Parents of US reporter missing in Syria believe he is alive
BEIRUT - The parents of an American journalist who has been missing in Syria for the past five years said on Thursday that they believe he is still alive—and that the US and Syrian governments have assured them they are doing all they can to secure his safe release.
The pair also expressed the family's readiness to deal with any government or group that will help them win the freedom of their son.
Austin Tice, of Houston, Texas, disappeared in August 2012 while covering Syria's civil war. A video released a month later showed him blindfolded and held by armed men, saying "Oh, Jesus." He has not been heard from since.
Debra and Marc Tice said at a news conference in the Lebanese capital of Beirut—ahead of the 5th anniversary of their son's disappearance—that they have "every reason to believe that Austin is alive" and called on those holding their son to reach out to them.
