In November 2009, Marcela Borges and her family faced an unimaginable ordeal when armed kidnappers invaded their home. This harrowing event, marked by courage and resilience, has recently been adapted into the film ‘Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story,’ bringing renewed attention to their story. Marcela’s heroic actions saved her family, and this article explores her life after the kidnapping, examining where she is now and the impact of the traumatic experience.
This article delves into the details of the kidnapping, the subsequent trials of the perpetrators, and Marcela’s journey toward recovery and a more private life. We’ll explore the new movie based on the story and the current status of Marcela, her husband Rubens, and their children. By understanding the events of the past and Marcela’s present circumstances, we gain insight into the strength required to overcome such adversity.
Who is Marcela Borges?
Marcela Borges was 27 years old at the time of the home invasion in 2009. Originally from Brazil, she had moved to Winter Garden, Florida, where she lived with her husband, Rubens Morais, and their 5-year-old son, Ryan. Rubens, 48 at the time, was the president of RLM Trucks Carrier. Marcela was also two months pregnant with their second child during the invasion.
The family resided in a 3,700-square-foot house within a gated community, seemingly living a peaceful life before the horrific events that would forever alter their reality. Before the incident, Marcela’s life was that of a typical young mother and wife, focused on her family and home.
What happened to Marcela Borges and her family?
On November 15, 2009, the Borges’ home was invaded by four masked gunmen—three men and one woman. According to the police report, one of the perpetrators fired a gun at the door while another grabbed Ryan and pointed a gun at him. The intruders ransacked the house, demanding money and access to a safe.
Unsatisfied with what they found, the kidnappers blindfolded Marcela, Rubens, and Ryan before forcing them into a car. They were driven to a house in Apopka, Florida, where they were held captive. The kidnappers demanded $200,000; when Borges and Morais said they didn’t have that much, the family was tortured for three days, even after Marcela withdrew nearly $24,000 from her bank.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Borges reported, “Later that night I could hear my husband crying, a gun going ‘click, click, click’ and the voice of Oscar Diaz-Hernandez.” The gunmen also tormented them by playing Russian roulette with their son.
Borges’ Heroic Escape
On the third day, Marcela Borges bravely approached the female kidnapper, asking for water. When the woman took her to the kitchen, Marcela grabbed a knife and confronted her, pulling off the kidnapper’s mask during the struggle. The exposed kidnapper panicked, exclaiming, “She saw my face and knows who I am. You have to kill her!”
Marcela was forced back to a room on the second floor, where she knew she had to act quickly. In her statement to the police, Borges said, “After I was beaten, I was left alone in my son’s bedroom, but I could hear the suspects talking in the next room. I thought me and my family was going to be murdered, so I freed my hands, removed my blindfold and jumped out of the second story window.”
Despite being shot during her escape, Marcela managed to reach a neighbor’s house and call the police. Her courageous actions led to the rescue of her family and their safe transport to a local hospital, where they recovered from their injuries.
What happened to Marcela Borges’ abductors?
Marcela Borges identified the female kidnapper as Bianca Dos Santos after pulling off her mask. Investigators discovered that Dos Santos allegedly obtained information about the family’s finances from her mother’s tax and financial services company. Dos Santos, believed to be the mastermind behind the invasion, was not immediately apprehended and remains at large.
The three men involved—Oscar Diaz Hernandez, Miguel Diaz Santiz, and Victor Manuel Sanchez—were arrested and prosecuted. Victor Manuel Sanchez was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Miguel Diaz Santiz agreed to a plea deal and also received a life sentence. Oscar Diaz Hernandez attempted suicide before his trial and was eventually allowed to return to his family after Borges dropped the charges against him.
In May 2012, during the sentencing of Sanchez and Santiz, Borges shared a victim impact statement, expressing her son’s ongoing trauma: “He doesn’t feel secure to play outside,” she said. “He doesn’t go outside. He stays most of his time inside the house. He cannot hear anybody speak Spanish because what he says is ‘bad guys.’”
Where is Marcela Borges and her family now?
After the traumatic events of 2009, Marcela Borges and Rubens Morais continued their lives, welcoming their second son, Lucas. Marcela returned to school, studying at Valencia College-Nursing School-West Campus and the University of Central Florida.
The family leads a private life in Florida, rarely sharing updates on social media or discussing the home invasion publicly. Their focus has been on healing and rebuilding their lives after the ordeal.
In January 2025, their story was adapted into the movie ‘Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story,’ starring Dascha Polanco as Marcela. The film became available on Netflix in September, bringing their story to a wider audience.
Conclusion
Marcela Borges’ story is a testament to courage and resilience in the face of extreme adversity. Her heroic actions during the kidnapping saved her family from a terrifying situation. The subsequent years have been marked by a focus on healing, family, and a return to normalcy.
Today, Marcela Borges and her family live a private life in Florida, away from the public eye. While the trauma of the past remains, their ability to rebuild and move forward is an inspiring example of the strength of the human spirit. The release of ‘Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story’ on Netflix serves as a reminder of their ordeal and Marcela’s extraordinary bravery.
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