John Patterson (diplomat)
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John Patterson (1942 or 1943 – 1974) was a diplomat who served as the United States vice consul in Hermosillo, Mexico where he was abducted and murdered.
Patterson studied abroad in France where he first met his wife Andra. He later studied at Columbia Business School. Patterson moved to Washington, D.C. where he worked with the ad hoc commission implementing the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970.
Patterson then attended the Foreign Service’s training program, from which he graduated in 1973. He was to begin his career in Santiago, Chile but was reassigned to Hermosillo, Mexico.[1]
Abduction and murder
Patterson was seen on Friday, March 22, 1974 at around 10:30 AM leaving the consulate in the company of an American. The disclosure of his kidnapping came after U.S. Attorney General William Saxbe was questioned by reporters at to why he postponed his planned trip to Mexico.[2]
A note was left at the consulate general hours after his disappearance demanding a ransom of $500,000 as well as a news blackout on the case.[3] The note began with the words "I have evidently been taken hostage by the People’s Liberation Army of Mexico".[1] There was speculation that the kidnappers were Americans as the ransom note was written on United States made stationery and the ransom was asked for in United States dollars.[4] The United States followed its stated policy of not giving in to blackmail demands, but allowed Patterson's mother and wife to attempt to raise the ransom.[5][1]
Patterson’s wife Andra apologized for the news coverage of his kidnapping and begged for the kidnappers to contact her. Andra attempted to deliver $250,000 as ransom, but the kidnapper did not appear.[6] She also placed an advertisement in the local paper saying “I have the money you need for transaction. Please contact me so I can send it to you. Anne.”.[7]
The case caused confusion, with Mexican officials refusing to even call it a kidnapping, simply saying that he disappeared.[8] On March 30, 1974, a Mexican government spokesman said they expected Patterson to be released that weekend.[9] Two hundred Mexican police officials combed the desert in search of Patterson.[1]
On July 8, 1974, Patterson's badly decomposed body was found in the desert 345 miles (555 km) north of Hermosillo by a peasant looking for fruit. The skull was broken by blows to the face and back. There was a ring on his finger with his initials and those of his wife, as well as the date of their marriage.[10]