In the late months of June and August, an American man named Travis Timmerman went missing from his home state of Missouri as the Missouri State Highway Patrol saw his last appearance.
On December 12th, 2024, Travis Timmerman was spotted wandering around Syria near southern Damascus, after he had been released from the Syrian prison he was being held in before the spotting of him on Thursday.
Travis Timmerman told the news networks that he had been wandering Syria as he came into Damascus on a “pilgrimage,” as he stated in his own words. When Timmerman was found, a journalist named Austin Tice began to interview the individual as he began to be swarmed by reporters and cameras, and his discovery shocked many.
When Austin Tice interviewed Timmerman, he revealed that his journey to Syria was entirely on foot and that Syrian authorities had detained him. This was when he officially stated and further explained his “Pilgrimage to Damascus.” He continues to reveal details about spending approximately three days in mountain regions near Lebanon and Syria (provided by NBC NEWS). Timmerman also details his lack of proper hydration and nourishment in terms of his absence of food, and that was when he was discovered by a border guard in a nearby vicinity.
As this interview goes on, he further discusses his imprisonment in Syria. Timmerman explains his experiences in detainment by stating, “I was fed well, I always had water, the only difficulty was not being able to go to the bathroom.” This outlook of his legal confinement released by NBC shocked readers as he described his imprisonment positively and without complaint. He even follows these statements by describing these months in confinement as “a time of solace, of meditation, and I’m stronger for it.”
As Timmerman was found, news networks decided to contact his loved ones to inform them of his safety status, and it was said that his family was very thankful and relieved of his safety and contentment. This was explained as, “Tears, started bawling, it was so emotional,” from his stepfather (Richard Gardiner tells CNN) followed by, “I’m thinking the worst, after seven months you just think he’s gone.” This viewpoint of the Timmerman family showed readers the extent of his family’s negative outlook on his disappearance as well as the impact this held on his loved ones for such a long period. His stepfather also revealed his relief at his mother as she revealed this same information by describing the moment he had with her as he revealed his whereabouts to his mother, stating, “It’s him, and he’s alive!’ So we both cried on the phone,” to CNN local reporters.
Later this same Thursda, they Syrian government established Timmermans official release.
After this experience, it is believed that Timmerman’s life will change because of his new experiences, which have affected his outlook on life. Still, before this scenario, Timmerman worked at a law firm, Goldberg Law Group, based in Chicago, Illinois, and was described a nice and outgoing person by colleagues.
