The father-in-law and brother-in-law of actress and former Miss USA Ali Landry were found dead in Mexico after allegedly being kidnapped and held for ransom, according to the New York Post .
Juan Manuel Gomez Fernandez and Juan Manuel Gomez Monteverde were found dead in Veracruz after disappearing two weeks ago. Ransom had been paid for their release, but they were killed anyway.
Ali Landry’s father-in-law, brother-in-law found dead after being held hostage http://t.co/eOaFzBXJ4s via @nypost
— ???????? – Squatters in the White House (@jaal811) September 23, 2015
Latin Times reports that the men left their home in Tampico, Tamaulipas , when they were grabbed. Producer, family friend, and Tampico native Eduardo Verastegui took to Twitter to convey his condolences.
“With a heart full of pain and sadness, I ask for prayers for my friend and ‘compadre’ Alejandro Gomez Monteverde and all his family. My deepest condolences to my soul brother, I love you so much ‘compadre,’ I put my heart in your hands and I join you in this deep pain.”
Ali Landry’s father-in-law and brother-in-law killed after kidnapping–keeping the family in our thoughts: http://t.co/drMZIUYpw2
— E! News (@enews) September 23, 2015
According to the Advocate , it is not unusual in Mexico for celebrities or their relatives to be targeted by kidnappers. The bodies of Landry’s family members were found in a car with a license plate from the region.
The Daily Mail is suggesting that the kidnapping might be tied to the restaurant owned by Landry’s brother in law called La Pecerita. The restaurant reported drug cartel activity in the past. Currently, there is a drug cartel war in the region between Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel, specifically in the area where the bodies were found.
The local government has been fighting this type of violent crime with debatable results.
Louisiana actress, beauty queen Ali Landry’s father-in-law, brother-in-law kidnapped, killed in Mexico, http://t.co/C0x3HzL3Ax
— Future Leaders for America in Louisiana (@geauxFLFA) September 24, 2015
Landry was named Miss USA in 1996 and was named the Doritos girl as a result of her commercial, which aired during the Superbowl in 1998. She married Alejandro Gomez Monteverde in 2006, two years after her marriage to Mario Lopez was annulled, when it was revealed that he was unfaithful with a stripper at his bachelor party.
The investigation is still in full force according to local police. The kidnappers have not yet been identified.
Would you be concerned to travel around Mexico with family?
[Photo courtesy of Cindy Ord/Getty Images]
