Well-known British journalist stabbed to death on California trail, 19-year-old charged with murder

On October 12th, renowned British photojournalist Paul Lowe tragically lost his life while hiking in California’s San Gabriel Mountains. His 19-year-old son, Emir Abadzic Lowe, has been charged with murder in connection with the incident. After allegedly fleeing the scene, Emir was apprehended by police.

According to statements from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, officers arrived at Stoddard Canyon Falls where they found the 60-year-old Lowe with severe upper body injuries. The county coroner confirmed that he died as a result of stab wounds to the neck.

Paul Lowe was known for covering significant historical events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, earning widespread acclaim for his work.

Witnesses reported seeing a car leave the scene of the crime, which was driven by Emir. He reportedly crashed not far from the site of the stabbing, and law enforcement was able to apprehend him shortly thereafter in line with eyewitness accounts.

On October 15th, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against Emir for the murder of his father.

The motive for the crime remains unclear at this time, and it is uncertain whether Emir will appear in court or be represented by an attorney.

Lowe served as a professor at the University of the Arts London and was a distinguished war correspondent. His 2005 book “Bosnians” provided an in-depth look at the Bosnian War and its aftermath.

In a 2002 interview with The Guardian, Lowe discussed the dire situation in Sarajevo during the conflict, recounting harrowing tales of children escaping gunfire and sniper attacks.

Santiago Lyon, former vice president and director of photography at the Associated Press, who worked alongside Lowe in Sarajevo during the 1990s, described him as a “brave, self-sacrificing” photographer whose work brought the realities of war and humanitarian crises to a global audience.

Lyon noted that Lowe was a remarkable professional who dedicated himself to educating the next generation of photojournalists, saying that his sudden death has left a profound impact on the field of photojournalism. The VII Foundation, an organization dedicated to training photographers in collaboration with Lowe, also expressed their shock and sorrow at his passing.