British photojournalist allegedly stabbed to death by teenage son on California hiking trail

Award-winning Paul Lowe found dead in San Gabriel Mountains as son Emir charged with murder

Paul Lowe, an award-winning photographer who covered conflicts including the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian war, was found dead on 12 October in the San Gabriel Mountains (KTLA/Elton Koritari)

A British photojournalist has been stabbed to death at a popular hiking trail in California and his teenage son has been charged with his murder.

Paul Lowe, an award-winning photographer who covered conflicts including the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian war, was found dead on 12 October in the San Gabriel Mountains.

The 60-year-old had been fatally stabbed in the neck, records at the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner show.

Mr Lowe’s 19-year-old son Emir was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder, according to police.

The teenager has been charged with one count of murder and is set to make his first court appearance on Wednesday at the West Covina Courthouse, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.

Paul Lowe was found dead in the San Gabriel Mountains in California

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said: "The homicide bureau presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing considerations today.

"The District Attorney's office filed one count of murder on suspect Emir Lowe for the murder of his father Christian Paul Lowe.

"There is no additional information at this time."

According to police, the incident happened at around 3.28pm at Mount Baldy Road, near Stoddard Canyon Falls.

A statement from the sheriff's department said officers responding to an assault with a deadly weapon call found a "white male adult suffering trauma to his upper torso".

It added: "San Bernardino Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

"A white male adult was seen driving away from the scene and was subsequently involved in a solo traffic collision a few miles away. The male was detained pending further investigation.

"The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information at this time."

King's College London, where Mr Lowe was a visiting professor in war studies, said the photojournalist would be "deeply missed".

A statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, read: "It is with deep sadness that we received the news of Professor Paul Lowe's passing.

"Paul was a Visiting Professor in the Department of War Studies, a Professor of Photojournalism at the University of the Arts London, and an award-winning photojournalist with VII Academy. A friend, colleague and collaborator whose work had a huge impact in shining a spotlight on the Siege of Sarajevo and addressing its legacy, we were privileged to work with him on several projects related to art and reconciliation.

"His boundless energy, warmth, creativity, initiative and enthusiasm were contagious and uniquely inspiring. He will be deeply missed.

"We send our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time."