From today on a historical Case: Missing Robert Levinson becomes the longest held hostage in U.S. history

Statement from Christine Levinson, wife of Robert (Bob) Levinson:

"Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 26, 2013, will mark an unimaginable milestone for my husband, Robert Levinson, who disappeared while visiting Kish Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007. On this day, Bob will become the longest-held American hostage, surpassing Terry Anderson who was held captive for 2,454 days.‎

No one would have predicted this terrible moment more than six and a half years ago when Bob disappeared. Our family will soon gather for our seventh Thanksgiving without Bob, and the pain will be almost impossible to bear. Yet, as we endure this terrible nightmare from which we can not wake, we know that we must bear it for Bob, the most extraordinary man we have ever known.

To whoever is holding Bob, I ask again for your mercy. Please let him go to reunite with his family.

Bob, if somehow you see or hear these words: Stay strong. You have a new grandson, just a month old. We can’t wait for you to meet him. We love you and will never stop working to bring you home safely."

Christine Levinsons`s Website for her missing husband:

http://www.helpboblevinson.com/ 

FBI Press Release 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 25, 2013             
CONTACT:  WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE (001) 202-278-3519
http://www.fbi.gov/washingtondc

Robert Levinson Becomes One of Longest Held Americans in History

Retired FBI Agent Went Missing on March 9, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tomorrow, November 26, 2013, Robert Levinson will become one of the longest held Americans in history, passing the 2,454 days Terry Anderson spent in captivity before being freed in 1991.

Mr. Levinson, 65, is a retired U.S. government employee with 28 years of service to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  On March 8, 2007, Mr. Levinson traveled to Kish Island, Iran, as a private investigator; he went missing the following day.

The FBI is responsible for investigating crimes committed against U.S. citizens abroad and has been conducting an investigation to locate Mr. Levinson since 2007. In March 2011, the United States government announced it had received indications that Mr. Levinson was being held somewhere in southwest Asia.

“Exhaustive efforts have not yet been successful in locating Bob or establishing a dialogue with those who are holding him, but the FBI remains wholly committed to bringing him home safely to his loved ones,” said FBI Director James B. Comey.  “We will continue to follow every lead into his disappearance, and we ask anyone with information regarding his disappearance to contact the FBI.”

On the fifth anniversary of his disappearance in March 2012, the FBI announced a reward of up to $1 million for information leading directly to the safe location and return of Mr. Levinson; that reward still remains unclaimed. 

For more information regarding Mr. Levinson, to include reward information, please visit www.fbi.gov/levinson.  Anyone with information regarding Mr. Levinson or his captors is asked to contact the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov. Information will be kept confidential and can be provided anonymously.