Could answers finally be on the horizon in the case of Natalee Holloway? The man many believe killed the Mountain Brook, Ala., teen in 2005 is set to be transferred to the United States this week.
Joran van der Sloot, the chief suspect in the disappearance of Holloway, could be extradited to the U.S. as early as Tuesday. Van der Sloot has been serving a 28-year sentence in Peru for the murder of a Peruvian woman in 2010.
“In the coming days, the INPE (National Penitentiary Institute) will hand over the condemned man to Interpol Peru with the goal of handing him over to U.S. authorities from the FBI,” a statement from the INPE reads.
Although van der Sloot is not currently facing trial for the disappearance of Holloway, he will be tried in the U.S. for extortion and wire fraud after he allegedly lied to Holloway’s mother, saying he would reveal where her daughter’s body was for $250,000.
Van der Sloot is accused of telling the family’s legal representation in March 2010 that his father – a high-profile attorney – buried Holloway’s body in the foundation of their house. After a transfer of $25,000, van der Sloot said he made the story up.
Holloway, born in Clinton, Miss., and still has family in the area, was 18 when she was last seen with van der Sloot leaving a nightclub in May 2005. At the time, the incoming University of Alabama freshman was on a senior trip with 124 of her high school peers on the Caribbean island of Aruba, where van der Sloot was a student at the International School of Aruba.
Van der Sloot was caught by an undercover reporter in February 2016 confessing to Holloway’s murder, although he has since said he was lying in the video. He has been behind bars since 2012 for the murder of Stephanie Flores after finding out she won money at the Miraflores casino where they met.
Upon completion of trial in the U.S., van der Sloot could be transferred back to Peru contingent on the countries’ agreement. He is expected to plead not guilty to extortion and wire fraud.
Natalee Holloway was officially pronounced dead in January 2012.
