Holloway's Dad Seeks Death Declaration

(CNN) -- The father of long-missing Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway has asked a court to declare her dead, a move the girl's mother says came as a surprise.Holloway was last seen in May 2005 during a trip to the Caribbean resort island of Aruba.

Her father, Dave Holloway, filed a petition for a death declaration in June, said Jackie Rhodes, the chief clerk for Jefferson County Probate Court.In a written statement, Holloway's lawyer, Karen Hennecy, said her client "is seeking closure for his family."

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