The kidnapped mother-in-law of Formula One Chief Bernie Ecclestone, 85, was rescued by Brazilian police on Sunday.
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Aparecida Schunck Flosi Palmeira, 67, was being held in a house in the city of Cotia, Brazil, about 22 miles west of Sao Paulo, the Sao Paulo State public safety office said.
Sao Paulo police said a $36.7 million ransom was demanded.
Brazilian global star Robinho’ mother was kidnapped in 2004 and was held for 41 days in the outskirts of Sao Paulo.
Ecclestone, whom Forbes magazine estimates is worth $3.1 billion – along with his family – is one of the most powerful men in sport and married Flosi in 2012.
It said the pilot worked for Ecclestone’s family.
Motorsport reports that two suspects were arrested and a third was detained on Monday under suspicion of orchestrating the failed kidnapping scheme.
On being released, Schunk weeped and hugged a relative.
After her reunion with loved ones, Aparecida told the press: “I just ask for those criminals to be arrested so they do not kidnap anyone else”.
Jorge Eurico da Silva Faria, head of the Brazilian association of helicopter pilots until past year, was arrested yesterday at his home in Sao Paulo. It would have been the largest ransom in the history of Brazil had it been paid. According to reports from local media, CCTV footage of the kidnappers swapping cars broke the case and led police to Schunck’s location.
Schunck’s home is in the southern Interlagos neighborhood, which hosts the Brazilian circuit of the F1 Grand Prix.
Her daughter and Ecclestone remained in England. The couple lives in England.
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This incident comes merely days before the Rio Olympics is to begin.
