Denise Huskins' attorney says alleged kidnappers sent apology email
VALLEJO, Calif. (KABC) -- The case surrounding the alleged kidnapping and ransom of Denise Huskins seemed to have closed after Vallejo police deemed it a hoax orchestrated by the physical therapist and her boyfriend Aaron Quinn, but the story seems to be getting more and more bizarre.
A 15-page so-called manifesto emailed to the San Francisco Chronicle is alleging a strange story of kidnappers with a conscience, claiming Huskins wasn't their intended target and expressing regret for kidnapping her.
The kidnappers described themselves as a group of college-educated career criminals and bragged that they've been running a carjacking and burglary ring for months. The anonymous email sent to the San Francisco Chronicle stated the kidnapping was real and an apparent case of mistaken identity.
"They felt terribly when they discovered that it was her, but yet since this was a training mission they decided to carry it out regardless," said Huskins' attorney, Douglas L. Rappaport.
The emails include details about the alleged kidnapping. According to the emails, the abductors used strobe lights to mimic firearms and gave Huskins and Quinn headphones playing calming music.
According to the Chronicle, the emails also say the kidnappers chose a ransom of $8,500 because it was below the reporting threshold. They also refer to auto thefts and burglaries the sender claims his group has committed and even demand that police clear Huskins' name and apologize for calling the alleged kidnapping a hoax.
"They talk very extensively about how they prepared for it, what weapons to use," Rappaport said.
Huskins, 29, was initially reported kidnapped for ransom on March 23 around 2 p.m. Quinn took 12 hours to report Huskins' abduction from the home they share in Mare Island.
She turned up safe two days later at her father's house in Huntington Beach, where she says she was dropped off.
Vallejo police called the kidnapping a hoax during a press conference hours later.
"Mr. Quinn and Ms. Huskins have plundered valuable resources away from our community and taken the focus away from the true victims of our community while instilling fear in our community members," Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park said. "So if anything, it is Mr. Quinn and Ms. Huskins that owes this community an apology."
The Los Angeles Times says it also received an email from an anonymous sender. According to the Chronicle, the emailed message also threatened Vallejo police with harm if they did not apologize for calling the kidnapping a hoax by noon Tuesday.
Vallejo police did not report any incidents and declined comment Tuesday.
KGO-TV and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
