BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A judge has rejected a request to delay a court hearing on a request by Natalee Holloway's father to have her declared dead six years after she disappeared in Aruba.
An attorney for Holloway's mother, Beth Holloway, sought the delay Friday because she could not attend the hearing due to a speech in California. Probate Judge Alan King said she had more than two weeks' notice about the hearing.
Beth Holloway opposes a declaration of death because she remains hopeful her daughter will be found.
An attorney for Dave Holloway says it's painful to seek the court ruling. But it would allow him to use her college fund for her younger brother.
King said he would rule later on whether to proceed with the process for a declaration of death.
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Birmingham, AL (WIAT) - This morning, one parent seeking closure on Natalee Holloway did not get what he was after. The mother of the missing Mountain Brook teen nor her attorney arrived in court, and no decision was reached.
Natalee Holloway's father Dave Holloway was seeking to have his daughter declared legally dead this morning. Like many times in the past six years, Natalee's parents (who were divorced 1993) don't agree. Beth Holloway is opposing the death declaration.
"Beth intends to oppose Dave's inexplicable effort to have Natalee declared dead," attorney John Q. Kelly said in a statement. "Beth gave birth to and raised Natalee, and will always hope and pray for Natalee's safe return."
Last week, Dave Holloway's attorney said he filed the petition because he "is seeking closure for his family."
"This is a normal proceeding for families when a loved one has been missing for an extended period of time," attorney Karen Hennecy said in a statement. "Alabama law requires a waiting period of five years when a body has not recovered and no death certificate has been issued."
