Natalee Holloway's Family Clings to Hope

The family of Natalee Holloway was bravely clinging to faith that the attractive honor student might still be found alive, after an emotional rollercoaster weekend marked by a onslaught of conflicting press reports from Aruba that repeatedly dashed then lifted their hopes, but left everyone involved frustrated.

Although there seemed to be indications that a break in the case of the missing teen may come soon, authorities in Aruba ceased all communications Sunday after a weekend of conflicting statements by officials that made the justice system officals in the tiny country seem like the Keystone Cops, if not outright liars.

Breaking News Nightmare

Here is a timeline of the incredible events of the weekend:

-- Late Friday the Associated Press reported that one of the three men detained by officials on Thursday, who claimed to have dropped Natalee off at the Holiday Inn after taking her to the beach, had confessed to killing the teenager and was taking officials to the location of her body.

-- Almost immediately, the Associated Press changed their report to say one of the men said "something bad happened" to Natalee, not that she had been murdered. The report quoted Deputy Police Commissioner Gerold Dompig.

-- Before sunrise Saturday, Justice Minister Rudy Croes told Fox News that the report that one of the men had confessed was a "lie" and emphatically denied that anyone had confessed in the case.

-- CNN, however, said their reporters had confirmed the original report that one of the men had confessed and the cable news network continue to report throughout the day that Natalee's step-father was with investigators looking for her body.

-- In the meantime, at 6 a.m. Saturday, it was reported that a sixth man -- besides the two security guards detained June 5 and the three students detained Thursday -- had been arrested in connection with the case. Later in the day, it was revealed that this arrest had nothing to do with the Holloway case.

More Conflicting Reports

-- Twice during the afternoon Saturday, Justice Minister Croes told Fox News reporters that one of the students arrested was in fact talking and the discovery of Natalee's would come soon.

-- Saturday afternoon, Natalee's family members said they had not been informed of their daughter's body being found or told that there was even a search for her body.

-- Late Saturday afternoon, a judge ruled there was enough reason to continue holding the three students -- Satish Kalpoe, 18, and his brother, Deepak, 21, and Joran Andreas Petrus Van Der Sloot, 17.

-- It was reported Saturday that one of the security guards detained in the investigation would be released Sunday.

Misinformation Campaign

-- By 10 p.m. Saturday night, Croes denied, to the same reporter he told the story to earlier, that he ever confirmed the confession of one of the suspects, and said that he was the victim of a "misinformation campaign." Croes and other Aruban officials told reporters the investigation was at a "critical stage" and they expected a break Sunday.

-- Also Saturday night, Croes told Fox News that blood had been found in the car of one of the three students and the blood was being sent to the United States for further testing.

-- At noon Sunday, Aruba's Prime Minister asked for everyone to remain calm and said authorities were doing everything in their power to solve the case. He said he expected a resolution soon.

-- Sunday afternoon, Natalee's mother, Beth Twitty, said she believed that the three students knew exactly what happened to her daughter, and said the two former hotel security guards were not involved and should be released.

Substance in Car Not Blood

-- Attorney General Caren Janssen said there was still "reasonable suspicion" against the security guards, who have been held since June 5, and they would not be released. She said they were still "in the middle of an investigation."

-- Sunday afternoon, it was reported that the blood found in one of the student's car was not blood at all -- animal or human.

-- Sunday night, it was reported that Aruban police officials and Natalee's family had been asked by the Justice Ministry to stop talking to the press and give authorities time to complete their investigation, which they believed would happen soon.

As Monday morning dawned, as far as official reports from Aruba are concerned, the press and Natalee's family were back to square one -- no confession, no search for her body, no suspects released, no suspects officially charged, no real evidence that a crime has been committed, and no clue whatsoever as to the location of the pretty Alabama high school graduate who vanished May 30.

See Also:
Mom of Teen Missing in Aruba Says 3 Men 'Know What Happened'
Suspects Remain in Jail
Arubans Pray With Family of Missing Teen

Background:
Confusion Reigns in Natalee Holloway Case
Three More Arrested in Natalee Holloway Case
Security Guards Detained in Natalee Holloway Case
Alabama Teen Disappears on Senior Aruba Trip

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