March 22, 2010 11:04 AM

Natalee Holloway's Body Found? Picture Leads Divers to Renew Search

By
Carlin DeGuerin Miller
Topics
Daily Blotter

John F. Muldowney took this underwater photo in Aruba. (AP Photo)

ORANJESTAD, Aruba (CBS/AP) A vacationing US couple believe they have found the remains of Natalee Holloway, the missing Alabama teen who went missing in 2005 - something Aruban police and countless search teams haven't been able to do in 5 years.

PICTURES: Natalee Holloway: Paradise Lost

Although the Pennsylvania couple, John and Patti Muldowney, can't remember exactly where they took the underwater pictures, an Aruban local claims he knows where the spot is and authorities planned to search the area over the weekend.

No updates were immediately available and a spokeswoman for the police, Ann Angela, said she could not reveal where or when the dive would take place so as not to attract onlookers.

Holloway was on a high school graduation trip when she disappeared while on vacation in Aruba in 2005. The 18-year-old was last seen leaving a bar with Joran van der Sloot on the final night of the trip.

Van der Sloot, a Dutch national, has been detained several times as police continue to investigate the case.

The couple's claim has drawn skepticism from forensic experts connected with the case, saying the likelyhood of her remains still being intact after all this time is slim.

"I do not believe that these photos represent a body," Dr. Cyril Wecht told ABC News. "I think it's a rock formation that certainly does present upon initial perception a suggestion of human skeletal remains, but I do not believe that it is."

Beth Holloway, Natalee's mother, has declined comment on the latest of possible leads in the almost five year old case.

MEDIA
PICTURES: Natalee Holloway: Paradise Lost

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
March 18, 2010 Natalee Holloway's Skeleton: Did Vacationer Snap Photo of Missing Girl's Remains?
February 23, 2010 - Joran van der Sloot Confession: I Killed Natalee Holloway, But Prosecutors Don't Believe Me
March 19, 2010 - Natalee Holloway's Remains Found? Aruban Police Look into Underwater Photo


Add a Comment See all 16 Comments
by rickferry August 8, 2011 6:38 PM EDT
I am puzzled as to why anyone would just shoot random pictures of the bottom of the ocean?
Reply to this comment
by Mikem24 April 29, 2011 1:00 PM EDT
First, false hope(if there is any left) is really bad! The divers who discovered the " site" didn't remember where it was exactly. If they really felt it was a human, then they should have documented everything.
Second: When you do NOT know for sure what or who that may be, DO NOT make assumptions! Leave the investigation work up to the authorities.
If I found that site, I would just have said "Found something suspicious" Never assume and place a name on something you are not sure of! This was handled incorrectly.
Reply to this comment
by jkjmundy11 November 25, 2010 8:00 AM EST
The low life that put her there needs to be thrrown into the sea in a small cage while he is still alive. Maybe he will land right next to the body. I hope he burns in hell for the rest of eternity for what he did to that beautifual girl and the other one he killed. Or maybe dealth is too good for him. Maybe he needs to stay in proison until he is 90 with. People like him make me sick ....
Reply to this comment
by louella_mae27 August 28, 2010 3:07 AM EDT
And for i remember that there is a investigation about with Natalee theres a investigator or a secret person and he is a Taxi Driver then for as i remember the guy who make Natalee Disappear is on his Taxi.. then the guy do not know that he is a investigator like pretending a taxi driver. And the taxi driver ask him ''hey you are the guy on the news making the teenager girl Ms. Natalee Holloway gone'' then the guy answered im ''not that bro. maybe the other guy who might you talking about'' then the secret agent said ''oh common i will not tell to everybody what did you do to Natalee Holloway you can trust me i know you are the guy'' then the guy said ''ok i am the guy so that you can shut up'' the secret agent said ''what did u do to Natalee Holloway did you kill her? the guy said '' oh common bro.. lets just ignore that issues'' the secret agent said '' no common just lets talk about this issue everybody got panicked where is Natalie right now njust tell me and i will not tell this to anyone'' then the guy tell what happened on the natalee when she is gone.. but the guy did'nt know that there is a hidden camera on the airconditioner on the front of the taxi.. then he start talking and he said '' i did not kill him, we're on the beach that night and he is on drunk and we are watching at the sky and watching all the stars and i she fall asleep then, i make her to woke up and i did kiss her. but she still sleeping after that she attacked in her sick like epilepsy and i was too scared of her because she fainted.. and I dont know what to do.. i call my driver and ask him to help me with Natalee then we grab her and we ride on a boat with her'' the secret agent said ''what did you do to her?'' the guy said '' i make her throw away bro. so that no one can know that she is with me'' the secret agent said '' is she still alive?'' the secret agent said ''yes, she still alive i look at her hands and it was on shaking a little'' the agent said '' she still alive but you throw her into the water'' the guy said '' so that she make died and no one knows i've killed her'' the agent said '' that's too hard for Natalee's family they are might looking to her if where is she now'' the guy said '' hey, dont tell this to others you said i can trust you..'' the agent said ''i won't'' then on the next day maybe on the Tyra Banks Show the mother of Natalee is there and the secret agent is there also then the secret agent have got the tape where he does record waht did the guy said with all the details she had on Natalee then when Natalee's mother heard ad look that video she cried then the guy was so guilty because he trust the agent guy and make him arrested... And Natalee's body found at the ARUBAN BEACH.
Reply to this comment
by louella_mae27 August 28, 2010 2:42 AM EDT
My name is Louella Mae and I am 13 year old and I am from Philippines. And I heard this story before on the T.V and i was knew that this story is based on real life. And I want to symphathize to the Family Holloway that we all knew if where is Natalee right now i know she belongs there and may happy and live forever with God and peace. And I want to pay the guy who make Natalee disappear and I want the guy to be die and no more chances enough given from him what he did after to Natalee Holloway Disappeared...
Reply to this comment
by Koolbreeze123 April 11, 2010 2:08 PM EDT
My name is michael oatis serving in the United States Army. I am originally from Gulfport, Ms.. I am hearing of this for the first time tonight here in heidelberg, Germany as i am watching it on t.v. with my nine year old son. This is a terrible story. They are so wrong for doing this to this young girl. GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY AND MAY HE BE WITH YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR DAYS. If you ever need anything, please let me know at M.oatis@yahoo.com. GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Reply to this comment
by gdisibbio49 March 27, 2010 8:45 PM EDT
Have the INVESTIGATIVE IDIOTS pulled the remains up to do DNA testing??????????????? Or does nobody CARE? Laci Peterson "washed up". Obviously, this girl "couldn't". LOOK INTO IT SOME MORE AND MAKE US TAXPAYERS GLAD WE HAVE THE FBI...
Reply to this comment
by cas3685 March 23, 2010 11:38 PM EDT
Wheter it's rocks, a human skeleton or whatever, that is just scary to look at when you take into account that it could be a human skeleton, because it looks a lot like one. I hope they find whatever it was because it would bring some closure to the family if is a human skeleton.
Reply to this comment
by ranshir March 23, 2010 10:13 PM EDT
rocks or not. Its worth taking a closer look. and I mean going there and diving down to brush the sand away just for the mothers sake. itleast she will know for sure. I wouldnt want my daughter laying down there.. Lets bring her home!!!!
Reply to this comment
by lilbitosunshine278 March 23, 2010 9:39 PM EDT
Really? Are you kidding me? This girl has been missing from her family for five LONG years. I hope they find her and bring her home at last that this family may be able to pick up what's left of what USED to be refered to as their LIFE. Bring her home, let her family give her a proper burial and let there be closure instead of wondering how much longer their daughter is going to remain at the bottom of an ocean!!! My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. BRING HER HOME AT LAST!!!
Reply to this comment
See all 16 Comments
.
Latest CBS News Headlines Popular CBS News Stories
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News

Follow Crimesider

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
48 Hours New iPad app A perfect companion to TV's most popular true-crime series.
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...