Former San Diego landlord recounts ties between 9/11 hijackers and Saudi resident

While managing Parkwood Apartments in San Diego, Holly Ratchford befriended Saudi newcomer Omar al-Bayoumi, who was described as friendly and sociable. In early 2000 he introduced two men, later identified as hijackers Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, and asked Ratchford for help securing an apartment for them. Ratchford complied, noting the men lacked typical income documentation but had cash on hand.

She later gave a sealed declaration to the New York court overseeing a $1 trillion lawsuit filed by victims' families against Saudi Arabia. A judge ruled that the evidence created a reasonable inference of Bayoumi’s coordination with Saudi officials, allowing the families' claim to move forward, while Saudi Arabia and Bayoumi continue to reject the allegations.