Algerian hostage victims family learn of death via Facebook
The family of a British man gunned down during the Algerian hostage crisis have spoken of their anguish after learning of his death through Facebook.
As official were unable to provide any clear indication of the situation due to the confused situation at the scene family memebers took to Facebook in a desperate bid to find any information they could, ultimately seeing their worst fears realised.
Kenneth Whiteside, 59, of Glenrothres, Fife was held captive for two days but his wife was shocked when she logged into his Facebook timeline and read a message of condolence from an Algerian colleague.
Subsequent contact with the man confirmed that Whiteside had been ordered to lie on the ground before being murdered but police only informed the family on Sunday night.
Stephanie Whiteside, the wife of Whiteside’s brother, Robert, said: “We had contacted Kenneth three or four times but we couldn’t get through. It kept going to voicemail. Bob’s daughter Faith checked his Facebook page to see if she could see anything on there.
“She saw an Algerian co-worker had written something about his friend the traveller who smiled even though he knew his fate. That was Kenneth."