Chloe Ayling is a British model from Coulsden, south London, who gained international attention after being kidnapped in Italy in 2017.
At age 20, she was lured to Milan for a fake photoshoot, where she was drugged, abducted, and held captive for six days in a remote farmhouse near Turin.
During her captivity, Ayling feared for her life, believing she might be sold as a sex slave by a criminal gang. She was eventually released at a British consulate in Italy.
Following her ordeal, Ayling faced widespread skepticism and victim-blaming, with many doubting the truth of her story.
Despite this, she spoke openly about her experience, participated in Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, and wrote a book detailing her kidnapping.
The main kidnapper, Lukasz Herba, was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison, though his brother’s involvement remains disputed.In 2024, a six-part BBC drama titled Kidnapped
The Chloe Ayling Story was released, based on her kidnapping and trial. Ayling hopes the series will educate the public about the realities of victim trauma and discourage judgment based on victims’ reactions or backgrounds.
She aims to clear her name and encourage empathy toward victims of violence.Her story highlights the dangers models can face and the challenges victims endure in seeking justice and public understanding.