CECILIA ZHANG CANADA February 28, 2004What does a recent heist at the Art Gallery of Ontario have in common with the Cecilia Zhang kidnap case?
Not much before Friday. But now Zhang’s father Raymond is hoping his daughter will be returned through the same means that several rare artifacts were recovered. He’s confident that the privilege of lawyer/client confidentiality will lead to an anonymous tip, and ultimately, her safe return. That’s why he’s put $200,000 in reward money in the hands of his attorneys.
“So far, no one has come forward to us, so we think probably they are frightened to directly contact us, so that's why we want to try a different avenue,” he said from his home Friday.
Cecilia hasn’t been seen since disappearing in October, and her parents want her back by her birthday, March 30th.
“Her birthday is coming up. I hope the miracle is going to happen before (then),” Raymond said.
Zhang refinanced his home to raise the $200,000 being offered and his lawyers think the new tactic could lead to a happy ending.
“We’re very hopeful that the person who has Cecilia alive will determine now is the time to come forward and that there is a procedure in place (lawyer confidentiality) so that he or she doesn't have to worry about being apprehended,” explained lawyer Jeffry House.
That privilege led to the recovery of five ivory sculptures stolen from the A.G.O.
Lawyer Dennis Morris was tipped off about the whereabouts of the $1.5 million works of art.
“An individual contacted me, and as a result of the contact, I was able to pick up the items, have them safely returned to the police, and keep the person or persons name and identity 100% privileged and confidential,” he explained.
If you want to leave an anonymous tip, you can call attorney Jeffrey House at (416)926-9402, or Dennis Morris at (416)977-4799.
February 28, 2004