Family and FBI seeking information after US citizen kidnapped from his home in Mexico
The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to his whereabouts.
A California family is desperate for news after their mother was kidnapped outside her home in Mexico more than five weeks ago and has not been seen or heard from since.
Maria del Carmen Lopez, 63, a dual Mexican-American citizen, was abducted in Pueblo Nuevo in the state of Colima on February 9, according to the FBI, which is conducting a joint investigation with Mexican police authorities.
The family of Maria del Carmen Lopez speaks with ABC Los Angeles station KABC.
KABC
His family told ABC Los Angeles station KABC that witnesses described seeing a white van drive into his property.
“There was an exchange of words,” his daughter, Zonia Lopez, told KABC in a moving interview this week. “She refused to get in the van.”
Zonia Lopez, daughter of Maria del Carmen Lopez, speaks with ABC Los Angeles station KABC.
KABC
Another individual allegedly got out of the vehicle and helped pull the mother-of-seven into the van and then they drove off, according to her family. The woman’s family has not been able to reach her since.
“We all started calling her, to see if she would pick up her phone or answer a message, and we haven’t heard from her,” Zonia Lopez told KABC.
“At this point we need answers, we need to find my mother,” she told the station.
In this poster released by the FBI, Maria Del Carmen Lopez is depicted.
FBI
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office announced this week that it is offering up to $20,000 in rewards for information leading to his whereabouts.
The State Department is advising US citizens not to travel to Colima state due to “widespread” violent crime and kidnappings.
The Lopez family – who say investigators tipped them off that their mother’s case may be part of an organized kidnapping – aren’t losing hope.
“We know how strong she is and that she’s fully thinking of the seven of us, and if we bring that energy to her and keep those thoughts going, we know we’re going to have our mom,” Zonia Lopez told KABC. .
In this image released by the FBI, Maria Del Carmen Lopez is shown.
FBI
Maria del Carmen Lopez is described as a Hispanic woman with blonde hair and brown eyes who is 5’2″ tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds.
Anyone with information about their physical location should contact their local FBI office or the nearest US embassy or consulate.
ABC News
