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Source: BBC
News - Tuesday, 29 October, 2002
Correspondent: Luisa
Kidnappers have released the Mexican writer, Ernestina Sodi, sister of the singer and actress, Thalia. She disappeared more than a month ago along with her other sister, Laura Zapata, after leaving a theatre in Mexico City. Officials say she was freed on Saturday - 18 days after her sister - but the circumstances surrounding the end of the kidnapping ordeal are unclear.
| Neither of the kidnappings was reported to
the police, with correspondents saying that families
involved in Mexico's frequent abductions often prefer not
to involve authorities to prevent them intervening and
possibly leading to their relatives being harmed. The kidnappers are reported to have demanded a ransom of $1m for the sisters' release following their abduction on 22 September. The family is believed to have conducted its own negotiations with the kidnappers. Thalia is married to the head of Sony Music and has performed at the Latin Grammys. Writer 'recovering' Ms Sodi, who had recently co-written a book about Mexico's presidential residence, was recovering at her home, said her sister, Ms Zapata who is an actress. In a telephone call to Televisa news presenter Joaquin Lopez Doriga late on Monday, Ms Zapata expressed thanks to Mexicans for their good wishes but said that the family had been "devastated by this experience". "It totally changed our lives. There is the us of before 22 September and the us of after 22 September," she said. Ms Zapata declined to let her sister speak on the phone, saying: "She is in a very altered state." But she said both had been treated relatively well by their abductors. |
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Source:
Associated Press - Tue Oct 29, 2002
Correspondent: Luisa
MEXICO CITY (AP) - Kidnappers have released a sister-in-law of Sony Music Chairman Tommy Mottola after more than a month in captivity, officials said Monday.
Ernestina Sodi was freed Saturday, said Genaro Garcia, director of the Federal Agency of Investigations. She was kidnapped along with her sister Laura Zapata on Sept. 22. Zapata was released Oct. 10. Both women are sisters of Latin Grammy performer Thalia, who is married to Mottola.
In a telephone call to Televisa news anchor Joaquin Lopez Doriga late Monday, Zapata said the family had been "devastated by this experience."
Zapata declined to let her sister speak on the phone: "She is in a very altered state." Still, she said both had been treated relatively well by their abductors.
The family had earlier refused to speak to reporters or file an official report on the disappearance of the two sisters. Family members hired a private team to carry out negotiations with the kidnappers, and asked police to stay out of the case, officials said.
No arrests have been made.
Police found Zapata's car abandoned on a Mexico City road after the two sisters left a play in which Zapata had a starring role. Media reports quoted unidentified witnesses as saying the two were followed and ambushed at a stop light, but police would not confirm the reports.
Shanik Berman, a journalist and friend of Zapata's, had said kidnappers demanded a ransom of $1 million for the release of the two sisters. It was unclear if any ransom was paid.
Asked if Mottola had played any role in helping resolve the case, Zapata said, "He did not participate. Everything was a family matter."
Thalia was in Mexico after the kidnappings, but did not want to talk to police or the media.
Kidnappings are common in Mexico but many go unreported, partly because family members fear police may be involved or the victim could be killed during a botched rescue attempt.
President Vicente Fox's government has tried to crack down on crime, and Mexico City recently hired Rudolph Giuliani to help clean up the problem like he did for New York City during his two terms as mayor.
Source:
Miami.com - Tuesday October 29, 2002
Correspondent: Luisa
MEXICO CITY - (AP) -- Kidnappers have released Ernestina Sodi, the last of two sisters of Mexican actress and singer Thalía who were held by captors, officials said Monday.
Sodi was recovering at her home after being released Saturday, said Genaro García, director of the Federal Agency of Investigations. Sodi was kidnapped along with her sister Laura Zapata on Sept. 22. Zapata was released Oct. 10.
The family has refused to speak to reporters or file an official report on the disappearance of the two sisters. Family members hired a private team to carry out negotiations with the kidnappers and asked police to stay out of the case, officials said. No arrests have been made.
Police found Zapata's car abandoned on a Mexico City road after the two sisters left a play in which Zapata had a starring role. Media reports quoted unidentified witnesses as saying the two were followed and ambushed at a stop light, but police would not confirm the reports.
Shanik Berman, a journalist and friend of Zapata's, had said kidnappers demanded a ransom of $1 million for the release of the two sisters. It was unclear if any ransom was paid.
Their sister, Latin Grammy performer Thalía, was in Mexico after the kidnappings but did not want to talk to police or the media. Thalía is married to Sony Music Chairman Tommy Mottola.
Kidnappings are common in Mexico but many go unreported, partly because family members fear police might be involved or the victim could be killed during a botched rescue attempt.
Source:
Reuters / Variety Mon Oct 28,2002
Correspondent: Luisa
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The second of two kidnapped sisters of Mexican pop star and actress Thalia has been freed in a case that has riveted Mexico and renewed the nation's anguish over a kidnapping epidemic.
Writer Ernestina Sodi was released two weeks after her actress sister Laura Zapata's went free and five weeks after they were both abducted, officials said Monday.
The two women disappeared Sept. 22 after leaving a theater where Zapata was performing in a play. Police did not investigate the crime because of the family's fear of repercussions from the kidnappers.
Local press reports said Thalia, a household name in Latin America, and her husband, Sony Music Entertainment boss Tommy Mottola, hired private investigators to help in the case.
Police officials told reporters Sodi was freed, unharmed, Saturday and was under police protection. They did not say whether the family paid a ransom.
Mexican families facing a ransom demand rarely report kidnappings to the police because the kidnappers threaten to kill the victim and often allegedly have police accomplices. Mexico has world's second worst kidnapping rate in Latin America after Colombia, according to experts.
Thalia, 30, is famous for playing the romantic heroine in soap operas, usually as a poor girl who captures the heart of a rich man. Her sister Zapata is known for playing villainesses.
Thalia had posted a message on her Web site www.thalia.com asking fans to pray to help win the release of her sisters. She received hundreds of messages of support.
Sodi, the youngest of Thalia's four sisters (Note: Ernestina is NOT the youngest of the 5 NOT 4 Sodi sisters. The youngest is Thalia) , has been working for Mexican first lady Marta Sahagun on a book about the architecture of the presidential residence Los Pinos.
October 28, 2002
We have another contest for Thalía fans! This time the prize is the impossible-to-find limited-release promo CD of "No Me Enseñaste".
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THE
PRIZE: The CD contains 4 versions of Thalía's #1
hit song: the Album Version (ballad), the Salsa Remix (Marc
Anthony remix) which she sang at the Latin Grammys, the
Estéfano Remix (kind of modern club sound), and the
Regional Version (norteño/grupera). This was a special
CD prepared for the radio stations only. The cover art is
totally unique and different from the style of the other
singles. HOW TO ENTER: Thalia's song means "You Didn't Teach Me". So you will send us an essay of 500 words or less telling what Thalia taught YOU. Obviously this gives you a lot of possibilities. The only qualifying condition is that the story must be true and it must be in your own words. If you honestly can't handle this in English, submit it in Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Hungarian, Arabic, Romanian, whatever language for which we can locate a reliable translator. Sorry, but no Tagalog, French, or German. |
WHERE TO SEND ENTRIES: Send your essay to thaliacontest@hotmail.com. Don't forget to sign your complete name and tell which country you live in.
DATE CONTEST ENDS: November 17, 2002, at midnight Pacific Time USA.
SPECIAL TERMS: For obvious reasons, the two first-place winners of the last contest do not qualify. Only one entry per person. In the event that we have more than 20 entries, we will have to decide whether to award a 2nd place prize; there is only one copy of No Me Enseñaste available, so there can only be ONE first-place winner this time.
Give it your best shot, Thalia fans!
A Personal
Account by Ed Grant for Thalia's World -- October 20, 2002
Photo: Luisa's Personal Thalia Library
(Note: All these events happened at Thalia's autograph signing in New York City last July 6.)
I have to confess that when I arrived at the signing and they were announcing that only one item would be signed (and it had to be the official EMI giveaway poster or the latest CD-later amended to any of the EMI Thalia albums in stock), I didn't think there was a chance in hell they'd bend the rules to let me get a second item signed.for myself or anyone else. After standing on the line for two hours, though-I was a lot later than the rest of the MdC NYC members who attended - I realized that the tense atmosphere was gone, and the line was getting a bit mellower. I figured that, of the Thalia fans, I knew that Lu is the most rabid and stood the least chance of getting an autograph, so I figured I'd mention that I wanted a second autograph-not for me, but for the head of Thalia's Philippine fan club, say the name MdC, and see if it would get me anywhere. No harm in trying..
| The guard figured I had made Lu up, that it was just a good ruse to get a second signature (this was such a busy line Thalia wasn't able to do personalized autographs), but I did look at him, noted that "Thalia doesn't get to Asia these days, and I'd love to send it to her" and repeated the mention of the club, urging him to check with Thalia's representatives (in other words, "it's a real club."). As I remember it, he did say something to Thalia at this point, and gave me a weary gesture to move onto the platform she was sitting on. So I made my way over with both items (the poster for me and the CD for Lu), mentioning Lu's name and the club again to her, just to verify I wasn't makin' stuff up. I also slipped in the "you've got fifteen seconds, better make this good" comment that I'd thought up: I noted that I'd been following her career since I saw her on the TV show "La Movida" back in 1993. She finished the autograph for Lu, signature for me, and then looked up, a bit jarred I think that I had both: a.) spoken English to her (no one had been speaking in anything but Spanish) and b.) that I brought up such an old show. She came out with a quick "Oh.thanks.I love you!" and I was ushered off by a guard, a twin of the first guy, and that was it for me. Needless to say, she looked terrific, and my small, quicker-than-quick experience of "meeting" her was nothing but pleasant. And-she had signed both items, with a personal to Lu! What more could a weary fan ask for? |  |
Source:
Detroit Free Press, September 25, 2002
By: Lorene Yue
TW Reporter: Steve
CHICAGO -- Fans of Mexican entertainer Thalia will someday be able to head to their local Kmart and buy products developed by the singer and actress.
The Toy retail chain, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, has signed a 4-year contract for T Enterprises LLC to use Thalia's name and likeness for a line of clothing, cosmetics, fashion accessories and jewelry.
A Chicago bankruptcy court judge approved the deal Tuesday. (Note: Kmart filed bankruptcy and closed many of their stores in 2002.) The judge also allowed Kmart to continue working with distribution software provider Manhattan Associates and allowed other retailers to take over store leases Kmart no longer wants.
Kmart executives consider the agreement with T Enterprises an opportunity to strengthen business among Hispanic customers, who are among the discount chain's most loyal shoppers.
"The Hispanic community is one of the communities in which Kmart is very prominent and well-regarded," said Jack Butler, Kmart's lead bankruptcy attorney. "We've continued to increase our marketing to Hispanic customers."
Kmart officials aren't releasing specifics about the Thalia merchandise, such as when it will be available and if all 1,833 stores will carry her products. It could be a year before fans can buy Thalia clothes and accessories, since it takes time to develop and manufacture a line. It took about a year for Joe Boxer products to appear in Kmart stores after the retailer signed its agreement with the apparel company.
Kmart executives say Thalia's popularity will push sales of her products beyond initial sales projections. T Enterprises will be paid a royalty based on a percentage of sales.
Hispanic consumers represent more than 17 percent of Kmart's total sales, and Thalia, who is married to Sony Music executive Tommy Mottola, has a 62-percent brand-awareness rating among Hispanic consumers, Kmart officials said. The merchandise line is part of Kmart's attempt to diversify its merchandise and appeal to minority shoppers. Kmart has recently launched a Spanish version of its weekly advertising circular and a Spanish magazine similar to Parade, and aired Spanish versions of its "Stuff of Life" advertising campaign. The retailer is also testing Chedda, a line of clothing targeting African-American men, in 50 stores on the East Coast.
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The
outreach to minority consumers comes at a time when Kmart
is looking to increase sales to expedite its emergence
from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Kmart has seen sales at
stores open for at least a year, the traditional measure
of a retailer's performance, decline 11 percent from last
year. Roughly one-third of Kmart's stores are in urban
communities and more than half of the Hispanic people
living in the United States are within 15 minutes of a
Kmart, according to the company. African-American and
Hispanic shoppers account for 32 percent of Kmart's
customers and minorities are 39 percent of the roughly 30
million people who shop at Kmart every week, Kmart said. (NOTE: We'll explain the significance of this development for those of you who do not live in the USA and are not familiar with what is happening with Kmart and why Thalia would want to associate herself with a store chain which is in bankruptcy. First: Kmart filed for Chapter 11, which means they do not want to go out of business but needed to cut expenses to the point where they could survive; so they might still be a good outlet to market Thalia's name. And that is really all she is doing - she is selling her NAME. Somebody else has the designs in mind and all Thalia has to do is say "Yeah, I like that". This year it is the '80s styles that Thalia is interested in, and hopefully they will not be obsolete by the time the designs are finished and on sale in the stores. Several celebrities have been very successful marketing their clothing lines at Kmart, such as Jacqueline Smith (Charlie's Angels) and Kathy Ireland (Victoria's Secret), and also Martha Stewart has a line of household items sold through this chain. We look forward to seeing life-sized posters of Thalia in our local Kmarts as well.) |
Source:
Reforma, October 7, 2992
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
Sources close to Thalía's sisters have informed that yesterday the owners of the real estate company charged with selling the house belonging to Laura Zapata were contacted by the family, who asked them to postpone the appointments with those who intended to see the interior of the house, presently listed at more than 3 million pesos. They indicated that it will not be until Monday that the family members indicated they could continue with the sale of the property, which has 3 bedrooms, a servant's quarters, laundry, and a parking area for 5 cars.
The house is still furnished and decorated by Laura Zapata, who has lived there for years, but according to the sources the family decided to put the house on sale in order to raise the money which was being demanded by the kidnappers of Zapata and her sister, Ernestina Sodi.
Source: El
Norte, October 7, 2002
By: Lorena Corpus
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
| Although they are comadres and good
friends, Itatí Cantoral has not been able to have any
communication with Thalía to talk with her about what is
happening with her due to the kidnapping of her sisters,
Laura Zapata and Ernestina Sodi. The interpreter of
"No Me Enseñaste" is godmother to Eduardo and
Roberto Miguel, Itatí's twin sons, who recently had
their second birthday. "She knows that I love her, I love her family, her mother, I wish them to be very strong. I am with her, and I hope that this is resolved in the best possible manner," said Itatí. The actress, who is presently in Brazil filming the telenovela Vale Todo, stated that she has tried to get in touch with her friend but it has been her bad luck that all Thalía's telephone numbers are disconnected. "The truth is, it has been impossible for me to communicate with my friend, but I believe that what the family least wants in these moments is to talk on the telephone or to say things through a line that certainly is being tapped. Therefore, I have elected to wait a while, then afterwards I will search for the manner to speak with her to find out how she is, although I can imagine due to what she has to be going through," she stated. |
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The actress said that she is desperate because in Brazil it is difficult to find information related to the case.
"Its been two weeks already and nothing is known about them, right? I hope, please God, that all ends well. It is a family who I have appreciated for a long time, and I feel bad about what is happening."
The friendship between the two families is so great that it was Itatí herself who organized the bachelorette party for the then-fiancée of Tommy Mottola.
Itatí will again be in Mexico this coming December, but at this time she already has the recording of her (first?) record very advanced, in which she sings some boleros composed by Roberto Cantoral, her father.
"I have been taking advantage of the time to finish recording my CD, and I think that it will be ready very soon. I have a lot of faith in this album because of the songs and because it is a great project," stated the wife of actor Eduardo Santamarina.
Source: El
Norte, September 29, 2002
By: Lorena Corpus; photo by César de Pauli
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
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Besides demanding to President Vicente Fox
that he impose the death penalty for kidnappers in
Mexico, Irma Serrano ("The Tigress") declared
that it is a crime what is being done to Laura Zapata
because she is a woman who does not have money. (Note:
Irma Serrano is a flamboyant personality who right now is
famous more for being famous than for any particular
talent she has.) "It is ungrateful what they are doing with her. Laurita is a working woman who does not have a lot of money. It's her brother-in-law who has it (Tommy Mottola). I don't want to say what could become of her. We have to create a lot of pressure and that if something happens to her we women should be capable of mobilizing. I make a call to all women to cooperate to rescue her, because I can't see that anybody is doing anything," said Serrano. The ex-senator manifested her feelings through a work associate, whose exact position is not known, but who has seen her working with many women who want to get ahead with their families, and for that reason it pains Serrano what is happening. |
"Sometimes one thinks, do we love Mexico? Do we respect our roots? Sometimes it feels like we disparage what is ours and do more for other persons, and we are thinking about other countries who actually have the ability to take care of themselves," said the actress upon declaring support for the declarations of a Sodi Miranda family member who gave an interview to the magazine GENTE! That relative of Laura Zapata requested that the government interest themselves more in helping Mexican women instead of those in Nigeria (after the First Lady of Mexico sent a letter protesting the death sentence of a woman in that country for perceived religious crimes).
"I totally support what they say, and something has to be done because something serious could result with this situation," she added.
She met Laura on several occasions, commented "La Tigresa", and recently they socialized in the house of Angélica María, at a dinner held there. "I chatted with Laura and she told me that she wanted to sing. She has two sons, and this seems a disgrace (that she is taken away from them), totally," she added.
Asked what she would tell President Fox to do about the wave of kidnappings, she said: "That if they are going to have this, that he give Mexico the possibility to defend itself. That first of all it is very important that in this country they instate the death penalty. Right now it seems to be a very nice career to walk around kidnapping people, and when they kidnap somebody they not only destroy the victim but their families as well," she responded. In jail, all the kidnappers have the hope of walking free some day, but they would all be afraid to get death, she assured.
Source:
Univision Online, October 2, 2002
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
Photo Credit: Univision.com
(Thalía appeared on this popular late-night TV show almost a month ago. To render tribute to Thalia and pray for the safe return of her sisters and the consolation of the family, Don Francisco recorded a special announcement which was shown at the beginning of this broadcast.)
| Days
before the kidnapping of her sisters, Laura Zapata and
Ernestina Sodi, Thalía visited Don Francisco Presenta
in order to present her latest production and to tell one
or two chismes about her marriage with Tommy
Mottola. Despite the rumors, "We are one of the most
stable couples", said the diva, who in order to
satiate the curiosity of all, told all kinds of details
such as how she met her Prince Charming. - How did you meet Tommy? "Emilio (Estefan) made us a date and I told him: 'I'll go but tell him that I have another dinner'. Emilio was the one who noticed that the two of us were a lot alike and insisted to us for a year and a half that we ought to meet each other. He said: 'If she's a singer I don't want to know anything about her' and I said: 'If he is divorced I don't want to know anything about him'. And when I saw him I said: 'I'm going to devour him up to the last little bone.' |
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- You told that last night you and Tommy were fishing at your Miami house. Are you still together since they are saying that you are separating?
"Although almost always all they say about me is true.... I have the happiness of saying that we are one of the most stable couples and I am happy."
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- What happened when you went to the diner
to meet each other? "Well, to begin with I did not know anything about English. That night was the last night of filming (of Mambo Cafe) and I had learned English from the script by memory and did not know what I was going to say to him. But when I did not know what to say and saw his movements, I said to him something from the dialog of the film." - Did you stay another day to see each other? "The following day I was leaving for Mexico to film Rosalinda. And I traveled to Miami to see him and the flame of love began to burn." - What day did you kiss for the first time? "Ay... Not that way either, Don Francisco... what happened? Well, after a few days." |
The leading man who shared the cast with Thalía in Rosalinda, Víctor Noriega, joined Don Francisco on the stage to talk about his experience with the diva, and Don Francisco asked him:
| - What
did Thalía say about Tommy when they were recording? "I believe that Rosalinda was Thalía's best novela because since she was in love with Tommy she was always smiling, waiting for his call." (And from what else we remember Victor saying, she was always very enthusiastic in her kisses and love-making scenes too :D) And returning to Thalía: - Do you want to make more novelas? "Yes, I do want to, I love them. I want to do something shorter, since telenovelas enslave you, they are very long. But I love the acting." - Let's talk about your new record. "I believe that it is the best that I have made, it is phenomenal. Especially this one because it is made by a genius named Estefano. Well, it must be very difficult to write for an artist, and that is a marvelous gift to be able to write for other people.” (As a note for those of you not familiar with Mario Kreutzer, a.k.a. Don Francisco, Univision had this information on their site: "To be in the Guinness Book of World Records and to achieve that Sábado Gigante might maintain an audience of approximately 100 million television viewers every week for 40 consecutive years attracted Ted Koppel to call Don Francisco and invite him to appear on his program, Nightline, on Friday, October 4, on the ABC television network.") |
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Source:
Reforma, September 30, 2002
By: Omar Cabrera
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
The preoccupation in the artistic community after the kidnapping of Laura Zapata and Ernestina Sodi is already being reflected in the solidarity of their associates, since some like Carmen Montejo and Ernesto Gómez Cruz are announcing that they will hold a benefit performance in order to raise funds for the ransom. Nevertheless, there are some who believe that the situation can't be resolved with taking up a collection, due to the lack of time, but who would be glad to help the family, although only if the family requests it.
Carmen Montejo, actress: "This seems like a terrible situation to me, not only because I am her companion and friend, because I met Laura before she turned professional, taking classes together at Bellas Artes, and this has caused me a lot of pain. I am very worried because she and her sister do not have the money that people believe. Singers certainly have money, but theater actresses no."
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Edith
González, actress: "I am disposed to take part,
including that I am proposing to Juan Imperio (head of
the actors union) that we hold a great spectacular to see
if we can help. It is something of deep sadness and
desperation, we feel impotent because lamentably there
has not been a reply so far. If it were in my hands to
help economically I would do it, but I believe that this
is a situation in which the time is defeating us." Ignacio López Tarso, actor: This is something which goes beyond taking up a collection. We can organize shows, marches, telethons, for the unfortunate people who are suffering in Campeche and Yucatán, but not for Laura and Ernestina. When I ask the family, then I will know if I can help economically, but first let them ask me for it. The kidnappers are thinking that Tommy Mottola is going to pay up." Erik Rubín, singer: "I could definitely help economically. These are very difficult times and I have a very special affection toward Thalía, so then I will help any way I can. This makes us understand how vulnerable we are in the city. It's very bad because we all live afraid, and not just those of us in the entertainment media." |
Ernesto Gómez Cruz, actor: "There are many organizations that certainly have the possibility of helping economically and don't do anything but express their regrets. Also in the same artistic community there are people who fill stadiums and clubs, they ought to organize and do some sort of event to get together funds and pay the ransom. If I had the capital, I would certainly contribute part of the money in case they asked me for it. But actually I am dead broke."
Source:
Reforma, October 5, 2002
By: Omar Cabrera
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
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Mexico City. Of all the properties owned by the Sodi Miranda family in Mexico City, the only one being sold is Laura Zapata's condominium townhouse located in the San Jerónimo development to the south of the city. The real estate company in charge of the sale is asking 3 million 400 thousand Mexican pesos, which is about $300,000 in US funds. Personnel of the same company revealed that the property, which is 352 square meters constructed in two floors, cannot be handed over immediately even if somebody meets the price, because furniture belonging to the actress is still inside. (Note: And probably her clothes and personal belongings as well, if we may believe the testimony that she was on the way to this house when she was seized by the kidnappers on September 22nd.) |
At least 40 days will be required to unoccupy the house, said the informant, who emphasized that at the moment they do not have instructions from the owners to reduce the price, or even less to hurry and sell it.
According to employees of the real estate company, the actress' property consists of three large bedrooms, the master bedroom with a bath, closet, and dressing room. In addition, in the patio there is room for two cars under a roof and three more in the entry. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are connected in a functional manner. There are two servants quarters available, a strong security system consisting of two levels, such as an intercom system between all areas of the house , including in the garden, which is a grass lawn.
The security team of the development, due to requests of the neighbors, asked the real estate company not to show the house to anybody whatsoever for 2 weeks. This same security company refused to give any information about the state of the house, alleging that it was their first day of work there. "I don't know anything, I don't know who live here or used to live here, it is my first day", said the security guard.
So far, according to some people who live in the place, Laura Zapata's family has not taken anything out of the house.
In the Sodi house, located on Paseo de la Reforma, there is no movement and the neighbors have refused to make any statements.
Source: El
Norte, September 28, 2002
By Francisco Rodríguez
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
The local Chief Prosecutor informed that they expect good results in the investigation being carried out by them into the kidnapping of the sisters Laura Zapata and Ernestina Sodi, but especially from the experts contracted by the family in order to negotiate the rescue.
Sources within the General Prosecutor's office confirmed that the impresario Tommy Mottola, husband of singer Thalía (the sister of Zapata and Sodi), was the one who contracted the American experts in kidnappings and they arrived this week in Mexico City to initiate the dialog with the gang who took the women. (Note: Primer Impacto said on Sunday night that the team of 6 men was flown into Mexico City on Mottola's private jet, and that they have been in action since the Monday following the disappearance.)
In an interview at the end of a meeting between the cabinets of the Security Department and the Chief Prosecutor, Bernardo Bátiz stated that on the part of the Prosecutor's Office in the capitol city there are no substantial advances in the investigation related to the autos used during the crime.
"The news of yesterday is the same today, the family has not made a denunciation, we have some work which still has not given any specific results and the little which has been able to be done we are keeping secret", he said.
He clarified that the police authorities, PGJDF and the Secretariat of Public Safety in the capitol will stay waiting and respecting the family's decision, who have requested them to stay on the side. "We are going to wait for the work, on one side by the General Prosecutor of the Republic and on the other side by we in Public Security, and on another side by the family members themselves and their team of experts who are doing the negotiation", he emphasized.
Source:
Univision Online, September 28, 2002
By Iván Carrillo
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
Despite the fact that the Attorney General of the Republic has begun to investigate the kidnapping of Thalía's sisters, his counterpart in the Federal district admitted this Friday that the precinct under his charge cannot count on any clues concerning their whereabouts.
Bernardo Bátiz, of the Federal District Justice Department, announced that although none of the three fingerprints found on the vehicles used for the kidnapping belong to the victims, neither have they been able to identify them through any in the archive of criminals at the precinct. The prosecutor indicated that despite that the fingerprint data obtained might not serve to reveal the identity of the kidnappers, they could be used to clarify who might be those presumed responsible for the crime after Laura Zapata and Ernestina Sodi are freed.
Bátiz announced last Thursday that due to the fact that heavy caliber weapons were used in the kidnapping, the Attorney General of the Republic saw itself obligated to begin corresponding investigations. In the meantime, the precinct under his charge is still investigating the abandonment of the automobiles used in the crime.
Bátiz reserved the right to reveal any advances in the investigations in order to not put in risk the lives of Laura and Ernestina, as the family had requested of him since the moment that the kidnapping was made public.
For now, the various Justice Departments are exchanging information in order to try and find some clue which will carry them to the kidnappers. The first investigations have centered on the principal bands of car thieves in Mexico City, as well as those kidnappers who operate in the central area of the country, without revealing any results at this point.
The same authorities in Mexico City indicated that Antonio López, the only witness to the kidnapping, has been well located and that he may be called to render testimony concerning the case, although they admitted that this would only be possible if a denunciation is filed. The police also confirmed that this testimony would be vital for the investigations.
Source: El
Norte, September 27, 2002
By: Juan Carlos Garcia
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
| Guanajuato, México.- Wednesday
night in the Juárez Theater, there was presented for the
first time onstage the original pay by Federico García
Lorca, but without Laura Zapata who had played the part
of "Martirio" until last Sunday. The director of La Casa de Bernarda Alba is José Solé and the production is by Rubén Lara. The play is from the 1890's and is a story about sexual tension and tragedy, where a harsh and bitter widow rules her family of 5 unmarried daughters with the chains of tradition and dependency. In what was the first performance since Laura Zapata disappeared, the cast dedicated the functions to be held in this city to her. |
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Without being able to hold back tears, the lead actress, Ofelia Guilmáin, said that "for a friend who is suffering" she offered these performances in the name of the cast. The play is scheduled to tour through the interior of the country and began in the state of Guanajuato. On Thursday night, the local press said there was another emotional dedication after a function in the Manuel Doblado Theater, in León, the capitol of this central state.
Ofelia Guilmáin and María Rubio also thanked Virginia Jineno for her participation and announced that she will substitute for Zapata in the cast. Without having any problems with the part of Martirio, Jimeno obtained the applause of the public who congregated in the Juárez Theater.
Azela Robinson and Rosario Zúñiga were the two actresses who wept the most when the remembered the situation of Thalia's sisters, but they preferred to not make statements because of considering it a very delicate subject.
After making her dedication of the performances to Laura Zapata, Guilmáin took the hands of the actors in the cast, all dressed in white, to make a chain which brought a long ovation from those present, according to the press.
Source: El
Norte, September 27, 2002
TW Correspondent: Tonchi
Mexico City. A source close to Laura Zapata said Thursday that the kidnappers had fixed the amount of one million dollars for her liberation.
Shanik Berman, who has a radio program called "La Crema y Nata", stated that the kidnappers have moderated their demands for 10 million dollars to "barely" one million, which equates to ten million Mexican pesos.
Berman added that Thalía and her husband, an impresario and producer for Sony Music Entertainment, are presently in Mexico in order to be close to the case, and they do not want any intervention whatsoever by the police.
(Note: Well, this is some "friend" that Laura has. The police and the family ask that nobody discuss any details or rumors so the first thing this "journalist" does is use the situation to promote herself and her programs. This is disgusting, and we only hope that Laura will re-evaluate this "friendship" when she is once again free.)
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