Jim Foley’s Parents: Jihadi John’s Death Will Not Bring Our Son Back

A U.S. drone strike is believed to have targeted “Jihadi John,” the British man who appeared in several videos showing the beheadings of Western hostages, including James Foley. His parents, John and Diane Foley, released the following statement on Friday.

It is a very small solace to learn that Jihadi John may have been killed by the U.S. government.

His death does not bring Jim back. If only so much effort had been given to finding and rescuing Jim and the hostages who were subsequently murdered by ISIS, they might be alive today.

Our focus is on Jim’s life and all the good that he did in the world. We remain humble and proud of his unwavering commitment to give voice to the voiceless as a journalist, a teacher and a friend.

As we continue to honor Jim’s life, we are grateful to the thousands of people who supported Jim throughout his captivity and who continue to support his legacy today through The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.

The Foundation is committed to defending the rights of every American citizen by advocating for the safe release of Americans kidnapped abroad, advancing safety measures for freelance journalists in conflict zones, and providing underprivileged youth with access to education.