Model Luciana Curtis kidnapped with family in Brazil restaurant ambush
- Luciana Curtis and her family were kidnapped outside a restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil.
- They were held for approximately 12 hours before being released by their captors.
- The family is now safe, and an investigation is underway to find the criminals responsible.
In Brazil, Luciana Curtis, a model and the daughter of a British businessman, was kidnapped alongside her husband, Henrique Gendre, and their 11-year-old child after dining out in the upscale area of Alto do Lapa in São Paulo. This harrowing incident occurred on Wednesday night, leaving the family under the control of armed robbers for approximately 12 hours. The criminals approached the family outside the restaurant, taking them hostage and subsequently stealing their car and transferring money from their bank accounts during their captivity. The family's nightmare escalated as they were driven to a wooden shack in Brasilândia, a district of São Paulo, where they were held overnight. They were confined to a cramped space with minimal amenities, which was quickly found by local police investigators following the release of the family. After their eldest child raised the alarm, authorities were alerted to the situation, prompting a response that ultimately led to the family's release. Fortunately, the family's ordeal came to an end, and they managed to escape without any serious physical harm. Once the captors fled, the family received help from locals before being secured by the police. Local law enforcement was quick to launch an investigation, deploying a specialist anti-kidnap unit to track down the perpetrators. Detectives were analyzing CCTV footage from the restaurant in hopes of identifying the assailants. The law enforcement agency confirmed the family was safe and well, after suffering through the traumatic event. Luciana Curtis, known for her work with high-profile clients and appearances on magazine covers, has been living primarily in New York, while previously residing in London. The modeling community has expressed sympathy and distress over the attack on one of their own, highlighting the dangers some face in various parts of the world. As the investigation continues, communities remain alert to such violent acts, especially in urban areas like São Paulo, where crime rates have drawn international concern.