Missing pregnant woman from Auburn found alive in Mexico
Oct 23, 2024, 12:52 PM | Updated: 1:48 pm
Jackelin Perez, who was missing on Oct. 13 for approximately a week. (Photo courtesy of Auburn Police Department)
(Photo courtesy of Auburn Police Department)
Jackeline Perez, who had missing since being kidnapped from her Auburn apartment on Oct. 13, was found alive in Mexico, the Auburn Police Department (APD) reported Wednesday.
APD spokesman Kolby Crossley told KIRO Newsradio Wednesday afternoon that Perez, who is about six weeks pregnant and speaks limited English, is expected to return to her home country of Guatemala.The Mexican government currently is communicating with the Guatemalan government, Crossley said.
Perez, 21, confirmed that she was kidnapped at gunpoint from her apartment. The kidnappers brought her to Mexico and subsequently released her.
“We believe the kidnapping was related to illegal activity in which she was not involved in,” Crossley said to KIRO Newsradio.
She was with her husband at the time of the kidnapping and he reported the crime.
Crime blotter: Covering the crimes committed in the Puget Sound region
Why she has elected to return to Guatemala and not Auburn is not yet known.
“We’re looking into illegal activity. We’re looking into the reasoning and why she was released in Mexico by her kidnappers,” Crossley said. “A lot of communications take place as this goes across state and country lines.”
Crossley reiterated a previously reported development to KIRO Newsradio, explaining that a 24-year-old suspect in the case was arrested in Texas. The APD announced that development in an X post Tuesday.
Missing individuals who’ve been recovered: Pullman girl, 2, found alive with couple who fled to Mexico
“The good news is that she (has been) found safe and she is alive. But there’s a lot that needs to be done,” Crossley said to KIRO Newsradio.
If anyone has information regarding this case, they are asked to call the Auburn Police Department Tip Line at (253) 288-7403.
This remains a developing story. Check back for updates.
Editors note: This story was originally published on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. It has been updated and republished multiple times since then.
Contributing: Steve Coogan, Julia Dallas and Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest; Heather Bosch and Aaron Granillo, KIRO Newsradio
