Holloway Skeleton Remains Could Be In Underwater Photo

By: Jennifer Hong
03/19/2010 02:06 PM ET

Natalee Holloway skeleton is believed to be in an underwater photo taken by a couple who were on vacation. The picture was taken by a couple who were visiting Aruba last fall. The photo is now in the hands of the FBI.

“We only discovered it after we got the film developed,” Patti Muldowney said in a statement. “Right away it dawned on us that poor Holloway girl was never found,” she added. “I hope for closure, just God bless them.”

The photo was taken by John and Patti Muldowney of Pennsyvania. Patti Muldowney captured the image while snorkeling near the Caribbean island. Only later did the couple notice one photo shows what could be a human corpse or skeleton.

John Muldowney says he has a gut feeling it may be the missing student who disappeared in 2005. After trying to contact the FBI, the Muldowneys went to the media with their underwater photo. The FBI has declined to say what, if anything, it’s doing with the picture.

This is not the first time such a claim as been made. In addition, the photo has not been verified to show a human skeleton. There’s also not enough evidence to charge anyone with murder. The local police and a doctor agree that the photo appears to be human remains weighed down with rocks.

Aruba High School Graduation Trip Ends With Disappearance

Natalee Ann Holloway disappeared on May 30, 2005, during a high school graduation trip to Aruba. She was an American student from Mountain Brook, Alabama. She graduated on May 24, 2005.

Holloway was scheduled to fly home later but never made her flight. She was last seen by her classmates outside Carlos’n Charlie’s, a Caribbean chain restaurant, in a car with locals Joran van der Sloot and brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. When questioned, the three men said they dropped her off at her hotel and denied knowing what happened to the girl.

Upon further investigation by authorities, Van der Sloot was arrested twice on suspicion of involvement in her disappearance. The Kalpoes were also arrested three times. Due to lack of evidence the three men were released without charge.

Aruban prosecutors reopened the case on February 1, 2008 after receiving video footage of Joran van der Sloot making statements that Holloway died. He was under the influence of marijuana when he made the statements. The statements suggest that she died on the morning of May 30, 2005, and that he disposed of her body.

Van der Sloot later denied that what he said was true. He also stated that he sold her into white slavery. The family of the missing student has criticized Aruban investigators throughout the search for a perceived lack of progress in finding her. The family called for a boycott of Aruba but failed to gain widespread backing.

The investigation into Holloway’s disappearance began shortly after she missed her flight home. The island of Aruba and the surrounding waters were extensively searched. Ten individuals have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the disappearance. However, no charges have been filed against anyone, and there are no suspects in custody.

Reports indicate Holloway did not appear on any security camera footage from her hotel’s lobby during the course of the night. However, an employee has made various statements as to whether the cameras were actually working that night. The final report indicated that the security cameras at the hotel were not working but questions remain.