Herald Tribune''}}</ref> On March 2, 2007, the ''[[Philadelphia Daily News]]'' reported that Mammana intended to plead guilty to the charges, accept forfeiture of significant assets, and pay the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] $200,000 before sentencing.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dale |first=MaryClaire |url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18032692&BRD=2212&PAG=461&dept_id=465812&rfi=6 |title=Felon-turned-philanthropist set to admit tax fraud |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2007-03-03 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> The paper indicated that Mammana's pledge towards the Holloway rewards had been $100,000.

==Beth Twitty's involvement==
Beth Twitty alleged in televised interviews that Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers know more than they have told, and that at least one of them sexually assaulted or raped her daughter.<ref name="SheDid"/> Twitty has stated that she has received copies of police statements stating that Joran van der Sloot admitted having sex with Holloway at his home and described intimate details of her. She has never released copies of the alleged statement, though she characterizes them as admissions of "sexual assault" and Vinda de Sousa, former Holloway–Twitty family Aruban attorney, has indicated that no such admission was made.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12405242/ |title='The Abrams Report' for April 19 |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2006-04-20 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> In addition, Dompig has denied that any such statement was made, stating that Van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers consistently denied having sex with Holloway.<ref name = "dompigreaction">{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9676188/ |title=Aruban police say new tapes could spur arrests |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2005-10-12 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref>

On June 12, 2005, three days after the arrest of Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers, and in response to a nationally-televised address by Aruba Prime Minister [[Nelson Oduber]] reaffirming Aruba's commitment to solving the case, Twitty stated, "I'm not getting any answers".<ref name=NotAnswers>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-06-12-aruba-teen_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA |title=Holloway's mother: Detainees know what happened to her |accessdate=2008-03-11 |date=2005-06-13 |publisher=''USA Today''}}</ref> She added, "I don't feel any further along than the day I got here".<ref name=NotAnswers/> Twitty subsequently stated that her complaints were not addressed specifically at the Aruban government, but arose from frustration at not knowing what happened to her daughter.<ref name=NotAnswers/>

On July 5, 2005, following the initial release of the Kalpoes, Twitty alleged, "Two suspects were released yesterday who were involved in a violent crime against my daughter",<ref name = "demonstration">{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8484217/ |title=Some Arubans angry at Holloway’s mom |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2005-06-06 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> and referred to the Kalpoes as "criminals".<ref name = "Demonstration1"/> A demonstration involving about two hundred Arubans took place that evening outside the courthouse in Oranjestad in anger over Twitty's remarks, with signs reading "Innocent until proven guilty" and "Respect our Dutch laws or go home".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.courttv.com/news/2005/0706/arubamother_ap.html |title=Mother of missing Ala. teen asks countries to deny freed brothers asylum |accessdate=2007-12-23 |date=2005-07-06 |publisher=CourtTV}}</ref><ref name=MomApologizes>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/07/08/missing.aruba/index.html |title=Missing teen's mom apologizes for comments |accessdate=2007-12-23 |date=2005-07-08 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> On July 8, 2005, and after Satish Kalpoe's attorney threatened legal action over Twitty's allegations, which he described as "prejudicial, inflammatory, libelous, and totally outrageous", Twitty read a statement that said her remarks were fueled by "despair and frustration" and that she "apologize{{bracket|d}} to the Aruban people and to the Aruban authorities if I or my family offended you in any way".<ref name=MomApologizes/>

Twitty has been criticized for her focus on Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers, to the exclusion of any other theory as to what happened to Holloway. According to the lawsuit filed by the Kalpoe brothers, she has (on various television programs) repeatedly accused them, and Joran van der Sloot, of "[[sexual assault]]" and "[[gang rape]]" of her daughter.<ref name="KatrinaCloak"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-09-27-aruba-teen_x.htm |title=Man says he did not assault Holloway; teen's mom disagrees |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2005-09-27 |publisher=''USA Today''}}</ref>

Twitty has also been criticized for making what have been deemed to be inconsistent and contradictory statements (for example, as to whether there were operating security cameras at the Holiday Inn). According to Julia Renfro, U.S.-born owner of the Aruban tourist-oriented newspaper, ''Aruba Today'', who befriended Twitty in the early days of the investigation, Twitty pandered to [[tabloid television]] and her "behavior was odd from the get-go".<ref name="MWWSLA"/> Renfro noted that "Twitty immediately concluded that her daughter had been [[kidnapping|kidnapped]] and made no effort to check hospitals or police",<ref name=Renfronoted/> adding that within a couple of days, after fixing responsibility on Joran van der Sloot, Twitty "was telling TV interviewers that she knew her daughter had been gang-raped and [[murder]]ed".<ref name=Renfronoted>{{cite web |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003741183_aruba09.html |title=As missing-teen case cools, Aruba turns against family |accessdate=2008-05-27 |date=2007-06-09 |publisher=''The Seattle Times''}}</ref>

Following the airing of the De Vries program, Beth Twitty, adhering to the position that the tapes represent the way events transpired, told the ''[[New York Post]]'' that she believes her daughter might still be alive if Van der Sloot had called for help. She contends that Van der Sloot dumped Holloway's body, possibly alive, into the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,328629,00.html |title=Holloway's Anguished Mother: Tape Confession Means Natalee Could Have Been Saved |accessdate=2008-02-05 |date=2008-02-05 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref> Twitty also alleges that the individual Joran van der Sloot supposedly called that evening was his father, Paulus, who, according to Twitty, "orchestrated what to do next".<ref name=Deadlineclose>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc13.com/gulfcoastwest/vtm/news.apx.-content-articles-VTM-2008-02-12-0012.html |title=Deadline for Van der Sloot close, Natalee's parents worried strings being pulled |accessdate=2008-02-13 |date=2008-02-12 |publisher=NBC 13}}</ref> She, and Dave Holloway, alleged that Joran van der Sloot was receiving "special legal favors".<ref name=Deadlineclose/> After the court decision not to rearrest Van der Sloot was affirmed, Twitty stated, "I think that what I do take comfort in, his life is a living [[hell]]."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc13.com/gulfcoastwest/vtm/news.apx.-content-articles-VTM-2008-02-15-0020.html |title=Natalee Holloway's parents still have hope for justice |accessdate=2008-02-17 |date=2008-02-15 |publisher=NBC 13}}</ref>

In response to Holloway's disappearance, Twitty founded the International Safe Travels Foundation.<ref name=SeekDivorce/> The foundation is a [[non-profit organization]], designed "to inform and educate the public to help them travel more safely as they travel internationally".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.internationalsafetravelsfoundation.org/MS/MS37/page.php?p=418 |title=About ISTF: Our Mission |accessdate=2008-05-21 |publisher=The International Safe Travels Foundation}}</ref> Twitty is working with [[Auburn University]] to develop a curriculum that she hopes "will be the foremost authority on travel education".<ref>{{cite news |first=Kathy |last=Kemp |title=From tragedy, one mother finds hope |publisher=''The Birmingham News'' |location=Birmingham |date=2007-10-21 |accessdate=2008-05-21 }}</ref> Twitty has marketed herself as a for-fee speaker through the Nashville Speakers Bureau.<ref>[http://www.nashvillespeakers.com/espeakers/8970/BethHolloway.html Nashville Speakers Bureau<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Twitty's book ''Loving Natalee: A Mother's Testament of Hope and Faith'',<ref name="BethBook"/> written under the name "Beth Holloway", which she has resumed following her [[divorce]] from Jug Twitty, was released on October 2, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Book, Few Leads On Holloway Anniversary |accessdate=2007-06-05 |year=2007 |month=June |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref><ref name="BethBook"/> The release was accompanied by a number of TV appearances, including a full hour on ''[[On the Record]]''. A television movie, tentatively called ''The Natalee Holloway Story'', based in part on Twitty's book, is to be made by [[LMN (TV channel)|LMN]] (formerly the Lifetime Movie Network) and is to be shown on that channel in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3ieb736b6e0cb66025321a34467d06c17c|title=LMN preps Natalee Holloway story |accessdate=2008-10-06 |date=2008-10-07|publisher=''The Hollywood Reporter''}}</ref> Twitty continues to make television appearances when there are new developments in the case.

{{quote|What we want is, we want justice. And you know — and we have to recognize the fact that, you know, this crime has been committed on the island of Aruba, and we know the perpetrators. We know it`s these suspects, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe and Joran <nowiki>[v]</nowiki>an <nowiki>[d]</nowiki>er Sloot. And you know, we just have to, though, keep going, Nancy, because the only way we will get justice for Natalee is if we do keep going. I mean, if we give up, absolutely nothing will happen. Nothing.<ref name="bethquote">{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0601/24/ng.01.html |title=Nancy Grace transcript |accessdate=2008-03-21 |date=2006-01-24 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>|Beth Twitty}}

==Criticism of the investigation==
[[Image:NataleeHollowayWall-female.jpg|thumb|left|A young woman signs a prayer wall erected in memory of Holloway]]

The Twittys and their supporters criticized a perceived lack of progress by Aruban police.<ref>{{cite web |last=Geiss |first=Chuck |url=http://www.bwcitypaper.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2005-10-06&-token.story=140221.112112&-token.subpub= |title=Publisher's notebook |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2005-10-06 |publisher=''Black & White, Birmingham's City Paper''}}</ref><ref name="CDNNCott">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdnn.info/news/travel/t051110.html |title=National Coalition of Victims in Action urges tourists to boycott Aruba |accessdate=2008-03-24 |date=2005-11-10 |publisher=Cyber Diver News Network |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070110064818/http://www.cdnn.info/news/travel/t051110.html |archivedate=2007-01-10 |quote=Senator Shelby stated in a letter, "From all appearances, this investigation has been plagued with inconsistencies and conflicting information."}}</ref> The Twittys' own actions in Aruba were also criticized, and the Twittys were accused of actively stifling any evidence that might impugn Holloway's character by asking her fellow students to remain silent about the case and using their access to the media to push their own version of events. The Twittys denied this.<ref name = "Vanity"/>

While initially the Twittys discouraged a travel boycott of Aruba, this changed by September 2005. Beth Twitty urged that persons not travel to Aruba and other Dutch territories because of what she stated were tourist safety issues. Alabama [[Governor]] [[Bob Riley (Alabama)|Bob Riley]], joined by the Twittys, urged Alabamians and others to boycott Aruba on November 8, 2005, in a news conference.<ref name="RileySupport">{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-11-21-aruba-boycott_x.htm |title=Poll: Most Alabama residents support Aruba boycott |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2005-11-21 |publisher=''USA Today''}}</ref> Riley also wrote to other United States governors seeking their support—the governors of Georgia and Arkansas eventually joined in the call for boycott. The [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], city council voted to ask the governor of Pennsylvania to call for a boycott.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20051110T190000-0500_92210_OBS_ARUBA_BOYCOTT_OVER_MISSING_TEEN_CASE_MAY_SPREAD_TO_PHILADELPHIA.asp |title=Aruba boycott over missing teen case may spread to Philadelphia |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2005-11-11 |publisher=''Jamaica Observer''}}</ref> The governor did not join in the call for a boycott, and no federal support was given.<ref name="RileySupport"/><ref name="NatSupport">{{cite news |title=Washington refuses to back Aruba boycott |date=2005 |month=November |publisher=Expatica}}</ref>

The boycott was supported by some of Alabama's Congressional delegation, including both senators and Congressman [[Spencer Bachus]] (R-Ala.), who represents Mountain Brook. Senator [[Richard Shelby]] (R-Ala.) voiced his support for the boycott in a letter to the [[American Society of Travel Agents]].<ref name="RitaTranCott">{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10639915/ |title=Transcript of 'Rita Cosby Live & Direct' for December 28 |accessdate=2008-03-24 |date=2005-12-29 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> Shelby stated, "For the safety, security and wellbeing of our citizens, I do not believe that we can trust that we will be protected while in Aruba".<ref name="RitaTranCott"/> Prime Minister Oduber stated that Aruban investigators have done their best to solve the mystery, and responded to the call for boycott, "This is a preposterous and irresponsible act. We are not guerillas. We are not terrorists. We don't pose a threat to the United States, nor to Alabama."<ref name="Oduber">{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-11-09-aruba-boycott_x.htm |title=Aruba's prime minister condemns boycott call over Holloway case |accessdate=2008-03-10 |date=2005-11-09 |publisher=''USAToday''}}</ref>

Members of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association, the Aruba Tourism Authority, the Aruba Hospitality and Security Foundation, the Aruban Chamber of Commerce and government figures, including Public Relations Representative Ruben Trapenberg, formed an "Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force" to respond collectively to what they perceived to be unfounded and/or negative portrayals of the island.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aruba.com/holloway/taskforce.htm |title=The Strategic Communications Task Force |accessdate=2007-06-05 |year=2006 |month=April |publisher=Aruba.com |archivedate=April 2007 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060422042748/http://www.aruba.com/holloway/taskforce.htm}}
</ref> The group issued press releases and sent representatives to appear in news media. They joined the Aruban government in opposing the calls for a boycott of the island.<ref name = "Vanity"/>

===Skeeters tape and Dr. Phil; lawsuits===
On September 15, 2005, the ''[[Dr. Phil (TV series)|Dr. Phil]]'' television show showed parts of a hidden-camera interview with Deepak Kalpoe in which Kalpoe seems to answer "She did. You'd be surprised how easy it was." to a suggestion that Holloway had sex with all of them.<ref name="SheDid">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/06/earlyshow/main919948.shtml |title=Suspect: We Had Sex With Natalee |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2005-10-06 |publisher=CBS News |quote=When an investigator asked if she had sex with all three, he responded, "She did. You'd be surprised how easy it was."}}</ref> The taping had been instigated by Jamie Skeeters, a private investigator. When the tape was broadcast, news reports indicated an expectation of a rearrest, which Dompig termed a "strong possibility" if the tapes were legitimate.<ref name = "dompigreaction"/>

Despite an unsuccessful attempt by the ''Dr. Phil'' show to condition release of the tapes on Aruban authorities appearing on their show,<ref name = "dompigreaction"/> Aruban police and the FBI obtained the original of the tape, and provided copies to the media. In the version of the tapes provided by Aruban authorities, Kalpoe appears to say "No, she didn't."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0512/01/ng.01.html |title=Nancy Grace – What Did Deepak Kalpoe Tell Investigators? (Transcript) |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2005-12-01 |publisher=FOXNews |quote= SKEETERS: Nobody told her that you can't (DELETED) her -- you know? I mean, and I`m sure she had sex with all of you and (INAUDIBLE) KALPOE: No, she didn't.}}</ref> The Dutch forensic institute investigated the credibility of the tapes, and concluded that the version aired on the ''Dr. Phil'' show was a manipulated version of the original, and that Kalpoe actually said "No, she didn't," followed by, "You'd be surprised how simple it would have been."<ref name="okbeajerk">{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10281941/ |title=Rita Cosby transcript for November 30, 2005 |accessdate=2008-03-25 |date=2005-12-01 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> Beth Twitty, though, continued to cite the tapes as support of her allegations of sexual assault against Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.turnto23.com/news/5448056/detail.html |title=Beth Twitty responds to controversy over Kalpoe tape |accessdate=2008-02-24 |date=2005-12-02 |publisher=ABC – KERO TV}}</ref>

In December 2006, the Kalpoes filed a slander and libel suit against Dr. Phil and Skeeters (who died in January 2007)<ref name="MWWSLA"/> in Los Angeles.<ref name="lawsuit">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,277272,00.html |title=Judge tosses wrongful death lawsuit in Holloway case |accessdate=2007-06-02 |date=2007-06-02 |publisher=FOXNews}}</ref> Beth Twitty and Dave Holloway responded by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the Kalpoes in the same venue. The wrongful death suit was dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction on June 1, 2007; the libel and slander case remains pending.<ref name="lawsuit" /> An earlier lawsuit had been filed in [[New York City]] by the parents against Paulus and Joran van der Sloot and served on them on a visit to New York. The case had been dismissed in August 2006 as filed in an inconvenient forum.<ref name="lawsuit2">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/05/national/main1868091.shtml |title=Natalee mom 'crushed' by legal setback |accessdate=2008-03-11 |date=2006-08-05 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref>

On November 10, 2005, Paulus van der Sloot won an unjust detention action against the Aruban government, clearing him as a suspect and allowing him to retain his government contract.<ref name="timeline1"/> The elder Van der Sloot then brought a second action, seeking monetary damages for himself and his family because of his false arrest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000026/002632.htm |title=Holloway suspect's father awarded damages in Aruba |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2006-08-04 |publisher=UPI via Caribbean Net News}}</ref><ref name="DamAppeal">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207503,00.html |title=Aruban Prosecutors to Appeal Order to Pay Damages to Paulus Van Der Sloot |accessdate=2008-03-08 |date=2006-08-08 |publisher=FOXNews (AP)}}</ref> The action was initially successful, but the award of damages was reversed on appeal.<ref>{{cite news |title=No damages in Holloway case |date=2007-02-15 |publisher=Expatica}}</ref>

===''Amigoe'' article===
On July 3, 2007, the [[Netherlands Antilles]] newspaper ''Amigoe'' reported on a documentary video being produced by Renée Gielen, previously best known for exposé documentaries about [[Curacao]]'s Bon Futuro prison. The video was based in part on interviews with Dompig and with Renfro.

According to interviews done in preparation for the film, Aruban authorities had been systematically obstructed in their investigation by the FBI and other American authorities. They also indicate that within a day of Holloway being declared missing, a [[medjet]], unauthorized by Aruban authorities, had arrived on Aruba and had remained for several days. They further indicate that, while the purpose of the medjet was not even known to its crew and medical personnel, it was in fact to spirit Holloway off the island if she were freed from a drug house in Oranjestad. Holloway's departure was to be covert and without notice to local authorities.<ref name = "Amigoe">{{cite news |title=The other side of the Holloway-case: ‘Police Aruba hindered by FBI’ |date=2007-07-03 |publisher=''Amigoe''}}</ref>

The article states that Renfro and Beth Twitty received a phone call from an unknown woman on June 2, 2005. That woman was offering information about Holloway's location and the information that Holloway was still alive but was unwilling to return to her mother. Further information was offered for $4,000. Twitty was unwilling to pay more than $1,000 for the information, and in fact did not pay anything. Believing there was a good chance of finding Holloway, Renfro and another American went to the drug house where Holloway supposedly was, bringing money. However, they found that Jug Twitty had already been to the area, spreading "a lot of uproar and panic in the direct vicinity", and nothing could be accomplished.<ref name = "Amigoe"/> They blamed Jug Twitty for the failure.<ref name = "Amigoe"/> The same story, in less detail, appears in the ''Vanity Fair'' article.<ref name = "Vanity"/>

Further, according to Amigoe's report on the interviews, Aruban authorities were obstructed at the highest level in their attempts to investigate Holloway's relatives, and they received very limited cooperation in their attempts to question Holloway's fellow graduates.<ref name = "Amigoe"/>

==Media coverage==
[[Image:NataleeHollowayWall-NewsCrews.jpg|thumb|News crews covering the Holloway disappearance, June 10, 2005]]
[[List of United States broadcast television networks|U.S. television networks]] devoted much air time to the search for Holloway, the investigation of her disappearance, and rumors surrounding the case. [[Greta Van Susteren]], host of [[Fox News]]' ''[[On the Record with Greta Van Susteren|On The Record]]'', and Nancy Grace on [[CNN]]'s ''[[Headline News]]'' were among the most prominent television personalities to devote time to the incident. Van Susteren's almost continuous coverage of the story caused ''On The Record'' to get its best ratings to date,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2005/08/22/Worldandnation/From_paradise_to_para.shtml |title=From paradise to paradox in Aruba |accessdate=2008-05-04 |date=2005-08-22 |publisher=''St. Petersburg Times'' |quote=On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, who is averaging more than 2-million viewers a night, up almost 60 percent from a year ago.}}</ref> while Grace's show became the cornerstone of the new "Headline Prime" block on Headline News, which ran two episodes (a live show and a repeat) every night during prime-time. As the case wore on, much of the attention was given to Beth Twitty and her statements.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kosinski |first=Michelle |url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9065827/ |title=How mom keeps spotlight on the Holloway case |accessdate=2007-04-28 |date=2005-08-24 |publisher=NBC News}}</ref> Aruban government spokesman Ruben Trapenberg stated, "The case is under a microscope, and the world is watching."<ref name = "lighton"/> Locally, the Aruban press published extensive news on the story in [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[English language|English]], and [[Papiamento]].

The saturation of coverage triggered a backlash among some critics who argued that such extensive media attention validates the "[[missing white woman syndrome]]" theory, which argues that missing-person cases involving [[White (people)|white]] women and girls receive disproportionate attention in the media compared with cases involving males or non-white people. CNN ran a segment criticizing the amount of coverage their competitors gave to the story despite what they characterized as a lack of new items to report, with CNN news anchor [[Anderson Cooper]] calling the coverage "downright ridiculous".<ref name="RidiculousCooper">{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0508/11/acd.01.html |title=Anderson Cooper 360° – Transcript (Aired August 11, 2005 - 19:00 ET) |accessdate=2007-11-28 |date=2005-08-11 |quote=We decided to start tracking their coverage, because to be honest, it's getting downright ridiculous. – Cooper}}</ref>

Early in the case, political commentator and columnist [[Arianna Huffington]] wrote, "If you were to get your news only from television, you'd think the top issue facing our country right now is an 18-year-old girl named Natalee who went missing in Aruba. Every time one of these stories comes up, like, say, [[Michael Jackson]], when it's finally over I think, what a relief, now we can get back to real news. But we never do."<ref name = "Overkill"/>

In March 2008, ''[[El Diario]]'' commented, "But if doubts persist about cases involving missing [[Latino|Latinas]], there are reasons why. These cases rarely receive the attention and resources we see given to other missing persons. The English-language media, for example, appear to be focused on the stories of missing white women, such as with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba. Cases of missing Latina and [[African American]] women often remain faceless, when they are even covered."<ref name="Latin">{{cite news |title=Justice for Reyna Isabel |date=2008-03-17 |publisher= ''El Diario''}}</ref>

[[CBS]] senior journalist Danna Walker stated, "There is criticism that it is only a story because she is a pretty blonde — and white <!-- punctuation of verbal quote corrected, original transcription is " ... because she is a pretty, blonde, and white ... --> — and it is criticism that journalists are taking to heart and looking elsewhere for other stories. But it is a big story because it is an American girl who went off on an adventure, and didn't come back. It is a huge mystery, it is something people can identify with."<ref name = "Overkill"/>

''[[Good Morning America]]'' anchor [[Chris Cuomo]] was unapologetic of his program's extensive coverage of the Holloway case. "I don't believe it's my role to judge what people want to watch ... If they say, 'I want to know what happened to this girl' ... I want to help them find out."<ref name="Cuomo">{{cite news |title=News anchor picks a different forum to make a difference |date=2008-05-07 |publisher= ''Washington Post''}}</ref>

Holloway's family, however, instead criticized the lessening of coverage of the young woman's disappearance. The saturation coverage of Holloway's disappearance by the American media was largely eclipsed in late August 2005 by [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref name="KatrinaCloak">{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc10.com/news/5032346/detail.html |title=Local Philanthropist Helping Mother Of Girl Missing In Aruba |accessdate=2008-02-04 |date=2005-09-25 |publisher=NBC10 |quote=I can't help but think, they were released under the cloak of Hurricane Katrina – Twitty}}</ref><ref name="DavesBookp124">{{cite book |title=''Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise'' |last=Holloway |first=Dave |coauthors=R. Stephanie Good and Larry Garrison |year=2006 |publisher=Thomas Nelson |isbn=1595550631 |pages=124, 150 |quote=Hurricane Katrina had left the door open for the boys to be sent on their way with little publicity and few restrictions because it took the world's focus off of Natalee, but only for a brief time. The huge amount of publicity had waned and, during that time of quiet for us, Joran and the Kalpoe brothers were sent home ... All of the news shows that had followed our every move only a day before had now become fixated on the next big ratings grabber: the victims of Hurricane Katrina.}}</ref> Beth Twitty and Dave Holloway alleged that Aruba took advantage of the extensive coverage of the hurricane to release the suspects.<ref name="KatrinaCloak"/>

Lamented Dave Holloway in his book,

<blockquote>
Hurricane Katrina had left the door open for the boys to be sent on their way with little publicity and few restrictions because it took the world's focus off of Natalee, but only for a brief time. The huge amount of publicity had waned and, during that time of quiet for us, Joran and the Kalpoe brothers were sent home. . . . All of the news shows that had followed our every move only a day before had now become fixated on the next big ratings grabber: the victims of Hurricane Katrina.<ref name="DavesBookp124"/>
</blockquote> However, the deadline for judicial review of Joran van der Sloot's detention was set long before the hurricane.<ref name="timeline1"/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.hollowaycase.com/archive/FBI_forms/index2.htm FBI 302 Forms] (FBI interviews with Holloway's tripmates)
* [http://scrux.com/natalee/ Scrux.com "Facts in Evidence"] (summary)
* [http://www.aruba.com/about/judicialsystem.php Summary of Aruban judicial system] at Aruba.com

===Video===
* [http://www.scrux.com/natalee/deepakskeetersvideo.htm Skeeters interview with Deepak Kalpoe]

{{Persondata
|NAME=Holloway, Natalee
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=missing teenager
|DATE OF BIRTH=October 21, 1986
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Mountain Brook, Alabama]], [[United States of America]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holloway, Natalee}}
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:Disappeared people]]
[[Category:Possibly living people]]
[[Category:People from Birmingham, Alabama]]
[[Category:History of Aruba]]

{{Featured article}}

[[eo:Natalee Holloway]]
[[nl:Zaak-Holloway]]
[[simple:Natalee Holloway]]
[[fi:Natalee Hollowayn katoamistapaus]]

Revision as of 22:14, 21 October 2008

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