A former U.S. Marine and native of Houston is believed by his family to be alive in Syria more than 10 years after he was apparently taken captive in that war-torn nation, where a change in leadership is now signaling a new political direction.
Austin Tice was a freelance journalist for newspapers such as the Washington Post when he disappeared in 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war.
His last siting in person was at a checkpoint west of Damascus, after which he is said to have disappeared.
It was only a few weeks later that a hostage video surfaced, featuring Austin wearing a blindfold, guarded by armed men.
That was the last time anyone has seen or heard from Austin.
Now his parents say there's new information that their son is still be alive and still being cared for, after being held in Syria all these years.
They aren't saying where the new hope is coming from, but they say the source is reputable.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden was asked about Austin at a news conference on Sunday, to which he replied, "we believe he's alive, we think we can get him back," but Biden admitted that he had seen no direct evidence that Austin is alive and okay, according to Fox News.
Syria has denied that it's been holding Austin.
His family is continuing to work for his release from captivity, though, which could happen considering the nation of Syria has just been freed from the dictatorial regime of President Bashir al Assad.
At a website set up by Austin's family, his life and work are celebrated by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, which "honors Austin Tice for his courage and service in reporting on Syria’s violent and tragic civil war."
A graduate of Georgetown University, "Tice is a veteran Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and has won numerous awards for his reporting, including the 2012 George Polk Award for War Reporting," according to the website.