OC Woman Kidnapped, Held For Ransom While On Safari: Report

COSTA MESA, CA —A Costa Mesa aesthetician vacationing in Uganda was kidnapped by armed men demanding $500,000 in ransom, according to media reports. KTLA is reporting that Kimberly Sue Endicott was on an evening safari when armed men kidnapped her.

The victim's phone was used to make the ransom call, which local authorities say "will not be paid," according to media reports.

Uganda Deputy Police Spokeswoman Polly Namaye has said that the abductors are using the victim's cell phone to demand ransom money and that ransom will not be paid.

An elderly couple was also abducted but managed to escape, KTLA reported.

"We are aware of a US citizen kidnapped in Uganda," a US State Department Spokesperson said in a release. "Security forces are responding to the incident. We take seriously any threats against U.S. citizens abroad. The safety and protection of U.S. citizens overseas are among our top priorities," they wrote. "We have no further information to offer at this time."

KTLA reported that friends of Endicott's say it was her lifelong dream to go on safari to see the gorillas of East Africa.

"I know she was planning this trip for a while because it was something she always wanted to do," Pam Lopez told the station. According to Lopez, Endicott, in her mid-50s, was sharing social media photos of her trip until Tuesday, which is when she was believed to be kidnapped.

A security alert has been issued for U.S. citizens, who are asked to avoid the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth of National Park.