Paul Reynolds Speaks Out for the Family and Defends Texas EquuSearch

Last night on CNN’s Nancy Grace, Paul Reynolds spoke out for the family and defended the previous search group Texas EquuSearch with all the class, grace and appreciation that I have to know Paul for. Paul Reynolds has been a stand up individual from the beginning providing a stern and forceful message for the family with a level and even keeled temperament that can only be commended.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And I know that you`ve also brought in a new search team to help look for Natalee. Tell us about that.

REYNOLDS: You know, we welcome everyone that wants to come to the island to help out. There was a search individual from Massachusetts and an associate of his that came in from Florida. You know, we`re appreciative of their efforts.

But we want to make a special mention of all of the efforts that Texas EquuSearch made. You know, those guys spent four weeks on the island. They had 70 people in there. I spent a week myself working with them personally.

You know, this is a great group of dedicated professionals that have volunteered to leave their homes, and their families, and their jobs, and come down there and, you know, put forth this effort. And they along with the hundreds and almost thousands of others have been just a great asset to our family and the search.

In speaking with Paul Reynold’s the other day I know how hurt he was and just utterly amazed by the insensitivity and foolishness of the comments that were made toward TES. Paul Reynold’s during our lengthy conversation told me that Jim Knox had embarrassed himself, the family and the investigation. To be a fly on the wall during the telephone conversation between Paul Reynolds and Jim Knox.

In the half dozen or so times I have spoke with Paul and the 9 days in Aruba that I got to know Natalee’s uncle I certainly came to know him and know the appreciation he has for all the searchers that came to help his family. Natalee’s family has always been in search and need of help as the disappearance of Natalee in Aruba gets to be overwhelming at times. The help I was able to provide Paul and his family he certainly made me aware of his appreciation. Thus on CNN last night Paul Reynolds further went on to say regarding his deep appreciation for Texas EquuSearch’s help and his hope that the new search team will do just as good a job.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I hate to bring this up, because it could be a little bit of a distraction from the investigation, but I have to, because it is being talked about tonight. There is some sort of reported spat between the first search team and the second one.

Why is that? What do you know about it?

REYNOLDS: You know, I can`t really explain that. All I can really let you know is Texas EquuSearch did a great job. You know, I know Tim Miller. I spent a lot of time with him. I`ve met a lot of the search guys. Some of them go to the church that I go to.

Great individuals. I know they did a good job. And, you know, I`m hoping the new people that are there — I`m hoping they do just as good a job.

Family and EquuSearch Respond to derogatory comments from Jim Knox

Natalee Holloway’s family and EquuSearch have responded to the insensitive and derogatory comments by Jim Knox of the newest search teams in Aruba.

As reported earlier today and as seen by many last night, Jim Knox, of the new search team in Aruba made some pretty accusatory and inflammatory comments regarding previous search groups in Aruba. The insinuation was that Knox was referring to Texas EquuSearch in the following comment as much as Mr. Knox wises to play games of parsing words and state that he never mentioned EquuSearch by name. (The entire transcript of comments can be seen here.)

JK: We arrived on Wednesday, we started working Wednesday afternoon. We met with police first thing as soon as we got off the plane, that’s where we started the cooperation. They were mightily impressed. We presented Fred’s resume of over 2000 finds in 17 different countries and states. They’ve watched the dogs work, they’re impressed, they know that we’re working.

Jamie, I’ve had 1 beer in a week with a hamburger in Saturday. The previous searchers were taking tubs and ice chests of beer out with them. They’d work 2 hours and come in. They had equipment they didn’t know how to use. I could give you a world of information but….

When emailing the family and talking with some of them personally, all were profoundly disappointed in the actions and the comments made by Jim Knox. What makes matters even worse is it appears that members of the family had spoke to Knox before be left for Aruba an stated they asked Knox to discuss his searches with the media and not talk about previous search team’s efforts. I guess Jim Knox did not understand that conversation. Especially seeing that before he even came to Aruba he made other inflammatory and derogatory comments.

The following is an email that I received from Dave and Robin Holloway this afternoon regarding this matter:

I want to take a moment to defend EquuSearch. Dave and I frequently read posts from this website and want to take this opportunity to let everyone know how much we appreciated EquuSearch and all of the hard work and volunteering they have done in our efforts to find Natalee. Dave was with them every day they were there. The only tubs we saw they carried were filled with water and soft drinks! They are wonderful people and very dear friends of ours that we will stay in touch with the rest of our lives. Negative comments from other searchers will do nothing to assist in our search for Natalee and we feel this was uncalled for. We appreciate all of the volunteers who are looking for Natalee, but want to keep it civil and professional.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support! That is the only thing getting us through this.
Dave and Robin

I also received am email from Linda Allison that stated the following:

“It is unfortunate that the comments were made last night since it is irrelevant to finding Natalee. I have always been a very big advocate of EquuSearch and have met some truly outstanding, hard-working, and caring individuals”.

I also personally spoke with Paul Reynolds this afternoon at great length and discussed the unfortunate issue at hand and how many people were hurt by these comment. I told Paul that there were many volunteers and caring people out there that were profoundly hurt that their efforts were undermined by the selfish and insensitive comments made by Mr. Knox. I told Paul that people truly care about Natalee and your family and want there to be closure for you, but such comments can only do harm and make people not care. In talking to Paul, he was bewildered and simply shocked at the comments that were made. He called Jim Knox today to tell him just that. It was my understanding that the conversation was pretty much a one sided one with Paul doing the talking voicing his displeasure. Paul told Scared Monkeys that he wanted to apologized for the unfortunate and childish comments made by Knox and in no way did the family support anything that Mr. Knox said. Paul also wished to say the following:

“I am shocked and dismayed at the irresponsibility and inappropriateness of these comments. We have always welcomed every volunteer and every person to help find Natalee. Everyone has been gracious, respectful and diligent in this effort to help our family and to go on the air, in a live broadcast and make such inaccurate and derogatory comments is unbelievable wrong and insensitive.”

I also received am email from Tim Miller of EquuSearch. I did not want to bother Tim as he has been recovering himself from an illness.

Statement from Tim Miller:

I am very hurt and offended by allegations made in our efforts to search for Natalee Holloway. We brought in every resource we thought possible in her safe return or search for her remains.

I was personally very optimistic going into the Natalee search that she would be located, probably deceased.

Probably the most disappointed people besides Natalee’s family was each one of the 93 volunteers from Texas Equusearch that had to leave that island with no results.

I am extremely proud of every effort every volunteer made. I am extremely grateful to every person that sent us a donation allowing us to continue the search as long as we did.

We also realize the struggles of Natalee’s family and did everything we could do to help support them in any way we could.

Texas Equusearch at this point is several thousands of dollars in the red and credit card bills continue coming in. We will defer these expenses through our own fund raisers and we are not asking for the public to support us in these expenses.

We are asking everyone to continue praying for this family during this terrible time of need. Let us continue praying for the other families who also have missing loved ones who have not received the support that was given in the Natalee Holloway search.

On a joking side, I have no turtle eggs and really don’t enjoy turtle soup and I’m very disturbed that Paul VDS felt as though I threatened him, but hopefully someday he’ll allow his property to be searched.

As far as statements from Jim Knox and Fred Golba, I have thick skin and will deal with these as needed.

Again I appreciate all the support that we’ve received during the Natalee Holloway search and other efforts we’ve been involved in.

Hopefully Natalee’s disappearance will not be in vein and resources gathered will be used for our missing loved ones in the future.
God Bless all, Your Friend
Tim Miller

Thus at the time these comments were made the family members had no idea they were being said. Some even found out through SM and direct emails and telephone calls from either myself or other Monkeys for the first time.

Thus everyone can see how one person’s agenda and comments can waste valuable time and resources in the primary goal to find Natalee Holloway. Amazing when one makes thyself bigger than the story. I have to admit I was suspect of Mr. Knox by his previous comments when I previously posted, Calling All SAR’s; Search More, Talk Later.

How anyone can go to Aruba and help in the search for Natalee and use the media air time for their own personal gain, agenda or vendetta is truly reprehensible. I hardly think that this is what the family expected out of Jim Knox nor what he ever claimed he would do prior to coming to Aruba. Jim Knox has has embarrassed himself, the family and the investigation by his actions and I hope understands and makes amends for his foolishness.

I hope that Jim Knox apologizes publicly for what he has said and if not I hope the family tells him to cease all future media events until he does so. There is no need for any of this childishness and three ring circus caused by Knox. This is about finding Natalee and bring closure to the family, nothing more. Maybe Jim Knox should remember this before he opens his mouth again?

Look for the family to be on the talk shows tonight having to do damage control for Jim Knox’s comments.

Tito Lacle Answers the Monkeys Questions, Part 2

The following is the second part of Tito Lacle’s Q&A from the other night. Tito was kind enough to take the time to answer further questions the next day that he had been asked.

Scared Monkeys thanks Tito for spending so much time answering the questions posed to him and his willingness to come into The Monkey Cage.

TLR
Tito – Any news on the whereabouts of the missing gardener?
Klaasend
Tito, Any news on the whereabouts of the missing gardener?

TITO: AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, POLICE ARE STILL SEARCHING..

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DT
Tito – We asked last night, but I was wondering what your personal
theory was as to what happened to Natalee?

TITO: I DON’T HAVE ONE.. GAVE UP ON HAVING ONE.. POLICE THINK SHE IS DEAD.. THEY HAVE BEEN TREATING THIS INVESTIGATION FROM THE BEGINNING AS A MURDER INVESTIGATION

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Sb

My question would be: Do you have any read on what the Holloway/Twitty
family suspect has happened to Natalee? Do they agree with the Aruban
authorities’ ideas?

TITO: THEY DO AT SOME EXTEND.. FATHER ‘DAVE’ BELIEVES IT WAS SOMETHING GONE BAD, AND JUST WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IT IS.. DOESN’T BELIEVE THE BOYS WANTED TO KILL HER BUT THAT THEY PANICKED WHEN SOMETHING WENT WRONG.. THE MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW IF SHE CAN HANDLE THE TRUTH AND WILL DEAL WITH IT WHEN IT HAPPENS..
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Crazybabyborg
Not a question, but I know all of the monkey cage appreciates your willingness to accept the fabric pictures. Thank You!

TITO: YOU ARE SO WELCOME.

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Friend of monkeys
TITO…..hi and thx…i have been here from day one and remember early in June when aruban pub info official stated on fox they were shocked to find that NH had been kidnapped and they were following a car in Venezuela going to columbia…..what ever happened to that??? sounded serious and true at the time. thank you . are they looking in Venezuela deeply?!

TITO: THEY ARE LOOKING IN VENEZUELA.. EARLY REPORTS HAD PEOPLE SPOTTING NATALEE IN PUNTO FIJO.. AND FBI SEND PEOPLE OVER TO SEE. BUT IT TURNED OUT NEGATIVE

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TexasRick
Tito?? Anyone?? Paulus and his wife could not possibly afford
NINE attorneys representing his son, given their jobs, the sort of house
they live in and the car that they drive. Can anyone in Aruba find out who
is paying for the lawyers? Is that a matter of public record? ….It would be
interesting to see if any of these lawyers have histories of working with
drug-trafficking types in Aruba as that might explain things more clearly…
.Keep Joran out of jail and thus “innocent” and take the heat off from their
profitable drug operations, like GHB and Ecstasy…

TITO: THE FATHER OF JORAN IS PAYING FOR THE 3 LAWYERS.. EACH LAWYER IS FROM A DIFFERENT FIRM AND HAS MORE PARTNERS.. HENCE THE SUMMATION OF 9 LAWYERS.
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Molly12
Tito why do you think Jug said the police know where the gardener is?

TITO: I DON’T KNOW

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Golden – Hey Tito, I’m a couple of pages behind so I hope you are still on
board. Greta mentioned on the Jay Leno show that the prosecutor hated her. Any ideas why?

TITO: I ANSWERED THAT LAST NIGHT ALREADY
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Read more

Wow Diario, How do you really Feel?

A translated article from Today’s Diario. This is not supposed to be an editorial but you could not prove it by the context of the article. I would think that an investigative newspaper like Diario would and has printed articles questioning the investigation and the lack of leads in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. The Diario and Jossy Mansur have made great strides in their own investigations and financing of some of the searches. The below article just seem to be very odd as compared to the participation of Diario itself.

What I find most troubling is the following statement from this article:

“This almost certainly not the case, as more groups want to come search on our island, and let us not forget that there are groups who are after the reward money and will come to also try their luck.”

That is what they think this is about? If a non-profit organization actually finds Natalee I have to believe they are bound by financial rules that state how any such reward money is dealt with. It is sad that this is the view put out to the Aruban people as to why people come and help the families search for Natalee Holloway. Many people volunteer their time away from their lives and careers to help with no chance of this “try your luck” theme that has been put forward. One would then ask the question to the writer of this article and Dairio; if you solves the case and found Natalee Holloway, what would you do with the money?

For many following this case and who have participated in the efforts to help the Holloway’s & Twitty’s gain closure, this has only been about trying to help. To reference all of the failures and failed leads serves no purpose. This is not about what has been done and failed it should be about what more can be done to succeed. Every lead had to be looked into because one never knows which one may be THE ONE that solves the mystery.

The other comment I find rather conveniently inflammatory is the following:

“What they were good at was to discredit our island and they questioned our dignity of our people.”

No one discredits the dignity of your people. It has been said over and over again that there are 3 or 4 people that everyone has a question about, not the Aruban people. However, is it any wonder why Arubans may feel like they do when the most read paper on Aruba prints a story like this? In my opinion it is rather irresponsible. From personal experience the Aruban people I have met over the years and the ones most recently I have come to know are great people. They opened their homes to me and even more to the point we have developed friendships as if we have known each other for years.

Maybe Diaro if you wish to complain about the bad press that you claim comes from the American media, you may first want to look in the mirror and check your own pages out first. There is a big difference between questioning authority, the investigation and the Government participation and making a blanket statement regarding all Arubans. One would almost think that this newspaper never printed one word questioning any of the ways in which this investigation has been handled. That would hardly be the case.

I find this article one of the most puzzling and troubling that I have seen especially when having personally spoken to Jossy Mansur himself. My hopes are that he will discuss this in the not too distant future.

Saturday 13 august DIARIO page 13

“More Search Teams Can Be Expected on Aruba”
In the disappearance case of Natalee Holloway.

Oranjestad (AAN): During the almost 80 days of investigation in the case of Natalee Holloway, all sorts of resources have been used to localize the body of the disappeared teenager, either alive or dead.

The arrival of the new group of Florida with the two dogs, Astro and Rhino, brought the question if this is the last resort to localize the young girl.

Detention of the two security guards, after that the three young teenagers, of which two have received their freedom, and now one is still under continuous interrogation, didn’t give any result.

Investigators from the Netherlands came and FBI from the US to do an investigation, and nothing has helped as yet.

Sophisticated equipment was brought that were used in a helicopter to fly in the west and northwest area of our island to detect heat or a buried human body, which didn’t give any results.

From the US the Equusearch team came that also didn’t achieve anything, nor the private detective that the family brought and worked illegally on our island didn’t achieve anything in their investigation.

All the while, [Aruban] police force and Aruban investigators and Judicial deports received blow after blow from the “experts” almost every night on American television and who do not know what they are talking about regarding Aruba or our legal system.

What they were good at was to discredit our island and they questioned our dignity of our people.

It went so far that the Netherlands sent some F-16 to fly and investigate, what also doesn’t have much credibility on our island, seeing as when they left after two days of flying they disappeared and no one heard anything else about this presumed investigation.

A gardener came forward who saw the young men in the morning after the disappearance of Natalee, in the car in the vicinity of Racket Club, and this alleged witness also disappeared like the F-16s.

Another witness came forward who allegedly saw movements at the Dump and later could not indicate with clarity what he saw and where he saw it, and caused that again the Dump was being dug up, without any results.

Today a Florida group came to contribute their efforts. The questions is if they are the last resort.

This almost certainly not the case, as more groups want to come search on our island, and let us not forget that there are groups who are after the reward money and will come to also try their luck.

Indications are thus that the Florida group with their equipment and two dogs, we can expect arrival in the coming weeks of other groups to continue the search

Rescue International Wants to Send Search & Rescue Dogs back to Aruba

While I was in Aruba helping search for Natalee Holloway with Texas EquuSearch, one of the many search teams that I met was members of Rescue International. Bruce Barton, Dale and search canine Ebby performed searches at the landfill, the Bird Sanctuary, the abandoned Atlantis Hotel, on the beaches and at the dunes while in Aruba. They are looking to return to Aruba to further help the cause; however, they do need help in their efforts. Many if not all of the hotels do not allow dogs to stay in them as this is a tourists island. If anyone has any connections or information that could help them in this matter please contact them at: director@rescueinternational.org or email red@scaredmonkeys.com and I will forward them the information. Also, if anyone knows of individuals who may have houses for rent in Aruba as well.

Bruce Barton sent me an email stating that they hope to go back to Aruba as soon as possible to help in the efforts. Also, Rescue International is asking for donations to help fund another trip to Aruba to help search for Natalee Holloway. If you have any questions regarding their searches, their organization or donations they can be contacted directly. Thank you.

Formed in 1985 Rescue International (RI) is a nonprofit, volunteer association of people, response teams and companies that provide special search, rescue, and recovery services and products to requesting agencies free of charge. RI’s educational programs are based on a foundation of experienced instructors teaching students skills and providing information derived from hands on experience and supported with a written program guide and/or manual. RI has a number of Search and Rescue Training Programs available. RI’s canine programs will help train SAR Canine handlers and their dog to reach a minimum Canine Training Standard for each area of operational ability. Based in Stroudsburg, PA., RI members and resources have responded to many of the major disasters in the past 15 years, including the 1987 Bridgeport, CT – Apartment Building Collapse, 1988 Earthquake in Armenia USSR, Hurricanes Hugo-Andrew-Opal, 1999 flooding in Boundbrook, NJ , World Trade Center Disaster Recovery Operations and many regional rescues. The Funds: NOTE RI is a non-profit rescue and educational organization but is not a charity and donations are not tax deductible per the IRS code, its only a act of passion and thanks to the handlers, canines and team members that are on the line or are going to be there when needed.

Tito Lacle of Aruba Today; Cross-Fire Scared Monkey Style (Part1)

The following is the first of a three part segment of a questions and answers session from last night’s Tito Lacle’s, Aruba Today, visit to Scared Monkeys. Tito, who was so kind to have come on Scared Monkeys last night and take some questions in the Monkey cage. He was also gracious enough to answer many follow up questions. Scared Monkeys thanks Tito for his time and insight into the Natalee Holloway case.

Questions are taken in random order from Scared Monkeys readers:

Friend of Monkey:
What resulted in investigation into beheading/Columbian
necktie? Was anyone charged?

TITO: NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT CASE

What of missing Columbian reporter Sergio Gomez whose truck was found
abandoned? (and the family said they thought Sergio left willingly but knew
not where he was)

TITO: WORKING ON THAT ONE

Is the manager of the excelsior casino missing also or on vacation?
TITO: HE LEFT THE ISLAND BUT REASONS UNKNOWN.. HE ALSO OWNS A COUPLE OF OTHER PLACES ON THE ISLAND. HIS NAME IS MICHEAL POSNER.

Does/did Joran have open credit at one or more island casinos?
TITO: HE FREQUENTED CASINOS.

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Golden:
Do you know if Steve C. is still working at C&C’s?
TITO: STEVE WORKED AT MI DUSHI AND TATTOO. HE FREQUENTS C&C. WILL CHECK IF HE WORKS AT C&C SINCE HE WAS FIRED FROM TATTOO AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED

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tlr:
RED-Can you ask Tito what his gut feeling is for the outcome of this
whole convoluted mess. And sort of OT how does he handle his new celebrity status?
TITO: THIS CASE.. THEY WILL NEVER FIND NATALEE.. THEY MIGHT SOLVE IT. ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT MY CELEBRITY STATUS.. DIDN’T KNOW I HAD ONE.
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erin_go_bragh:
Tito, are you aware of any Lorenzo’s involving the case? There is an alleged Lorenzo from Holland (now lives in Aruba) that might have eaten dinner with Natalee during her trip to Aruba. Allegedly, he’s around 27 and might have something to do with drugs…

TITO: HE LEFT FOR HOLLAND.. IF HIS NAME IS WEVER, THAT IS..
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golden:
Are Arubans aware of Jug’s letter to Al. Congress disagreeing with
any boycott? If so what is the general feeling about Jug having written the
letter?

TITO:THE LETTER WAS PUBLISHED TODAY IN MOST LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, SO YES.. THE ARUBANS ARE AWARE OF THIS LETTER
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Friend of Monkey:
When Mickey John was arrested he told me that 14 LE showed up at his house including van de rstratten…..is this common for
van der stratten and 14 LE to go arrest one man?

TITO: YES.. HE IS.. HE WAS AT ALL THE ARRESTS.. HE HEADED THE CASE AND WAS PRESENT AT ALL ARRESTS.

Has Tito heard of the shango posts? Would love to know how he feels about dirty hands and the sacrificial lamb
TITO: UNKNOWN TO ME

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crazybabyborg:
Wondering what Tito thought of the fabric pictures and the
relevancy to the case……

TITO: HAVE SEEN IT BEFORE.. BUT DON’T BELIEVE IT TO BE OF ANY SUBSTANCE.. BUT.. WE HAVE TO WAIT.. FORWARDED IT TO THE AUTHORITIES.. CRAZY.. I WILL LET YOU KNOW

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MuggsyMandrill:

One thing that I have always been curious about is the fact that the Aruban LE stated their reasoning for not immediately questioning Joran, Deepak & Satish was that they wanted to keep them under surveillance to see if they could get more information on Natalee’s disappearance.

Do you have any idea why they did not treat the 2 security guards in the
same manner, but instead, immediately arrested them and confiscated things they thought might have held evidence of their guilt in Natalee’s
disappearance?

TITO: GOOD QUESTION.. THE ARRESTS OF THE SECURITY GUARDS WAS BASED ON FALSE STATEMENTS BY THE THREE SUSPECTS. THEY LATER APOLOGIZED TO THE MAN FOR HAVING HIM INVOLVED IN THIS

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cubbeegirl
We heard early on around June 11 th that one of the boys had confessed to the murder of Natalee and that this boy would be taking LE to the place
where her body was. A few hours later we were told that this was a false
statement. Can you clarify what exactly happened concerning this?

TITO: THEY DID GIVE THIS STATEMENT.. JORAN CONFESSED OR SAID THAT AND IT WAS ON THE RECORD.. HE LATER CHANGED THE STORY

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Happinessis
HI–thank you–I’ve often wondered that if Nat did die –could she have been put in one of the big hotel freezers until she could be
moved—has that been researched?
TITO: UNLIKELY

What do you think of the information on this case from the National
Inquire???
TITO: DIDN’T EVEN TOUCH THAT ONE..

Was that whole missing shoe/shoes thing real or a red herring???
TITO: POLICE HAD A TIP ON THE MISSING SHOE.. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A VALID TIP AND USED IT.. DIDN’T FIND ANYTHING THOUGH
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OneSillyMonkey
Hi Tito. TY so much for joining the SM forum to talk to us
On August 2′nd, Greta gave an interview with Police Lt Rudie Soemers, night watch commander. During that interview, Soemers told Greta that he believed Natalee left the island voluntarily and that she is alive. Last night, you mentioned what authorities believe was the second possible scenario of Natalee’s disappearance (died, then dumped in ocean). Going back to Soemer’s interview, would you say that other Aruban authorities concur with Soemer’s opinion – that Natalee left the island? If this is indeed what the majority believe, is that why we see little involvement in the landfill search? Do you know who the night watch commander was on the night/morning Natalee went missing? Was it Soemers, or can you give us the name or any info about who was on duty that night? The reason I ask is that there is some prevailing thought/rumor that Paul called whoever was the night watch commander on duty that morning. Thank you.

TITO: THERE ARE PHONE RECORDS BUT HAD THAT BEEN TRUE.. PAUL WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE FREE TODAY.. HE WAS DETAINED BASED ON INFORMATION HE GAVE HIS SON.. AND INTERPRETATIONS HEREAFTER
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Maritzka
The search at the VDS home, did they use cadaver dogs, do you know?

TITO: THEY USED ONE CADAVER DOG..

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Strike
I have a question (if I may)…
If anything, this case has seemed to expose a perceived problem with
underage drinking and gambling in Aruba. Do you feel (or has there been any attention paid to before this case) that there is a growing problem with
juvenile delinquency on your island because of this, and what have the
Aruban LE done to require establishments to enforce such laws in the future.
Thanks man!!!

TITO: YES IT HAS.. AUTHORITIES ARE CRACKING EVERY PLACE THAT VIOLATES THAT LAW

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Truthseeker2
Now that Jan Van Der Straaten is no longer working this case
can he be questioned in any way regarding any aspect of this case? If so,
can his statements be presented as evidence by way of a summons to appear in court to provide those statements under oath?

TITO: UNLIKELY.. HE WAS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION.

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Oldfart
Any chance of your paper doing a write to the editor questions
which Natalee’s family would respond to in the paper? This would be like the radio interview that Paul Reynolds did. It may or may not help
communications & understanding for all involved. Just a thought.

TITO: WE HAVE INTERVIEWED BOTH THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND THOSE STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE ARUBA TODAY SISTER PAPER BON DIA ARUBA

Jug Twitty calls Out Aruban Government Spokesperson Ruben Trappenberg

Last night on Scarborough Country, Jug Twitty made some rather interesting and strong comments with regards to what Aruban spokesperson, Ruben Trappenberg has been saying lately. Frankly after hearing some of Mr. Trappenberg’s comments first hand on the set of Greta’s show I have been waiting for some type of response. Finally last night, Jug Twitty began did just that by stating the following regarding Trappenberg’s recent comments:

But the whole thing is—is frustrating to me. Last night, I saw something on TV. It was very frustrating, when Ruben Trappenberg said something to the effect that—somebody asked him about, well, you need to pay for all of the family’s expenses. Oh, we are. You know, everything is comped, all the cab rides, all the hotels, all the—everything.

And, you know, that’s so frustrating to me, Joe, it’s unbelievable. I mean, I cannot believe the man came on there and said that, because…

SCARBOROUGH: So, is he lying?

TWITTY: … I can’t tell you how—absolutely. They are not paying for all our things. And, yes, they have offered to help us with a couple of things, but they are not comping our rooms down there. I put Beth in a nice hotel because I wanted security in there, and the owner of the hotel was nice enough to come and give us a discount on the room, but they are not comping our rooms.

Jug then went on to discuss how on earth that all of the families expenses are being covered when he certainly has a credit card statement to prove otherwise.

They’re not comping—I have there in probably 70 cab rides. I have never had anybody offer me to give me a free cab ride. It’s just unbelievable to even come and say that. And I have seen my credit card bills, if they want to pay for it. I don’t want them to pay for it. I don’t want the Aruban government to give me a penny. All I want to do is, I want to find Natalee and I want to go home.

Then as the interview went on with Jug and Beth Twitty, Beth made the following comment regarding further things that Trappenberg has stated:

HOLLOWAY TWITTY: Well, all I was going to say, and there was also another false statement made that was by Ruben Trappenberg, the spokesperson for the government.

You know, the FBI was not involved from day one, and it was only until my plea that came probably June the 5th that we began getting some response and some involvement from the FBI. But, you know, we had to pursue that ourselves and from supporters in the U.S. to be instrumental in getting that.

And then, there were only in an assistive mode, remember, for many, many, many weeks, and basically up until just—until—until recently. And, still, I am not sure if they are much more into that unless now all the documentation, from videotapes, from audiotapes are being released. So, you know, that was a false statement.

One of the comments that has most bothered me because it affected me personally and those searchers around me that Trappenberg made was the one about Aruban Government equipment used in the landfill helping search for Natalee Holloway. Trappenberg’s made a reference in some form of cute comment stating, “well, you know, I don’t know if the White House has backhoes in their backyard, but we don’t have them down here”, was about as uncalled for and unprofessional as it gets. Then again with hat follows later on in this post may semi answer such ridiculous comments. Jug Twitty, however, decided to certainly let the world know how he felt about the backhoe comment:

TWITTY: Joe, I would also say, it’s so frustrating to us, because, you know, here’s the government down there. They are saying they are helping us.

And I am sure they are, but when Ruben Trappenberg comes on there and says statements like—this was on another network or something the other night—that they were complaining that the government wasn’t helping with backhoes and things like that, and that EquuSearch and private investigators—private entrepreneurs down there, like Jossy and people, were donating equipment.

And Ruben Trappenberg come on and goes, well, you know, I don’t know if the White House has backhoes in their backyard, but we don’t have them down here.

You know, what kind of statement is that? I mean, it just frustrates me to no end.

Maybe Mr. Trappenberg would like to explain to us all how the Aruban Government owned landfill does not either own directly the equipment that works on the landfill property or at the very least contracts with equipment owner’s and thus that equipment acts as an agent of the Aruban government? Parsing words of whether the equipment is owned or not is irrelevant. The fact that at any given time they could have been asked to help searchers looking for Natalee Holloway in the land fill is. As this story has gone on and the many statements that have been made by Mr. Trappenberg have become more and more puzzling and to Natalee’s family obviously frustrating. Then this bit of information was brought to my attention regarding Ruben Trappenberg. He has a Tickle site? You have got to be kidding me? A spokesman for the Aruban government has a Tickle site with a profile, how are we supposed to take this serious? More to the point, how does an official spokesperson for the Aruban government supposed to be taken seriously when of all things he has a Tickle site? To each their own but somehow the fact that the mouth piece for the government has one of these just seems inappropriate. I thought nothing more regarding this matter would amaze me, but I stand corrected.

Jug Twitty Appeals to the Governor of Alabama for No Boycott

In a letter from Jug Twitty to the Governor of Alabama, Jug appeals to the Governor to reconsider their stance on any form or request of a boycott on Aruba. As many have made comments that Jug has over-reacted or acted too emotionally in dealing with authorities in his step-daughter’s disappearance. The above letter certainly shows a different side of Jug in a behind the scenes letter to the Governor of AL requesting that there be no boycott. Also the Aruban people may want to take a close look at this letter as well as Jug in no way seems to want in any form a boycott that would hurt the innocent and caring people who have helped his family so much in finding Natalee Holloway.

As previously posted, Alabama Lawmakers Ask residents not to travel to Aruba:

This may be a bit premature and actually probably a bad idea in general. Today the Alabama House passed a resolution to boycott travel to Aruba. Just as it was wrong when Dee Fine asked for boycotts on her radio show; this may be even worse. I am failing to see the productive value in such a measure except to further strain the relationship that of recent had been going in a more positive direction.

On the very day that the “Aruban Aruban Prime Minister Nel Oduber and Minister of Justice Rudy Croes ordered all materials pertaining to the Natalee Holloway investigation to be given to the FBI”. Talk about bad timing. One would think that even the family might be troubled by such a statement at this point. The Holloway’s and Twitty’s have made it abundantly known that their problem is not with the Aruban people. Their issues have been with the investigation and those it it, some who are no longer on the case.

It would appear that Jug Twitty has pretty much the same idea in mind. A boycott or threatened boycott of Aruba could only hurt relations with the Aruban people and Government when they are needed more than ever. Especially since the Aruban Prime Minister is offering his cooperation and the FBI is now able to access files on the case. Many people should see what Jug is sending to American law makers, especially the Aruban people, as this is a far cry from demanding boycotts at all cost in any attempt to hurt the Arubans. As Jug says, “Aruba and its people should not be harmed of the actions of others over which they had no control.”

Look for Beth and Jug Twitty tonight on MSNBC’s Scarborough Country at 10:00pm EDT.

Update: 8/12/05 from Scarborough Country Transcripts

SCARBOROUGH: Let me ask you, Jug, about a letter you wrote to a friend of mine, Bob Riley, who I served with in Congress. Now, of course, he is governor of—he is governor of the state of Alabama. And you wrote a letter talking about how the Alabama legislature had proposed a resolution boycotting travel to Aruba.

But you sent a letter to Riley, asked them not to be part of that, saying—quote—"Aruba has provided housing, volunteers through the Red Cross, supported nationwide searches and treated us with reverence and respect. This resolution would allow some factions to drive a wedge between our new friends and those who want us off the island.”

Jug, despite the fact that you are terribly frustrated with Ruben Trappenberg and other people in Aruba, you still don’t want the Alabama state legislature to push for a boycott on travel to Aruba?

TWITTY: No, I don’t. Absolutely not.

I mean, I am sorry they—that this has come to what it has. They could have cleared this up in the—we should have had an answer as to what happened to Natalee within, at the most, two weeks. And I’m sorry it’s come to what it has. And, of course, my family has gone through tremendous stress during this.

And, you know, I wrote that because I don’t want the people—it’s not the people of Aruba. It’s—and, you know, bless their hearts. Everybody down there has opened up their hearts to us. But, you know, when Trappenberg comes on there saying he is paying all the tabs and we are down there mooching off of him and things like that—I mean, he didn’t say that, but that’s the way it makes me feel—that’s not right.

Appeals Case On Behalf of Suspects; Diario

And yet another translated article from Today’s Diario.

Appeals Case On Behalf of the Suspects In Natalee Holloway Case Diario (page 3, 11 august 2005)

Oranjestad (AAN): Yesterday morning at court the umpteenth case took place, relating to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. After the Judge of Instructions rejected the petition of of the lawyers of the suspects to prohibit the FBI get documents and tapes of the interrogations made in this case, the lawyers appealed the decision and the case took place yesterday.

After the case was over, press had the opportunity to talk with the different lawyers in this case.

The first lawyer who came was Antony Carlo, who represents Joran van der Sloot. Carlo said that on behalf of his client he dealt with two appeal cases, where the first dealt with giving documents to the FBI, where the judge heard his arguments and the arguments of the Attorney-General.

According to Carlo, it is not known yet which day the decision will be made. For what deals with the second case of appeal, this is about the rejection of the Judge of Instruction of Carlo’s petition to stop interrogating his client.
It seems that van der Sloot indicated that he has nothing else to say, so he and his lawyer feel that it is not necessary to take him to the police station every time, to keep questioning him.

When DIARIO asked the lawyer if it is true that his client is talking, the lawyer said that he did not want to give a comment and left.

When Mr. Oomen, who represents Deepak Kalpoe came out of court, was not very interested in talking to the press, especially American press. He started to walk away, however he answered questions of local press, while the American press became frustrated, reason being that he said nothing in English.
According to DIARIO that this was because Beth Twitty went to the workplace of Deepak and had a hidden microphone and camera.

The mother did this in cooperation with NBC, thus American press. Maybe the lawyer is angry with American press for this reason, and he refused to speak with them at that moment.

When Oomen came outside, DIARIO asked him his opinion on the fact that Beth Twitty taped his client in his workplace. Oomen explained that the complaint that his client entered against Beth includes this fact as well, and that it is now in the hands of the police.

DIARIO also talked with lawyer Kock who represents Satish Kalpoe, who said that he and his client did not agree with the rejection [of the petition to forbid FBI access to the documents and tapes of the case] of the Judge of Instructions and that he hoped that this Monday he will have a positive result.

One of the aspects that he regretted was that also one of the reasons why he does not want FBI to have certain information is because recently Beth Twitty traveled to the U.S. and now she returns with a lot of confidential information.
According to Kock this cannot be and this is why it is not good for the FBI to have all documents and tape.

According to Kock, what Beth did, meaning that she taped Deepak with a hidden camera is something that can not happen [not allowed] in the U.S. He says that he understand that the mother is desperate and that she is trying everything so that the case will not die out. Kock does not think that there is information or indication, as shown in the press, that his client will be detained again, seeing that since the day that the Kalpoes came out [of jail], they did not receive an invitation of the police or any legal agency, to answer questions again.

[Note: For 'case' read 'court case'. The article says 'case', but they mean 'court case'. Also, the Attorney General appears on behalf of the government in appeal cases. There is nothing special about this. Just so that there isn't any confusion. ]

Hat Tip: Aruba Girl

More Pictures From Aruba; Family Discusses With EquuSearch

In just one of the many discussions that went on between the Holloway-Twitty families with Texas EquuSearch, keeping the family apprised of the situation and searches on-going. Natalee’s family not only were in constant discussion with EquuSearch, but also on numerous occasions came to and participated in the search at the landfill. Below Bruce Barton, one of the the Search and Rescue dog teams is seen discussing his searches with family members, Dave Holloway, Dave’s father-in-law and Linda Allison.

Above Joe Huston discusses with Natalee’s aunt, Linda Allison, the continuing efforts and searches going on at the landfill for the afternoon .