Claribel Tardieu Still Missing as Husband Returns Home

Claribel Tardieu Still Missing as Husband Returns Home

Claribel Tardieu, 47, the wife of recently freed kidnapping victim Derrick Tardieu, remained in captivity up to last night as police continued their search in the North Coast area.

Derrick Tardieu was released around 1 a.m. on Wednesday along the North Coast and later received medical treatment before returning home to rest with his family.

Speaking on TV6’s Beyond the Tape programme on Wednesday evening, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro confirmed Derrick’s safe return but said details of the investigation would be limited.

“I can confirm that Mr Tardieu is safely at home with his family, and we encourage members of the public to continue to cooperate and only offer words of prayers and support to him and his family at this time,” Guevarro said.

He added that releasing further information could disrupt the investigation. “We don’t want that in the public sphere. Let the police continue their work and hopefully everything will turn out okay.”

Responding to concerns from Down the Islands (DDI) property owners, Guevarro noted that the incident was unprecedented. “Historically, this has never happened before. We have never had someone taken from one of the islands and allegedly transported to another country for kidnapping,” he said, adding that such claims were still under investigation.

He explained that marine and security resources had been deployed in strategic locations. “This is something new and evolving, and we are adapting. I don’t want the criminal element to know what the police, Coast Guard, and National Security are doing.”

The Express also visited Tardieu Marine in Chaguaramas, owned by Derrick Tardieu, but access to the compound was denied. Nearby, acquaintances expressed relief at his return but concern for his wife’s safety.

“We glad he’s back, but it is the wife we concerned about now,” one man said.

The Kidnapping

Derrick and Claribel Tardieu were abducted from their home on Monos Island on the night of December 6 after armed intruders ransacked the house.

A disturbing video later circulated on social media showing the couple under threat. In the footage, a weapon resembling a rifle was pointed at Derrick’s head while what appeared to be a hand grenade was held near his face. He was heard pleading with his brother, Robert, as the kidnappers demanded a ransom of US$2.5 million.

A reduced ransom was reportedly agreed upon on December 12.

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