On October 12, renowned British photojournalist Paul Lowe was tragically stabbed to death while hiking in California’s San Gabriel Mountains. The suspect in this shocking incident is his 19-year-old son, Emir Abadzic Lowe. After the attack, Emir fled the scene but was arrested shortly after in a car accident, leading to murder charges being filed against him by prosecutors.
According to reports from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department published by Newsweek on October 16, authorities discovered the 60-year-old Lowe at Stoddard Canyon Falls, where he had sustained severe upper body trauma. The county coroner later confirmed he died from a stab wound to the neck.
Paul Lowe was a distinguished photojournalist known for covering significant historical events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. His work received considerable acclaim over the years.
Witnesses at the scene recounted seeing someone drive away; that individual turned out to be Emir. He managed to flee for only a short distance before crashing his vehicle, aligning with eyewitness accounts.
As of October 15, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged Emir with the murder of his father. The motive behind this tragic act remains unclear, and it is still uncertain whether Emir will appear in court or be represented by his attorney.
In addition to his notable journalistic career, Paul was a professor at the University of the Arts London and a celebrated war correspondent. His 2005 book, “Bosnians,” is a detailed account of the Bosnian War and its aftermath.
In a 2002 interview with The Guardian, Lowe discussed the harrowing conditions in Sarajevo during the war, including children maneuvering through gunfire and surviving attacks from snipers.
Santiago Lyon, the former deputy director of photography at the Associated Press, who worked alongside Lowe during the war in Sarajevo, described him as a “brave and dedicated” photojournalist whose work brought the reality of conflict and humanitarian crises to global attention.
Lyon expressed deep sorrow at Lowe’s untimely passing, highlighting his impressive professional achievements and dedication to nurturing the next generation of photojournalists. The VII Foundation, which collaborated with Lowe in training new photographers, also expressed shock and mourning over the loss.
