Holloway Family Takes Action

The Holloway family has run out of patience. Rather than sit idly by while the Aruban authorities bungle their way through the investigation of Natalee Holloway's disappearance, the family is taking immediate action.

From FOX:

ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The family of Natalee Holloway moved to take matters in their own hands Monday, preparing a lawsuit to demand evidence in the case and hiring a Texas company to search for the 18-year-old, who vanished three weeks ago in Aruba.

Also Monday, a judge ruled there was enough evidence to keep the fourth person detained in the case in custody. The court ordered that Steve Gregory Croes, 26, a disc jockey on a party vote, be held for eight days, said the attorney general's spokeswoman Mariaine Croes, who is not related to the detainee.

The missing girl's uncle, Paul Reynolds, told Court TV Monday that the family has contracted the Dickinson-based Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery Team to carry out a search of the island.

"They are going to help us search for Natalee in ways we couldn't before," Reynolds said without offering details.

Texas EquuSearch, made up of volunteers, said on its Web site that a team is traveling to Aruba this week.

The missing honor student's mother, Beth Holloway Twitty, told The Associated Press on Monday that the family has contracted an Aruban lawyer and was preparing a lawsuit demanding access to all information and potential evidence that police and prosecutors have gathered.

"I want to see the police record from May 30th," said Holloway, who has insisted the three young men hold the key to the investigation and that authorities should press them harder to tell the truth.

Croes, the attorney general's spokeswoman, said a judge would not rule on such a suit until any suspects were indicted.
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The Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery Team was started in August, 2000 with the purpose to provide Volunteer Horse Mounted Search and Recovery for Lost and Missing persons. The Team was started in the North Galveston County area because of the high incidence of missing persons in the largely undeveloped area of South Harris and North Galveston Counties. With this in mind, the team's existence and purpose are dedicated to the memory of Laura Miller, a young woman abducted and murdered in North Galveston County in 1984. Laura was the daughter of our director,Tim Miller. Our team is composed of volunteers of various experiences, but most are experienced horse owners.

...We currently have approximately 250 + members and are growing rapidly. We are currently available to conduct searches state wide. We are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which is funded solely by donations from team members and the surrounding communities.

...Our resources range from horse and rider teams to foot searchers, water (divers, boats) air (planes, helicopters), dog teams (air scent, cadaver and tracking) and 4x4's. We have also utilized infared cameras in some of our searches.

Natalee's Flyer
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The Holloway family's agony has been compounded by the complete incompetence of the Aruban officials. Hopefully, Texas EquuSearch can help.

According to Mariaine Croes, the attorney general's spokeswoman, a judge wouldn't rule on the family's suit to obtain access to evidence until suspects are indicted. The way things have gone so far, that could be a long wait.

I wonder if residents of Aruba had any idea how ineffectual their legal system is. This has to have an impact on the island's tourism industry.

Although the crime rate is low, I can't imagine why anyone would plan a trip there, knowing that should something awful happen, Aruba is incapable of dealing with such situations in a timely, effective, and professional manner. The incident itself is not hurting Aruba as much as the way it's being handled.

I'm sure the Holloway family's nightmare won't be forgotten anytime soon by potential tourists.

Praying for Natalee's safety, as well as strength and comfort for her family during this ordeal.