Student missing since ’04 was kidnapped by North Korea

Sneddon’s parents, Roy and Kathleen, have never stopped searching for their son, making several trips to China and even petitioning the United States congress for further help finding more information on their child.

“We have no proof that it’s reliable, to be honest”, David Sneddon’s mother, Kathleen Sneddon, told the Tribune.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

About two weeks after David Sneddon was discovered missing, Roy Sneddon and two of his oldest sons went to the Yunnan Province, he said. Chinese authorities claimed that Sneddon died in a “hiking accident” at the Tiger Leaping Gorge Trail in Yunnan.

A recent report claims that David Sneddon may be alive and working as an English teacher in Pyongyang, North Korea. The Sneddons made a decision to travel to China to raise awareness of David’s disappearance.

Worse things have happened to American students in North Korea.

While it could be good news if David is still alive, the North Korean dictator’s ruthless actions means an unpredictable future for the Utah ex-college student.

“I’m nearly confident David is alive”, Kathleen said, noting her friends who have traveled overseas to find out information about David’s possible whereabouts. “David’s family deserves answers to those questions”, Stewart continued, “and until we find those answers, I will continue urging the State Department to pursue all possible explanations for David’s disappearance”. Sneddon’s American wife, Kathleen Sneddon, said she was skeptical of the report, but that “he’s probably teaching English”.

“One young man from Utah is a sad and woeful story”.

USA officials say that there is no evidence suggesting that Sneddon was abducted but they will monitor the situation carefully, according to CNN. Sneddon is fluent in Korean, a skill he used on Mormon missions in South Korea.

David’s family has set up a website and Facebook page dedicated to the search for their son, which they frequently update. They also expressed their sorrow for the people their son has likely taught for the past 12 years: “Pray for the people of North Korea that their lives will change”.