Landlady to 9/11 hijackers reveals their links to alleged Saudi spy - BBC News

A woman who rented out homes to two al-Qaeda members speaks publicly for the first time - to the BBC.

Image caption, Holly Ratchford has decided to speak out publicly for the first time

Holly Ratchford still cannot believe that the man who moved into the residential complex she once managed would go on to be accused of involvement in the darkest day in recent US history.

"It's almost impossible for me to wrap my head around who he said he was, and who he really is. I still struggle with that," she tells the BBC.

The man, Omar al-Bayoumi - a Saudi in his early 40s - moved to the complex in San Diego, California, with his family in September 1999.

The new resident at number 152 Parkwood Apartments quickly became a regular at Ratchford's pool parties. "He was always so bubbly and smiling," she recalls, "and just very, very friendly."