Desperate final pleas for missing Maria del Carmen Lopez as family begs Biden to help find US mother of seven kidnapped in Mexico
THE daughter of an American woman kidnapped in Mexico has detailed a haunting audio clip sent to the family by the kidnappers.
Relatives of 63-year-old Maria del Carmen Lopez are appealing to the US and Mexican Presidents for help after she was kidnapped on February 9.
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The dual citizen moved to Mexico from California about a decade ago to retire, but has often returned to the United States for doctor appointments and to visit his family.
She was kidnapped exactly four months ago from her home in Pueblo Nuevo, Colima state.
During a news conference this week, the missing woman’s daughter, Zonia Lopez, described a recording the family received from Lopez’s kidnappers about two months ago.
“She is pleading for her life and naming some of my brothers and sisters,” the daughter said.
“She says, ‘Please hurry up, act quickly, my children, and give them what they want. My life depends on it.’”
The family has not heard from Lopez or her kidnappers since.
Zonia said there was a “disconnection” between investigators in the US and Mexico.
She is now calling on the presidents of both countries to get more involved.
“UNIMAGEABLE PAIN”
“I beg you to hear my words and feel my pain,” she said through tears.
“My family has endured unimaginable pain and suffering, desperately clinging to hope as the days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into months, with no sign of my mother’s safe return.”
Lopez — mother of seven, grandmother of 19, and great-grandmother of two — was a social butterfly and had an infectious laugh. KTLA reported.
She was gardening at her home when she was approached by a group of masked men and forced into a white van.
Neighbors heard her tell the kidnappers that she did not want to get into the vehicle.
Calling on the US and Mexican governments to help find her, Zonia said, “Work together to make the rescue and safe return of the mother a priority.”
“Use all human and technical resources to put an end to this nightmare that has plagued my family for far too long.”
The FBI has been investigating the case since March and is currently offering a $20,000 reward for Lopez’s return.
The family started a petition called “Justice for Carmen” detailing their efforts to find the beloved mother and grandma.
“We beseech the United States government to give our mother, Maria Del Carmen Lopez, her full support as a valued citizen and to work tirelessly to support her safe return,” they said wrote.
Anyone with information is asked to contact a local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate.
She’s not the only American citizen kidnapped in Mexico in recent months.
Cartels have targeted American tourists and transplants because they believe their friends and family will be able to make sizeable ransom payments, former New York City police officer Michael Alcazar told The US Sun.
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