Sunday, June 05, 2005

Disturbing Developments in Natalee Holloway Disappearance

Update: Arrests made in case.

With the Natalee Holloway investigation focusing on three men, one the son of a judge and all said to be popular on the small island, authorities are speaking with an ominous tone of mystery regarding the Alabama senior and honor student's disappearance.

An additional ten FBI agents are on in Aruba, bringing the total to thirteen. The additional resources were apparently requested as a result of some unknown circumstances in the case.

U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills, said Saturday there were circumstances surrounding Holloway's disappearance that warranted the FBI being heavily involved. He declined to give details.

"The circumstances were disturbing," said Bachus, who formally requested the FBI's involvement. "I can't get into it, but it's something the family is aware of. There was an immediate recognition that this was not simply a teen who wandered off."

Authorities are also hinting at a quick resolution of the case, but offering few details.

"I want everybody to hold their breaths for the next 24 hours," Dompig said Saturday. "There will be developments after this weekend."

In what could be a tragic irony, in the Mountain Brook yearbook, Holloway's senior quote came from the old Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Freebird." It says:

"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me? For I must be traveling on now, there's too many places I haven't seen."

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Bloody Mattress Discovered In Natalee Holloway Search

Update: It has since been reported that the mattress is not linked to Natalee Holloway.

Along with detaining two suspects, security guards at the Allegra Hotel, which is near where Holloway was staying, police have now reported discovering a bloody mattress on a beach in Eastern Aruba. The mattress has been sent to police headquarters for testing.

The mattress was found in thick brush at Grapefield beach in eastern Aruba, prompting authorities to focus their search for the blonde teen in the area, the Dutch Caribbean island's deputy police chief Gerold Dompig told The Associated Press.

In last reports, the Aruban police are being assisted by at least thirteen members of the FBI.