Shivangi Sinha
In November 2009, four unidentified individuals arrived at Marcela Borges’ home in Winter Garden, Florida. At the time, her husband, Rubens Laureano Morais, and their 5-year-old son, Ryan, were also present in the house. Before Marcela could understand what was happening, the strangers forced their way inside and restrained the family with duct tape. They were abducted and held for ransom. Over the course of three harrowing days, Marcela and her family endured severe threats and torture at the hands of their captors. Her harrowing ordeal is authentically depicted in Lifetime’s ‘Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story.’
Marcela Borges and Her Family Were Held Hostage in Their Own Home
Marcela Borges lived in Winter Garden, Florida, with her husband, Rubens Laureano Morais, and their 5-year-old son, Ryan. On November 15, 2009, while she was two months pregnant with their second son, Lucas, four armed strangers broke into their home. The intruders restrained the family with duct tape and took them in their own SUVs to a house in Apopka, Florida. They were held there overnight before being brought back to their home. Marcela was then forced to withdraw $23,600 from her bank account, which she handed over to the abductors.
The following day, during an altercation, Marcela was able to glimpse the face of one of her abductors—a woman identified as Bianca Dos Santos. She later learned that Bianca had gotten information about her family from her mother, who had worked for Rubens several years earlier. Upon recognizing the woman, Marcela feared for her life, knowing she would likely be killed. In a desperate attempt to escape, she jumped from the second story of her home and ran for help. Although she was shot twice, she managed to alert her neighbor and contact the police. Marcela and her husband both testified against their abductors—25-year-old Miguel Diaz-Santiz, his 20-year-old cousin Victor Manuel Sanchez, and 19-year-old Oscar Diaz. However, Bianca remains at large and has not been apprehended.
Marcela Borges and Her Family Have Courageously Reclaimed Their Lives Today
‘Terror Comes Knocking: True Story of Marcela Borges’ excels in its meticulous attention to detail and highlights every significant fact of the harrowing ordeal with striking authenticity. While some dramatization was woven in for cinematic impact, the core events and emotions were presented with remarkable accuracy. The actors delivered stellar performances, immersing the audience in the palpable fear and despair the Borges family endured. Marcela’s courage, Rubens’ resilience, and even young Ryan’s vulnerability were brought to life with sensitivity and depth. The film balanced raw realism with dramatic storytelling, making it a gripping and heartfelt tribute to an extraordinary tale of survival.
Marcela and her family have continued to reside in Winter Garden, Florida, alongside their two sons, Ryan and Lucas. Over the years, Marcela pursued higher education, studying at Valencia College-Nursing School-West Campus and the University of Central Florida. Rubens, a businessman, has built a secure and comfortable life for his wife and children. The couple has been married for over 12 years and has remained steadfast and content, cherishing the life they have created together. Known for their private nature, they share little about their personal lives, but it is evident they have left the scarring incident behind and are looking forward to the future. This resilience and hope were powerfully captured in the film, elevating the film with its poignant portrayal of strength, love, and the ability to rebuild even after unimaginable hardship.
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