Famous Kidnappings: Zahie Téllez and Other Celebrity Abductions in Mexico

This weekend, social media was shocked by the kidnapping of MasterChef Kidnapped on Mexico-Cuernavaca Highway”>Zahie Téllez, a judge on the television show MasterChef. She and her husband, Alberto Escobar, were intercepted on the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway near the town of Parres in Tlalpan.

The incident occurred on November 23, while Téllez was parked and conducting a live Zoom interview with Imagen Televisión. During the call, an armed group approached and took them hostage. The broadcast cut off abruptly, alerting the media team, who immediately notified authorities.

Thanks to this alert, a large operation was initiated involving several organizations, including the Security and Citizen Protection Secretariat of Morelos (SSPC), the National Guard, and the Mexican Army. Hours later, Miguel Ángel Urrutia, the Secretary of Security in Morelos, reported that Téllez and Escobar were released unharmed in Cuernavaca.

During the operation, authorities identified a suspicious vehicle near the Mexico-Morelos border. After intercepting it, they detained a suspect, which led to the couple’s recovery.

Currently, both Zahie Téllez and her husband are recovering from this violent act. Authorities are conducting an investigation, with the Morelos High Impact Crimes Investigation Prosecutor’s Office (FIDAI) leading the efforts to clarify the situation and process those responsible.

Over the years, many artists have faced similar experiences, from express kidnappings to prolonged captivity, leaving permanent marks on their lives. Here are some notable cases.

In September 2002, sisters Ernestina Sodi, a writer and journalist, and Laura Zapata, an actress known for her villainous roles in soap operas, were kidnapped in Mexico City after leaving the San Rafael theater where Zapata was performing. This traumatic event lasted around 45 days, leaving deep emotional and physical scars.

The sisters were captured by armed men and taken to a “safe house.” The kidnappers tried to leverage Sodi’s relationship with her sister, Thalía, who is married to music mogul Tommy Mottola, believing it would ensure a significant ransom. Initially, they demanded $5 million, but the amount was eventually reduced. Thalía, according to Sodi, covered the ransom costs, though the exact amount was not disclosed.

Zapata was released after 18 days to expedite the payment, but Sodi remained captive for another 16 days, creating tensions between the sisters. Sodi reported being beaten, causing eye injuries that required surgery. In her book Líbranos del mal, the late journalist recounted being forced to engage with one of her captors to avoid further violence. Zapata revealed that she developed Stockholm syndrome, even accepting the kidnappers’ demands and interacting with them positively.

The kidnapping caused familial tensions, especially between Ernestina and Laura, leading to accusations from Laura, who denied orchestrating the crime.

Adal Ramones, a well-known television host, was kidnapped in 1998. He was seized at gunpoint outside his apartment just a month before his wedding. He was held for a week, confined to a closet with a blindfold and cotton in his ears, fearing he might never see daylight again.

The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $1 million. During negotiations, Ramones had to select a mediator from captivity. Initially, his producer, Memo del Bosque, doubted the authenticity of the situation, as Ramones had recently joked about being kidnapped.

Eventually, Del Bosque took charge of negotiations and secured Ramones’ release. Ramones expressed his gratitude to the producer, who spent sleepless nights worrying about his safety. The kidnapping left him traumatized, affecting his personal relationships and contributing to the failure of his marriage.

Vicente Fernández Jr., son of the renowned singer Vicente Fernández, was kidnapped on May 20, 1998, at the family ranch in Jalisco. He was held for four months, a traumatic period for the family.

During his captivity, the kidnappers sent a chilling message to the family: a package containing two severed fingers from his left hand. This was a tactic to pressure his father for ransom. The kidnappers demanded a huge sum. Ultimately, Vicente Fernández Sr. paid $3.2 million to secure his son’s release, confirmed via a metaphorical call referring to the family’s cherished horses.

The experience left psychological scars on Vicente Fernández Jr., who stated that he was deeply affected afterward. Rumors circulated that his brother, Gerardo Fernández, who manages the family business, might have been involved, although these claims were never substantiated.

Irán Castillo, a well-known Mexican actress, experienced a brief abduction in 2007. She was a victim of an express kidnapping that lasted three days. During her captivity, she reported that her captors treated her respectfully and did not harm her.

Surprisingly, Irán formed an emotional bond with her captors, expressing gratitude for their treatment. This response was interpreted by experts as a case of Stockholm syndrome. Her release came about through financial support from singer Gloria Trevi, who helped Castillo’s family pay the ransom.

Castillo initially hesitated to report her captors, but she processed the impact of the kidnapping during therapy. Despite the deep emotional scars left by the experience, she gradually rebuilt her personal and professional life.

In 2021, actor Carlos Miguel was abducted after a filming session. Initially aimed as an express kidnapping, the situation turned violent when the captors discovered personal documents linking him to his daughters.

During the ordeal, the kidnappers recognized him and brutalized him. They shattered his facial bones, severed tendons in one of his hands, and mutilated his lips, leaving his teeth exposed. He revealed that the physical injuries destroyed his ability to continue working as an actor, and he fell into depression post-abduction. Ultimately, he started a taco business to sustain himself due to his injuries and the impact on his career.