Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch citizen infamous for the unsolved disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway in 2005, was reportedly attacked by two inmates last week at Peru’s Challapalca Prison. This high-security facility houses the country’s most dangerous criminals, and van der Sloot, already serving a 28-year sentence for the 2010 murder of Stephany Flores Ramirez, is no stranger to controversy.

Details surrounding the attack remain murky. Van der Sloot sustained minor injuries and received medical attention before rejoining the general prison population. A spokesperson for Peru’s National Penitentiary Institute (NPI) declined to elaborate on specifics but offered a cryptic comment: “A lot of people want him dead.” This statement reflects the intense public animosity van der Sloot faces, not just for the Flores murder, but for his suspected role in Holloway’s disappearance.

Van der Sloot’s lawyer, Maximo Altez, vehemently denies the attack claims, calling them “fake news.” However, Altez has a history of challenging official narratives surrounding his client. This skepticism is further fueled by the account of Emil Quinones, a former inmate who briefly shared a cell with van der Sloot during his 2020 detainment in Alabama. Quinones described van der Sloot as arrogant and entitled, a “douchebag” who “walked around like the boss.” This behavior, Quinones suggests, may have fostered resentment and ultimately led to the attack.

The incident throws light on the precarious situation of high-profile inmates, particularly those convicted of heinous crimes. Van der Sloot’s notoriety makes him a target within the prison walls, a constant reminder of the unresolved Holloway case. For Natalee’s family and the public, the attack rekindles a sense of outrage and a yearning for closure. While the Holloway case remains officially unsolved, van der Sloot’s attack serves as a grim reminder of the web of deceit and violence he’s woven.