Childhood and Education Journey of Austin Tice in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Austin Tice, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Austin Tice, an American freelance journalist and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was kidnapped in Syria on August 13, 2012, while reporting. He is the longest-detained American journalist in history. For years, the U.S. government asserted that Tice was held by the Assad regime in Syria. This was later confirmed through Syrian intelligence files uncovered by the BBC and information from former Syrian officials following the fall of the Assad regime, confirming his detention by the Assad regime. His case remains a significant concern, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles

August 11, 1981: Austin Tice Born

On August 11, 1981, Austin Bennett Tice was born. He is an American freelance journalist and a veteran U.S. Marine Corps officer.

Others born on this day/year

2002: Graduation from Georgetown University

In 2002, Austin Tice graduated from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

May 2012: Entered Syria

In May 2012, Austin Tice entered Syria and traveled through the central region of the country, filing battlefield dispatches.

July 2012: Arrived in Damascus

In late July 2012, Austin Tice arrived in Damascus while reporting from inside Syria during the intensification of the civil war.

August 11, 2012: Stopped Tweeting

Austin Tice stopped tweeting after August 11, 2012, with his Twitter account having garnered 2,000 followers.

August 13, 2012: Kidnapped in Syria

On August 13, 2012, Austin Tice was kidnapped while reporting in Syria. He is the longest detained American journalist in history.

September 2012: Video Released

In September 2012, a 47-second video of Austin Tice blindfolded and bound was released after he was abducted in Darayya, Syria while working as a freelance journalist.

October 2012: U.S. Government Believes Tice in Assad Regime Custody

In October 2012, the U.S. government believed that Austin Tice was in the custody of the Assad regime, based on the limited information available.

2013: Tice Reportedly Escaped

Reports emerged that in early 2013, Austin Tice was able to escape from his cell after five months of captivity and was found wandering through the Mazzeh neighborhood of Damascus before being recaptured.

August 2018: US Believes Tice Held by Syrian Government

In August 2018, two US officials stated that Austin Tice was believed to still be alive, and the State Department said the U.S. government believed he was being held by the Syrian government or its allies.