An elder who was kidnapped with her husband from their American residence to be seized over her grandson’s alleged drug debts in Magog told the court of her fear of dying during her captivity until police intervene to free her.
• Also read: Kidnapped Elderly Couple: A Script-worthy Scheme
“We had seen their faces … I was scared, I didn’t think they would let us go,” Sandra Helm said at the trial of Gary Arnold, one of the alleged kidnappers, this Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse.
The seventy-year-old confidently recounted the kidnapping she suffered in September 2020 while she was at home in upstate New York with her husband James.
Photo provided by the court
James and Sandra Helm during their captivity in Magog in September 2020. The picture was taken by the kidnappers to show they are alive.
“Two men burst into the house and said they were here because of us, our grandson Mackenzie had done something really bad, we had to get out and hurry or we’d regret it,” he said, explaining Ms Helm.
target grandchildren
With a pillowcase over their heads, the woman and her husband were then placed in a car crossing the border via the Akwesasne Reserve. The couple were then put on a boat to be taken to a chalet in Magog.
Photo provided by the court
James and Sandra Helm were seized in this basement of a chalet in Magog.
“We were told that we were staying there, that we were a bargaining chip for our grandson who allegedly stole $3.5 million worth of drugs,” the woman said.
For two days the couple was so isolated and ate almost nothing. Ms. Helm, who suffered from health problems, had to store soiled clothing until a kidnapper agreed to do her laundry. But when the woman claims she wasn’t abused under the circumstances, she was confident that she and her husband would go through it.
“They said they were going to release us but I didn’t believe it, I thought we would go the furthest on the boat and it would be over,” Helm said.
Photo provided by the court
James and Sandra Helm were seized in this chalet in Magog.
Police operation
What the couple didn’t know, however, was that one of their sons had noticed their disappearance. On the way to her house, he noticed the damaged front door. He called the police and while patrol officers were looking, he received a call from the kidnappers.
“We have your parents, I want my stuff back or your nephew,” he told the kidnapped couple’s son.
Several switchboards followed, with Michael Helm being told not to call the police. The kidnapper tried to reassure him that the couple was fine and that he had been forced to take part in the kidnapping.
“I had no other choice, I don’t want your parents, but if I die tonight you will not see them again, because who will bring them back to you?” said one of the kidnappers.
Ultimately, it was the Sûreté du Québec’s tactical team that saved the pair.
“My heart was beating so hard,” said Ms. Helm. We were taken to the hospital and then taken home.”
Since the events, Mrs. Helm’s husband has died. But with this traumatic episode behind her, the lady explained that she is still suffering the consequences.
“I’m always afraid that someone will come back,” she said.
The jury trial will be presided over by Judge Michel Pennou of the Superior Court of Quebec.
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