Natalee Holloway Tribute

Natalee Ann Holloway , an American student from Mountain Brook, Alabama, disappeared on May 30, 2005 during a high school graduation trip in Aruba. The disappearance generated a media sensation in the United States and Aruba and sparked considerable interest in the Netherlands. Recently thanks to the effort of dutch Detective Peter R. de Vries more information has brought this case to light giving closure to friends, family and supporters world wide.

Holloway's disappearance was first discovered by her classmates, who were in Aruba celebrating their graduation from Mountain Brook High School, when she did not arrive at the airport for her return flight. Holloway was last known to have been seen outside of Carlos'n Charlie's, a local restaurant, with Joran van der Sloot and brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, but the three men denied knowing what happened to her, stating that they had dropped Holloway off at a Holiday Inn where she was staying. Van der Sloot was arrested twice on suspicion of involvement in her disappearance and the Kalpoes were also arrested three times each, and each was released each time due to lack of evidence.

Aruban investigators conducted an extensive search of the island for Holloway, with the help of thousands of volunteers. FBI agents also participated in the search, as did fifty Dutch soldiers and specially equipped Dutch F-16s. The searches were without result, and Holloway remains officially missing to this day, although according to Aruban authorities she is most likely dead.

Throughout the search, Aruban investigators were criticized by Holloway's family for a perceived lack of progress. Holloway's family even called for a boycott of Aruba, which gained the support of Alabama Governor Bob Riley, but which failed to gain national backing. In addition to criticism of the investigation, many accused media outlets of using the story to boost ratings, and have pointed to the coverage as an example of missing white woman syndrome.

On December 18, 2007, Aruban prosecutors announced that the case would be closed without any charges brought against any of the then-suspects, whose status as such was thus ended under Aruban law. The case can only be reopened if substantial evidence comes to light.

Taken from Wikipedia entry "Natalee Holloway"