Kidnappers Release 85-Year-Old American
An elderly American businessman kidnapped in the Mexican coastal resort of Acapulco almost four months ago has been released after his family paid a ransom.
Ron Lavender, 85, has worked in the real estate business in Mexico for decades. He was seized by four men June 22 and was freed Tuesday.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Oct. 26, 2001 FOR THE RECORD
Los Angeles Times Friday October 26, 2001 Home Edition Part A Part A Page 2 A2 Desk 1 inches; 21 words Type of Material: Correction
Mexico--A news service story Oct. 18 about a U.S. businessman who was freed after being kidnapped in Acapulco misstated the victim’s age. He was 75.
Lavender said he was generally treated and fed well.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of $1.5 million. Lavender declined to say how much was eventually paid.
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