Paulus van der Sloot
Paulus van der Sloot (c. 1952 - 10 February 2010) was a Dutch lawyer and judge-in-training, best known as the father of Joran van der Sloot, who was a central figure in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in 2005.
Early life and career
Paulus van der Sloot was born around 1952 in the Netherlands. He trained as a lawyer and later moved to Aruba, where he worked in the Aruban legal system and was training to become a judge.
He was also an avid tennis player, and often played doubles with his son Joran. The two reportedly played in local tournaments, including the Moët & Chandon Anniversary Cup in 2005.
Involvement in the Natalee Holloway case
Paulus came under public scrutiny during the investigation into the 2005 disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway in Aruba. On 22 June 2005, Paulus was arrested by Aruban authorities alongside his son, but he was released a few days later on 26 June for lack of evidence.
Prosecutors alleged that Paulus advised his son during the investigation and may have impeded the legal process. He later filed a lawsuit against the Aruban government for wrongful detention and initially won a judgment of 40,000 Aruban florins (approximately US$22,000), though the ruling was later overturned on appeal.
Personal life
Paulus was married to Anita van der Sloot-Hugen, an art teacher. The couple had three sons, including Joran van der Sloot. The family relocated to Aruba in the early 1990s.
Death
On 10 February 2010, Paulus van der Sloot died of a heart attack while playing tennis at the Tierra del Sol resort in Aruba. He was 57 years old at the time of his death.
Legacy
Although not charged with any crime, Paulus van der Sloot's role during the investigation of the Holloway case was widely discussed in the media. His actions were the subject of speculation and civil litigation, and his death marked a turning point in the public narrative surrounding the case.
Early life and career
Paulus van der Sloot was born around 1952 in the Netherlands. He trained as a lawyer and later moved to Aruba, where he worked in the Aruban legal system and was training to become a judge.
He was also an avid tennis player, and often played doubles with his son Joran. The two reportedly played in local tournaments, including the Moët & Chandon Anniversary Cup in 2005.
Involvement in the Natalee Holloway case
Paulus came under public scrutiny during the investigation into the 2005 disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway in Aruba. On 22 June 2005, Paulus was arrested by Aruban authorities alongside his son, but he was released a few days later on 26 June for lack of evidence.
Prosecutors alleged that Paulus advised his son during the investigation and may have impeded the legal process. He later filed a lawsuit against the Aruban government for wrongful detention and initially won a judgment of 40,000 Aruban florins (approximately US$22,000), though the ruling was later overturned on appeal.
Personal life
Paulus was married to Anita van der Sloot-Hugen, an art teacher. The couple had three sons, including Joran van der Sloot. The family relocated to Aruba in the early 1990s.
Death
On 10 February 2010, Paulus van der Sloot died of a heart attack while playing tennis at the Tierra del Sol resort in Aruba. He was 57 years old at the time of his death.
Legacy
Although not charged with any crime, Paulus van der Sloot's role during the investigation of the Holloway case was widely discussed in the media. His actions were the subject of speculation and civil litigation, and his death marked a turning point in the public narrative surrounding the case.
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