LYNN — Authorities are investigating after the family of Salomon Monfiston said the 46-year-old went missing in Tijuana, Mexico on Sunday.
According to Monfiston’s stepdaughter, Deborah Lucien, and his wife, Vina Monfiston, Salomon Monfiston was visiting his sister in Tijuana after arriving in Mexico from the Dominican Republic with his niece and nephew on Friday.
Salomon Monfiston was due to return to the United States by Monday and had spoken to family members for the last time at around 8:30 a.m. EDT Sunday, or around 5:30 a.m. PDT.
“That’s the last time anybody’s heard from him,” Lucien said.
His sister said that after Salomon Monfiston went missing, she was approached by a neighbor who said she witnessed him get kidnapped at gunpoint by a group of men on Sunday.
“(She) said that he was approached by four individuals who drew a gun on him,” Lucien said. “They escorted a vehicle and drove off.”
Lucien said Salomon Monfiston’s sister in Mexico contacted local authorities, but that it did not seem like there had been any progress since then.
Lynn Police spokesperson Lt. Michael Kmiec said Salomon Monfiston’s family filed a report with the department, and that the matter was referred to the FBI for investigation because the disappearance occurred in Mexico.
“Our (criminal investigation division) is communicating with the FBI to offer whatever support we can provide to assist them in their investigation,” Kmiec said.
Mayor Jared Nicholson also said the Police Department will assist in the investigation in any way it can.
“Our office is here to provide any support we can to the family at this very difficult time as they try to locate their loved one,” Nicholson said.
Lucien said the family has been in contact with the FBI, the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, and Rep. Seth Moulton’s office.
She added that it is frustrating to be thousands of miles away from where Salomon Monfiston disappeared. Traveling to assist in the search, Lucien said, could potentially be dangerous.
“It’s very frustrating,” Lucien said. “We would like to (go). Is it the smartest or safest option to do? Probably not.”
Lucien said she and her mother are hoping for any help.
“We’re just hoping to get the story out there,” she said. “If anyone has any information to share with us, that would be helpful.”
