Austin has been held captive in Syria for 4838 days 20 hours 17 minutes 13 seconds

BAKER PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP: AUSTIN BENNETT TICE

Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy honors Austin Tice for his courage and service in reporting on Syria’s violent and tragic civil war. His outstanding work exemplifies the values of the James A. Baker III Prize for Excellence in Leadership. This event marks the eighth time the award has been conferred in the Baker Institute’s 28-year history.

To all Austin’s Supporters,

Reporting has recently been in the media alleging Austin was executed in 2013. You should know these allegations are not supported by any actual evidence. Rather, they are solely based on statements made by Bassam al Hassan, a man with international warrants against him for complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity. He is also subject to sanctions issued by the United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and the United States for his involvement in chemical weapons attacks and other human rights violations. Al Hassan has denied all such crimes despite substantial evidence of his guilt. To put it bluntly, this man is a well-practiced liar and untrustworthy source of information.

This recent reporting also excluded the following facts:

  • After failing an FBI polygraph (lie detector) test specifically about his assertations of Austin’s death, al Hassan told the FBI he had no actual knowledge the alleged orders for Austin’s execution were carried out.

  • No one, including the individual allegedly ordered to perform that task, and other former Assad government officials have corroborated al Hassan’s story.

  • In May 2025, at the invitation of the United States Director of National Intelligence, Debra and Marc Tice viewed hundreds of pages of classified documents reporting sightings of Austin as recently as October 2024 – long after his alleged 2013 execution.

  • Since 2012, three United States Presidents, with access to all intelligence reports, have stated Austin is alive. Most recently, President Joe Biden made such a statement at a news conference on December 8, 2024.

Austin Tice is alive, and we cherish your continued thoughts, prayers and support. We look forward to seeing him walk free.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/28/world/video/ebof-austin-tice-family-spokesperson-phil-elwood

This is Austin Tice

Austin is an award winning journalist, the recipient of the 2012 George Polk Award for War Reporting, the 2012 McClatchy Newspapers President’s Award, the 2015 National Press Club John Aubuchon Freedom of the Press Award, the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Centennial Honor, and the James A. Baker III Prize for Excellence in Leadership. He is a veteran Captain in the United States Marine Corps, graduate of Georgetown University, National Merit Finalist and an Eagle Scout.

The United States Government is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading directly to Austins’ safe location, recovery, and return. If you have any information concerning Austin, please contact the FBI Tip Line at tips.fbi.gov or findaustintice@fbi.gov. You can also contact your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

Austin’s Captivity

In May of 2012, the summer before Austin’s final year at Georgetown Law School, he chose to go to Syria as a freelance journalist.  Austin went to tell the story of the ongoing conflict there and its impact on the ordinary people of Syria.

In August 2012, Austin made his way just south of Damascus to write his final pieces.  He planned to depart for Lebanon on August 14, three days after his 31st birthday.  He got into a car in the Damascus suburb of Darayya to make the trip, but shortly after leaving was detained at a check point.

Five weeks later, a 43-second video emerged with the title, “Austin Tice is Alive”.  It showed Austin being held by a group of unidentified armed men.  No other message accompanied the video.  This is the only information we have received from his captors.  No one has contacted us to claim responsibility, nor have we been told what is required to secure his safe return. Most importantly we, the United States government, and other credible sources believe Austin is alive.

We ask anyone with information about Austin which might lead us to his location and/or identify who he is with to contact us at information@austinticefamily.com.

Contact Us

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support of Austin and our family.  It is these things, along with the dedicated work of many, many people, which are sustaining us and which will, by the will of God, bring Austin safely home to us.

We ask everyone who can to contact officials and representatives of the United States or Syrian governments, and tell them it is important to you that Austin comes safely home.

If you have any information regarding Austin’s circumstances or well-being, please contact us!

Austin has been held captive in Syria for 4838 days 20 hours 17 minutes 13 seconds
This is Austin Tice

Austin is an award winning journalist, the recipient of the 2012 George Polk Award for War Reporting, the 2012 McClatchy Newspapers President’s Award, and the 2015 National Press Club John Aubuchon Freedom of the Press Award. He is a veteran Captain in the United States Marine Corps, graduate of Georgetown University, National Merit Finalist and an Eagle Scout.

The United States Government is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading directly to Austins’ safe location, recovery, and return. If you have any information concerning Austin, please contact the FBI Tip Line at tips.fbi.gov or findaustintice@fbi.gov. You can also contact your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

Austin’s Captivity

In May of 2012, the summer before Austin’s final year at Georgetown Law School, he chose to go to Syria as a freelance journalist.  Austin went to tell the story of the ongoing conflict there and its impact on the ordinary people of Syria.

In August 2012, Austin made his way just south of Damascus to write his final pieces.  He planned to depart for Lebanon on August 14, three days after his 31st birthday.  He got into a car in the Damascus suburb of Darayya to make the trip, but shortly after leaving was detained at a check point.

Five weeks later, a 43-second video emerged with the title, “Austin Tice is Alive”.  It showed Austin being held by a group of unidentified armed men.  No other message accompanied the video.  This is the only information we have received from his captors.  No one has contacted us to claim responsibility, nor have we been told what is required to secure his safe release. Most importantly we, the United States government, and other credible sources believe Austin is alive. We also believe the Syrian government is best able to assist with Austin’s safe return.

We ask anyone with information about Austin which might lead us to his location and/or identify who he is with to contact us at information@austinticefamily.com.

Contact Us

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support of Austin and our family.  It is these things, along with the dedicated work of many, many people, which are sustaining us and which will, by the will of God, bring Austin safely home to us.

We ask everyone who can to contact officials and representatives of the United States or Syrian governments, and tell them it is important to you that Austin comes safely home.

If you have any information regarding Austin’s circumstances or well-being, please contact us!