Slain journalist Sotloff described as ‘gentle soul’ and ‘no war junkie’

The family of slain American journalist Steven J. Sotloff remembered him Wednesday as a “gentle soul” and dedicated journalist who also harbored a fondness for watching Miami Dolphins games and “South Park” episodes.

“He was no war junkie,” the family said in a statement delivered by a spokesman, Barak Barfi, outside their suburban Miami home. “He did not want to be a modern day Lawrence of Arabia. He merely wanted to give voice to those who had none.”

“From the Libyan doctor in Misurata who struggled to provide psychological services to children ravaged by war, to the Syrian plumber who risked his life by crossing regime lines to purchase medicine, their story was Steve’s story,” Barfi said, speaking to reporters in both English and Arabic. “He ultimately sacrificed his life to bring their story to the world.”

The family, which has requested privacy to grieve, released the statement after U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the authenticity of a video released Tuesday that showed Sotloff’s beheading by the militant group Islamic State.

The 31-year-old freelance journalist, who wrote for such outlets as Time magazine and Foreign Policy, was kidnapped shortly after crossing into Syria in August 2013.

Two weeks ago, he appeared in a video showing the beheading of fellow American journalist James Foley. In that video, a militant clad in black and speaking English with a British accent threatened that Sotloff would be next.

Barfi spoke Wednesday of his friend’s yearning for a tranquil, middle-class life, but said Sotloff was drawn to the Middle East.

“Steve was no hero,” Barfi said. “Like all of us, he was a mere man who tried to find good concealed in a world of darkness.”

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