Horror unfolds: woman held hostage, found half-naked tied to pole by five friends
Austin (The Uttam Hindu): A shocking incident has emerged from South Austin, Texas, USA. Police have arrested five people for holding a friend hostage in their home for weeks and subjecting her to inhumane torture.
When police arrived at the accused's home following a 911 call, they were shocked to find the victim tied to a pole, half-naked, with numerous severe injuries to her body.
The victim told police she was friends with one of the women living in the home and often visited, the Austin American-Statesman reported. "One day they decided they didn't like me anymore and they wouldn't let me leave the house," the victim said in her affidavit.
The woman said she was held hostage for weeks and was brutally beaten whenever she tried to escape.
According to police, the woman's body was found with multiple open wounds, severe swelling, and gunshot wounds. The flesh on her hands and ankles was missing. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Investigators have stated that the accused had established a "routine" to torture the woman. As part of this routine, the victim was given only one plate of food per night. She was forced to sleep outside. She was tied to an iron stand at night. The suspects have confessed to using a BB gun to torture her.
Castro told authorities that he had purchased an electric rifle-style BB gun specifically to torture the woman. When she returned home from work, he would take out the gun, chase the victim into a field, and shoot her.
Police also found three children in the home. During forensic interviews, one child told officers that his father (Castro) would shoot the woman while his mother (Carney) watched. The child also stated that the victim was made to sleep outside and her screams could be heard inside the house.
When police arrived on the scene following a 911 call and began helping the victim, the suspects attempted to flee but were taken into custody.
Those arrested include Michelle Garcia, 51, Maynard LeFevers, 21, Michelle's daughter, Crystal Garcia, 21, and her daughter, Mash Carney, 32, and Mash's husband, Juan Pablo Castro. All suspects are being held at the Travis County Jail while police are investigating the case further.