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Joran van der Sloot

Joran Andreas Petrus van der Sloot is a Dutch convicted murderer and extortionist.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Joran Andreas Petrus van der Sloot is a Dutch convicted murderer and extortionist. He became internationally known as the prime suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway and was later convicted in Peru for the 2010 murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez. In 2023, he pleaded guilty in the United States to extortion and wire fraud related to the Holloway case.

Early life

Joran van der Sloot was born in Arnhem, Netherlands, in 1987. Public reporting identifies him as Dutch and notes that he later lived in Aruba.

Natalee Holloway case

Van der Sloot became internationally known after the disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway in Aruba in 2005. He remained the main suspect for years, and in 2023 he admitted killing her in a confession disclosed through a plea agreement in the extortion case.

Stephany Flores Ramírez murder conviction

In Peru, van der Sloot was convicted of murdering 21-year-old student Stephany Flores Ramírez in 2010. He received a 28-year prison sentence.

U.S. extortion and wire fraud case

U.S. authorities charged van der Sloot with extortion and wire fraud for allegedly trying to extract money from Holloway’s mother. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2023.

Key facts

  • Joran van der Sloot was the main suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
  • He was convicted in Peru for the 2010 murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez and sentenced to 28 years.
  • In 2023, he pleaded guilty in the United States to extortion and wire fraud related to the Holloway case.
  • He has been described as a Dutch murderer, extortionist, con man, and drug trafficker.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Joran van der Sloot?
He is a Dutch convicted murderer and extortionist who became widely known in connection with the Natalee Holloway disappearance and the murder of Stephany Flores Ramírez.
What was he convicted of in Peru?
He was convicted of murdering Stephany Flores Ramírez in Lima in 2010 and sentenced to 28 years in prison.
What happened in the United States case?
He pleaded guilty to extortion and wire fraud related to the Holloway case and received a 20-year sentence.
Why is he internationally known?
He was the prime suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway, which drew major international attention.
Is he still in prison?
Yes. Available sources report that he remained incarcerated in Peru after the U.S. proceedings, with the U.S. sentence to be served in connection with his existing imprisonment.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joran_van_der_Sloot
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, public identification as a Dutch murderer and extortionist, and overview of major cases.
  2. U.S. Department of Justice — https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/joran-van-der-sloot-pleads-guilty-and-sentenced-extortion-and-wire-fraud
    Supports: Guilty plea and 20-year federal sentence for extortion and wire fraud related to Elizabeth 'Beth' Holloway.
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65846860
    Supports: Temporary extradition to the United States, Holloway case context, and reference to the Peru murder conviction.
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67150843
    Supports: Admission connected to the Holloway case and plea-deal context.
  5. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/joran-van-der-sloot-temporary-extradition-us-1.6839448
    Supports: Temporary extradition from Peru to the United States and the Peru murder conviction.
  6. People — https://www.people.com/where-is-joran-vandersloot-now-11743213
    Supports: Summary of convictions, sentencing, and incarceration status.