Twelve years after her son’s disappearance, Debra Tice has returned to Damascus to search for her son, American journalist Austin Tice, who vanished in August 2012 while reporting on the Syrian conflict. Her visit marks a pivotal moment in the long-running campaign for answers, coinciding with political changes in Syria and renewed diplomatic interest.
Austin, a former U.S. Marine and freelance journalist, was abducted near Daraya, a Damascus suburb, shortly after his 31st birthday. A video released weeks later showed him blindfolded and held by unidentified captors. Since then, no group has claimed responsibility, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Debra last visited Syria in 2015. Now, with the Assad regime recently toppled and a transitional government under Ahmed al-Sharaa in place, she has been granted new access to officials and detention sites. In a press conference during her trip, she said:
“I feel strongly that Austin is here… and I hope to hold him while I’m here.”
She urged the new Trump administration and U.S. hostage affairs officials to intensify efforts, emphasizing that time is critical. Non-governmental organizations like Hostage Aid Worldwide are also aiding her search, combing through detention records and former prison sites for clues.
There are conflicting reports surrounding Austin’s fate. In 2024, a former Syrian general claimed that Bashar al-Assad ordered Tice’s execution in 2013. However, U.S. intelligence and family sources have not confirmed this claim. Some believe he may still be alive, possibly held by regime loyalists in a remote location.
Debra’s return has reinvigorated public attention on the case and increased pressure on U.S. officials to act decisively. Her tireless advocacy continues to represent the emotional weight and urgency surrounding the plight of detained and missing journalists in conflict zones.
Bottom line: Debra Tice’s return to Syria after a decade brings a renewed push for answers in her son’s case. As Syria’s political landscape shifts and international attention intensifies, hope remains that Austin Tice—if alive—might finally return home.
