I'm still here in Aruba and I must say that the local news last night was very, very interesting.
There was an American couple claiming that they were hired by Beth (Twitty) Halloway a couple of weeks after Natalee disappeared. They made some startling claims. I was hoping to find something to back up my memory so that I could give you the "facts" as they gave them, but I can't find anything ANYWHERE online. I can't even find the news footage on YouTube, go figure.
I'm at a complete loss as to why this hasn't been plastered ALL OVER the US news. I can't even find a slight mention of it anywhere. The MSM has historically acted like vultures when information breaks in this case. I find it almost criminal for them NOT to report on this. Especially if it proves to be true. They have no problem destroying the reputation of a 17 year old boy, but don't report on the family secrets. Something isn't right here.
Forgive me if I don't get ALL the "facts" 100% as reported. I am strictly going by memory.
This couple claims:
-Natalee's mother arrived on Aruba earlier in the evening of her disappearance. No, not after she disappeared...but the day OF her disappearance. They claimed that immigration had her arriving at something like 8pm that evening. A record that should easily be validated.
-Natalee was sexually abused by her stepfather and was actually running away.
-The Van der Sloot family did take her in and were helping her run away.
-They showed the first flyer to hit the island. Well before the "kidnapped" flyer that we all saw in the US. It shows that the mother was reaching out to beg her daughter to call her. It never used the words "kidnapped" or "murdered".
-They claim that Natalie did die of a drug overdose about 2 weeks after her initial disappearance.
(UPDATE: They also claim that she was pregnant...by her step father!)
The reporter looked completely taken aback by what the couple was saying...as if she didn't really know all the details before interviewing them live. They later had the Minister of Justice call in to say that they would be further investigating these claims in the morning.
I wish I had the name of this couple. They said that their motivation for coming forward NOW stemmed from Beth (Twitty) Holloway going on Oprah yesterday. Also that the book that she wrote was full of lies and they couldn't let her get away with it.
What's creepy is that the only clip I saw of the Oprah show was one where she admits that she has dated John Ramsey...Jon Benet Ramsey's father. Guess they have a lot in common.
This couple on the Aruban news claims to have recordings of all of their conversations with the parents and any other people that they interviewed. They named a few people within the investigation who supposedly know more than they have let on.
I'm not sure what to believe at this point. They sounded very credible. We'll see if they have the proof to back up their claims...they swear that they do.
Again, I'm (almost) equally bothered that the US media hasn't picked up on this. What gives?
(note: If you click on the little "digg" icon above, you can help spread the word...and then maybe the US media will have to cover what could be "the truth" about her disappearance/death)
THE Mommy
Reader Comments (9)
They also pointed fingers towards American expat living on Aruba Julia Renfrew, of whom they say has played both sides and knows what happened to Nat. They claim Julia knows the truth and her conscious is bothering her since she knows when Nat died and had been in contact with the girl, while the mom had not seen her daughter anymore since Nat left the States.
Do people have nothing better to do with their time than to make up false stories about a mother who has lost her child? This is all a pathetic attempt by Aruba to save what is left of their economy since Americans aren't taking/sending their kids down there and have gone to other islands for vacations.
[The Mommy]
Mishy-
With all due respect, if you don't want me to respond to you, don't read my blog and by all means, don't leave a comment here.
That being said, I couldn't disagree more with you. For starters, I really don't see that Aruba's economy needs "saving". They have a thriving and growing population. Tourism doesn't appear to be hurting either. IF Americans are staying away...they are certainly making up for it with visitors from other countries.
As for making up false stories about a mother who has lost a child. I can't let this one go. This is about finding out the truth. Everyone involved deserves the right to the truth, no matter how ugly it turns out to be.
We've been bombarded in the US by reports on this investigation from day one. These people seemed very credible and claimed to have a paper and voice trail to support their accusations. They seem to have more evidence than ever given before. My point is that it's only fair that the MSM carry this newest information as well.
Think for a second what it will mean IF it is true. Beth Holloway was on Oprah, for the love of God. She is going to financially profit from sales of her book. Dr. Phil called for a ban of travel to Aruba at one point. I've read so many hateful statements from Americans about the Aruban people.
This all needs to end and the truth needs to come out. Even if it sheds a grieving mother in a bad light.
I agree wholeheartedly that the truth needs to come out. But I do not believe the statements you heard on the radio for one second. If they are true, yes they should come out, but with all the lies and misinformation in this case perpetuated by the suspects and the VDS family, we don't need the waters muddied at this point. Investigate the claims, and if they can be proven, then let the truth be known. However, I haven't seen any truths coming out of the 3 boys who were last seen with the missing girl. We have seen multiple statements with multiple stories, and that's about it. It can be easily proven when Natalee's mother arrived in Aruba. Also, if the VDS family had taken Natalee in and were trying to help her, why haven't they told the "truth?" These are the things that leave me rolling my eyes, with all due respect to you, Mommy.
Even if the boys would been guilty no one in US have the right to talk dirt about Aruba. It's all crap you guys live in a country where people are murdered and missing every minute. Just look at the local news and police stations. So by 1 incident in which there is no proof and no conviction you want to jugde a whole island of nice people? Get a grip!!!
Who is judging whom? What about the people who blame the victim?
Right on Richenel! Mishy, you're making some pretty serious generalizations. Do you have the facts to back them up?
While I agree that this is a tragic story, I fail to see what this has to do with the Aruban people as whole. The people coming forward here are Americans. So far, most of the people involved in the case are American, Dutch, and Suriname; with one Aruban - the taxi driver.
There are good and bad people everywhere.
By the way, who killed Kennedy?
I am referring to the people who run that island, the prime minister, the hotel and tourist association, AHATA, etc. Not the Aruban people.
Mishy, YOU NEED TO GET A GRIP! I am not agreeing or disagreeing with what the 2 in Aruba are saying...they have not produced anything to anyone that they are credible and have evidence. THE US is a MUCH larger place than ARUBA! With a higher population, therefore it is not surprising that there is a seemingly larger crime rate...however there isn't. IN addition, my friend, there are a LOT of deaths that happen in Aruba that are not reported. Get your facts straight....
Watch 20/20 (ABC) on Monday Eve, it might be a whole new ball game. Mommy, I am a grandmother and one thing I've learned over the years is you can't believe everything you hear. The media has a tendency to lead the masses whatever direction causes the most sensationalism. I'm guessing, like in most cases, we'll probably never know the whole truth, but, maybe enough will come out to ease the suffereing of Natalie's Mother.