Natalee Holloway’s mother files criminal complaint in the Netherlands against Joran van der Sloot

ORANJESTAD – Beth Holloway, the mother of Natalee Holloway who disappeared on Aruba in 2005, has filed a criminal complaint against Joran van der Sloot in the Netherlands. She is seeking to have Dutch authorities investigate whether Van der Sloot can still be criminally prosecuted for the death of her daughter.

Van der Sloot (38) confessed in 2023 in the United States that he killed Natalee Holloway with a rock. However, according to attorney Royce de Vries, who is representing Beth Holloway, it remains unclear how the investigation in Aruba is progressing. The move is therefore an attempt to bring the Netherlands into the case.

"The Netherlands can also play a role and assume jurisdiction in order to finally resolve this case," said De Vries.

Worldwide

The case surrounding Natalee Holloway, who disappeared in 2005 at the age of 18 during a vacation on Aruba, drew worldwide attention but was never definitively resolved. Van der Sloot was detained multiple times at the time, but was never prosecuted for her disappearance or death.

He is currently imprisoned in Peru, where he was convicted of the murder of Peruvian student Stephany Flores in 2010. He was also sentenced in the United States to twenty years in prison for extorting Beth Holloway — a sentence he is permitted to serve concurrently with his Peruvian sentence.

Investigation open

According to attorney Annemiek van Spanje, a colleague of De Vries, Aruban authorities indicated in 2023 that the investigation into Natalee’s death remains open and is being reviewed following Van der Sloot’s confession. "But so far, no visible progress has been made," she said.

Beth Holloway describes the complaint filed in the Netherlands as "the last hope" of obtaining justice for her daughter. "I cannot imagine Van der Sloot ever living freely again without having been held accountable for the death of my daughter Natalee," said Holloway.