Angelo Laurence, STAR Writer

A prominent businessman and his wife have gone missing following what police believe may be a kidnapping.

While the police search for the missing couple, their names are being witheld until the family is notified.

The couple was discovered missing from their Mandeville home in the Brumalia Gardens area yesterday after they failed to respond to the calls of neighbours and others who then called the police.

When the police arrived, they found a lock on one of the doors broken and several pieces of appliances including a refrigerator, a computer and a stove missing. It is also believed that a mattress was also removed from the home.

A policeman who visited the scene told The STAR that blood stains were found in the house but investigators are not sure if they are the result of foul play. He said the wife had done surgery recently and there is a possibility the stitches could have given way.

He added that the police have not made a determination if this is a case of burglary and kidnapping, although there are indications that the couple may have been kidnapped. The couple operates a furniture store in the heart of the town.

In the last seven months, there have been four cases of persons being kidnapped and held for ransom in the Mandeville area. In the latest case, two months ago, a 10- year-old was taken hostage and released only after a hefty sum of money was paid over by her parents.

The kidnapper returned to her home in Williamsfield several weeks later and demanded more money, which was paid over. However, he was shot and killed by the Mandeville police who had set a trap for him.