The Case of Natalee Holloway is Reopened in Aruba

It has been twenty-three months since Natalee Holloway's tragic disappearance from the island of Aruba. The main suspects, a Dutch man, his father, and his two Surinam-born friends, were set free after authorities failed to gather enough evidence against them. Yesterday, Dutch officials returned to the home of Paulus van der Sloot, the father of Joran, and began searching again. After almost two years, is there any evidence left to find? Is this Aruba's way of trying to redeem their fallen tourism industry?

Dutch officials concluded a report last month outlining issues that sparked yesterday's actions. They stated that certain facts warranted "further criminal investigation." Warrants were issued against the van der Sloot property, which gave police the authority to search both inside and outside of the home. They would not comment as to what type of evidence they were seeking.

When Natalee disappeared, Aruban police searched the residence of Joran van der Sloot, which was located on the van der Sloot property but not part of the main house. There are accusations that the original warrants were changed at the scene because the father pulled some strings. They fueled speculation that the van der Sloots had something to hide.

Joran van der Sloot was the last person to see Natalee alive. He has been attending college in the Netherlands and was recently the subject of an article in a Dutch paper. There are rumors that he has written a book about the fateful night that Natalee vanished. In it, he repeats a statement he made almost two years ago - that Natalee wanted to "go see the sharks." Some speculate that he may be giving a clue about what happened. Others think it simply a fact that he vividly remembers from that night.

The senior van der Sloot was a magistrate in the Aruban court system at the time and was suspected of helping his son cover-up the truth about what happened to Natalee. After the van der Sloots were released, the father sued the Aruban government for "unjust detention" and won. The decision was overturned earlier this year. He became a private attorney on the island shortly after the publicity from the Holloway case ended.

Aruba is part of Kingdom of the Netherlands and is subject to Dutch law. If a case does not move into court within two years, a person no longer is considered a suspect. Dutch authorities have a month to find new evidence, make an arrest, and prepare a case. If they cannot, the statue of limitations will run out.

A parent's worst nightmare is to lose a child. No doubt, the last 23 months have been agonizing for Natalee's family. They continue to hope for closure. Whether they get it from the Aruban government remains to be seen. One thing is certain - our prayers are with them.