Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility

Judge orders to move forward with legal steps to declare Natalee Holloway dead


Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

Alabama Judge Alan King ruled Friday to move forward with legal procedures necessary to declare Natalee Holloway dead after the Mountain Brook teen disappeared six years ago during a high school graduation trip in Aruba.

"Today's hearing is a first step in the process of bringing closure to the Holloway family," said Karen Hennecy, Attorney for Dave Holloway, in a statement. "While this process does mark a form of acceptance for the Holloway family, this in no way lessens their determination to find justice for Natalee."

Fighting back tears, Natalee's father, Dave Holloway, recounted events surrounding her disappearance in a court hearing Friday. He filed a petition to declare Natalee dead in June while maintaining there is no evidence that she's still alive. Dave Holloway said he still pays hospital insurance premiums for his daughter and would like to use Natalee's $2,000 college fund for her younger brother, Matt, who is a senior in college.

"You've got to have closure emotionally, you hope someday to have closure personally, but our job is to try to get some closure legally," said Mark White, an attorney representing Natalee's father.

Although the attorney representing Beth Holloway in court Friday wanted Judge King to delay the hearing, it was denied. The attorney who has represented Natalee's mother for years was not able to appear in court and wanted more time to respond to Dave Holloway's petition.{}

"There's always a glimmer of hope, especially when there's no hard evidence," said Charles DeBardeleben, the attorney who represented Beth Hollway Friday. "That's always going to be her hope, and to put the finality on this right now under such rush circumstances is deplorable."

A newspaper notice will run for two weeks asking for proof that Natalee is alive. A hearing will then be held to determine whether to declare the Alabama teen dead.

{}

Loading ...