Holly Ratchford has publicly shared her experiences for the first time regarding Omar al-Bayoumi, a Saudi man who lived in a residential complex she managed in San Diego, California, in September 1999. Ratchford recalls Bayoumi as friendly and sociable, often attending her pool parties. She later learned that he introduced her to two men who would become infamous for hijacking American Airlines flight 77 and crashing it into the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks.
Bayoumi is alleged to have facilitated the 9/11 plot by supporting the first two hijackers to arrive in the U.S., Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, who lived at Parkwood Apartments for several months before the attacks. A federal judge in New York found evidence suggesting that Bayoumi and a Saudi diplomat coordinated with the Saudi government to assist the hijackers, allowing the families of 9/11 victims to pursue a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia.
Ratchford has provided a sealed declaration to the court regarding her observations of Bayoumi and the hijackers, but has not spoken publicly until now. She expressed her disbelief over the connection and the impact it has had on her life over the past 25 years. The 9/11 families continue to seek answers regarding the events leading up to the attacks, with Ratchford's account featured in the BBC Radio 4 podcast, Intrigue: A 9/11 Story, and the upcoming BBC Panorama, 9/11: The Saudi Connection.
Ratchford described Bayoumi as a mature student who was well-liked in the community. However, declassified FBI documents later revealed that he was involved in organizing religious activities and was suspected of being an operative for the Saudi intelligence service. Despite these suspicions, Ratchford focused on whether he could pay rent, which he could, as he was reportedly earning around $90,000 per year.
Bayoumi's interactions with the hijackers included helping them secure an apartment and providing financial support. After the attacks, Ratchford was contacted by a reporter who informed her of the hijackers' identities. This led to an investigation into Bayoumi, who was later arrested in the UK by anti-terror police. He initially denied knowing the hijackers but later admitted to assisting them.
Ratchford disputes Bayoumi's claims that his association with the hijackers was minimal, stating, "I know that's what he said, and I know that's bullshit."