Colin Armstrong, a wealthy British man and honorary consul of the United Kingdom in Ecuador, was awarded the OBE and the Order of Merit of the Third Class (CMG), but now he is the focus of attention in the United Kingdom. The 78-year-old Armstrong has lived in Ecuador for a long time and enjoyed a free life, but in his twilight years, he was kidnapped, which attracted widespread attention.
Armstrong was reportedly kidnapped by 15 kidnappers in fake police uniforms at a place called "Hacienda Rodeo Grande." The place is filled with the aroma of flowers and fruits, but it becomes the site of a kidnapping. The kidnappers beat Armstrong, tied him up, pointed a gun at the BMW he was driving, and took his 30-year-old lover, Catherine Paul Santos, away.
The kidnappers imprisoned Armstrong for almost 4 days before eventually finding him on a main road in the coastal province of Manawi. Nine people suspected of involvement in the kidnapping were arrested and a large number of guns and grenades were confiscated. While things seem to have a happy ending, investigators face a key question: were the kidnappers assisted by "insiders".
Hours after the kidnapping, Armstrong's girlfriend, Santos, returns alone to a closed home owned by Armstrong's son, Nick. Santos told ** that she was wearing a vest full of explosives and threatened to de-bomb ** if the ransom was not paid. However, the bomb disposal crew discovered that the explosives in the vest were fake, so Santos fled the scene in a hurry. This made investigators suspicious of Santos.
In addition, the kidnappers had too accurate knowledge of Armstrong's whereabouts, leading to speculation about the guilt. Armstrong owned several properties in Ecuador and often changed places of residence, but the attackers were able to easily find him. There is also a lot of attention on the origins of Santos, a pole dancer and model from Colombia. Presumably, Armstrong may have met Santos at work, as she used to model for a company he owns, selling seeds, fertilizer, pet food, and more.
While Armstrong is married and has spent the company's 50th anniversary celebration with his wife, Sisi, and three children, his relationship with Santos is complex and compelling. Although the ending of the kidnapping case seems to be perfect, the interpersonal relationships and motives involved behind it are still mysteries that investigators need to dig deeper.