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Chloe Ayling Reflects on Her 2017 Kidnapping and Aftermath

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Chloe Ayling, who was kidnapped in 2017, is shedding light on her harrowing experience and the public skepticism that followed. In a recent interview, Ayling recounted her traumatic six-day captivity in Italy, revealing the emotional turmoil she faced both during and after her ordeal.

In the summer of 2017, Ayling believed she was attending a photo shoot in Milan when she was abducted. Upon her arrival, she was attacked by two men wearing balaclavas, who injected her with the tranquillizer ketamine. She was then concealed in the boot of a car and driven 120 miles to a remote farmhouse. Reflecting on her experience, Ayling recalled the panic she felt when her captors seized her, saying, “It takes me back to the feeling of not being able to breathe and that panic about suffocating.”

The man who held her captive, Lukasz Herba, was reportedly working for an international crime gang called Black Death. Herba demanded a ransom of €300,000 from her manager, Phil Green, who could not meet the demands. During her captivity, Ayling was handcuffed and slept on the floor, feeling hopeless about her situation. “I accepted that I was going to die,” she said.

Despite the grim circumstances, a turning point occurred when Ayling noticed Herba’s changing demeanor. She cleverly suggested that they could be together if she were freed, which led him to treat her with more kindness. On the final day of her captivity, she was taken shopping for shoes and given food for the first time. Afterward, Herba drove her to the UK consulate in Milan, where he imposed conditions for her release, including a demand that she cease any investigations into her kidnapping.

After the Italian police intervened, it became evident that Herba and his brother, Michał Herba, were the only perpetrators. Following an investigation, Ayling was allowed to return to the UK. “I was embarrassed by it,” she admitted. “I didn’t want anyone to ever know.”

However, upon her return, Ayling faced intense public scrutiny. Many people found it hard to believe her account, questioning her calm demeanor and the circumstances surrounding her release. Herba’s lawyer even claimed that the kidnapping was a publicity stunt designed to enhance Ayling’s career. “It was a perfect combination of all the things that made it unbelievable,” she stated, emphasizing that her calm reactions were misinterpreted.

In the aftermath, Ayling felt compelled to defend herself against accusations of dishonesty. “I just had to throw myself into it. I didn’t have a choice,” she explained. In 2020, Herba was convicted of kidnapping and sentenced to 16 years and nine months in prison, while Michał received a sentence of 16 years and eight months. Their sentences have since been reduced.

Now 28 years old, Ayling has turned her experience into a platform for advocacy. She has appeared on various television programs and is set to feature in a BBC documentary titled Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping, which aims to clarify misconceptions about her case. Ayling expressed hope that this documentary will change public perception, stating, “After the conviction, I didn’t get closure as the lies overpowered the truth.”

In her journey of healing, Ayling has also explored her own identity. A kind email from a teacher suggested she might have undiagnosed autism, leading her to seek a diagnosis earlier this year. This revelation has provided her with insights into her reactions during the kidnapping and the subsequent media fallout. “It was a relief to get the diagnosis,” she remarked, adding that the experience has helped her to better understand herself.

Ayling continues to advocate for a broader understanding of how trauma affects individuals differently. “I want people not to judge what they don’t understand,” she said. With the upcoming documentary, she aims to challenge societal expectations regarding victim behavior, highlighting that there is no singular way to respond to trauma.

The BBC documentary Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping is scheduled to be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer on August 4 and will air on BBC Three at 21:00 local time. Ayling’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding in the face of trauma.

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