Two Men Arrested In Connection With Girl’s Disappearance in Aruba

Natalee Holloway was visiting the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba on a five-day excursion with 124 seniors and several chaperones when she vanished without a trace last week. The 18-year old girl, who was traveling with a group of classmates from Mountain Brook High School, near Birmingham, was last seen on May 30. When she did not show up for the group’s return flight to the United States, police found her passport in her hotel room with her packed bags. Holloway, an honor roll student, was active in many clubs and social organizations at school, including the Spanish Honor Society and the dance club. She is planning to attend the University of Alabama on an academic scholarship this fall. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her rescue.

At a press conference in Oranjestad Sunday, Aruba Attorney General Carin Jansen told reporters that two men, ages 28 and 30, were arrested Sunday morning at their homes in the southeastern community of San Nicolas. Jansen did not provide specific charges, but said that the men are considered to be "solid leads" in the case, and they will go before a judge within 48 hours. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that others people were also involved. Three other men were questioned and released previously, but it is not known if they have any connection to the two men arrested Sunday. Neighbors of the two men said that they work as security guards for the Allegra Hotel, which is closed for renovations and is located near the hotel where Holloway and her classmates were staying.

Jansen said the arrest of the two men was related to the case due to unspecified tips that led to a search of the Allegra Hotel. Although he added that "the charges have a relationship with the disappearance" of Holloway, he would not elaborate on what that means. Authorities have not confiscated clothing or other items that would directly link the two men to Holloway, but they have seized other "items of interest to the case." Police have requested a special diving team from the FBI, but the police chief added, "We hope she’s alive." At a prayer vigil held Sunday night, at least 70 people sang a hymn and prayed for the teen’s safe return. An American minister who now lives in Aruba gave a brief sermon and spoke to reporters, saying that the search for Holloway is a trying time for the world as a whole.