'Restrepo' Director Tim Hetherington Killed in Libya

By Kelly Fisher Posted Apr 21st 2011 06:20AM

Oscar-nominated director Tim Hetherington died Wednesday in the midst of heavy fighting in Libya, The Washington Post reports.

Hetherington, 40, was in the war-torn country with Pulitzer Prize-nominated American photojournalist Chris Hondros, 41, and were killed when fighting broke out between Moammar Gaddafi's forces and rebels in the city of Misrata. Two other photojournalists were also hurt during the attack.

British-born Hetherington rose to fame when 'Restrepo,' his documentary chronicling the deployment of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, was nominated for an Academy Award earlier this year. He was most recently based in Brooklyn, New York.

On Tuesday the director took to Twitter to update his followers on the situation in Libya. "In besieged Libyan city of Misrata," he wrote. "Indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO."

According to CNN, Hetherington also served as a contributing photographer for 'Vanity Fair.' The magazine issued a statement from the director's family.

"It is with great sadness we learned that our son and brother, photographer and filmmaker Tim Hetherington, was killed today in Misrata, Libya, by a rocket-propelled grenade," the statement said. "Tim will be remembered for his amazing images and his Academy Award-nominated documentary 'Restrepo.' "

The statement continued, "Tim was in Libya to continue his ongoing multimedia project to highlight humanitarian issues during time of war and conflict. He will be forever missed."

Comments

(6)

Thursday 21 April

By laughin@stupid

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

hm he had no business being there and neither do we

By Austin

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

He is a war journalist; it is his job to report what YOU are too afraid to acknowledge exists. Now show some respect. I have been following this man's work for awhile. He is a good man and knew what he was doing. I blame Gaddafi for this mishap. Another reason I want him dead.

By tony

Vote down Vote up Report this

@austin,are you really that dumb,we have no buisness over there and a reporter knows the risk,hes no different than a fireman or policeman,who also know the risk,too bad he died but again it is his job.

By Spike

As a Vet of Afghanistan with LOTS of time outside the wire I respected his work. I had lots of embedded reporters/photo journaists with me but never this Gentlemen. But again, I saw Restrepo and respected his work.

By luckygirlsays

This is tragic news. He has left his legacy in Restrepo and everything he stood for as an American and Journalist. RIP!

By Valory

Sad Sad news. Pray for him and the family! Journalists take a big risk doing what they do, and sometimes they shouldnt be in such dangerous places, this is questionable whether he should of been there in the first place. Some want to play the HERO reporter and this is what happens unfortunatly. Im NOT refering to Anderson Cooper by the way. He is NOT a journalist or a reporter, hes a "talking head"

Page 1 of 1