San Francisco Woman Abducted in Mexico Released After Eight Months in Captivity
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) – Monica De Leon Barba, a San Mateo woman who was abducted in Mexico and held captive for eight months, has finally been released. The news brings relief to her friends and family who have been tirelessly advocating for her return.
Surveillance video captured the moment De Leon Barba was kidnapped on November 29, 2022, in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico, as she was walking home from work with her dog. The video showed her being confronted and forced into a vehicle while her dog ran free.
Anissa Livas, a friend of De Leon Barba, expressed her happiness at the news of her release. “Waking up tomorrow, I think we can all breathe a little bit easier, and it’s a much happier day because of it,” Livas said. She had been leading the charge to bring her friend home, pressuring local officials and even reaching out to President Biden for assistance.
In March, the FBI announced a $40,000 reward for information about De Leon Barba’s disappearance and released the video of her kidnapping. The reward and the video helped generate leads and raise awareness about her case.
On Saturday, the FBI announced that De Leon Barba had been released by her captors on Friday night. In a statement, the FBI said, ”The FBI is pleased to announce that Monica De Leon Barba is safe and en route to the United States where she will be reunited with her family and dog after eight months in captivity. No arrests have been made, and an investigation into the identities of her captors is ongoing.”
De Leon Barba’s brother, Gustavo, shared a photo on Saturday of him and his sister on a plane, expressing his gratitude to everyone who supported their family throughout the ordeal. ”For the first time in a very long time, we have good news! I need to thank every single person that helped my family and I through this entire ordeal. We can all finally close this chapter in our lives and work on the long road of healing we have ahead,” he wrote.
While the family is not ready to speak publicly, De Leon Barba’s friends have been given permission to share their joy. Valerie Sherwood, another friend, described the past eight months as ”crazy” and “exhausting.” She expressed her relief that De Leon Barba is finally safe.
“We’re eager to see her, but understanding that she may need some space and time, but just very, very happy that she’s back home,” Livas added.
Authorities are still searching for the suspects involved in the abduction, and no arrests have been made yet.
The community is eagerly awaiting De Leon Barba’s return, and her release serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of supporting those in need.
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What impact did Anissa Livas’ efforts, including reaching out to President Biden, have on the release of Monica De Leon Barba
San Francisco Woman Abducted in Mexico Finally Released After Eight Months in Captivity
After an arduous eight-month ordeal, Monica De Leon Barba, a woman from San Mateo, has been freed from captivity in Mexico. This news comes as a relief to her friends and family, who have tirelessly campaigned for her return.
The moment of De Leon Barba’s abduction on November 29, 2022, in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico, was captured in surveillance video. As she was walking home from work with her dog, she was confronted and forced into a vehicle, while her dog managed to escape.
Anissa Livas, a close friend of De Leon Barba, expressed her joy and relief upon hearing the news of her release. Livas said, ”Tomorrow, we can all breathe a little bit easier. It’s a much happier day because of it.” Livas had been at the forefront of the efforts to bring her friend home, exerting pressure on local officials and even reaching out to President Biden for assistance.
In March, the FBI offered a $40,000 reward for any information regarding De Leon Barba’s disappearance. They also released the video of her abduction in hopes of gathering leads.
Wow, what an unimaginable ordeal she must have been through. So relieved to hear that she has been released and can finally return home to San Mateo.