Naman Shrestha
Based on the real-life experiences of British model Chloe Ayling, ‘Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story’ is a six-part British biographical drama series that revolves around Chloe Ayling, who gets abducted when she travels to Milan, Italy, for a modeling photoshoot in 2017. Although she manages to return to the United Kingdom without any physical harm, she becomes the subject of public and media scrutiny. The show also delves deep into the trial of one of her abductors, Lukasz Herba, who is brought to justice for his crimes.
Chloe Ayling Faced Intense Scrutiny in the Aftermath of Her Kidnapping
Chloe Ayling was only 20 years old when she found herself in the middle of a kidnapping plot, led by Lukasz Herba, who reached out to her under the alias Andre Lazio. At the time, she was a model at Phil Green’s Supermodel Agency in London. Under the pretense of a photoshoot, Lukasz set up their meeting on July 12, 2017, in Milan, Italy. He reportedly kidnapped her, allegedly with the help of an accomplice, and held her captive for six days in a secluded farmhouse several hours away from Milan. According to Chloe, Lukasz told her that he worked for The Black Death Group and his boss wanted him to sell her.
When her mother couldn’t get in touch with her, she alerted Phil, who notified the police. According to Chloe, Lukasz developed feelings for her during her captivity and cut her a deal to arrange €300,000 in exchange for her freedom and safety. Although she got several opportunities to escape, she claimed that he had threatened to kill her and harm her family if she tried. After she was let go by the captor, she claimed that she went to the Italian authorities and told them about the entire ordeal.
After returning home to the UK, Chloe was scrutinized by the media and public, with some media outlets and commentators even accusing her of plotting the fake kidnapping for fame and money — a claim she has consistently denied. Some questioned why she went shopping with her captor, while others asked why she didn’t flee when she had chances. In the documentary titled ‘Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping,’ she explained, “The aftermath affected me more than the kidnap(ping).” Standing strong in the face of adversity, she also testified against Lukasz in his 2019 trial, which resulted in his conviction and sentencing.
Chloe Ayling Efficiently Balances Her Modeling Career With Her Passion For Travel
In order to put her truth out in the world, Chloe Ayling published a book titled ‘Kidnapped – The Untold Story of My Abduction,’ which was based on her personal experiences and how she dealt with the public scrutiny. A few years after her captor’s conviction, Chloe Ayling received a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2024. Elaborating on the same, she told Stylist, “Before the diagnosis, I received an email with the subject line ‘possible autism diagnosis.’ It was from a primary school teacher who had 25 years of experience, and it stood out to me because it wasn’t critical or negative. She explained that she thought I might have autism, that it might be affecting the way I behave, and that was why people couldn’t relate to me – especially as it’s very underdiagnosed in girls.”
Chloe further expressed, “That really stuck in my head: I’ve always struggled to communicate well and speak about my feelings.” She also thought that autism played a significant role in how she reacted during her captivity in 2017. She added, “However, there are other reasons why people could react in the way that I did, or in an ‘unusual’ way that doesn’t fit the normal box. People disassociate with events that have happened or have a delayed reaction, especially after trauma. So, it can’t all be put down to a diagnosis, and that shouldn’t affect the way people treated me.” As she continues her journey of healing from her traumatic past, Chloe now focuses on making the most of her life by exploring new places and creating new memories with her loved ones.
Having studied law at Capital City College, she continues to serve as a model and multiple property owner in the US. Being an avid traveler, she has been to 32 countries, including Denmark, Malta, Canada, Norway, Poland, and many more. She spent her 28th birthday on Gozo Island, Malta, in June 2025. In early August, she went to Lorraine and reconnected with Christine Lampard, talking about her experience after the kidnapping and the media frenzy. Chloe then visited Snowdonia, North Wales, where she spent time horse riding and chasing sunsets. As of today, Chloe reportedly continues to further her career as a model and operates an OnlyFans account.
Read More: Where is Lukasz Herba Now?
