INSIDE EDITION talks to the woman who gave convicted killer Joran van der Sloot her entire life savings while he awaited trial in a Peruvian court.
She spent most of her life savings trying to prove that Joran van der Sloot is innocent of the murder of a beautiful Peruvian heiress.
So imagine how she felt when 24-year-old van der Sloot pled guilty in a Peruvian court earlier this month and was sentenced to 28 years.
55-year-old Dr. Mary Hamer—yes, believe it or not she's a radiologist—has spent her own retirement fund on van der Sloot, the prime suspect in the murder of coed Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
Hamer told INSIDE EDITION's Diane McInerney, "It's been very emotional. My life has been threatened. My savings are wiped out."
But incredibly, she's still obsessed with van der Sloot.
McInerney asked, "Joran has signed a confession. Do you still believe Joran is innocent?"
"Yes, I do. I believe Joran van der Sloot is innocent," replied Hamer.
"Why?" asked McInereny.
"I saw the pain in his face," said Hamer.
"How much money have you put towards his legal defence?" asked McInerney.
"I gave him about $100,000," answered Hamer.
McInerney asked, "You gave him $100,000? Why?"
"Legal fees. Dental bills. Food that he needs," said Hamer.
"Do you want your money back?" asked McInerney.
"Yes. My own savings are now wiped out through all of this," said Hamer.
She has managed to get some of the money back. But van der Sloot is asking for even more, including $1,000 and an iPhone so he can call her from behind bars.
McInerney asked, "Are you in love with him?"
"No. That would be a fraud. If I did anything like that, that would make my whole mission invalidated. I give him unconditional spiritual love. When you love someone you extend a helping hand to someone unconditionally, whether they've killed someone or not," said Hamer.
Van der Sloot calls her his guardian angel and writes emotional handwritten letters and emails such as: "Dear guardian angel, I am crying as I write this letter because I want you to visit me. Love Joran."
Joran's own mother told her to stop helping him because he's just not worth it.
Hamer told McInerney, "She said to me, quote, 'Some lives are not to save.' I said, 'Excuse me, I believe every life is precious. Every life is worth saving.' "
Hamer even wrote and recorded a song for van der Sloot called "Rescue."
"You know, people say that you sound crazy," said McInerney.
"Well, I do have the disease called compassion. I reach out to people who are suffering," replied Hamer.
