An American journalist missing in Syria: what happened?

Urges the U.S. government to bring her son Austin home after 12 years missing in Syria.

Describes the event as a gathering of FBI agents, intelligence community members, and government officials.

Last spoke to Austin on August 11, 2012, and learned a week later he had been missing for almost a week.

Austin had taken a break from Georgetown Law to pursue war correspondence in Syria.

Austin is likely alive and treated better than other prisoners because he is a 'golden egg' for the regime. Heard that an American journalist resembling Austin visited him eight months ago because he was on a hunger strike. Austin was moved to branch 235, Palestine branch.

Rebel forces seized major cities and toppled the Assad regime, creating hope for Austin's release.

Claims to have new evidence from a vetted government source that Austin is alive and treated well.

The U.S. believes Austin is alive and remains committed to returning him, though there is no direct evidence yet.

Received a purple folder with GPS coordinates of every location Austin is possibly known to have been held at. Entered Syria via Lebanon, encountering armed fighters at the border but passing through quickly without passport checks.