Joran van der Sloot Found Seriously Injured in Peruvian Prison Cell

Dutch Murderer Discovered in Critical Condition After Apparent Suicide Attempt

Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch man convicted of murdering Peruvian student Stephany Flores in 2010, was found seriously injured in his prison cell at the high-security Challapalca facility in Peru on December 13, 2025. According to reports from the Peruvian Ministry of Justice, prison guards discovered Van der Sloot in critical condition during breakfast distribution at approximately 9:50 AM local time.

Emergency Response and Medical Stabilization

Prison authorities immediately activated emergency protocols and provided medical assistance to the 38-year-old inmate. 'He received prompt medical attention and his condition was stabilized,' confirmed a spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. Van der Sloot remains under constant medical observation and monitoring at the prison's medical facility.

Multiple sources, including the Peruvian newspaper La República, indicate that Van der Sloot attempted suicide using an improvised strip from a blanket. The incident occurred at the Challapalca prison, located in southern Peru at an altitude of over 4,600 meters (15,000 feet) above sea level.

Background of a Notorious Criminal

Van der Sloot is serving a 28-year sentence for the brutal murder of 21-year-old business student Stephany Flores, which occurred on May 30, 2010 - exactly five years to the day after the disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway in Aruba. In October 2023, he was also convicted in the United States for extorting Holloway's mother, Beth Holloway, and received an additional 20-year sentence.

The Dutch national first gained international notoriety as the prime suspect in the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway during her high school graduation trip to Aruba in 2005. While he was never charged in that case, he confessed to killing Holloway in a 2023 proffer letter as part of his U.S. plea agreement.

Timing Coincides with Netflix Documentary Announcement

This incident comes just two days after Netflix announced a three-part documentary series about the Natalee Holloway case. The documentary, scheduled for release in 2025, features exclusive access to investigators and previously unreleased audio from Holloway's family and the FBI. 'For the first time, Natalee's mother Beth Holloway tells the full story of the case that haunted her for 20 years,' stated Netflix in their announcement.

Remarkably, Van der Sloot's apparent suicide attempt occurred just one week after he publicly apologized to the Flores family for the first time in 17 years. In a prison interview, he expressed remorse for his actions and described his daily routine focused on exercise, reading, and religion.

Challapalca: Peru's 'Frozen Hell' Prison

The Challapalca prison where Van der Sloot is incarcerated has been described by human rights organizations as one of the world's most extreme penal facilities. Located at nearly 5,000 meters above sea level, the prison experiences extreme cold temperatures and has been criticized for inhumane conditions. According to Infobae, the facility houses approximately 220 of Peru's most dangerous criminals considered 'very difficult to rehabilitate.'

The prison has no access to technology or reliable cell phone signals, and visits are infrequent due to its remote location. In 2003, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights recommended its closure due to allegations of torture and poor living conditions.

Ongoing Investigation and International Attention

Peruvian authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Van der Sloot's injuries. While initial reports suggest a suicide attempt, officials have not ruled out other possibilities. The case continues to attract international media attention due to Van der Sloot's connection to two high-profile murder cases that have captivated audiences worldwide for nearly two decades.

As of December 14, 2025, Van der Sloot remains under medical supervision while prison authorities continue their investigation into the incident. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been notified and is monitoring the situation through diplomatic channels.