• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • News

Olivia Ambrose found crying with 'horrified' look next to alleged kidnapper: Documents

1:24
Suspect pleads not guilty to kidnapping woman from Boston bar
Boston Police Department
ByEmily Shapiro
January 23, 2019, 7:23 PM

A 23-year-old woman allegedly held against her will was crying and had "a horrified look on her face" when police found her at her suspected kidnapper's Boston home, according to court documents.

Victor Pena, the 38-year-old charged in the kidnapping of Olivia Ambrose, was arrested after authorities say he was found at his Charlestown apartment Tuesday with Ambrose, who vanished Saturday night.

When the investigation into Ambrose's disappearance was intensifying, police followed the last known ping from her phone to an apartment complex. Detectives showed surveillance images to neighbors, who said the suspect looked like Pena, according to the documents obtained by ABC Boston affiliate WCVB.

The missing 23-year-old's phone also re-activated and she began sending messages to her mother, the documents said.

An undated photo of Olivia Ambrose, 23, who has been missing since Jan. 19, 2019.
Boston Police Department

Maintenance staff was called in to open the door to Pena’s apartment on Tuesday, the documents said, and before drilling the lock, detectives waited about 20 minutes and knocked numerous times.

"Once the top lock was dismantled but prior to the lower locks being opened, the detectives heard the locks opening from the inside," the documents said.

Pena, who was at the doorway, "resisted violently” when authorities tried to handcuff him, according to the documents.

Victor Pena appears in this undated file photo.
Rhode Island State Police

Ambrose told a detective "she was being held against her will," and that Pena took her phone and "refused to let her leave the apartment for the entire time she was held there," according to the documents.

Pena made his first appearance in court on Wednesday, during which it was determined he would undergo a further mental evaluation.

A doctor who examined Pena said he showed signs of psychosis.

Pena will be taken to a mental institution for a more sophisticated screening before he returns to court on Feb. 11.

A Boston man was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, for allegedly kidnapping a young woman.
Boston Police Department

Ambrose's disappearance began Saturday night after she left Hennessey's Bar in Boston with a man who has been identified and eliminated as a suspect, police said.

Ambrose was then engaged by two men, one of whom was identified as Pena, police said, citing surveillance video.

Pena and the other man were seen on surveillance video watching her stagger across the street before following her, according to documents.

The other man seen on video has since been cleared by detectives, police said Wednesday.

Related Articles

(MORE: Boston man charged with kidnapping after missing woman found alive in his apartment)

Surveillance video showed Pena physically guiding Ambrose, according to authorities, who said the young woman wasn't going along willingly.

Ambrose's family reported her missing on Sunday, police said, prompting a massive search, and the investigation led authorities on Tuesday to Pena’s apartment.

Ambrose was taken to a hospital, police said. The 23-year-old then returned to her family's home Tuesday night, according to WCVB.

Police are investigating whether Ambrose and the suspect met at the bar or had a chance meeting on the street, authorities said.

ABC News' Brian Hartman, Todd McKee, Darren Reynolds and Karma Allen contributed to this report.

Up Next in News—

This San Francisco shop is run completely by an AI agent

April 23, 2026

Mother charged after teen son allegedly hits and injures 81-year-old veteran while riding e-motorcycle

April 23, 2026

UK bill banning smoking products for those born after 2008 is one step away from becoming law

April 22, 2026

Pilot killed in Florida plane crash hailed as hero

April 21, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News