Father Of British Hostage Dies After Pleading For Son's Release

The father of a British journalist John Cantile, who was captured and held hostage by Islamic State militants has died, weeks after of pleading on his sick bed for his son's release.

Paul Cantile was reported to have died last week from "complications following pneumonia," according to a family announcement on Tuesday.

Voice of America reports that John Cantlie, an independent photojournalist was captured almost 2 years ago by ISIS in northern Syria.

He reappeared in September in a video released by Islamic State looking gaunt and pale. In it, the photographer said he would soon reveal "facts" about the group to counter its portrayal in Western media. He has not been seen since.

Speaking slowly through a ventilator in early October, the elder Cantlie said that while he was relieved to hear his son in the IS footage, he also felt helpless.

The Islamic State has executed foreign journalists and aid workers in Syria this year, citing Western military intervention against their offensives in Iraq and Syria.