For the past two years, I have followed the story of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba with more than a passing interest. I have visited the island of Aruba twice. The last time I was there, I was researching my book on the history of the Papiamentu creole language, which is the language of the natives of Aruba (along with the neighboring islands of Curacao and Bonaire.) I have also been acquainted with a few of the Aruban Police, at least one of whom was involved in the investigation, another of whom was the head of narcotics investigations for the island. In addition, during my research trip to Aruba while working on my book, I had occasion to interview Jossy Mansur, the Editor of El Diario Newspaper. Mr Mansur is a very influential figure in Aruba and has been interviewed countless times by Greta van Susteren on her Fox News show regarding the disappearance of Holloway. (No, I don't possess any inside information on the case.)
Sadly, I cannot say that I have been impressed by the quality of the investigation by the Aruban and Dutch police and prosecutors. I should qualify that by adding that while in the Drug Enforcement Administration, I was a drug investigator, but never a homocide investigator. However, it is telling that if the truth has finally come out about how Ms Holloway died, it is through the efforts of an investigative journalist-not the Dutch Police.
My reaction to the recently released videotapes of Joran van der Sloot's conversation with an undercover operative is one of revulsion. At the very best, it shows van der Sloot to be a cold, heartless sociopath. If his words are in fact true, he and another person disposed of the young girl's body without any thought of calling emergency responders-or even making 100% sure she was dead. He referred to her in the tapes as a "bitch" and a "whore", showing no concern for her as a human being. Then, he talked about filing legal action for his prosecution to make a bundle of money.
It is still possible that there was more to the story than what van der Sloot told his "friend" on tape. It is still plausible that he (and the Kalpoe brothers) may have put a "date rape drug" into her drink at the bar where they met (Carlos and Charlies). That aspect of van der Sloot has been whispered about during the investigation. If that is the case, and Natalee did, in fact, succumb to some sort of seizure on the beach, then murder is still a possible charge. In addition, can we discount the possibility that Holloway was the victim of some sort of violence that caused her death? Those possible scenarios may explain why he didn't call for emergency help. Unfortunately, we will almost certainly never have a body to provide that sort of forensic evidence.
I can only hope that, whatever the truth is, van der Sloot and whoever else was involved meet some form of justice. Of course, under Dutch law, it won't be much. The whole Dutch system is so liberal that one wonders what they consider a serious crime. The sad fact is that Natalee Holloway probably made a youthful mistake that put her in the path of a sociopathetic young man-or men who cared only for his/their own gratification. The result was that an 18 year old girl lost her life, and her family will probably never know any real peace.
Joran van der Sloot should be grateful that Natalie Holloway was not my daughter.
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