Carla Caccavale, June 6, 2005

Natalee Holloway called "perfect"

Miss Perfect

It would seem though that the image the family and her friends were trying to portray was one of "perfection." Did they think this perfect image was necessary in order to maintain a media interest in the case? Did they think that only a perfect, honor student, non-drinking, non partying young lady would be the only one that people would care enough about to look for? Here is an example of how Natalee would be shown to the world. One of the first printed articles about the missing teen. June 6, 2005.

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"Out of character"

for Natalee Holloway to go anywhere alone

 


June 6, 2005
 
(CBS) It would have been "absolutely and totally out of character" for Natalee Holloway to go anywhere alone with men she didn't know, according to a family spokesperson.
 
Carla Caccavale spoke to The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm Monday about reports that Holloway went to an Aruba beach with three men who claim they later returned the Alabama teen safely to her hotel.
 
Holloway, 18, was on a high school graduation trip to the island when she disappeared a week ago. Two suspects have been detained in connection with the case.
 
Caccavale says Holloway is "a straight-A student. She's very proud of her 4.0 [cumulative college grades average]. She received a full academic scholarship to college. And just the outpouring of support in her hometown [Birmingham] kind of shows you what type of person she is. Extremely loved. She used to baby-sit for children with special needs. In a nutshell, she's Miss Perfect.
 
"Support from the people in Birmingham is part of the reason why the family is remaining so strong," Caccavale continued. "The vigils, the prayers, everything is just an extra line of support for them. And it means the world to them."
 
Caccavale added that Aruba residents are "absolutely devastated. The island has never experienced something like this. And they are doing all they can to help the family.
 
"I mean, they are donating ATVs, they're coming out to search, they're handing out fliers. Last night, a prayer vigil that we attended was organized by someone here on island just to show Natalee's family how dedicated they are to helping bring Natalee home safe and just to reinforce that they are praying day and night for her safe return."

How much was Natalee herself drinking that night?

Reports immediately surfaced that it was not clear if Holloway had been drinking the night of her disappearance, though her relatives insisted that she does not party much, is achievement-oriented and a straight-A student. Her uncle Paul Reynolds, declared "Holloway attends church regularly and would not ever run away."

Ruth McVay, one of her closest friends says this about Natalee on Fox news. "Sure, the vivacious blond had an infectious smile and an outgoing personality. You're attracted to her. You want to be friends with her. But she had smarts and maturity and she knew better." The latter was said in regards to Natalee getting into a car with 3 male strangers. McVay continues, "Natalee would never take off with people we didn't know. She was my most responsible friend ever."

Natalee, the responsible friend

 

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Images and words that filled the media

The perfect picture of the perfect young lady. Even though she was in an establishment known for some very strong drinking, most reports would indicate Natalee was probably not participating in that!

Here is a class photo of Natalee. She was 18 years old when she went missing from Mt Brook, Alabama on May 30, 2005. Natalee was part of a group that encompassed 100 of her fellow classmates.It is believed the night she disappeared Natalee had been to a concert then continued to enjoy herself by eating and drinking on the island. Early in the investigation it was not really clear if Natalee had been drinking or if she had been drinking, how much. But initially her family and friends would insists that Natalee was not a party girl. They would focus on her being an achievement oriented young lady with a full ride scholarship.