The situation
A 29-year-old man, Jordende Pierre, is behind bars without bail after authorities say he kidnapped a woman he met on a dating app and held her captive in an unfinished attic in Malden, Massachusetts, for six weeks. According to prosecutors, the victim was discovered "naked and malnourished" last Sunday, living in squalor beside a bucket of her own urine.
What happened
The discovery was made by the property's landlord, Qing Sun, who entered the unit to investigate a water leak. She found the woman in the attic—an area where no one was supposed to be living. Pierre, who was not a tenant at the property, allegedly removed the handle from the attic door to keep the victim from escaping. Prosecutors say Pierre sexually assaulted the woman himself and forced her into sexual encounters with at least six other men. It is alleged that he also exploited the victim's struggle with substance abuse by providing her with drugs.
The investigation
Pierre was arrested Thursday by a joint effort from the Malden Police, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, and the U.S. Marshals. It turns out Pierre was already out on bail for an open assault and battery case in Somerville. Neighbors of the Summer Street home described it as having a "rotating cast of characters" and rowdy parties, though they had no idea of the horror happening nearby. The victim is now safe and reuniting with her family.
Why it matters
This is a major L for safety and a reminder to be highkey careful with people you meet on dating apps. The fact that someone was able to hide a person in plain sight while out on bail is straight-up terrifying, and the authorities are now moving forward with charges including kidnapping and trafficking. If you’re ever feeling off about a situation or a person, trust your gut—the real tea is that your safety always comes first.
