Natalee Ann Holloway (born October 21, 1986) disappeared on May 30, 2005 during a high school graduation trip in Aruba. An American student born in Clinton, Mississippi and most recently from Mountain Brook, Alabama, Holloway had graduated from Mountain Brook High School on May 24, just before the trip to Aruba. The disappearance generated a media sensation in the United States, Aruba, and the Netherlands.
Holloway failed to show up at the airport for her return flight, and her packed bags were found in her room. Holloway was last known to have been seen outside of Carlos'n Charlie's, a Oranjestad nightclub, with locals Joran van der Sloot and brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, but the three men denied knowing what became of her. Van der Sloot was arrested twice on suspicion of involvement in her disappearance and the Kalpoes were arrested three times each, but each was released each time due to lack of evidence.
Aruban investigators conducted an extensive search of the island for Holloway, with the help of thousands of volunteers. FBI agents also participated in the search, as did fifty Dutch soldiers and specially equipped Dutch F-16s. Divers examined the ocean floor. The searches were without result, and Holloway remains officially missing to this day, although according to Aruban authorities she is most likely dead.
Throughout the search, Aruban investigators were criticized by Holloway's family for a perceived lack of progress. Holloway's family even called for a boycott of Aruba, which gained the support of Alabama Governor Bob Riley, but which failed to gain national backing. In addition to criticism of the investigation, many accused media outlets of using the story to boost ratings, and have pointed to the coverage as an example of missing white woman syndrome.
On December 18, 2007, Aruban prosecutors announced that the case would be closed without any charges brought against any of the then-suspects, whose status as such was thus ended under Aruban law.
According to a February 1, 2008, statement by the prosecutor's office, the case has been reopened.
