Natalee HollowayJust as the family of Natalee Holloway, the American teenager who went missing in Aruba in 2005, heard a judge declare her legally dead to finally get closure on her case, what popped up in the news? Why, Joran van der Sloot of course. The Dutchman was sentenced to 28 years in prison this morning for the murder of a Peruvian woman, Stephany Flores. Could the timing be any worse?

It's as though -- even in death -- Natalee cannot escape him. I can imagine seeing the sentencing of the piece of scum who's been prime suspect in the death of their daughter for the past six years was a relief for the Holloway family. But all the same, I'm not surprised the rarely media shy Beth Holloway has largely declined comment on the sentencing.

In 2005, Beth and ex-husband David Holloway lost their beloved daughter. And since then, they've had to hear the name van der Sloot over and over and over again. Over six and a half years, he's taunted them with extortion attempts and struck out at them in the media. He's made the torture of not knowing the fate that befell your child that much more painful for these parents.

And now, once again, van der Sloot has managed through the fluke of timing to get one over on the Holloways. They were supposed to be spending this week dealing with David's request that a judge declare Natalee legally dead so he could stop paying her medical insurance and put her college fund to use for her younger brother. A tough decision for David, it was even tougher for Beth who opposed the judge's decision to grant the request.

As a parent, I can't imagine sitting in the shoes of either of the Holloway parents. Dealing with something this monumental would be enough to take the wind out of my sails. But the Holloways didn't get the "luxury" of dealing with one pain a time.Oh no, that would be too "easy."

Like a one-two punch, first came the judge's decision and immediately after came van der Sloot's sentencing. And as much relief as they may feel today knowing that this vile creature is behind bars, it's looking less and less likely that the Holloways will ever find out the truth about their daughter's death.

Do you feel for the Holloway family this week?