Landry's husband Alejandro Gomez Monteverde's dad, Juan Manuel Gomez Monteverde and his son, also named Juan Manuel, were kidnapped outside their home in Tamaulipas, Mexico last month (Sep15). A ransom demand was made, which the Monteverde family reportedly paid, but the abductors failed to keep their word and the two men's bodies were found in Veracruz 15 days after they were reported missing to authorities.

The director and his wife, a former Miss USA, scattered the ashes of their relatives off the coast of their native Tampico, Mexico and now Landry is paying tribute to the deceased for the happiness they brought their families.

"I want to thank all of you for your love, support and prayers during this time of grief," a Facebook.com message reads. "Yes, the events surrounding my family were tragic and what has happened will profoundly affect our lives forever, but my Father in Law was the kind of man that radiated pure joy and it was infectious.

"He loved and adored his family more than anything. He was a jokester, a great dancer, a crier (especially when he was talking about his sons, and he lived his life in the present, appreciating each moment as a huge blessing. He was my husbands (sic) hero and like my second Dad."

Landry goes on to call her late brother-in-law "such a hard working business owner", adding, "we all looked up to him."

"When things became dangerous in Tampico a few years ago he moved his family to Estonia, Guadalajara, and then MCAllan Texas just to keep them safe," the model-turned-actress continues. "He was a wonderful friend, an amazing husband, and a great father to his two beautiful children. This is a painful time, and we are still processing it all. What we have realized is that this journey through grief and loss is a marathon, not a sprint, and the only way to get through it is by the grace of God.

"We are determined not to allow this event to define them or our lives. We want to remember the beauty, the innocence, and the light that they represented, and to continue their legacy and always put family first:) Thank you again for caring for our family!!!"

Police are still investigating the case and no suspects have been apprehended, but local authorities believe the kidnapping and murders are gang related.