Posted on Tue, Oct. 29, 2002
 

Captors free last of Thalía's two sisters



  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.