James Foley’s Mom Pens Heartbreaking Statement After Video Purports to Show Islamic State Militants Behead Her Son

The mother of photojournalist James Foley penned a statement Tuesday evening after a video posted online purported to show her son beheaded by Islamic State militants.

"We have never been prouder of our son Jim. He gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people," Diane Foley said in a note posted to Facebook.

A new video posted online appears to show Islamic State militants behead journalist James Foley.(Image source: Facebook)

"We implore the kidnappers to spare the lives of the remaining hostages. Like Jim, they are innocents," she continued. "They have no control over American government policy in Iraq, Syria or anywhere in the world."

[sharequote align="center"]"We thank Jim for all the joy he gave us."[/sharequote]

"We thank Jim for all the joy he gave us," Foley's mother concluded. "He was an extraordinary son, brother, journalist and person. Please respect our privacy in the days ahead as we mourn and cherish Jim."

The 40-year-old journalist had gone missing more than a year ago in Syria. On Tuesday a video titled "A Message to America," depicted a man believed to be him being beheaded by a member of the Islamic State terror group.

—

Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter