Trinidad and Tobago police are investigating the kidnapping of 70-year-old businessman Derrick Tardieu and his 47-year-old wife, Claribel, after a US$2.5 million ransom was issued for their safe release.
The Monos Island couple, who operate a boat yard in Chaguaramas, were reported missing on Saturday night. Police say a relative received a chilling voice message around 9:44 p.m. from Tardieu’s phone, in which he said, “Dey have meh and want $2.5 million US for meh release.”
Following the message, Tardieu’s son went to the couple’s home at Blanchette Bay, Monos Island, but they were nowhere to be found. The house had been ransacked and repeated calls to Tardieu’s cellphone went unanswered.
The situation escalated after a video began circulating on social media showing the couple alive but under threat. In the footage, a firearm appears to be pointed at Tardieu’s head, with what looks like a grenade positioned beneath him. The alleged kidnappers are not visible in the video, but Tardieu can be heard pleading with a relative in both English and Spanish, urging them to secure the money for his and his wife’s release.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said the case is being treated with “the highest priority,” noting that officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Homicide Division are actively investigating.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the ransom demand came from local or foreign actors, though the voice message was reportedly sent from a cellphone with a Colombian registration number.
The search for the couple continues.
