On November 27, New York-based model Luciana Curtis, her husband Henrique Gendre, and their 11-year-old child were abducted at gunpoint in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The family was ambushed by armed men outside a local restaurant and forcibly taken to a remote wooden shack.
12 Hours in Captivity
The rudimentary shack, described as having only a mattress, toilet, and sink, became the site of their 12-hour ordeal. The gang allegedly forced the couple to transfer money from their bank accounts while holding them captive.
Escape and Police Intervention
The family’s eldest daughter, alarmed by their prolonged absence, contacted her uncle, who immediately alerted the authorities. As specialist police teams closed in on the area, the captors abandoned the family and fled. Curtis and her family flagged down a passing truck for help and were taken to the nearest police station, where the anti-kidnapping division recorded their statements and began an investigation.
Hideout Abandoned
Police located the hideout but found it deserted. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to apprehend the suspects.
Luciana Curtis: A Global Icon
Curtis, a native of Sao Paulo and daughter of British businessman Malcolm Leo Curtis, gained fame after winning the 1993 Brazilian final of the Supermodel of the World competition. Now 47, she has graced the covers of major fashion magazines like Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan and collaborated with icons such as Beyoncé and top global brands, including Harrods, H&M, and Victoria’s Secret.
