New Arrest in Natalee Holloway Case

Dutch police have arrested in Holland a suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway who apparently left the island of Aruba and returned to his home country just before he was scheduled to take final exams to graduate from high school, Fox News is reporting.

An Aruban newspaper reported that the unnamed suspect was an acquaintance of Joran van der Sloot and was seen with Natalee during her visit to the island with other members of her senior class. He was reportedly seen with injuries on him the day after the Alabama teen disappeared.

Sources report that the suspect was an employee in the casino in the hotel where the Alabama group stayed in Aruba.

Netherlands national broadcast NOS reported that the suspect was arrested in the city of Utrecht and was of Aruban nationality.

Gerard Sponge, one of the leading defense attorneys in The Netherlands, said that his client, who he did not name, was arrested for suspicion in the kidnapping and murder of Natalee. He said the suspect was arrested Wednesday and has been undergoing questioning since.

Sponge said he plans to file a motion Monday to prevent his client from being returned to Aruba.

Tito Lacle, an investigator for another Aruban newspaper, said the suspect was on a long list of suspects being investigated in the case. Lacle said the teen was scheduled to take final exams this week, but asked his parents to send him back to Holland to avoid being arrested.

Lacle also told Fox News that the lead prosecutor in the case wants to proceed with a case against the suspect, but investigators told him they do not believe they have an air-tight case.

Natalee Holloway has been missing in Aruba for almost a year. She failed to show up for her return flight to Alabama on May 30, 2005.

See Also:
Report: New Arrest in Holloway Case
Aruba Prosecutor: Hundreds Questioned in Natalee Holloway Case
New York Judge to Rule on Van der Sloot Lawsuit
Natalee's Family Sues Van Der Sloots
Natalee Holloway's Family Hires Attorney, Search Team
Natalee Holloway: Missing in Aruba

Buy the Book:
Aruba: The Tragic Untold Story of Natalee Holloway and Corruption in Paradise

Forum:
Discuss This Case
Poll: Will We Ever Know What Happened to Natalee Holloway?