Well it just put chills down my spine last night watching how this story has evolved. To see this kid act so smug admitting everything and then trying to deny the strory after. I hope this is pursued legally and he is locked up forever the cold hearted sociopath. I feel happy that the family now knows what happened. We go to Aruba everyyear since the girls were babies and always felt safe but as I sat and watched with my 3 girls I used this as a lesson of how not to put yourself in such a vulnerable situation. My heart just is torn for the family and all they have endured in the past couple of years. His own parents must be mortified as well. I also think there is more that they did to her or why was it so important to throw her in the ocean.

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Without Health you have no Wealth!

I didn't see it - was it on Gretta?

20/20 aired the story last night.......

It was very disturbing....From what I heard they are saying there aren't a lot of angles to pursue legally, since he admits to dumping her body, but not to killing her! But I'm thinking if she had a seizure, which can happen if drinking a lot and first time drug use, she could have appeared dead to them, and they could have dumped her in the water while still alive (wouldn't that be manslaughter, or something?) But there is no way to prove anything without the body.

I hope that the family my find some peace now, these past few years have had to be more difficult than any of use could imagine, especially with the roller coaster ride they took everytime the guys were arrested and let go.

I have also been personally disappointed with her friends, who admitted she had been drinking heavily, I mean the left her in a bar with a stranger.....

If you haven't seen it, watch it, to it's amazing how cool calm and matter of fact he is during the conversation, not one show of emotion.

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"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

Is there an online link?

ABC News: Watch '20/20' Friday Nights at 10 p.m.


There is a link for the video off this page......

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"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

This has been a case I have followed since I was a school teacher ( who would NEVER take kids on a trip out of the country) and I have been in Aruba many times.

I hope they nail this sleeze-oid kid. To think back on the arrogance he displayed in dealing with her family----smirking when he described her underpants and smirking at her mother---makes me ill. I would think that she may have been alive and passed out when they threw her in the ocean. At least they know she is dead...better than wondering if she was kidnapped and put in a brothal. So sad.

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Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.

E. Roosevelt

If you believe him when he says that he had a friend dump the body, then I think you have to at least consider believing him when he says he didn't do anything to cause her death. If that's true, it seems pretty limited on what could be done to him.

I'm not really convinced he's telling the truth on any of it.

Anyway you look at it, he's a pig. He was obviously the last one with her that night. I tend to believe his gloating to his "friend". I feel he does know what happened to her. He didn't even seem to care that she might have still been alive. Disgusting. And there's probably a good chance she was. Unless of course HE drugged her and therefor didn't want to call for help like a normal person would do. If you don't have anything to hide why wouldn't you call for help???? I too hope they get him because he has no compassion or empathy which is frightening.

He may be a pig, but I don't think there's any "obviously" about any of this.

He says that he made up that story that the friend taped-so he admits he's a liar. The only question I see is, Was he lying then or is he lying now?

I agree that he's heartless, but didn't he say he used a payphone and that the coast guard or some agency checked that payphone and there is no record of a call placed on it during the time frame? It would be an interesting lead.

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I can't stand this snotty kid...obviously a product of his environment. Rich, spoiled little brat who has never had to stand accountable for anything...Mommy and Daddy have always taken care of things for him. This is just my theory...I think that she had too much to drink and she went off with him and his friends...I think that they may have given (or slipped?) her some drugs...When she passed out, they panicked...I think that this guy may have had help from his father...I think that he may have helped his kid dispose of her body at sea...I agree with what one of the above posters said...It's too bad that her friends didn't insist that she stay with them and not go off alone with these guys...It was just trouble waiting to happen...We have all been young and have done stupid things...I look back at some of the things my best friend and I did and thank God that we didn't end up in some situation like this... ~Lisa

He did admit he was on the beach with her so I think he was the last one with her. I didn't think there was much doubt in that.

I read the book written by Beth (Natalee's mother) about the entire ordeal. It was horrible the way the Aruba police and police chief treated her and the family. And some of the things that Beth wrote in the book about what happens in Arubu makes me never ever want to go there.

As for the scumbag, I think he did more to Natalee than he even confessed to on the tape. But now that it's been almost three years, her body will never be found now. Hopefully it will give Beth some peace. In the book, she has moved out of the home, divorced her second husband (the one she was married to at the time of Natalee's disappearance) and is now living with her son, Matt.

I watched the 20/20 interview last night. Joran seemed very sure of himself telling the details. Thought he was talking to a friend. I think the way he described things last night really sealed his guilt. I noticed, though, he made a point to tell the 'friend' that his parents had no involvement at all. I'm not sure I believe that, though. And I know he said he made a call on the pay phone, but his cell phone records showed, too, that he made several calls on his cell phone that night, too. Wonder if the 'authorities' have checked out the canals to see if they can find those shoes he said he tossed into one of them on his 'walk' back to his house where he actually slept that night (his words). Obviously, her death didn't bother him at all.

I don't blame Natalee's friends, though, because she left with Joran while her friends were begging her not to get in the car with the guys. The friends kept telling her to come back to the hotel with them but Natalee kept saying she wanted to see the beach and lighthouse and the sharks.

I have a feeling that his father is indeed involved in the disposing of her body. I had a feeling way back when it happened and I still feel strongly that his dad had the money, connections and also knew not to panic and took the matter into his hands to make sure the little spoiled brat didn't pay for the crimes he commited! I would be so ashamed to be his mother. From the very beginning the Aruban police messed up the investigation, and I don't think that Joran will ever serve jail time for his awful crime...how sad.

He admitted he was on the beach with her, but that's not the same as necessarily having been the last one to see her. Isn't that really the crux of the question -- that we don't know who was last with her and who did what?

I think nearly everyone involved could have taken steps to avoid Natalee's death.

You must be a defense attorney!!! lol

Here's what I think happened:

Natalee was drunk and probably using cocaine. Joran arranged with the bartender to spike her drink and drug her or did it himself. The guys took her out to the beach and Joran (or all three) raped her. Combined with the alcohol and (probably) cocaine that Natalee willing took, the drug that Joran gave her, and the stress of the rape, caused Natalee to OD. Joran calls Dad or a friend and they disposed of the body or unconscious Natalee. After that, Dad took charge and advised Joran on how to get away with the death he caused.

All witnesses agree that Natalee was behaving very oddly at the bar. They said that she appeared heavily drugged and disoriented, more than the effects of cocaine and alcohol. (Natalee seems to have had poor friends. If they believed that, they should have helped her right then). Still, if Joran drugged her (and I think he did), then he killed her. It would have been his drug that pushed her over the limit and caused her to have the seizures and die.

I think Joran is a sociopath. Not surprising with parents like his but he has a history of abusing women and Dad always comes rushing to clean up the mess. Anybody who saw Joran's website before they dismantled it would agree that Joran dislikes women intensely and enjoys inflicting pain on them.

There's no reason to assume that Joran must be telling the whole truth now. It's much more likely that he's telling half truths and leaving out that he had Natalee's drink spiked. Admitting to poisoning her drink would be an admission of murder and he's not going to confess. He didn't mention his father's help either and I believe that Pop was definitely involved and knows exactly what happened.

I think Joran is a liar and a true sociopath and you can't be sure that he's ever telling the whole truth. For all I know, Natalee didn't have a seizure at all and he strangled her after the rape so she wouldn't tell what he and (possibly) his friends had done to her. He could have thrown her to the sharks all by himself. However it happened, I think Joran killed her and has been lying ever since. Natalee made a grave mistake in judgement in taking up with this pervert.

I think the whole situation is tragic.

On a side note, I saw Natalee's Mom on some show a few weeks or months ago...she is/was dating John Ramsey. Also, looks like she got a nose job. Nothing pertinent to the case, just wanted to throw that in there.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Well, I have always believed that Dad (not sure about Mom) were involved in this after the fact. Believe it still. Also, with his sitting there bragging that he was going to get a lot of money from the government for the "mishandling" of the case and that they "ruined his reputation" and that his parents were bragging about the big paycheck he would get out of that.....kiss that goodbye slimeball. He denies everything again and said he was lying to make a good impression on a new friend--but I believe most of what he said was true---I just think you insert Dad into the spot where he said his "friend" took the body out to the middle of the ocean to dump it, and the story is all there. I don't know if they will be able to convict him in a court of law anywhere, but he is now a man without a country, will now b e looked on as a murdered and will only get the weirdo women who for some reason marry sociopathic murderers.

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"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

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>>>There's no reason to assume that Joran must be telling the whole truth <<<

That's the prob for most folks w/sociopaths, what most folks don't truly understand ... they lie when it will get them what they want, tell the truth for the same reason.
Sociopaths are *usually* smarter than the average bear, and *especially* (IMNSHO and firsthand experience w/such scary folk) when they have a crew to cover their misdeeds.
Sociopaths are known for their *charm*, their ability to snow psychiatric experts.
Think Ted Bundy as far the charm factor goes.
MZ

the sad part for me is if he isnt convicted more than likely he will kill again seems to be the thing look at some of the others who have recently been in the news they also have ex's who mysteriously died or disappeared ya know

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mom of 3 greats girls

This is a good example of why NOT to let your kids go out of the US on these school trips.

He (maybe others) absolutely raped her - in the very beginning of the show, there was a blip where he said something about if they don't find her they won't find the semen. I was surprised it was not brought up again in the story.

I was thinking she just had alcohol poisoning, but, yea, I could see where the drugs would come into play. Either taking it knowingly (cocaine) or not (Ecstasy)

I'm glad the mom is able to find closure now.

I honestly don't think they will ever be able to prosecute him - if they show he lied about his friend helping him, then they will say he lied about the confession entirely.

I think this kid is going to walk. At least the world know the truth - or at least the basics of the truth.

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Mary

yes at least we now know the truth which is just exactly what I am sure we always figured anyways I mean I always assumed she was in the ocean since they never found her & he will get his in the end & maybe just maybe if he is free no one will ever want anything to do with him again NO ONE I mean why would anyone want to be friends with someone like that he makes me sick to even look at something about him I just hate

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mom of 3 greats girls

Nope, just somebody who'd like the know the truth! Believing half a "confession" just doesn't make sense to me.

I don't think that Natalee was an angel. It could very well have happened exactly the way he said.

Which means he's a monster

Just a question: If those same friends had allowed her to drive drunk, and she ended up killing a family of 5--would those "friends" share some of the blame because they KNOWINGLY allowed her drive off drunk?

While I don't blame the friends for her possible death--I do place some of the blame on them for not stopping her from leaving with someone she had just met. And another thing that has ALWAYS bothered me: where was the adult supervision on this little trip??? These kids had barely graduated high school, but were allowed to run and roam free in a foreign country? Who's bright idea was that!?

While I don't necessarily think that Joran Vander Sloot actually committed a murder, I do believe that he either knew what happened to her or was an accomplice to whatever happened to her.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Well whatever she was not saying either way but if they are dying wouldnt any normal human being call for 911 or whatever it would be in thier country

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mom of 3 greats girls

This is a good example of why a young girl should not ever leave her group and go alone with a man (or in her case was it a group of young men?). She was naive in thinking that she was safe with someone she didn't know. Unfortunately, this woman paid the price for making a bad choice.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

maybe, maybe not--when people panic they do strange, odd and curious things. If he were kissing her and she went into a seizure, he may have called Daddy/friend first (because he was scared/panicked) and they took over from there.

Everything at this point is speculation--pure and simple! I think he has some culpability in her presumed death, but to what extent, I'm not sure.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I believe she acted stupidly. It's fascinating to me to hear her described as driven, smart, goal-oriented, etc., because those words seem to describe someone with a fair amount of wisdom, and anyone who has been to Carlos and Charlies in Aruba at "party time" is probably not someone I'd presume to be overly wise. I was there once and walked in to see what all the fuss was about, and it appeared that everyone there was pretty wasted and certainly not in control of their faculties.

It's not a place I'd recommend for a young kid, that's for sure.

I don't think he set out to murder her, but I do think she died as a result of her involvement with him. Either he slipped her something so he could have his way with her, and that drug combined with the alcohol did her in, or he gave her more than he meant to. I am assuming he gave her something because otherwise, there would have been no reason to get rid of her body. If she had simply died of alcohol poisoning, he could have called 9-11 without fear. Promiscuous sex and alcohol, while not advisable, are not illegal, and from all accounts of his lifestyle, not something he'd have kept secret. Everyone knew he got around with the girls, and everyone knew he drank, so having her die on the beach with alcohol and semen in her system wouldn't have given him cause to hide her body.

However, an illegal date rape type drug turning up in her system would require an explanation.

I don't think she used the best judgement on that night, but I also have to wonder if she had much experience with the *party* scene. Smart, goal-oriented young woman often aren't party animals, and perhaps she was just trying to have a good time with her classmates. I work at a High School and I have seen the *smart* girls not always use the best judgement when it comes to using common sense. They may get straight A's on their Algebra test, but when it comes to day to day life....they often have a more difficult time. So...going to the bar may not have been a wise thing for her to do, but I can't imagine she wanted to sit back at the hotel, when all her classmates were out that night having a good time. The whole thing is awful. Its sad that this young woman lost her life....who knows what she might have accomplished in her lifetime.

Again, if you were young, and had someone die in your arms (or while you were having sex with them)--there is no telling what you would do. We'd all like to say we'd get help, we'd call the police/ambulance/911....but in some cases it's just a reaction to cover up whatever happened.

People do stupid, silly, crazy, bizarre things when in a state of shock or panic. I am not saying that he didn't hurt or kill her, what I'm saying is a lot of ya'll are speculating based on what you--a 35 y/o mother of two (for example)--would do. Teenagers are not the wisest of creatures and their rationales on why and how come are often bizarre.

And seriously--where was the adult supervision for this high school trip???? Why weren't the adults in charge a little more on top of what their charges were doing??? I have yet to see that addressed by anyone!

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

The thing is, the girls, at least Natalie, were 18 and not in high school any more - this was their graduation get-a-way.

As far as going there by themselves...kids (young adults) do this. And bad, horrible stuff happens. This could have happened ANYWHERE. Just because it happened in Aruba does not mean it's wrong to ALLOW your child to go on a trip like that with their friends.

You know before she left her Mom gave her all the warnings about staying together and not going off with strange men, don't drink too much, etc... In short, all we can do is raise our kids the best we can, and then ask God to watch over them.

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Mary

I was under the impression that this was a school sponsored trip/Sr. Trip kind of thing....
If I'm wrong then there is no reason to wonder about the supervision...

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

It was a school sponsored Senior trip with adult supervision, but the adults were there only as a go-to if there was a problem with one of them and not to basically 'hold their hands' and give permission to go places, since they were 18.

I wouldn't allow my 18 yo DD to go on a trip like this w/out myself or DH there. NO WAY!! I don't even think I'd allow her to do that in the United States, let alone a foreign country. Sorry, but, I don't care how well you think you've raised your children, that is just too much responsibility to give to a young person.....sad, very sad.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

When I graduated, a huge group of us went on a cruise to the Bahamas. On the bus trip to the cruise ship (in Miami, FL), all the goody two shoes that didn't normally drink (not my clan), did drink. Those of us that were normally drinkers were PO'd, because the smell was disgusting. This behavior continued on the cruise. Then once in the Bahamas, it was just a free for all. It's amazing to me looking back now that nothing did happen. I remember a load of us piling into taxis (that drove like madmen) to a casino, where we all partied like crazy. Half of us brought back bottles of alcohol. Man, ignorance is bliss. Now looking back, thank God, we all made it home. I feel sure that's what happened in this case, she wasn't used to the drinking and the freedom, throw a good looking charming foreign guy in there, now that's a recipe for disaster. The friends shouldn't have left her, but they were probably all half lit themselves. Too sad.

I respectfully disagree. When my daughter graduated from HS, she was 18 and 3 months - she and her 3 girl friends went on a 3 week road trip all over the US. They had a great time. If they wanted to go to an English-speaking Island I would have let her go.

Like I said, Bad things can happen ANYWHERE to anyone.

Quite frankly, I worry more about my son who is graduating this year. Boys have a tendency of being more show-offy which can get them in trouble. If he asks to go somewhere after graduation it will be a lot more of a concern than my daughter. He is more immature than she was at his age and odds are I probably wouldn't let him go on a trip like that. (He still lives in my house by my rules, regardless of his age)

In short, it depends on the person's maturity and common sense level.

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Mary

When my daughter graduated a few years ago her class worked hard to raise enough money for a trip to New York City from Maine. There were adults on this trip. The students and parents had to sign an agreement that stated the rules and if they didn't follow the rules, they would either be sent home or their parents had to make arrangements to come and get them. Although some of the students were adults, they knew that if the rules were not followed...they would not be allowed to stay with their class. Some students opted not to be a part of the trip, but most did indeed go. There were NO problems the entire trip. There was one adult for every six students. The adults were there for support. They had a safe, fun trip. This trip was not part of the actual school, the money was raised by the students themselves and not by the school. Its called project graduation, and it is set up to keep graduating students safe. Graduation time can be a very dangerous time for young adults. Although some graduating students are indeed of age, there are still ways to help keep them safe.

Wow, I think you're very brave. There's no way I'd let four 18 year olds do that.

Larry King live will be airing this tonight (Thurs) and I will be watching. I really wish the friends forced her not to go and that the supposed Chaperones had agreed on a Back to Hotel Time wtih a room check. I know they are 18 but it they did a room check and realized Natalie was missing they could have at least got security or police to look and maybe she would have been found. I know wishful thinking but again it wouldn't have hurt. What were these Chaperons there for? They should have known before the airport that she was missing and her friends should have been more responsible and spoke up. I have a 19 yr old great daughter but still get very leary about her traveling alone because you just never know. Also why did the creep have to get rid of his shoes in the sewage? What was he obviously trying to hide? His father was definitly involved in my opinion with getting rid of her and I think she was still alive. How tragic to treat a life so cheaply like this cold hearted jerk. No convincing me that he is 100% telling what happened but I think they gang raped her and also like above posters think they drugged her. I can't even imagine the pain this family has to overcome. Oh God I am venting again. I get aggravated because the people on this Island are just so nice and the Island is safe and doesn't deserve such negative publicity. I will say though that they The Police were WRONG in how this case was handled and I think because the father becoming a judge he got special treatment. Let's face it on Gretta last night the father said they asked him in November if she had anEpilepsy problem. So the creep must have told him about her shaking and such and they just chose not to disclose everything until this confession.

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Without Health you have no Wealth!

I agree.

I was a mature 18 year old, but in retrospect, I certainly did not have the wisdom I have today regarding what is safe and what is not.

I know what I would do to that boy . . . an eye for an eye . . . and I can't belive it never came up in over 40 posts.

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Mommy to three wonderful boys, Justin (11), Nicholas (9) and Scottie (8)

Aruban investigators say there’s more evidence against Joran van der Sloot than was revealed in Monday’s broadcast of a hidden-camera interview with the chief suspect in Natalee Holloway’s disappearance.

I hope they find what they're looking for. While in police custody, Joran made several statements that Joran's lawyer talked the judge into disregarding. They need to appoint a new judge who will allow all the police interviews with Joran to be used as evidence. If they can find one who's not in the pocket of Joran's father!

Natalee Holloway: Aruba Police Say More Evidence Than on De Vries Tapes Against Joran Van der Sloot | Scared Monkeys

This is the link to the text of the Feb 7th Larry King interview with Beth Twitty:

CNN.com - Transcripts

I think one of the most disgusting statements that Joran has made (and he's made quite a few), is this one from the hidden recording:

"VAN DER SLOOT: I just lucked out, that's all. That's -- that's what it was."

If Natalee had lived, I've no doubt that Joran and friends would be facing criminal charges regarding drugs and a rape so yeah, I guess Natalee's death was very 'lucky' for him. Of course, some people make their own 'luck' and Joran is definitely that type.

It was creepy watching that show...regardless of what happened he was so nonchalant about it all.

On a similar note, my husband is letting my stepdaughter go on a school sponsored trip this summer. Personally, I wouldn't do it unless I was going too. She turned 13 last month and lacks common sense. She skipped 4th grade so she is younger than the rest of the kids.
They are going to New York, London, Paris & Versailles. Although it's a great opportunity, I have to wonder how much 13-15 year olds will appreciate it. I will be very worried about her the whole time she is gone. She is a very book smart kid but, as I said, she is lacking in common sense and is quite fearless. All her life she has been one to wander off from us or the group...I am really concerned that this will happen when she's on this trip. She really needs to be watched. She also has ADHD and OCPD (and probably some RAD).

I guess all I can do is pray!

peapie