ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — The parents of an American journalist slain by Islamic State militants say their son died a hero for revealing the stories of oppressed people in war-torn lands.

James Foley, was abducted in 2012 and held for nearly two years. The Islamic militants posted a video showing his murder on Tuesday and said they killed him because the U.S. had launched airstrikes in northern Iraq.

Diane and John Foley addressed the media outside their Rochester, New Hampshire, home on Wednesday. It was an appearance where wrenching grief over their son’s death mingled with shaking laughter over his life.

Diane Foley says her son was courageous to the end and called his death “just evil.”

John Foley says the family is holding up but that it feels like a bad dream.

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