Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 1, 1990 TAG: 9007010024
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PEORIA, ILL. LENGTH: Short
Heimdal didn't know it during his captivity, but he was adopted by residents of this blue-collar city of 120,000 who raised the $60,000 in ransom demands made after he was kidnapped on a jungle river along the Ecuador-Colombia border.
Heimdal, 27, was turned over to Ecuadoran authorities Friday in the same area where he was taken April 28, said Luis Felix, Ecuador's vice minister of the Interior. He was then taken to the capital city of Quito, to meet his parents, Ray and Marge Heimdal, who arrived June 18 to take over negotiations with the kidnappers.
They could be home as early as Tuesday, according to Angie Heimdal, Scott's 21-year-old sister.
The family said earlier they hoped Heimdal could be home in time for his 28th birthday Thursday.
"We'll have a heck of a party," said Scott's other sister, Linda, 27.
Meanwhile, Peoria residents also eagerly awaited his arrival.
"I'm just so swelled with pride that we got him out," said Mary Noirot. "These are very private people and they had to bare their souls to the whole world that they have nothing."
by CNB