Family of Utah man held in Congo coup attempt has no proof he's alive
WEST JORDAN, Utah (AP) — A Utah family whose son was implicated in a thwarted coup in Congo said they’re unsure if he’s alive as they struggle to get U.S. officials to make contact with him and two other Americans two weeks after their arrest.
Tyler Thompson Jr., 21, flew to Africa in April with his former high school football teammate, Marcel Malanga, 21, for what his family believed was a vacation, with all expenses paid by Marcel’s father. But the itinerary might have included more than sightseeing. Other teammates alleged that Marcel had offered up to $100,000 to join him on a “security job” in Congo.
Christian Malanga, who considered himself president of a shadow government in exile, livestreamed his attack in Kinshasa on May 19. It shows his Utah-born son carrying an assault rifle at his side, surrounded by dozens of gun-toting men in military uniforms, as he threatens President Felix Tshisekedi from inside the presidential palace. Tyler could not be seen in the livestream, but other videos circulating on social media show him bound and bloodied as Congolese soldiers take the Americans into custody.