Timeline

November 25 2011

Stephen McGown is kidnapped in Timbuktu, along with Johan Gustafsson and Sjaak Rijke

August 2012

Al Jazeera shows an image grab in which the three appear at a location in Mali

September 2013

A video released to Mauritania’s news agency shows seven hostages, including McGown

January 2014

McGown’s father, Malcolm, asks Gift of the Givers for help after it negotiated the release of Yolande Korkie in Yemen

April 2015

Rijke is rescued by French troops

June 2015

A video is released of McGown and Gustafsson appealing to their governments for help

May 27 2017

McGown’s mother, Beverly, dies

June 2017

Gustafsson is released

July 25 2017

McGown is released

July 30 2017

McGown is reunited with his family in Johannesburg