Is anyone as bugged as me about Natalee Holloway?

[Rafikifan]

I apologize in advance if this has been talked about but I've been in Disney World - happiest place on earth but sad to watch CNN and here about Natalee from Alabama. Tragic things happen but for some reason this one just STAYS on my mind. I guess because I have a beautiful daughter who is almost 15 and will be a sophmore in h.s. in Aug. and also since I know that 5 of us girls went UNCHAPERONED to Panama City, Fla. for our senior trip in 1983 (yeah, that long ago). We hung out with 15 guys from USL and one time our car broke down when we had gone to dinner and they came and picked us up. Nice guys, and we were pretty responsible girls but looking back...PLEASE! We didn't KNOW those guys. We did always stay together but I can see how this could happen and I want to strangle those boys until they tell what happened that night. They know, everyone knows that they know but they come from money and the 17 year old who was the one the other two say she was "with" is the son of an Aruba judge. They started to get a confession but then high profile attourney steps in and says, "Just shut up. They can only hold you for a few more days because they lack physical evidence. Just be quiet." I'm not usually a bettin' woman but I'll bet that kid is off the island and disappears the minute they let him out. In my heart of hearts I don't think or at least I hope that her death was not intentional. But if they spiked her drink, she died accidentally, they may have panicked. If it WASN'T their fault in some way they would get help. No need to lie if you are innocent. I hope that I'm wrong but every hour and day that passes means they are closer to going free, and Natalee is harder to find. Her family and friends need closure and to know what happened, not guess. I feel a little bad for Aruba since they are so dependent on tourism and they haven't had this kind of problem before but on the other hand, if they don't find out what happened....well, if your child's disappearance went unsolved wouldn't you be tempted to take out a billboard or some advertising saying "There is a killer lose in Aruba. Don't come here." I'm sorry that I'm venting. Y'all may think I'm nuts. I just really got ticked off when I read that one of the security guards that was held mistakenly (gee, wonder how that happened? Can you say coverup for judge's boy?) said that he talked to one of the brothers who was being held, he apologized for "getting them into that mess" and that he and his brother took th judge's son and Natalee and let them off at a beach and they went home. They "didn't think much of it and when heard she was missing figured she'd turn up in a couple days at a beach bar or a crack house." THAT'S the quote. Those obnoxious punks. That's what their attitude is about American girls? They don't need our tourism $$ then. The girl had a 4.0+ gpa and a full scholarship to medical school. Does that sound like a crack head to you? Even if she was, it shows their lack of respect for other human beings. I hope they find the truth.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Whew

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I'm following the story pretty closely and I just can't believe that are THAT many places to look on such a small island. I'm starting to wonder if her body is in the ocean somewhere.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

It's sad and tragic. I think what is scary is that this could happen anywhere to anyone's daughter. Natalee had a bit of freedom, made a naive choice, and ended up dead.

I don't mean to sound cold because it is truly tragic, but women get murdered every day in this country and we don't hear about them every time we turn on the TV because they aren't pretty or they aren't white or they aren't rich. That's not right.

 

[BunsenH]

Rafikifan,

Please tell us where you bought the direct brain to PC interface.


It's a sad story, ripe for judgement by outsiders, and moves towards a tragic ending with every passing hour. I hope for the best.

 

[snoopy]

Having worked for a year in Cancun Mexico I got a taste as to what goes on over spring break. For that reason alone I'd suggest ANY parent contemplating sending their child on such a trip go take one themselves and spend a few days there before allowing it. I haven't followed this case closely, but my heart goes out to this girl and her family.

 

[BunsenH]

...we don't hear about them every time we turn on the TV because they aren't pretty or they aren't white or they aren't rich. That's not right.

After a few days of coverage, I said the same thing to my wife.

 

[tarmand]

There's a site that I've been following. There are some kids from the trip on there as well as some locals from Aruba. For some reason this case is tearing my heart apart. Ever since I became a mom, these things hit so much closer to home. When the little girl in Florida was missing I wanted to cry every time they mentioned it on TV. I can't even talk about that poor four year old boy that died at Disney. Man, I'm a worried mess these days!

http://scaredmonkeys.com/Discussion/index.php?sid=7388bb789127731a1cb3181a5447543d

 

[Laurajean1014]

Just thought of something ironic and mildly pertaining to this subject.

We closed on our DVC a day before I found out I was pregnant. I thought to myself, "Well, now I can send my kid to Disney for Spring Break and if I can't afford the wedding, I can give them a honeymoon."

Well, that's what I'm doing. I'm not saying it couldn't happen in WDW or anywhere, but the likelihood and with my son's knowledge of WDW, it would not be probable.

 

[DawnCt1]

From what I have been hearing, Joran (the Dutch boy) is a piece of work. His leads a privileged life. At 17 he has the fastest car on the island although no one is allowed to drive until they are 18. Same for entering the casinos, yet he is out gambling until 3 in the morning. He is also reported to have "anger management issues". It was easy for him to blame the two black security guys but Natalee's mother knew right away they were not involved and insisted that this Joran and the two others get a second look. He knows what happened, I have no doubt.

 

[Rafikifan]

Rafikifan,

Please tell us where you bought the direct brain to PC interface.


It's a sad story, ripe for judgement by outsiders, and moves towards a tragic ending with every passing hour. I hope for the best.

Now, BunsenH you wouldn't be poking fun at me would you? I mean after all, I was born and raised in Massachusetts so I can't be all bad. This story has just hit a nerve I suppose and who better to vent to than DIS'ers? Anybody that loves Disney is cool to me! And thanks for the tidbits DawnCT. I have this feeling that boy is bad news and thinks he's above the law. I hope that doesn't pan out that way.

 

[4nana]

I have been following this story and cannot imagine what her family is going through. They have my prayers and I think their heartache is just beginning The 3 young men know a lot more than they are telling and no doubt money will keep it all under cover. So very sad.

 

[ChristmasElf]

I also think she may have been dumped in the ocean and may never be found. I also think there is a major cover up going on in an effort to protect the judge's son. Such a shame.
I don't know that I would have let my daughter go unless I was also going to chaperone. What was this girl thinking even getting into a car with 3 guys she hardly even knew???

 

[kimber79]

This has really bothered me too.

A good friend of mine is Dean of Students at a school, and goes to chaperone their senior trip. His school is very small ~ they average about 55 seniors each year. They have 10 chaperone's each year on senior trip ~ usually they go to Florida.

What I keep asking is.........where were the chaperone's on this trip to Aruba?? Why was Natalee and classmates out at 1 a.m.?? All that I have read also make it sound as if they were just to show up at the airport to leave back home too?? Did she not have roommates....and if she did, why did her roommates not alert a chaperone that she did not come in??

"Holloway vanished hours before she was expected at the airport to return home after a vacation with 124 classmates and seven chaperones celebrating their high school graduation in Mountain Brook, Ala. Her U.S. passport and packed bags were found in her room."

None of this makes any sense. Each passing day holds out less hope of them finding Natalee. I just hope and pray that they do find her. I just hope and pray that these boys wisen up and talk. They definately know something, and just need to fess up and tell where she is. Very very sad.......

 

[va32h]

Of course it is terrible that this happened - but the girl shouldn't have been going off alone with three men she barely knew. I'm not trying to say she deserved to be murdered or anything, but she made a very irresponsible choice.

Whether you are in Aruba or Anytown, USA getting into a vehicle with one man you don't know, let along three - is extremely foolish and risky.

Did the parents know there would be so few chaperones? I wouldn't have let my girls go on a trip like this. Why do teenagers need a big vacation just for graduation high school anyway? Senior trips have gotten way out of hand. In my day, the senior trip was an afternoon at Disneyland.

 

[Rafikifan]

I agree with all that you said kimber79. When I heard the number of chaperones and students I was shocked . My dh said, "Well, they just graduated." I'm like "yeah, still kids and think they're grown ups...been there, know that age." From what I read she sounded like a smart young lady. But in this day of date rape drugs or maybe just her reaction if she tried alcohol and wasn't used to it, her judgement may have lapsed. No reason she should end up dead though. I do apologize to those who think I'm taking this way too seriously but I have my reasons. In 1992 some men who were part of a carjacking ring tried to wreck me on the interstate late one night since they didn't see my 2 year old dd slumped over sleeping in her carseat because of the tinted windows in my mom's Lincoln I borrowed to take a friend and her dd back to Texas in since they had come in for my dd's 2nd birthday. I believe in divine intervention since that is who must have taken the wheel that night and gotten us off to safety. The following week, (yes they were eventually caught since I could remember all but one # of their license plate) they actually ran into the back of an elderly man at a stop sign and went upt to his car with a gun and he started to get out, saw the gun and tried to knock the guy down with his door and the guy shot him in the arm and pulled him out of the car and threw him on the ground and stole his car. So, I kind of know what it's like to be a victim of stupid, crazy people, although luckily I got lucky and I'm here to tell about it.

 

[Poohbear123]

Of course it is terrible that this happened - but the girl shouldn't have been going off alone with three men she barely knew. I'm not trying to say she deserved to be murdered or anything, but she made a very irresponsible choice.

Whether you are in Aruba or Anytown, USA getting into a vehicle with one man you don't know, let along three - is extremely foolish and risky.

Did the parents know there would be so few chaperones? I wouldn't have let my girls go on a trip like this. Why do teenagers need a big vacation just for graduation high school anyway? Senior trips have gotten way out of hand. In my day, the senior trip was an afternoon at Disneyland.

I agree with you, I got to go 3.5 hours away, to WDW for MY senior trip!

 

[KrnB]

It's sad and tragic. I think what is scary is that this could happen anywhere to anyone's daughter. Natalee had a bit of freedom, made a naive choice, and ended up dead.

I don't mean to sound cold because it is truly tragic, but women get murdered every day in this country and we don't hear about them every time we turn on the TV because they aren't pretty or they aren't white or they aren't rich. That's not right.

While I often do wonder why some disappearances get coverage and some don't, and I agree that looks and how vocal the parents are often have something to do with it, I think this particular case has a different reason for attacting so much media attention - the circumstances in which she disappeared.

Aruba is known as a pretty safe island, so this kind of serious crime is big news. This will forever change the island's reputation, as people will remember this story.

In addition, the circumstances of a class trip are very familiar to most people. This is a huge news story because it can happen anywhere on any trip to any kid. Teens often feel invincible, even when they know the risks, and parents have to take that into consideration when making a decision to let them go places. It's a story that has gotten attention because viewers can see this being their own child.

Seven chaperones for 124 kids really does seem inadequate, but she probably could have found a way to sneak out even if there were enough.

Such a tragic story...

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I'm following the story pretty closely and I just can't believe that are THAT many places to look on such a small island. I'm starting to wonder if her body is in the ocean somewhere.

I was thinking this today. As the dutch boys mom was on tv saying her boy is a saint and would never hurt her. This is a sad story. I pray for closure for her family and soon.

 

[Michie]

As I stated on another thread about this young lady, Mine went to Cancun for their graduation. We went as well. There was about 40 other kids, with no chaporones. We made it clear to the other parents we were not chaporones. None had a problem with that at all. The kids that were considered "naive" "sheltered" they were the first ones drunk and dancing topless, bottomless you name it.