Mr Gamble’s involvement in the case was met with heavy criticism from law enforcement, who had yet to conclude that the mother-of-two had actually been kidnapped.
Some even questioned his motives, to which Mr Gamble explains: “I was trying to inject a solution to an impossible situation.”
After the video was initially ignored by abductors, it was decided they would up the ransom offer.
“I asked the anonymous donor, ‘Let’s call all bounty hunters’,” he said.
“Let’s make this a very enticing offer.”
Only 24 hours later, their efforts were rewarded when the 34-year-old was found alive on the side of a highway.
“We are ecstatic to report that sherri Papini has been found and has been reunited with her family,” Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko announced at a news conference that afternoon, nearly three weeks after she was initially reported as missing.
Sherri has since claimed she was held captive by two Hispanic women on November 2, where she was beaten, chained up and starved.
She explained to authorities that her kidnappers pushed her out of a SUV with a bag over her head and a chain around her waist on the day she was released. A motorist then found her and called 911.
Many have speculated that Sherri was kidnapped to be sold into human trafficking and only released after her case garnered world-wide attention.
But despite Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko maintaining that the investigation remains a “top priority” no arrests have been made on the case.
Still, Mr Gamble remains confident that he helped ensure Sherri’s safe return home.
“It didn’t matter if it was the ice cream man who was making videos, the fact is the message, I believe, is what got her home,” he said.
This article originally published on New Idea.
