Latavia McGee, Shaeed Woodard, Zindell Brown and Eric James Williams have been identified as the four Americans who were kidnapped in Matamoros, Mexico. Authorities believe the Mexican drug cartel mistook them for Haitian drug smugglers.
The four Americans traveled in a white minivan which had North Carolina license plates. They reached Matamoros, in Tamaulipas state, through Brownsville, Texas on Friday
Two of the four were killed. However, the deceased have not been named yet.
Americo Villarreal, the governor of Tamaulipas, confirmed Tuesday that the four US citizens were taken by armed assailants. The two, who survived, have been returned to the US, he added.
Zalandria Brown of Florence, South Carolina said that Zindell Brown, who lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, together with two friends, Shaeed Woodard and Eric James Williams accompanied a third friend who was going to Mexico for “tummy tuck” cosmetic surgery. According to The Associated Press.
Zindell Brown’s sister Zalayna Grant wrote on Facebook: “MY BROTHER IS STILL ALIVE AND HE’S COMING HOME!! I STILL HAVE STRONG FAITH!! I’M KEEPING THE FAITH!!”
Latavia ‘Tay’ McGee had traveled to Mexico on Wednesday for a tummy tuck procedure before she was kidnapped at gunpoint by a drug cartel on Friday, a Twitter user wrote. She is believed to be one of the survivors, reports say. However, there is no official statement to confirm the same.
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The tummy tuck procedure, McGee was traveling for refers to a cosmetic surgery procedure to remove abdominal fat.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had offered a $50,000 (£42,000) reward for the return of the concerned citizens.
Matamoros is one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico. It is located in Tamaulipas state, one among six Mexican states that the US authorities advise travellers not to visit because of “crime and kidnapping”.
