Woman kidnapped and forced into van while walking her dog as $40k reward offered

The FBI has offered a $40,000 reward over a California woman who went missing in Mexico while walking with her dog.
Monica De Leon Barba, 29, was forced into a van in Tepatitlan de Morelos state.
Her friends raised the alarm after she didn't turn up to her local gym and when they went to look for her, they found her dog running loose around the city.
Ms De Leon Barba had been in Mexico since June 2022. She travelled there often to work on her photography and visit family.
Four months on from her kidnapping, the FBI have put up a reward of up to $40,000 for help finding the missing woman.


"We believe this was a targeted kidnapping," FBI Special Agent Robert Tripp, told KTVU.
He added: "We believe she is still being held hostage. The hostage takers have been in contact with her family and the FBI is working very close with her family and with authorities in Mexico to bring her home safely."
The missing woman's brother, Gustavo De Leon, wrote a Facebook post after the reward was announced.

It read: "It has been four torturous months since my sisters' kidnapping, although great efforts have been made every day to bring her home, today we find ourselves far from that goal.
"I cant help but think of the absolute fear and agony she has faced for the last 121 days, and this is why I am imploring anyone that sees this message to help spread the word that the FBI has now released a reward for any information leading to the safe return of my sister."
"All of those that can please help me, contact your local politicians and get them to help us bring my sister home in whatever capacity possible.

"I ask that you also help me contact Ken Salazar (US Ambassador to Mexico) and demand full cooperation and support of Mexican State Leaders until my sister is safely returned.
The missing woman's family has urged California Senator Alex Padilla and Congresswoman Jackie Speier to help in the search.
A day before her abduction, Ms De Leon Barba had spoken with family.
There has been a spike in abductions in Mexico leading US authorities to warn revellers not to travel there for spring break.

Two sisters went missing along with a friend after crossing the US border into Mexico to sell clothes.
Maritza Trinidad Perez Rios, 47, Marina Perez Rios, 48, and their friend, Dora Alicia Cervantes Saenz, 53, went missing while on their way to a flea market.
US Customs and Border Protection say the three women crossed into Mexico from Peñitas, a small border city in Texas, on February 24.
Peñitas is a few hundred feet from the Rio Grande.
Peñitas Police Chief Roel Bermea said their families have been in touch with Mexican authorities, who are investigating their disappearance.
Anyone with information about Ms De Leon Barba is being urged to contact the local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. They can also submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov or call the FBI's Toll-Free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus





















