Police in Mexico’s northern state of Tamaulipas have arrested six people suspected of kidnapping and killing the father and brother of helmer Alejandro Monteverde (Bella).
The suspects are allegedly tied to 20 abduction or murder cases, and at the time of arrest the six men were holding five Central American migrants for ransom, according to Mexican daily Excelsior.
Monteverde’s father, Juan Manuel Gomez Fernandez, and his brother, Juan Manuel Gomez Monteverde, were kidnapped while leaving their Tamaulipas home on Sept. 4.
Their bodies were found on Sept. 19 in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz. According to network Televisa, the family had met the kidnappers’ ransom demands, but the victims were never released.
Monteverde is the director of the Toronto film fest People’s Choice Award winner Bella and Little Boy, a World War II period piece featuring Emily Watson.
Monteverde’s wife, former Miss USA Ali Landry, is an actress (Eve) and television producer (Hollywood Girls Night).
Mexico has seen an increase in kidnappings and extortion cases in recent years due primarily to rampant gang-related violence.
