More than 18 years after Natalee Holloway disappeared in Aruba in 2005, her family finally learned the truth. Joran van der Sloot confessed in court that he killed the 18-year-old after she resisted his sexual advances. He admitted attacking her and pushing her body into the ocean, meaning her remains will likely never be recovered.
Van der Sloot revealed the confession while being sentenced for a 2010 extortion scheme against Natalee’s mother, for which he received 20 years in prison. He claimed to have changed and apologized to both families. He is also already serving a 28-year sentence in Peru for the murder of another woman.
Natalee disappeared during a graduation trip to Aruba, and her case became one of the most famous missing person stories in the United States. Her family hopes the confession finally brings some closure.