RSSNatalee’s Parents Remain Optimistic
Despite the long and at times slow process of the investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Hollow, her parents remain confident that it is close to being resolved.
From the AP: Missing Teen’s Father Says Investigation Progressing, Texas Search Group Postpones Trip to Aruba
The father of a U.S. teen missing in Aruba for more than three weeks said Wednesday he was confident that an investigation into the disappearance was close to being resolved.
Natalee Holloway’s mother, meanwhile, spent a second day distributing prayer cards and special bracelets to residents and tourists who offered their sympathy and support.But her father, Dave Holloway, told Associated Press Television News on Wednesday that the family is confident there will be a resolution soon.
“The investigation appears to be moving forward. I’m optimistic,” Holloway said during an interview at the Holiday Inn, where Natalee had stayed during her school trip. “The FBI indicated to me that the (Aruban) police are very adequate and doing a good job. That gives me comfort.”
Natalee’s mother, Beth Holloway Twitty, for a second day distributed prayer cards and bracelets for her daughter to passers-by in the suburbs.
At one point a car stopped and its occupants told her, “We wish the best.”
Holloway Twitty smiled, went up to the car window, and thanked them.
“I like to have my face and Natalee’s heart in the community,” said Holloway Twitty. “It gives me therapy for the day.”
Texas EquuSearch Delayed Until Friday
The volunteer group Texas EquuSearch has delayed their arrival in to Aruba to begin searching for Natalee Holloway, according to the AP.
A volunteer Texas rescue group has postponed until Friday a trip to Aruba to help search for a missing U.S. teenager because of delays in getting permits for their search dogs, a group member said Wednesday.
Texas EquuSearch has a verbal agreement from Aruban Prime Minister Nelson Oduber to bring three dogs in, but on Wednesday was still waiting for the official papers, said Joe Huston, a volunteer diver for the group.
Holloway’s uncle, Paul Reynolds, who lives in Houston, asked for the Texas search group’s help because the family was frustrated that three weeks of searches on the island had turned up nothing.
Let’s just hope that someone within the Aruban government cuts through the red tape and expedites the permits for the Texas EquuSearch. The more searching for Natalee the better and sooner rather than later.
Beth Twitty and the Van der Sloots’ Meet
Today a meeting occurred between the mothers of Natalee Holloway and Joran van der Sloot, in just yet another interesting turn of events in Aruba. I pray that no witness violations just took place within Dutch law just so that Fox could get a story. Paul Van der Sloot had been questioned this past Saturday and Sunday by investigators. According to CNN, Paul Van der Sloot, “the judge was interviewed as a witness”.
Greta Van Susteren took Beth Twitty right up to the Van der Sloots’ front door, knocked on it and finally, yelled for someone to come–and Paulus himself answered the door. Then Greta and Beth went in and sat down and talked to both Van der Sloots (Mom & Pop) for 90 minutes.
This had been the “one thing” (one wish) that Beth wanted when Greta asked her.
We have received a tip that there were no cameras or recording devices during this meeting; however, this has not yet been confirmed.
Greta is going to give the exclusive report on this on her show “On the Record” on FOX News cable channel at 10PM EDT tonight.
UPDATE I: Video available.
Video from the Political Teen of the initial meeting before the cameras were turned off and Greta’s summary of events.
Update II: From Fox News: Parents Meet in Aruba
ORANJESTAD, Aruba — In an emotional meeting Tuesday, Natalee Holloway’s mother — who has pledged not to leave the island without her daughter — confronted the parents of one of the suspects in the case of the missing 18-year-old.
Holloway Twitty told FOX News’ Greta Van Susteren that she wanted to meet with the van der Sloots. The pair traveled to the van der Sloots’ residence where Van Susteren captured exclusive footage of Holloway Twitty calling into the home to determine if anyone was there. After spotting someone behind a bush, she urged him to come out and take one of the prayer cards she has been distributing.
Update III: For an interesting read and take on the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, “Parents in Peril,” go to Planethuff, The Darkside
The Mountain Brook, AL Teens
What has to be one of the most difficult things that the high school teens from Mountain Brook, AL have faced in their young lives; they stick together with their hopes and prayer for Natalee Holloway’s safe return. We have had some on our site commenting and answering questions, while others have emailed us with poignant stories about Natalee and questions. Keep the faith.
Special thanks to one of our commenter’s, the goon squad, for bringing this article to our attention, “Questions haunt friends of Alabama teen missing in Aruba”
JAY REEVES (AP)
MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala. – The nagging questions won’t go away for the Alabama teenagers who accompanied Natalee Holloway on her ill-fated graduation trip to Aruba.
What happened to bright, blonde Natalee that night she left Carlos’N Charlies’, a popular island bar, with a Dutch teen? Where is she? And, perhaps most haunting: Is there something they could have done differently?
Outwardly upbeat yet plainly troubled since their senior trip became an international media event, friends and former classmates from Mountain Brook High School gathered Tuesday for a cookout to raise money for Holloway’s relatives, who have been in Aruba for three weeks looking for her.
In between starting the charcoal grill and passing out food, they talked about the frustrations of not knowing what happened to the 18-year-old honor student everybody called “Hooty” or “Nat.”
Beau Barron, 18, said he and other classmates who went on the trip didn’t know what to think when Holloway failed to show up for the flight home to Alabama on May 30. “Initially it was just disbelief,” said Barron.
As the days turned into weeks following her disappearance, most everyone who was on the trip wondered whether they could have done more to make sure Holloway got back to their hotel safely, he said.
“(But) that’s something you don’t need to dwell on because you can’t turn back time,” said Barron.
From what we have noticed from our discussion boards and emails many of the Mountain Brook teens as well as family and friend keep the hope with yellow ribbons and baby blue rubber bracelets.
Madison Whatley, one of Holloway’s three roommates during the trip, is a regular at prayer vigils that have been held at Mountain Brook Community Church since the group got home. She also wears a baby blue rubber bracelet that says “Hope for Natalee.”
“It’s frustrating, but it helps to come to the prayer service,” Whatley said.
I am sure that this has to be so very difficult for all of you. For the teens that we have dealt with here, our heart aches for them. There are many stages that one goes through in such a traumatic occurrence. I would say as much as there is pain and you want this solved and Natalee returned; this may not be the absolute correct way in doing it.
Reynolds didn’t elaborate, and Barron said people who went on the trip aren’t publicly discussing details of what happened in Aruba at the request of Holloway’s family, which fears the publicity could hamper the investigation.
The media glare itself has been a shock in itself for the kids from Mountain Brook, a wealthy, cloistered Birmingham suburb that is home to many of the state’s most prominent doctors, lawyers and business leaders.
“The publicity hamper the investigation”? Believe you me, I am the first to question the MSM’s motives; however, remaining completely silent jeopardizes the story falling off the main page and the top story. Pick your interviews wisely and get it in writing what is supposed to be the theme of the interview. All of you should know that you are more than welcome to come to the Natalee discussion board or just email/PM Tom or myself if you wish to discuss this matter or make a point or tell your story without having the pressures of the MSM scrutiny and gotcha tactics. We would like to for the Holloway & Twitty family and friends keep the story in the forefront to that the authorities do the right thing and everything is done to find Natalee.
Transcripts From Beth Twitty and Greta Van Susteren, June 20th Interview
The following is a partial transcript from June 20, 2005 between Natalee’s mom and Beth Twitty interview with Greta Van Susteren. Video also available.
(excerpt)
VAN SUSTEREN: What happens? I mean, every day, they call you at a set time and bring you up to date?
TWITTY: Well, I had briefings from the family liaison and we’ve hired an attorney, so we’re also being updated on a daily basis. And we have another family friend who was a liaison. So we are being updated daily.
VAN SUSTEREN: Did you feel like you had to go out and get a lawyer to get information? I mean, do you feel like you weren’t getting it?
TWITTY: Well, I think the reason why her father and I decided to do this was because we had heard about filing a joinder for a victimized party. And we felt that that was just another avenue that we could pursue. And as you can see, Greta, we are going for everything we possibly can do with what knowledge we have.
VAN SUSTEREN: You’re not giving up.
TWITTY: Oh, no. Oh, no.
