On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, a major update was provided in the long-standing case of Natalee Holloway. During a court session, Joran Van der Sloot, 36, a primary suspect for years, acknowledged his involvement in her murder.
In May 2005, Natalee Holloway, a U.S. high school student who was 18 at the time, disappeared during her graduation trip to Aruba. Her body was never found. Van der Sloot, having been one of the last people to be seen with her, was suspected. However, his repeated denials maintained his stance of innocence until now.
Regarding the confession, Beth Holloway, Natalee’s mother said, “He is no longer just a suspect. He has confessed. He is the killer.”
In addition, it has been reported by multiple outlets that Van der Sloot’s admission of guilt was corroborated with a polygraph test.
Van der Sloot, who was in the midst of a 28-year prison term in Peru due to an unrelated murder of a woman named Stephany Flores, had been brought to the U.S. concerning the charges related to Holloway. After his confession, the court decreed an additional 20-year sentence.
While the pain remains, the Holloway family expressed that this confession may usher in a period of healing and closure for them.