In a startling and sensational revelation that shocked the world, model Chloe Ayling found herself snatched away from the glitzy world of glamour and thrust into a bone-chilling nightmare. In 2017, the glamourous page 3 beauty was lured to Milan under the guise of a photoshoot, only to be kidnapped by a pair of miscreants who claimed to be part of the notorious ‘Black Death Group’.
Now, with cameras rolling, BBC is all set to bring to the screen the spine-tingling story behind the sensational headlines. Titled ‘Kidnapped’, this upcoming six-part drama has begun production, unfolding the gripping account of Ayling’s abduction.
Ayling, a fresh-faced 20-year-old at the time, was in Milan on assignment for Phil Green’s Supermodel Agency when she fell prey to the sinister plot orchestrated by Lukasz Herba. The self-proclaimed computer programmer from Oldbury, West Midlands and his brother Michal Herba, cleverly disguised under various aliases, wove a web of deception that culminated in a chilling abduction.
After Ayling went missing, Green received a ransom demand of €300,000 from the ‘Black Death Group’. The group threatened to sell the young model on the dark web as a sex slave if their demands weren’t met. The drama further escalated when Ayling and Herba arrived together at the Milan consulate, causing eyebrows to rise as CCTV footage emerged showing them in public together.
In a twisted twist, Herba had injected Ayling with ketamine, put her into a holdall bag, and took her to a remote house near Turin. He was later convicted of the kidnapping and sentenced to 16 years and nine months in prison. His brother, Michal, also faced a reduced sentence of 5 years and 8 months for his involvement in the crime.
The public reaction to the case was no less dramatic, with many casting doubt on the abduction narrative, suspecting it to be a publicity stunt. Some even criticised Ayling for leveraging the event for the benefit of her career. Yet, the ordeal she experienced was all too real, and now BBC Three’s drama promises to shed light on the harrowing ordeal and the trial that followed.
BBC’s ‘Kidnapped’ will star Nadia Parkes, known for ‘The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself’, as Chloe. The drama will explore not only her terrifying kidnap but also her bravery and resilience in captivity. It will provide a deeper insight into the sensational court case that put her abductors behind bars. “This is a timely and important story about how we perceive trauma in the media,” said Parkes about her casting.
In a statement, Chloe Ayling expressed her excitement about the project, saying, “I am excited that BBC Studios are telling my story and that the wider world will get to know the truth about what happened to me and learn of the many details that weren’t brought to light originally.”
So, as the cameras roll, prepare to be transfixed by this true tale of horror and resilience that has shaken us all to the core. ‘Kidnapped’ promises to provide an unflinching look at the truth behind the headlines. Get ready to be gripped by this chilling tale of glamour, deception, and survival. Stay tuned!