ROCHESTER, New Hampshire (NEWS CENTER) -- Members of James Foley's family came out of their Rochester, New Hampshire home Wednesday and spoke with reporters, thanking them for following their son's ordeal and for caring about his story.
The family also thanked the many people who tried to secure their son's freedom since he disappeared back in 2012. At the Foley home, in a quiet neighborhood, a single candle remains lit in an upstairs window. Yellow ribbons hang from the front door and a tree out front.
A woman who used to live next door to the family left behind flowers, saying this was just too sad. That sums up the feelings of many people in the Rochester community. Outside a downtown shop, a sign of sympathy was put up for the Foley family.
With heavy hearts, James Foley's family came out to speak with reporters Wednesday, as the try to come to grips with the unspeakable murder.
"It's horrific. People can die in lots of different ways. This way was the most horrific. It haunts me how much pain he was in, how cruel this method of execution is compared to so many others. It testifies to his courage," Foley's father, James, said.
The Foley's priest Father Paul Gousse visited the family shortly after they learned news of their son's deathTuesday night. He also spent time with them again Wednesday morning.
"They're struggling. They're going through a range of emotions as you can imagine. They're trying to deal with this the best you can. You don't make sense of something that is insane. This brutality is not something any of us were ready for," Gousse said.
The Foleys said they did receive a phone call from President Obama Wednesday. They say they have no hope of ever retrieving their son's body and that's something even the President can't help them with.
