10 Years Later: Searching in Aruba for Natalee Holloway … The Search of the Aruba Landfill in 2005 for Missing Natalee Holloway (PICS)

THE LANDFILL SEARCH FOR NATALEE HOLLOWAY … PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST AND WORST THINGS I HAVE EVER DONE …

On July 23, 2005 Scared Monkeys conducted an interactive, town hall style  on-line interview with Tim Miller of Texas Equusearch, the non-profit search team that had been searching for Natalee Holloway in Aruba since she had gone missing on May 30, 2005.  Texas Equusearch had been flooded with emails of encouragement and tips from the many followers and readers at Scared Monkeys that Tim granted the interview. Interactive web interviews are commonplace today, needless to say they were not in 2005 and the logistics to make it happen was nothing short of a miracle. Following the interview as I thanked Tim Miller on the phone and for TES’s great work in their search for Natalee Holloway, Mr. Miller did an amazing thing … he asked if I wanted to go to Aruba and help search for Natalee. Once we cleared up some logistics and made sure that we could pay for the ticket to Aruba ourselves so not to impose on TES or have them divert any funds from the search on our account, we let it be known that Red was going to Aruba to search with Texas Equusearch.

Returning to Aruba, a place where my family had vacationed since the 1970′s, long before the many high-rise hotels and wining vacations there on game shows. Aruba, a place where I got to know so many families, who treated us as one of their own and a place where I had even dated an Aruban girl, who’s family was pretty well connected. Talk about your long distance relationship, before the days of social media and Facetime or Skype. A place where I hung out with more locals than tourists. Aruba, a place where I lived and worked as well. Now I was going back to help find Natalee Holloway.

I have to admit i was not sure what I was getting into and was not sure which searches I would be doing, land, water, both? I had told Tim that I was going to be a member of the search team first and reporting on the story second. Little did I realize than just a couple days before going to Aruba that that I would be helping search in the Aruba landfill as The witness claimed he saw the men dumping the body on the afternoon of June 1. The following article discusses the landfill search on such a generic and antiseptic way. Let me just say it was far from that and maybe one of the most rewarding and disgusting thing I have ever done in my life.

Picture via Scared Monkeys – 2005

A volunteer group searching for Natalee Holloway dug through a landfill for a third day Sunday but found no clues, while the missing teen’s mother left Aruba for the first time since her daughter disappeared two months ago.

Crews equipped with trained dogs, a bulldozer and a tractor hoe dug 15 holes in a landfill where a witness claims he saw men dump and cover a female body two days after Holloway disappeared, said Robert Cook, spokesman for the volunteer Texas EquuSearch, which is coordinating the landfill effort.

Searches at the landfill Friday and Saturday also produced no sign of Holloway.

THE LANDFILL SEARCH FOR NAYALEE HOLLOWAY.

From July 30, 2005 … Red searched the landfill from 10 AM till 3 PM. He said it was one of the foulest and god awful smelling places he has ever been in. For three days we searched the landfill and for every hole that was dug to a certain level, some one then had to get into it to do a more fine search with rakes and shovels. The picture below taken by a digital camera, although it looks grainy. That would be because of the constant Aruba trade wind blowing all the sand and crap in the dump around.

During the landfill search, I not only searched for Natalee Holloway with the members of Texas Equusearch, I also was digging next to her dad, Dave Holloway. I thought to myself as we were digging in the worst filth and the most disgusting stench that I had ever experienced in my life, I so wanted to help this man and find his daughter. Then I thought to myself in the next second, it might not be the best thing to happen when he was present. It was one thing to take part in this search, another thing to find human remains in a landfill, but quite a different thing to have to see a grown man break down in uncontrollable tears and emotions if we actually found her. This was the roller-coaster of thoughts and emotions that took place ever day as we searched for Natalee Holloway.

This search will forever be seared in my mind, body and soul … as previously stated, one of the best and worst things I have ever done in my life.

Picture via Scared Monkeys – 2005

Unlike most landfills in America where those in charge can locate and track what was dumped where and when, Aruba had no such tracking system. Imagine that. Instead, we had to go by the witness as to what area of the landfill he thought he saw the vehicle and where the dump site was. All the while the witness covered his face for fear of being recognized and to prevent the foulness from getting into his nose and mouth. So how did we know how far down to dig or where to dig holes? At a certain point we got in the holes and looked that the daily news papers that were thrown away to see what date they were to find the date just before May 30, 2005. That was the methodology.

Picture via Scared Monkeys – 2005

And for every hole that was dug like the one above, when we got to what we thought was close enough to the correct proximity of time, some one had to get into the hole and comb throw it to see if we made needed to dig deeper or had to use a rake, shovel and your hands to search. That would be yours truly in the blue shirt in the hole.

Picture via Scared Monkeys – 2005

And all the while Red and the members of Texas Equusearch were in the landfill in some of the most foul and hideous conditions trying to help Beth and Dave find their daughter on a witness tip we were following up on, the media was kicking their feet up from a distance trying to get a picture with their telephoto lenses.

Picture via Scared Monkeys – 2005

Or better yet, a close up of the media getting a sun tan while we are in the landfill busting our butts to get some closure for the Holloway/Twitty/Reynold’s family.

Picture via Scared Monkeys – 2005

Picture via Scared Monkeys – 2005

Picture via Scared Monkeys – 2005

Picture via Scared Monkeys – 2005

Greta Investigates … 10 Years Later, The Death and Disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba … However, Monkeys Know that Joran van der Sloot Lies

On Saturday night Greta Van Susteran did a 10 year later review of the death and disappearance of Natalee Holloway on Aruba. Although there was not a lot of new material, Greta Investigates nicely summarized the case, while also having Beth Holloway and some of Natalee’s friends from that fateful trip to Aruba in 2005 talk about their lives, feelings and memories of Natalee. Its ten years later and Natalee’s friends have graduated college and are on with their lives. Sadly that is something that Natalee Holloway was never allowed to do because of a terrible chance encounter with Joran Van der Sloot on her final night in the island of Aruba. However, it seems to hardly have been a chance encounter after all.

Greta Investigates:

On the 10-year anniversary of Natalee Holloway’s disappearance, “Greta Investigates” takes a new look at the teenager’s last days while on a high school graduation trip on the Caribbean island of Aruba.

Greta Van Susteren traveled to the island with Natalee’s mother Beth Holloway to investigate the bizarre twists and countless lies that have plagued this mysterious case from the start.

And you’ll learn how the teen’s suspected killer, Joran van der Sloot, was almost caught in an FBI sting operation, but instead slipped out of Aruba and fled to Peru. He is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for killing college student Stephany Flores on the 5-year anniversary of Natalee’s disappearance.

However, when many on Aruba defended Joran Van der Sloot, an Aruba LE that was at best incompetent and at worst corrupt. An American media that was all too often more worried about the next big salacious story rather than investigative journalism as the Natalee Holloway story was the missing person case heard round the world. At times it felt like there were more media folks in Aruba than tourists.  However, throughout the search for Natalee Holloway and the obstacles put up by the Aruba legal system, the police, the tourism board, the Van der Sloot family and those looking to protect Joran … Scared Monkeys knew from the beginning that Joran Van der Sloot was lying. Although Greta has done fine work over the years and continues to keep the case in the spot light to hopefully one day provide Justice for Natalee, we at Scared monkeys were never inclined to believe him. Joran Van der Sloot was a pathological liar and a sociopath.

VIDEO – Scared Monkeys Video Joran Van der Sloot Lies (Klaas)

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2014 FROM SCARED MONKEYS … “I Bring You Good News of Great Joy that Will Be for All the People. Today in the Town of David; a Savior has Been Born to You”

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL FROM SCARED MONKEYS …

On this special day we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and for all to always remember the true reason for the season. As you are unwrapping presents, spending time with family, friends and loved ones, eating your dinner and experiencing the joy of this day, always keep in mind the true reason for the season because  on this joyous day …  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Joy to the World, the Lord has Come … Wishing all a very Merry Christmas on this blessed day!!!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger (Luke 2:10-16)

Merry Christmas to all …

On this Christmas day I share with you some of my favorite versions of Scared Monkey’s favorite Christmas songs. God Bless and Merry Christmas.

 Silent Night – Bing Crosby

Nat King Cole – Away In A Manger

What Child Is This – Charlotte Church

“O Come Al Ye Faithful” – Martina McBride 

Go Tell It On The Mountain – Dolly Parton

Oh, Holy Night – Michael Crawford with Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Angels We Have Heard on High – Andrea Bocelli and David Foster

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing- Jewel

Joy to the Word – Mormon Tabernacle Choir

TOP 10 AP Sports Stories of 2014 … NFL Domestic Violence #1 … However, They Missed a Few, Including #22 Lauren Hill

AP has released their TOP 10 stories of 2014. Some I would agree with; however, I think they missed a few glaring oversights, in favor of the cause-celeb issues of the day. At least in the mind of the media and not the common sports fan. AP made the NFL domestic violence issues their top story, which sadly, I do agree with. Although, it is not like domestic violence is something new to the NFL. It has been around for decades, it has just been swept under the carpet, much like the steroids and concussion issues.

Does anyone notice a glaring omission from AP’s stories below? With all the clamor about the Washington Redskin’s and their offense name, how come that one was no where to be found?

1. NFL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Baltimore Ravens star running back Ray Rice knocked his now-wife unconscious in an Atlantic City casino elevator Feb. 15, but it wasn’t until July 24 that domestic violence cases spiraled into a crisis roiling the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Rice for just two games, which drew widespread derision. More than a month passed before Goodell admitted he “didn’t get it right” and announced harsher sanctions for future domestic violence offenses.

But the NFL’s problems were only beginning. On Sept. 8, TMZ Sports released video from inside the elevator that showed Rice punching his then-fiancee; the Ravens responded by releasing him and Goodell suspended him indefinitely. And on Sept. 12, one of the league’s biggest stars, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, was indicted on felony child abuse charges for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son. The Vikings initially planned to play him just over a week later, reversing course only after the ensuing uproar. [editors note: looks like AP forgot Carolina Panther's DE Greg Hardy, Arizona Cardinals RB Jonathan Dwyer, and San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald who was just released by the 49ers after another allegation of domestic violence.

The year ends with Rice reinstated by an arbitrator but without a team and Peterson suspended and suing the NFL. Chastened by those and other cases, the league is pushing a new personal conduct policy, but the players' union is balking at Goodell's role in the disciplinary process.

2. CLIPPERS' STERLING BANNED
3. LEBRON GOES HOME:
4. FIRSTS FOR GAY ATHLETES - [editors note: not sure if this story gets top 10, not because of not being important, more so because Michael Sam never made a starting roster and was eventually cut from the Ram's practice squad and never resigned by another team].
5. GIANTS WIN WORLD SERIES
6. COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PAYS OFF – [editors note: This was a huge story for college football; however, it will soon be changed to 8 teams and not 4.]
7. TONY STEWART:
8. WORLD CUP:
9. SEAHAWKS WIN SUPER BOWL – [editors note: Once again QB Peyton Manning choked in the big game as the Legion of Boom and Seattle Seahawks dominated the Denver Broncos 43-8. I am not even sure if the game was that close. The score was 36-0 before Broncos decided to score a meaningless TD.]
10. SOCHI OLYMPICS:

Many of the above stories were covered by Scared Monkeys, I think a couple should be added that are glaring commissions from AP’s top 10.

All my life I have been a Boston Red Sox fan and have hated the vile NY Yankees, but I will be the first to admit that the retirement of Derek Jeter should have easily been in the top 10. What about the NCAA College basketball center of the universe being located in Storrs, Connecticut? In 2014 the UCONN Huskies Men’s and Women’s teams were proved they were both “Best in Show” as they won National Championships. The  men for the 4th time as the #7 seed University of Connecticut Huskies defeat the #8 seed Kentucky Wildcats, 60-54. Then, the following night, Geno Auriemma’s (40-0) Lady Huskies routed Notre Dame 79-58  for their 9th title.  This accomplishment had only happened one time before in D1, by the UCONN Huskies in 2004.

Maybe the best sports story of 2014 and maybe the most inspirational of 2014, which was completely missed by all sports pundits, is the story of freshman forward Lauren Hill of the Division III Mount St. Josephs. Lauren is dying of inoperable brain cancer. It is a story that will touch your heart. I will write more about this in a separate post as it is my #1 story of 2014 in a year that had so many negative ones.

Lauren Hill

Daily Commentary – Wednesday, January 8, 2014 – What Would YOU Like to Hear on ScaredMonkeys Radio in 2014?

• We want to hear from you! Please leave a comment or email me at Dana@scaredmonkeys.com and let me know what you would like Scared Monkeys Radio to cover.

Daily Commentary – Wednesday, January 8, 2014 Download