Friends And Family Hold Vigil For Journalist Missing In Libya
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A journalist is missing in Libya. It's been 37 days and there's been no word from a Baltimore man after he went to see his friends in the embattled country.
Andrea Fujii reports his family and community aren't giving up hope.
As the Libyan revolution began, Matthew VanDyke, 31, couldn't just sit back idly.
"He felt one person could make a difference so he went to Libya, to eastern Libya," said Sharon VanDyke, Matthew's mother.
It was there that the former Baltimore Examiner journalist went missing in mid-March.
More than a month later, friends and family held a vigil for him.
"I'm very heartbroken. I can't believe it has happened," said Marguerite Sheldon, neighbor.
VanDyke received his master's degree from Georgetown in Security Studies and spent time in Afghanistan, embedded as a journalist.
"This time he really went as a support to friends. I'm sure he was doing some writing and taking pictures because if you're a journalist you're always a journalist," said Sharon VanDyke.
In early April, Matthew VanDyke's friend called saying he was likely taken in Brega, along with a thousand other Libyans, and may be in prison.
Thousands of miles away, people lit candles for Matthew in hopes someone will recognize him and bring him back home. As a mother, Sharon VanDyke's fire for her son will not dim.
"I need every ounce of energy to constantly keep his name out there, send emails, do interviews like this, anything I can," said Sharon VanDyke.
Matthew VanDyke's mother has spoken with the State Department twice. Officials say they don't have an official presence in Libya and are relying on Turkish officials to gain access to the eight Americans, including Matthew, who may be imprisoned.
