The suspect in the Natalee Holloway murder, Joran Van der Sloot, is looking for a new defense attorney after his Peruvian lawyer quit the case out of fear for his life: "I'm an older person. This isn't for me."

Van der Sloot's lawyer, 54-year-old Maximo Altez, told the AP that he quit after receiving multiple threats and that's he's too old for that shit. The murderous Dutchman's family is due to arrive in Peru in the next few days and are trying to raise money for his legal defense. Van der Sloot confessed to killing a young woman on May 30 in Peru, and has told authorities that he knows where Natalee Holloway's body is, but will only tell Aruban police. Van der Sloot is currently being held in a 6.6-by-11.5-foot cell inside the National Penal Institute until trial. The next cell over holds a famous Colombian hit man.

Attention lawyers: job opportunity!

Update: via commenter rEnaGaDeAide, Radio Netherlands is reporting that Van der Sloot's lawyer has decided to stay on for now, but is in hiding:

Joran van der Sloot's lawyer, Máximo Altez, has decided he will continue to defend his client. Earlier he announced he was quitting because of "numerous family problems", but Radio Netherlands Worldwide has learned that he has now decided to go ahead regardless. He has, however, moved to a secret location since the windows of his office were smashed."

Still doesn't sound like he's too excited about defending the case.

Update 2! Altez is out! Periodismoenlinea translated via rEnaGaDeAide: "As required by the Republic, the lawyer said he would wait a few days on arrival in Lima of the relatives of the confessed murderer to disengage completely from the case."

[Image via AP]