Julie Tomlin
WVoN co-editor

Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin remained in Syria because she was determined the terrible story of events there had to be told.

Colvin had hoped to moderate a discussion that is taking place on the growing crisis in Syria at the Frontline Club in London this Friday.

On Sunday she wrote in an email to programme editor Millicent Teasdale that she had decided to stay “at the epicentre of the storm” in Baba Amr in Homs:

“They are killing with impunity. Sadly I wont be able to make 24th have decided I should stay and write what I can to expose what is happening here.”

Reports that Colvin was one of two Western journalists killed in the Syrian city of Homs, when shells hit the building they were staying in, have shocked and saddened friends and colleagues at the Frontline Club.

Writing on Twitter, Channel 4 News presenter, Jon Snow, said “Assad’s assassination of Marie Colvin: Utterly devastating: the most courageous journalist I ever knew and a wonderful reporter and writer.”

Last night, Colvin described on Channel 4 News the “merciless” attacks on civilians surrounding her.

She said: “I think the sickening thing is the complete merciless nature. They’re hitting civilian buildings mercilessly and without caring. The scale of it is just shocking.”

She also spoke on the BBC, telling viewers: “I saw a baby die today”.

This post appeared originally on the Frontline Club blog.