British photojournalist Paul Lowe, 60, was fatally stabbed on a hiking trail in the San Gabriel Mountains of California on October 12, 2024. His 19-year-old son, Emir Abadzic Lowe, has been charged with murder in connection with his death.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon around 3:28 pm near Stoddard Canyon Falls on Mount Baldy Road. First responders found Lowe with a stab wound to the neck and pronounced him dead at the scene. Emir was detained following a solo traffic collision a few miles from the location.
According to Lowe’s wife, Amra Abadzic Lowe, their son had been struggling with mental health issues, including hospitalization for psychosis, over the past year. The incident occurred while father and son were driving through the mountains.
Lowe was renowned for covering major world events, including the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian war, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. His work appeared in prestigious publications such as Time, Life, Newsweek, and the Independent. King’s College London, where Lowe served as a visiting professor in war studies, described him as a “friend, colleague, and collaborator whose work had a huge impact in shining a spotlight on the siege of Sarajevo and addressing its legacy.”
At the time of his death, Lowe was a professor at the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London, where he taught courses on the photographic documentation of conflict. He also served as a consultant to the World Press Photo Foundation and was represented by the Panos Pictures agency. The university noted that Lowe’s career made a lasting impact on how war and conflict are represented and on the complex cultural dynamics of peace and reconciliation efforts.
Lowe leaves a remarkable legacy as a distinguished photographer, author, critic, and, most importantly, a compassionate educator. Students and peers remember him as a dedicated teacher and mentor who championed the work of others. His colleagues praised his empathy, commitment, and belief in the humanist capacity of documentary photography.
Emir Abadzic Lowe has been charged with one count of murder by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and is due to appear in court.
Paul Lowe is survived by his wife, Amra Abadzic Lowe, and another son.