Exploring the Infamous Joran van der Sloot: What We Know About the Last Person to See Natalee Holloway Alive

Joran van der Sloot, the prime suspect in the disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway, will be extradited to the United States to face charges of extortion and fraud. Van der Sloot has been in prison in Peru for the murder of Stephany Flores in 2012. He was indicted in the U.S. on federal charges in 2010, which allege that he attempted to sell information regarding the location of Natalee’s remains to her mother in exchange for $250,000. Van der Sloot’s extradition, which Peru has now agreed to, will happen once legal proceedings against him conclude in the U.S.

The Peruvian government stated that “the requesting country must keep the defendant in custody during the entire (duration of) proceedings in its territory,” via social media. Once American criminal proceedings against Van der Sloot conclude, he will immediately return to the Peruvian authorities. Van der Sloot was convicted in 2012 of killing Flores in his Lima hotel room and subsequently sentenced to 28 years in prison.

The 18-year-old, Natalee Holloway, disappeared in 2005 while leaving a nightclub in Aruba with Van der Sloot and two other men. No one was ever charged, and her body has never been found. Her mother, Beth Holloway, wired $15,000 to Van der Sloot, who also received $10,000 in person from her attorney, believing he had the location of Natalee’s remains. After her payments, he showed Natalee’s lawyer where her remains were allegedly hidden, but the information proved to be false.

Van der Sloot’s extradition from Peru to the U.S. is expected to begin Thursday. This development brings long-awaited relief to Holloway’s family. Alabama judge signed an order in 2012 declaring Holloway legally dead. “Together, we are finally getting justice for Natalee,” the family statement said.

The extradition treaty between the US and Peru allows for a suspect to face extradition only after completing their existing sentence in the host country, which meant that US officials previously would have had to wait until 2038. However, Peru’s judiciary announced its agreement to the temporary surrender of the prime suspect, making U.S trial on federal charges against Van der Sloot possible.

The extradition’s approval has provided a glimmer of hope for those seeking to hold Van der Sloot accountable for his alleged crimes. While his previous convictions must be upheld before the extradition can take place, the development provides a chance for the U.S. to seek justice in the Holloway case and the charges of fraud and extortion against him as well.

Mississippi.-truecrime,JoranvanderSloot,NataleeHolloway,investigation,suspect