Natalee Holloway (born 1986) disappeared on May 30, 2005, during a high school graduation trip to Aruba. The disappearance caused a media sensation in the United States. She was last seen by her classmates outside Carlos'n Charlie's, a Caribbean chain restaurant and nightclub in Oranjestad, with locals Joran van der Sloot and brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. When questioned, the three men denied knowing what became of Holloway. Upon further investigation by authorities, Van der Sloot was arrested twice on suspicion of involvement in her disappearance, and the Kalpoes were each arrested three times. Due to lack of evidence, the three men were released without charge after each arrest. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, Aruban investigators conducted an extensive search for Holloway. The searches were unsuccessful, and according to Aruban authorities she is most likely dead. On December 18, 2007, Aruban prosecutors announced that the case would be closed without any charges sought against the former suspects. The Aruban prosecutor's office reopened the case on February 1, 2008, after receiving video footage of Joran van der Sloot, under the influence of marijuana, making statements that Holloway died on the morning of May 30, 2005, and that her body was disposed of. Van der Sloot has since denied that what he said was true. Holloway's family has criticized Aruban investigators throughout the search for a perceived lack of progress in finding her. (more...)
