'I Just Ran And Ran': Australian Woman Kidnapped Twice In One Day In Italy, Shares Terrifying Ordeal
'I Just Ran And Ran': Australian Woman Kidnapped Twice In One Day In Italy, Shares Terrifying Ordeal Published By, Last Updated: July 10, 2026, 14:20
'I Just Ran And Ran': Australian Woman Kidnapped Twice In One Day In Italy, Shares Terrifying Ordeal Published By, Last Updated: July 10, 2026, 14:20 IST Stephanie said the experience should not be seen as a reflection of Italy or Italians, pointing out that the first driver was a European expat and not Italian. Rapid Read Stephanie, a 36-year-old executive from Melbourne, had travelled to Europe with friends in October last year. (Instagram) An Australian woman has recounted a horrifying experience, claiming that she narrowly escaped two alleged kidnapping attempts within a matter of hours while travelling alone in Sicily. She said that the incidents have forced her to put her plans of buying a home in Italy on hold. Stephanie, a 36-year-old executive from Melbourne, had travelled to Europe with friends in October last year. After they returned to Australia, she stayed behind to explore Italy’s €1 house scheme, which offers abandoned properties for a symbolic one euro. She had also planned a kiteboarding trip near Lo Stagnone in Sicily.
In an interview with news.com.au, Stephanie said the first incident unfolded after she attended a gathering with fellow kiteboarders. As the group moved to another location, she accepted a ride from a European expat she had met at the event, believing he was heading to the same destination. Instead, she alleged, the driver sped away from the rest of the group and ignored her repeated requests to stop the car. “I got into the car, and he starts driving. He says, ‘Let’s see if we can get this car to 160,'" she recalled. Despite pleading to be let out, she said “the car goes faster," leaving her fearing for her safety. During the drive, Stephanie shared her live location with her kiteboarding instructor. She also overheard the passenger asking the driver whether others from the group would be coming to his house. According to Stephanie, the driver’s reply that “no one’s coming" alarmed her and suggested that even the passenger was unaware of what was happening. After driving nearly 12 kilometres, the vehicle entered a gated property.
Stephanie said she realised the door was unlocked and escaped as soon as the car came to a halt. “It opened, and I just ran and ran," she said. She hid nearby until she was certain no one was following her before continuing on foot. After walking several kilometres, Stephanie reached a nearby town, where she sought help from a security guard. Using a translation app, she explained the situation, and the guard offered to drop her back at her accommodation. She alleged that during the drive, the guard stopped in an alley and used her phone to type, “What are you going to do for me for driving you home?" Stephanie said she immediately got out of the vehicle and fled once again, running through a nearby vineyard before eventually making her way back to her hotel on foot. She hid whenever vehicles passed and bought drinks from vending machines so there would be a record of her movements if needed. The following day, she told members of her kiteboarding group about the incidents, saying she was left deeply shaken.
The BriefWire