Evans, Reuters staffer killed, was indispensable to coverage

Ryan Evans, who was killed in a missile strike on a hotel in eastern Ukraine, had combat experience and a professional manner that made him indispensable to Reuters’ coverage of wars and an unfailing source of support for many journalists, reports Elizabeth Piper of Reuters.

Piper reports, “He befriended many of the reporters he was helping stay safe, thanks to his easy-going manner and sharp wit. ‘Are you ok?’ was a question Evans repeatedly asked of journalists he worked with.

“‘Our lovely son Ryan enjoyed the outdoors and was not only physically strong but showed great determination and tenaciousness. He … very quickly showed interest in all things military,’ said his parents, David and Geraldine Evans.

“Reuters’ Editor in Chief Alessandra Galloni said: ‘Ryan played an instrumental part of our coverage of many of the biggest stories in the world over the past few years including Ukraine, Gaza, the recent Paris Olympics.’

“‘His guidance and professionalism were invaluable to so many of our journalists; we will miss him,’ she said in a statement.”

Read more here.