Joran Van der Sloot's Pregnant Wife Speaks Out; Says 'He Is Not a Monster'

By Sami K. Martin, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, September 25, 2014

Joran Van der Sloot (2nd L) of the Netherlands i is transferred by the police to the Justice Palace to be held temporarily before being moved to a prison in Lima June 11, 2010. An official at the Peruvian national police's criminal investigations unit told Reuters on Tuesday that Van der Sloot admitted he killed 21-year-old Stephany Flores, whose body was found in a Lima hotel room last week. | (Photo: REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)

Joran Van der Sloot's pregnant wife has broken her silence about marrying a convicted murderer, who she insists is "not a monster," but a loving man looking forward to the birth of his first child.

Leidy Figueroa fell in love with Van der Sloot during a trip to visit another inmate. The couple continued speaking and eventually got engaged, then married … all behind prison bars in Peru. Van der Sloot was convicted of murdering Stephany Flores in 2010 and is serving a 28-year sentence. He is also a suspect in the 2005 disappearance of American high school student Natalee Holloway.

"Many people judge Joran and criticize him, saying he is a monster and an assassin, but when you get to know him, you know he is different," Figueroa told MailOnline. "I want to show he's not a monster. He's changed a lot—he's a gentle, sensitive, kind person and I love him. I know he has killed, but he is now paying for what he did. He is asking God for forgiveness and praying every day."

Figueroa is nine months pregnant with Van der Sloot's child, and the couple hopes to be reunited after he finishes serving his sentence. She became pregnant during one of the conjugal visits the prison allows, and Van der Sloot apparently had suspicion of the pregnancy before Figueroa confirmed his notion.

"I know you are probably pregnant and that you are going to have my baby," he wrote in a love note. "I want you to know that I will be the best father in the world just like mine was. I love you and I care for you."

The couple is expecting a baby girl whom they will name Dusha Trudie Van der Sloot. Figueroa has a son from a previous relationship. She was seven months pregnant when they exchanged vows in the prison, but have plans to have another ceremony once he is released.