Investigator Details Holloway Case on Anniversary of Disappearance

ARUBA – On the 20th anniversary of Natalee Holloway’s disappearance, private investigator TJ Ward reiterated his belief that Joran van der Sloot did not act alone in the killing of the 18-year-old high school graduate. Holloway vanished on May 30, 2005, during a senior trip to Aruba.

In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Ward recalled how he was hired by Holloway’s family in both 2005 and again in 2010. He expressed astonishment at how many questions remain unanswered after all these years.

Van der Sloot, now 36, confessed in October 2023 to using a brick to fatally attack Holloway after she allegedly rebuffed his advances. “I smash her head in with it completely,” he told federal authorities. “Her face basically… collapses in.”

Despite van der Sloot’s confession, Ward is convinced more individuals were involved. “Even though Joran van der Sloot confessed in 2023, we’re not convinced that he was alone,” Ward stated.

Holloway was last seen leaving Carlos’n Charlie’s in Aruba with van der Sloot and two brothers, Satish and Deepak Kalpoe. Although police initially detained van der Sloot, he was released due to a lack of evidence, and Holloway’s body has never been found.

Five years later, in 2010, van der Sloot killed another young woman, Stephany Flores, in Peru. He later confessed to the murder after Flores discovered his connection to Holloway’s disappearance.

In 2010, he attempted to extort Holloway’s family by claiming he could provide information about her remains. This led to an indictment for extortion and wire fraud, though he fled before facing consequences.

After van der Sloot’s sentencing in 2023, Beth Holloway, Natalee’s mother, expressed relief that justice was finally served. “Joran van der Sloot is the killer,” she affirmed.

Ward continues to stay in contact with Holloway’s family and remains dedicated to uncovering the full truth about the case.