South Florida

Slain South Florida Reporter's Family Speaks on Death of ISIS Leader

Steven Sotloff was working as a freelance journalist in Syria before being kidnapped and beheaded by the extremist group

The parents of a former South Florida journalist who was slain by ISIS five years ago spoke at a press conference in Pinecrest Sunday afternoon, hours after President Trump confirmed the death of the extremist group's leader by a U.S. military raid.

Steven Sotloff's mother and father heralded the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as a victory. They were aware al-Baghdadi's death would not bring their son back, but believed it was a significant step in the fight against ISIS.

"It is our hope that our son's surviving captors nicknamed 'The Beatles' will be brought to justice, that all remaining hostages are returned to safety," Sotloff's mother, Shirley Sotloff, said.

In 2013, Steven Sotloff was working as a freelance journalist in Syria before being kidnapped. The following year he was beheaded by the Islamic militant group. The brutal killing was recorded and distributed.

"It's been very difficult for all of us, for all the families," Shirley Sotloff said.

In the years since their son's death, the Sotloff family created the "2 Lives" foundation - which aims to help with safety training for freelance journalists around the world.

"We know he would've wanted to make a difference in everyone's lives, especially journalists," Shirley said. 

Following the press conference, President Trump called the family to tell them their son was happily looking down on them.

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