The Many Lies, Confessions, and Recantations of Joran Van Der Sloot

Joran Van der Sloot, the prime suspect in the disappearance of 18-year old Natalee Holloway of Birmingham, Alabama, is in the spotlight again with a new confession. This got me to thinking about the many lies, confessions, and recantations Joran Van der Sloot has told.

If he had something to do with Natalee's disappearance, he should be forthcoming with the truth and tell authorities where to find her. If he's not guilty, then he should simply go away and stop telling tall-tales that only serve to get the hopes of her family and friends up.

Story Number One:

When Joran Van der Sloot was first questioned about the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, he told Aruban law enforcement officials he didn't know her, but on May 31, 2005, the day after Natalee went missing, he said he, Deepak Kalpoe, and Satich Kalpoe had taken Holloway to the lighthouse before taking her to the Holiday Inn around 2:00 a.m. When she was exiting the car, she tripped and her head hit the pavement.

Later he would say she hit her head on some rocks and he dumped her body in the ocean.

Story Number Two:

Instead of the trio taking Natalee back to her hotel, this time he claims they took her to the lighthouse and then to Fisherman's Huts, located on the North end of the Marriott Hotel property, where they had sexual contact. He said he left her alone on the beach and he walked two miles home.

Story Number Three:

Van der Sloot told authorities that the men took Natalee to Van der Sloot's house before going to the lighthouse and then Fisherman's Huts beach where the pair have sexual contact. Van der Sloot said he left Natalee alone on the beach and he walked home.

Story Number Four:

Van der Sloot can't seem to keep anything straight. This time, he says the trio went to Van der Sloot's home, then to Fisherman's Huts beach where he and Natalee had sexual contact. Van der Sloot then says he called Deepak Kalpoe for a ride home, though it was Satish Kalpoe who showed up instead. Van der Sloot once more claims he left Natalee alone.

The Kalpoe brothers maintained they never took Van der Sloot home that night and they had gone home, not leaving the rest of the night.

In November 2008, he told Fox News On the Record host Greta Van Susteren that he had sold Natalee to a man in a boat for $10,000. He claimed that Natalee was taken to Venezuela where she would be a sex slave. He would go on to implicate both Kalpoe brothers, saying they knew about what happened and were given $1,000 to keep quiet. His father and at least two Aruban police officers knew about it as well. At the time, Joran said the police officers were given $50,000 for their silence.

Van der Sloot has said Natalee died on the beach and he dumped her body in the ocean.

Currently, the young Van der Sloot says he dumped her body in an Aruban swamp.

So what really happened to Natalee that fateful night? There are so many stories, lies, confessions, and recanted statements that the truth is lost. Even the judge who denied his arrest in 2008 said that their were too many versions of the story to know what was true, which is likely Van der Sloot's purpose.

No matter what the truth is, Joran Van der Sloot should be charged with hindering an investigation or obstruction of justice. If he has no involvement in the case, why bring it up and throw the light on yourself over and over again? Natalee's family and friends deserve more respect than what they are getting out of Van der Sloot or the Aruban authorities who may be involved in a cover up (remember, Joran's father was a member of the judicial system - you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours mentality may be at play).

See Also: Suspect in Natalee Holloway Disappearance Joran Van Der Sloot Confesses Again

Sources:
Now Public
Fox News