History of Joran van der Sloot in Timeline

Joran van der Sloot is a Dutch murderer convicted of killing Stephany Flores Ramírez in Peru in 2010. He initially gained notoriety as the primary suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba. Despite being a suspect, he was never charged in the Holloway case. The Flores murder resulted in a 28-year prison sentence in Peru. Van der Sloot remains a figure of significant public interest due to the unresolved mystery surrounding Holloway's disappearance and his subsequent conviction for Flores's murder.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Controversies & Scandals

August 1987: Joran van der Sloot's Birth

In August 1987, Joran van der Sloot was born in the Netherlands. He would later be known for his involvement in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and the murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Family Moved to Aruba

In 1990, Joran van der Sloot's family moved from Arnhem to Aruba, where he became an honor student at the International School of Aruba.

May 2005: Van der Sloot Met Natalee Holloway

On May 29, 2005, Joran van der Sloot met Natalee Holloway at Carlos'n Charlie's bar in downtown Oranjestad, Aruba. Holloway was last seen leaving the bar with Van der Sloot and two brothers.

June 2005: Paulus van der Sloot Arrested and Released

On June 22, 2005, Paulus van der Sloot was arrested for questioning in Natalee Holloway's disappearance and was released on June 26 after three days.

June 2005: Van der Sloot Arrested in Holloway's Disappearance

On June 9, 2005, Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers were arrested in connection with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

September 2005: Van der Sloot's Conflicting Statements on A Current Affair

In September 2005, Joran van der Sloot told A Current Affair that neither he nor the Kalpoe brothers had sex with Holloway, but he admitted that they initially lied to the authorities.

September 2005: Van der Sloot Returned to the Netherlands to Study

In September 2005, after his release, Joran van der Sloot returned to the Netherlands to study international business management at the HAN University of Applied Sciences. Travel restrictions were later removed.

November 2005: Paulus van der Sloot Won Unjust Detention Action

On November 10, 2005, Paulus van der Sloot won an unjust detention action against the Aruban government, clearing him as a suspect in the Holloway case.

2005: Moët & Chandon Anniversary Cup

In 2005, Joran Van der Sloot competed in doubles tennis with his father at the Moët & Chandon Anniversary Cup.

February 2006: Van der Sloot's Parents Defended Him; Lawsuit Filed

In February 2006, Joran van der Sloot's parents defended him on Good Morning America. Natalee Holloway's parents filed a lawsuit against Van der Sloot, but the case was later dismissed on jurisdictional grounds that August.

January 2007: Paulus van der Sloot Found Work at Law Firm

In January 2007, Paulus van der Sloot found work as a managing partner at the law firm that had represented him.

April 2007: Publication of Van der Sloot's Book

In April 2007, Joran van der Sloot and a reporter published a book describing the Natalee Holloway case.

April 2007: New Search Launched at Van der Sloot's Parents' Home

On April 27, 2007, a new search involving investigators was launched at Joran van der Sloot's parents' home in Aruba, prompted by what authorities termed "new indications."

November 2007: Van der Sloot and Kalpoe Brothers Re-Arrested

In November 2007, Joran van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers were re-arrested for "suspicion of involvement in voluntary manslaughter and causing serious bodily harm that resulted in the death of Natalee Holloway" due to new evidence. Van der Sloot was later released in December.

January 2008: Wine Thrown at Crime Reporter Peter de Vries

On January 11, 2008, Joran van der Sloot threw a glass of red wine in crime reporter Peter de Vries's face after being challenged on a Dutch talk show.

September 2008: De Vries Accepted Emmy; Van der Sloot Checked into Clinic

In September 2008, Peter de Vries accepted an International Emmy Award for his coverage of Natalee Holloway's disappearance. Under pressure, Joran van der Sloot checked into a psychiatric clinic before moving to Thailand.

November 2008: Undercover Footage of Alleged Sex Trafficking

In November 2008, Peter de Vries aired undercover footage of Joran van der Sloot allegedly preparing for the sex trafficking of Thai women in Bangkok into Europe. Peruvian Minister of Justice later stated that Thailand was pursuing criminal charges against Van der Sloot.

November 2008: Van der Sloot's Retracted Statements on Fox News

On November 24, 2008, Joran van der Sloot claimed on Fox News that he sold Holloway into sexual slavery, later retracting the statements. The show aired part of a recording, allegedly a phone conversation between himself and his father, but the "father's" voice was suspected to be Joran himself.

August 2009: Van der Sloot Spotted at Asia Pacific Poker Tour

In August 2009, Joran van der Sloot was spotted in Macau at the Asia Pacific Poker Tour.

2009: Portrayed in Lifetime Television Film

In 2009, Joran van der Sloot was portrayed by actor Jacques Strydom in the Lifetime television film "Natalee Holloway", based on Beth Holloway's book.

January 2010: Paulus van der Sloot Ended Law Firm Partnership

On January 8, 2010, Paulus van der Sloot ended his partnership at the law firm where he had been working.

February 2010: Paulus van der Sloot's Death

On February 10, 2010, Paulus van der Sloot died of a heart attack at age 57 while playing tennis in Aruba. Joran returned to Aruba and took up gambling.

March 2010: Offer to Reveal Location of Natalee's Body

Around March 29, 2010, Joran van der Sloot allegedly contacted John Q. Kelly, Beth Holloway's legal representative, with an offer to reveal the location of Natalee's body for a fee.

May 2010: Van der Sloot Fled to Chile After Flores's Murder

In May 2010, after the murder of Stephany Flores, Joran van der Sloot fled to Chile. He was later arrested and extradited to Peru for questioning about the murder.

June 2010: Van der Sloot Confessed to Bludgeoning Flores

On June 7, 2010, Joran van der Sloot confessed to bludgeoning Stephany Flores. He later tried to retract this confession, claiming intimidation by the Peruvian Police and framing by the FBI.

2010: Van der Sloot's Arrest as Top Crime Story

In 2010, Time magazine declared Joran van der Sloot's arrest the top crime story of the year.

2010: Van der Sloot Watched the "Natalee Holloway" Film

In 2010, according to his friend, John Ludwick, Joran van der Sloot watched the film "Natalee Holloway" and commented on its accuracy.

2010: Return to Aruba after Father's Death

In early 2010, following the death of his father, Paulus, Joran van der Sloot sold his Bangkok restaurant business and returned to Aruba.

January 2012: Van der Sloot Sentenced to 28 Years for Flores's Murder

In January 2012, Joran van der Sloot was sentenced to 28 years' imprisonment for the murder of Stephany Flores.

July 2014: Marriage to Leidy Figueroa

In July 2014, Joran van der Sloot married Leidy Figueroa, a Peruvian woman he met in prison. At the time of the marriage, Figueroa was seven months pregnant with his child.

September 2014: Birth of Daughter

In September 2014, Joran van der Sloot's wife, Leidy Figueroa, gave birth to their daughter in Peru.

January 2023: Additional Sentence for Trafficking Cocaine

In January 2023, Joran van der Sloot had an additional 18 years added to his sentence for trafficking cocaine while in prison.

June 2023: Van der Sloot Extradited to the United States

On June 8, 2023, Joran van der Sloot was extradited to the United States to face trial for extortion and wire fraud, charges linked to Natalee Holloway's disappearance.

October 2023: Van der Sloot Admitted to Killing Holloway

On October 18, 2023, Joran van der Sloot admitted to killing Natalee Holloway in a proffer letter, released after he pleaded guilty to associated charges in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.