The FBIs San Francisco office has released videos that show the kidnapping of an American woman in Mexico last year.
Monica de Leon Barba of San Mateo, Calif., was walking home from work with her dog in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, near Guadalajara, at around 5 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2022, when she was snatched and pulled into a vehicle, the FBI said.
The first video shows de Leon Barba walking with her dog in the moments before the kidnapping. The video then shows three vehicles investigators say were involved in the abduction: a silver Volkswagen Jetta, a gray Dodge Charger, and a white Chevrolet Suburban.
A second video, taken from another angle, shows the suspects and their vehicles during the abduction. Multiple suspects confronted de Leon Barba and forced her into the Jetta, according to the FBI.
The five suspects are described as two males in dark clothing, a male in the backseat of the white Suburban, a male believed to be the driver of the Charger, and an unknown suspect presumed to be the driver of the Suburban.
Investigators believe de Leon Barba is still alive and being held hostage.
“The FBI is requesting the publics assistance in locating Monica and returning her safely to her family. We believe these videos may have generated new public tips to assist in our investigation,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp said in a statement.
The FBI is asking anyone with information about the location of de Leon Barba to submit a tip to the FBI or to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
