History of Joran van der Sloot in Timeline
Joran van der Sloot is a Dutch citizen convicted of murdering Stephany Flores Ramírez in Peru in 2010. He gained notoriety as the main suspect in the 2005 disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway in Aruba, a case that remains unsolved.
1952: Birth of Paulus van der Sloot
Paulus van der Sloot, Joran's father and a lawyer, was born in 1952.
August 1987: Birth of Joran van der Sloot
Joran van der Sloot was born in August 1987 in Arnhem, Netherlands.
1990: Relocation to Aruba
Joran van der Sloot's family moved from Arnhem to Aruba in 1990.
1991: Ricardo Flores Wins "Caminos del Inca" Rally
In 1991, Ricardo Flores, a prominent businessman and father of Stephany Flores Ramírez, won the prestigious "Caminos del Inca" rally in Peru.
2001: Ricardo Flores Enters Peruvian Politics
Ricardo Flores entered Peruvian politics in 2001, running for the position of vice president. He later ran for president five years later.
May 2005: Meeting Natalee Holloway
On May 2005, Joran van der Sloot encountered Natalee Holloway, an 18-year-old American tourist, at Carlos'n Charlie's bar in Oranjestad, Aruba. They were seen drinking and dancing together before leaving the bar with two brothers, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe.
June 2005: Paulus van der Sloot Arrested and Released in Holloway Case
In June 2005, Paulus van der Sloot, Joran's father, was arrested and questioned in connection with Natalee Holloway's disappearance. He was released after three days. It was alleged that Paulus advised his son on how to avoid charges in the case.
June 2005: Arrest and Release in Holloway Case
In June 2005, Joran van der Sloot, along with the Kalpoe brothers, were arrested in connection with Natalee Holloway's disappearance. While the Kalpoe brothers were released in early July, van der Sloot remained in custody. Although all three were rearrested in August on suspicion of more serious charges, they were all released in September due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
September 2005: Return to the Netherlands and Start of Studies
Following his release, Joran van der Sloot returned to the Netherlands in September 2005 to study international business management at the HAN University of Applied Sciences. This followed a period where he was required to remain within Dutch territory due to the ongoing investigation.
September 2005: Public Statement on A Current Affair
On A Current Affair in September 2005, Joran van der Sloot denied any sexual involvement with Natalee Holloway by himself or the Kalpoe brothers. However, he admitted to initially agreeing to mislead authorities about the events surrounding her disappearance.
November 2005: Paulus van der Sloot Wins Unjust Detention Action
Paulus van der Sloot successfully sued the Aruban government for unjust detention in November 2005, clearing his name as a suspect in the Holloway case.
2005: Van der Sloot Expresses Interest in Poker Strategy
In 2005, Barry Greenstein's poker strategy guide became a favorite book of Joran van der Sloot's, reflecting his interest in poker.
2005: Tennis Competition with Father
Joran van der Sloot participated in a doubles tennis tournament with his father at the Moët & Chandon Anniversary Cup in 2005.
February 2006: Public Defense by Parents and Lawsuit
In February 2006, Joran van der Sloot's parents defended him on Good Morning America, claiming he was unfairly targeted. Later that month, while in New York City for an ABC Primetime interview, Joran and his father were served with a lawsuit by Natalee's parents. The suit, alleging personal injury, was later dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.
January 2007: Paulus van der Sloot Joins Law Firm
Paulus van der Sloot began working as a managing partner at the law firm that represented him in the unjust detention case in January 2007.
April 2007: New Search at Van der Sloot Residence
Dutch authorities conducted a search at the Aruba home of Joran van der Sloot's parents in April 2007. This renewed investigation was said to be based on new leads but was not directly related to the publication of van der Sloot's book.
April 2007: Publication of Book on the Holloway Case
In April 2007, Joran van der Sloot co-authored a book with a reporter detailing his perspective on the Natalee Holloway case. He claimed the book offered him a chance to be truthful about the events.
November 2007: Rearrest and Release of Van der Sloot and Kalpoe Brothers
Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers were rearrested in November 2007 based on what Aruban authorities described as 'new incriminating evidence.' While the Kalpoe brothers were released in early December, van der Sloot was held for eight days before being released without charge.
January 2008: Confrontation on Dutch Television
During an appearance on the Dutch talk show Pauw & Witteman in January 2008, Joran van der Sloot threw wine at crime reporter Peter de Vries after being confronted. This incident followed the airing of an undercover video by De Vries where van der Sloot appeared to admit to being present during Holloway's death.
September 2008: Joran van der Sloot's Activities and Emmy Award for Natalee Holloway Coverage
In September 2008, Joran van der Sloot briefly attended Rangsit University in Thailand before dropping out to buy a restaurant called Sawadee Cup. Meanwhile, Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries won an International Emmy Award for his coverage of Natalee Holloway's disappearance.
November 2008: Undercover Footage Implicates Van der Sloot in Sex Trafficking
In November 2008, undercover footage aired on Dutch television showed Joran van der Sloot allegedly involved in sex trafficking of Thai women. Van der Sloot, using the alias "Murphy Jenkins," was accused of selling women into prostitution in Europe.
November 2008: Van der Sloot Retracts Confession on Fox News
In an interview on Fox News's "On the Record" in November 2008, Joran van der Sloot claimed he sold Natalee Holloway into sexual slavery and implicated his father, Paulus. He later retracted these statements. The authenticity of an audio recording presented as evidence was disputed.
August 2009: Van der Sloot Participates in Asia Pacific Poker Tour
Joran van der Sloot was seen in Macau at the Asia Pacific Poker Tour in August 2009. He considered himself a professional poker player.
2009: Lifetime Movie "Natalee Holloway" Airs
The Lifetime television film "Natalee Holloway," based on Beth Holloway's book about her daughter's disappearance, premiered in 2009, starring Jacques Strydom as Joran van der Sloot. The film garnered high viewership for Lifetime.
January 2010: Paulus van der Sloot's Law Partnership Ends
Paulus van der Sloot's time as a managing partner at the law firm concluded in January 2010.
February 2010: Paulus van der Sloot Dies of Heart Attack
Paulus van der Sloot died of a heart attack in February 2010 at the age of 57 while playing tennis in Aruba. Joran van der Sloot returned to Aruba after his father's death and began gambling.
March 2010: Van der Sloot Attempts to Extort Beth Holloway
Around March 2010, Joran van der Sloot contacted John Q. Kelly, Beth Holloway's lawyer, offering to reveal the location of Natalee's body in exchange for $250,000. This led to a sting operation by the FBI and Aruban authorities.
May 2010: Public Outcry and Media Scrutiny
In May 2010, Joran van der Sloot faced intense public scrutiny and was labeled a "monster", "serial killer", and "psychopath" by local media in Peru. This controversy brought to light other cases of women who died at the hands of foreigners. Newspapers in Peru and Colombia published articles investigating the disappearances of two young women who frequented casinos during Van der Sloot's stay in Bogotá hotels.
May 2010: Van der Sloot Flees to Chile, Seeks Money for Return to Aruba
Following the death of Stephany Flores Ramírez in May 2010, Joran van der Sloot fled to Chile. He contacted his ex-girlfriend, Melody Granadillo, requesting financial assistance to purchase a ticket back to Aruba.
May 2010: Death of Stephany Flores Ramírez
On May 30, 2010, Stephany Tatiana Flores Ramírez was found dead in Joran van der Sloot's hotel room in Lima, Peru. Evidence, including a tennis racket, suggested foul play, leading to van der Sloot becoming the prime suspect in her murder.
May 2010: Flores Wins at Casino, Encounters Van der Sloot
Throughout May 2010, Stephany Flores Ramírez was observed winning significant sums of money at a casino in Lima, Peru. Notably, she was seen interacting with Joran van der Sloot at a poker table shortly before her disappearance.
May 2010: Van der Sloot Flees to Peru, Becomes a Suspect in Flores' Murder
In May 2010, Joran van der Sloot traveled to Peru and was seen with Stephany Flores Ramírez at a casino. After Flores' death, he fled the hotel, becoming the prime suspect. He was later apprehended in Chile.
May 2010: Murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez and Flight to Chile
On May 2010, five years after the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, Joran van der Sloot murdered Stephany Flores Ramírez in Lima, Peru, and subsequently fled to Chile.
June 2010: Confession and Retraction
In June 2010, Joran van der Sloot confessed to the murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez but later attempted to retract his confession, alleging intimidation and framing by Peruvian police and the FBI.
June 2010: Van der Sloot Confesses to Killing Flores
After initially claiming innocence, Joran van der Sloot confessed to killing Stephany Flores Ramírez in June 2010. This confession, potentially part of a legal strategy, aimed to lessen the charge to manslaughter, carrying a lesser sentence than murder.
June 2010: Van der Sloot Charged with Murder, Public Outrage Ensues
In June 2010, Joran van der Sloot was formally charged with the murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez and was denied bail. This decision sparked public outrage, with crowds expressing their anger as he was transported to a maximum-security prison.
June 2010: Van der Sloot Charged with Extortion and Wire Fraud
In June 2010, the U.S. District Court of Northern Alabama charged Joran van der Sloot with extortion and wire fraud for attempting to extort money from Beth Holloway. Dutch authorities, at the request of the U.S. Justice Department, raided homes in the Netherlands, including that of a reporter who had interviewed Van der Sloot.
August 2010: Prison Photo Sparks Investigation
On August 23, 2010, a photo of Joran van der Sloot posing with other inmates, including Colombian hitman Hugo Trujillo Ospina and American murderer William Trickett Smith II, surfaced in Peruvian media. This led to an investigation by the Office of Internal Affairs of the National Penitentiary Institute of Peru.
August 2010: Case Stalls Due to Lack of Interpreter
In August 2010, the case against Joran van der Sloot faced delays due to the unavailability of an official Dutch interpreter in Peru. This highlighted the complexities of the legal proceedings and the challenges in ensuring a fair trial.
September 2010: Van der Sloot Admits to Extortion Plot
Joran van der Sloot confessed to the extortion plot against Beth Holloway in an interview published in September 2010, claiming he wanted revenge for the Holloway family's impact on his life. His attorney questioned the accuracy of the translation.
September 2010: Beth Holloway Visits Van der Sloot in Prison
In September 2010, Beth Holloway, mother of Natalee Holloway, traveled to Peru with a Dutch television crew to visit Joran van der Sloot in prison. The brief encounter involved Holloway expressing a lack of hatred and inquiring about her daughter's disappearance. Van der Sloot, however, declined to speak without his lawyer.
October 2010: Van der Sloot Caught in Prison Marijuana Transaction
In October 2010, footage of Joran van der Sloot participating in a marijuana deal within the prison was broadcasted by América Televisión. His lawyer claimed the situation was staged, prompting an investigation into the leak.
December 2010: Van der Sloot's Arrest Named Top Criminal Event of the Year
In December 2010, Time magazine recognized Joran van der Sloot's arrest as the most significant criminal event of the year, surpassing other high-profile cases. The widespread coverage of his murder confession on Good Morning America became one of the most-read stories on ABC News' website in 2010.
2010: Van der Sloot Returns to Aruba After Father's Death
Following his father's passing, Joran van der Sloot sold his restaurant business in Bangkok and returned to Aruba in early 2010. He turned to gambling after his return.
2010: Van der Sloot Arrest Named Top Crime Story
Time magazine named the arrest of Joran van der Sloot as the top crime story of 2010, highlighting the significant media attention surrounding the cases of both Natalee Holloway and Stephany Flores.
2010: Death of Paulus van der Sloot
Joran van der Sloot's father, Paulus van der Sloot, passed away in 2010.
2010: Van der Sloot Watches "Natalee Holloway" Movie
According to his friend, John Ludwick, Joran van der Sloot watched the Lifetime movie about Natalee Holloway in 2010 and remarked that parts of it were accurate while others weren't.
February 2011: Interview Request Denied
In February 2011, prison officials denied Radio Netherlands Worldwide's request to interview Joran van der Sloot. Van der Sloot's lawyer alleged that the decision was influenced by the approaching general elections.
February 2011: Van der Sloot's Defense Argues "Violent Emotion"
In February 2011, Joran van der Sloot's defense presented a "violent emotion" argument, claiming temporary insanity driven by Stephany Flores Ramírez discovering his connection to the Natalee Holloway case on his laptop. They aimed to reduce the potential sentence, despite police refuting the laptop access claim.
March 2011: FBI Examines Van der Sloot's Laptop
In March 2011, Peruvian authorities provided the FBI with a copy of Joran van der Sloot's laptop hard drive. This action was taken in connection to both the Natalee Holloway disappearance and the alleged extortion of her family. Analysis revealed searches related to the Holloway case and potential escape routes from Peru.
2011: Sequel to "Natalee Holloway" Movie Released
A sequel to the Lifetime movie "Natalee Holloway," titled "Justice for Natalee Holloway," was released in 2011, with Stephen Amell portraying Joran van der Sloot.
January 2012: Van der Sloot Pleads Guilty, Receives 28-Year Sentence
Joran van der Sloot pleaded guilty to the murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez in January 2012. He received a 28-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution to the Flores family.
January 2012: Sentencing for Flores's Murder
Joran van der Sloot was sentenced to 28 years in prison in January 2012 for the murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez.
March 2014: Peru to Extradite Van der Sloot to U.S. in 2038
The Peruvian government announced in March 2014 that Joran van der Sloot would be extradited to the U.S. in 2038, following the completion of his 28-year sentence in Peru for the murder of Stephany Tatiana Flores Ramírez. He will face charges of extortion and wire fraud related to Beth Holloway.
July 2014: Van der Sloot Marries Leidy Figueroa
While imprisoned, Joran van der Sloot married Leidy Figueroa, a Peruvian woman he met while she sold goods inside the facility. The wedding took place on July 4, 2014, when Figueroa was seven months pregnant with their child.
August 2014: Van der Sloot Transferred, Stabbing Incident Disputed
In August 2014, Joran van der Sloot was transferred to the notoriously harsh Challapalca prison in Peru. Reports later emerged of a stabbing incident involving van der Sloot, although these claims were contested by Peruvian authorities.
September 2014: Figueroa Gives Birth to Daughter
Leidy Figueroa, wife of Joran van der Sloot, gave birth to their daughter in Peru on September 28, 2014.
February 2016: Undercover Recording Shows Van der Sloot Confessing to Holloway's Murder
An undercover reporter filmed Joran van der Sloot in February 2016, capturing him confessing to the murder of Natalee Holloway. In the recording, Van der Sloot admits to lying about the events and confirms he killed Holloway.
August 2020: Van der Sloot Starts Drug Trafficking Operation
Joran van der Sloot initiated a cocaine trafficking ring within Challapalca Prison in August 2020, using a family member of an inmate to smuggle the drugs using sugar beets. This operation involved both internal distribution and a network to move cocaine beyond prison walls.
February 2021: Van der Sloot Convicted of Drug Trafficking
Joran van der Sloot was found guilty of running a cocaine trafficking operation from within Challapalca Prison in February 2021. The scheme, which began in August 2020, involved smuggling cocaine into the prison using sugar beets. Van der Sloot distributed the drugs inside and organized an international trafficking network.
January 2023: Additional Sentencing for Drug Trafficking
In January 2023, Joran van der Sloot received an additional 18-year sentence for trafficking cocaine while imprisoned.
June 2023: Extradition to the United States
Joran van der Sloot was extradited to the United States in June 2023 to stand trial for extortion and wire fraud related to Natalee Holloway's disappearance.
June 2023: Van der Sloot Extradited to the U.S. and Pleads Not Guilty
On June 8, 2023, Joran van der Sloot was extradited from Peru to the United States to face charges related to the extortion of Beth Holloway. After landing in Birmingham, Alabama, he was taken into custody and arraigned on June 9. Van der Sloot pleaded not guilty to the charges of extortion and wire fraud.
October 2023: Admission of Guilt in Holloway Case
In October 2023, Joran van der Sloot admitted to killing Natalee Holloway in a proffer letter. This followed his guilty plea to other related charges in an Alabama court.
October 2023: Van der Sloot Admits to Killing Natalee Holloway and is Sentenced to 20 Years
In October 2023, as part of a plea deal, Joran van der Sloot admitted to killing Natalee Holloway in 2005. He revealed that he bludgeoned her with a cinder block and disposed of her body in the ocean. Consequently, he received a 20-year sentence for extortion charges, running concurrently with his existing sentence in Peru.
2023: Van der Sloot and Figueroa Divorce; Figueroa Seeks Name Change for Daughter
Joran van der Sloot and Leidy Figueroa divorced in 2023. Following the separation, Figueroa expressed her intention to change her daughter's last name to disassociate her from Van der Sloot.
June 2038: Initial Release Date Set
Joran van der Sloot's initial release date from prison was set for June 2038.
2038: Van der Sloot's Scheduled Extradition to the U.S.
In 2038, Joran van der Sloot is scheduled to be extradited to the U.S. to face charges of extortion and wire fraud in connection to the Natalee Holloway case after completing his prison sentence in Peru for a separate murder conviction.
2045: Projected Release Date
Due to Peruvian law limiting prison sentences to a maximum of 35 years in cases without a life sentence, Joran van der Sloot is scheduled for release in 2045. This projection factors in his original sentence and the additional time for drug trafficking.